Avengers: Endgame Re-Release Earns $86M Globally, Teases Doomsday

Key points

• Avengers: Endgame: Encore earned $86M worldwide, including $26M in North America and $60M internationally.
• The re-release included new scenes teasing 'Avengers: Doomsday,' including an alternate ending with Loki and a Doctor Doom mask reveal.
• A24’s 'Primetime' debuted at No. 2 with $19.1M domestic, marking the third-best opening for the studio.
• Paramount’s 'Heart of the Beast' earned $20M domestic and $50.1M globally, with a strong 87% Rotten Tomatoes score.
• Sony’s 'Resident Evil' held at No. 2 with $23M domestic, totaling $196.5M worldwide against a $75M budget.

Background

Marvel Studios confirmed in August that 'Endgame: Encore' would include new footage to bridge the 2019 film with 'Avengers: Doomsday,' set to release December 18, 2026. The re-release was marketed as a way to re-engage fans and build anticipation for the next MCU chapter, with Disney noting the 7-year-old film’s strong performance on streaming platforms.

How outlets are covering it

Deadline emphasized the re-release’s record-breaking performance, noting it was the second-best late-September weekend ever and the highest-grossing re-release in 27 countries. Variety highlighted the marketing strategy, with David A. Gross calling it an effective way to build word-of-mouth for 'Doomsday.' Gizmodo focused on the new scenes, analyzing the alternate ending with Loki and the Doctor Doom mask reveal as key teasers for the upcoming film. All outlets agreed the re-release was a significant box office success, but differed in emphasis: Deadline on numbers, Variety on marketing, and Gizmodo on narrative implications.

Why it matters

The success of 'Endgame: Encore' demonstrates the enduring appeal of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the effectiveness of re-releases as marketing tools. It also signals strong audience interest in 'Avengers: Doomsday,' which could impact the box office performance of other fall and winter releases. The strong performance of 'Primetime' and 'Resident Evil' also indicates a healthy market for original and franchise films.

What to watch

Avengers: Doomsday is set to release December 18, 2026. 'Heart of the Beast' and 'Forgotten Island' will rely on international and domestic longevity to recoup their budgets. The domestic box office is on track to cross $8 billion, with 'Doomsday' and 'Dune 3' expected to drive further growth.