Avengers: Endgame Re‑Release Pushes Gross Past Avatar, Says James Cameron

Avengers: Endgame’s re‑release on September 25 has lifted its lifetime global earnings to $2.9255 billion, nudging it ahead of James Cameron’s Avatar. The new run opened with $86 million worldwide – $26 million from North America and $60 million from overseas – making it the second‑strongest opening for a re‑release after Titanic’s 2012 3D comeback, which earned $98.9 million. James Cameron used his X account to congratulate Marvel, sharing an image of Iron Man held aloft by the Na’vi tribe and writing, “You are one of the people. Congratulations to Marvel and the #1 Avengers Endgame: Encore for bringing moviegoers to the cinemas.” Cameron had praised the film before, first in 2019 when Endgame overtook Avatar, and later responded to Avatar’s 2021 re‑release that reclaimed the top spot. Avatar originally earned $2.74 billion in 2009, Endgame reached $2.78 billion in 2019, and Avatar’s 2021 re‑release raised its total to $2.924 billion before the latest Endgame surge. The Encore version also includes new footage teasing the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, scheduled for December 18, which will see Robert Downey Jr. return as Doctor Doom and bring back Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo among others.

Context

Re‑releasing blockbuster films is a strategy studios use to tap nostalgic audiences and add to worldwide totals. Avatar held the all‑time record for a decade before Endgame first displaced it, highlighting how re‑issues can shift historic box‑office rankings.