LOS ANGELES, April 26 (Xinhua) -- "Avengers: Endgame" broke records with 60 million U.S. dollars domestically in Thursday evening previews, ahead of its official debut in North America Friday.
Walt Disney Company, which contributed the fourth and final "Avengers," announced the achievement on its official website Friday noon, adding the movie had surpassed the previous record set by "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" in 2015 with a domestic record of 57 million U.S. dollars.
The Variety, a leading U.S. entertainment media, predicted that the action movie would take in another 80 million U.S. dollars on Friday and it is heading for a record-shattering opening weekend of about 300 million U.S. dollars in North American market, topping "Avengers: Infinity War" which set opening weekend record last year with 257.7 million U.S. dollars.
Until Friday afternoon, online box office tracking system Box Office Mojo said the matinees for the movie are currently heading toward "a 140 million+ opening day."
"Avengers: Endgame" will also be launched at a record 4,662 North American theaters this weekend - the widest release of any movie at the domestic box office.
And the film's first two trailers are the most-viewed in history in their first 24 hours, Walt Disney said, adding fan anticipation remains high with many theaters in the county are screening the film around the clock to meet demand.
Moreover, Walt Disney said the film is off to a record-breaking start around the world, posting an estimated 305 million U.S. dollars worldwide in its first two days, registering all-time industry single-day highs or opening highs in many oversea markets, especially China.
"China leads all markets with over 154 million U.S. dollars in two days, including its record-setting opening day of 107.2 million U.S. dollars," the company announced. The film debuted in 25 material markets on Wednesday and is debuting in every international market this weekend except Russia.
Hollywood's entertainment industry media partly attributed the huge success of "Avengers: Endgame" to its overperformance in China market.
"Most analysts originally expected Endgame to bring in around 270 million U.S. dollars during its five-day opening frame in China. But rave word of mouth among Chinese filmgoers is fueling the film to even greater heights," Hollywood Reporter said Friday. "Leading local ticketing company Maoyan currently projects Endgame will end the weekend with about 324 million U.S. dollars."
