Disney and Marvel Studios’ re-release of “Avengers: Endgame Encore” topped the North American box office with an estimated $26 million opening weekend, helping deliver one of the strongest late September weekends in recent years.
The weekend generated about $122.3 million in total ticket sales, marking the second-highest grossing late September frame on record. The previous best performance for the same weekend came in 2015, when “Hotel Transylvania 2” led the market to $137.8 million.
Despite a major nor’easter storm affecting parts of the Northeast, cinemas remained largely open and audiences turned out for several major releases.
“Avengers: Endgame Encore” opened in 3,060 theatres and added new footage from Marvel’s upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday” as part of its re-release campaign.
The film earned $26 million over the weekend, surpassing the $25.4 million opening of the 20th anniversary re-release of “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” in 2025.
However, the record for the biggest domestic opening weekend for a re-release remains with the 1997 reissue of “Star Wars”, which earned $35.9 million.
The re-release attracted strong audience interest, scoring a 91 per cent positive rating from Screen Engine’s PostTrak audience survey. Viewers aged 18 to 34 accounted for 66 per cent of the audience, with men making up 60 per cent and women 40 per cent.
The film’s premium large-format screenings, including IMAX and Infinity Vision theatres, accounted for 60 per cent of its weekend earnings.
“Resident Evil” Holds Second Place
Sony and Constantin’s “Resident Evil” placed second with $23.3 million in its second weekend, dropping 61 per cent from its opening.
The horror film brought its domestic total to $103.4 million after 10 days and is expected to become director Zach Cregger’s highest-grossing film, surpassing “Weapons,” which finished with $151.5 million domestically.
Brad Pitt’s “Heart Of The Beast” Opens Strongly- Paramount’s “Heart of the Beast”, starring Brad Pitt, opened in third place with $20 million.
The survival drama, about a former special forces soldier and his dog stranded in the Alaskan wilderness, received strong audience reactions, earning an A- CinemaScore and a 73 per cent definite recommendation rating from PostTrak.
The film attracted a broad audience, including older moviegoers who made up a significant portion of ticket buyers.
“Primetime” Debuts With $19.1m-A24’s crime drama “Primetime”, starring Robert Pattinson, opened with $19.1 million, exceeding the studio’s pre-release expectations.
The film follows the story of “To Catch a Predator” host Chris Hansen and a case that threatens to derail his career.
The movie attracted younger audiences, with viewers aged 18 to 34 making up a large share of ticket sales.
“Forgotten Island” Opens With $12.8m
Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s family film “Forgotten Island” opened with $12.8 million.
The animated adventure received an A CinemaScore from audiences, with families and younger viewers driving much of the opening weekend turnout.
The film follows two friends stranded in a mysterious world where escaping may require them to sacrifice their memories.
The strong performance of multiple films made the weekend one of the busiest late September periods since the pandemic, with the domestic box office approaching the $8 billion mark for the year.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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