The rerelease of Marvel Studios’ blockbuster “Avengers: Endgame” collected $3.8 million in Thursday previews across North America as it returned to theaters on Friday.
Disney rolled out “Avengers Endgame: Encore” across 3,060 North American screens seven years after the film originally debuted in 2019. Disney projects the movie will bring in about $25 million domestically and $25 million to $30 million from international markets this weekend, while Variety reported domestic projections between $25 million and $28 million. The rerelease includes extra scenes and an exclusive preview of “Avengers: Doomsday,” which hits theaters on Dec. 18. Both movies were directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and are screening on the newly launched Infinity Vision theater format.
Holdovers and new challengers
The rerelease is competing with Sony’s Screen Gems title “Resident Evil” for the top spot. Director Zach Cregger’s horror adaptation is targeting $24 million to $26 million in its second weekend after setting a franchise record during its debut. The Hollywood Reporter reported its opening weekend at $60.1 million, while Variety placed it at $61 million.
Three other wide releases entered theaters this weekend. Paramount Pictures released director David Ayer’s $82 million survival film “Heart of the Beast” in 3,400 locations. The movie collected $2 million in previews and is projected to earn $17 million to $20 million domestically. The outlets differed on Brad Pitt’s character, with The Hollywood Reporter describing him as a Special Forces officer and Variety identifying him as a retired Army veteran trekking 58 miles through Alaska with his combat dog.
A24 opened “Primetime” in more than 2,800 theaters following $2.7 million in Thursday previews. Robert Pattinson stars under director Lance Oppenheim as reality television host Chris Hansen, whose surname The Hollywood Reporter spelled Hanson. Projections for the movie’s domestic opening weekend range from $12 million to $16 million according to The Hollywood Reporter, and $17 million to $20 million according to Variety.
Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation also released “Forgotten Island” in 3,548 locations. The $80 million animated film, which features voice work by H.E.R. and Liza Soberano, collected $1.48 million from Thursday previews and early screenings according to The Hollywood Reporter, while Variety reported $1.5 million. Projections for its domestic weekend debut sit in the mid-teens to $17 million.
