Avengers: Endgame Reclaims All-Time Box Office Crown from Avatar via 'Encore' Re-Release

Key points

• Avengers: Endgame's global box office total reached $2.9255 billion, surpassing Avatar's $2.9237 billion to become the highest-grossing film of all time.
• The 'Avengers: Endgame: Encore' re-release generated over $126 million worldwide, including $36.2 million domestically and $89.8 million abroad, in its first two weekends.
• The re-release was strategically timed to build excitement for Avengers: Doomsday, which is scheduled to release on December 18, 2026.
• The MCU has generated a combined $35.07 billion across all movies, with Spider-Man: Brand New Day contributing significantly to this total.
• The 'Encore' re-release included four additional scenes, described by directors Joe and Anthony Russo as 'the most profound moment' in the MCU, featuring the collapse of the multiverse.

Background

This is the third time the all-time box office crown has shifted between Avatar and Avengers: Endgame. Endgame first overtook Avatar in 2019, Avatar reclaimed the title in 2021 ahead of Avatar: The Way of Water, and Endgame has now regained the lead. The MCU has been the most commercially successful film franchise in history, with Spider-Man: Brand New Day recently surpassing Endgame for the No. 2 domestic box office spot. The re-release of Endgame is part of a broader strategy to promote the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, which will face competition from Dune: Part Three.

How outlets are covering it

The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, and Deadline all report the same core facts: Endgame's global total of $2.9255 billion vs. Avatar's $2.9237 billion, and the $126 million haul from the 'Encore' re-release. THR and Variety emphasize the strategic timing for Doomsday, while Deadline provides more granular box office data, noting the 81% drop in the second weekend and Endgame's No. 3 domestic all-time rank. SYFY Wire focuses on the creative aspect, highlighting the new scenes in the re-release and the Russo brothers' comments on their significance for Doomsday. All outlets agree that Disney benefits regardless of which film holds the top spot, as it owns both titles.

Why it matters

This milestone underscores the enduring commercial power of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the strategic importance of re-releases in the modern box office landscape. The success of the 'Encore' campaign is a promising sign for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, which is expected to be one of the year's biggest movies. It also highlights the competitive dynamics between major studio blockbusters and the role of marketing in driving box office performance.

What to watch

Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to release on December 18, 2026, the same day as Dune: Part Three. The success of the Endgame re-release is expected to drive ticket pre-sales for Doomsday, which has already crossed $50 million domestically three months out. The MCU's continued dominance at the box office will likely influence future release strategies for major studios.