'Avengers' blast past 'Titanic' to all-time No. 2

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Disney and Marvel's "Avengers: Endgame" has stormed into historic territory, earning 2.19 billion U.S.dollars worldwide in less than two weeks to become the No. 2 film of all time, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.

That exalted number, which includes the film's estimated take of 145.8 million dollars this three-day weekend in North America, pushes the superhero blockbuster past "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," which netted 2.07 billion dollars, and even "Titanic" (2.18 billion dollars).

Only "Avatar" (2.79 billion dollars) has done better. Yet "Avengers" hit its record total in just 11 days, taking in a stunning 575.8 million dollars in China alone.

Hollywood analysts predict a long run for "Avengers," which drew a rare 96 percent rating on the Rotten Tomatoes website and features a star-studded cast including Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Bradley Cooper and Josh Brolin.

Trailing "Avengers" by several light years, rival studios still managed to place new films in the next three box-office spots.

As of Saturday, the end of the May Day holiday, the film has already grossed over 3.8 billion yuan (560 million dollars) in China and has also overtaken "The Fate of the Furious" to become the No.1 of all imported films, and the fastest ever to reach three billion yuan (450 million dollars), surpassing China's first domestic hardcore sci-fi blockbuster "The Wandering Earth," the previous record holder.

A poster of characters in "Avengers: Endgame". /Photo via Douban‍

Sony's psychological thriller "The Intruder" came in second, at 11 million dollars. Michael Ealy and Meagan Good star as a young couple who buy a dream home in California's Napa Valley unaware that its previous owner (Dennis Quaid) plans to take it back – at all costs.

In third was Lionsgate's romantic comedy "Long Shot," at 10 million dollars. Seth Rogen plays Fred Flarsky, an out-of-work journalist who has a romantic interest in his former babysitter (Charlize Theron) who – now a candidate for the U.S. presidency – might seem a bit out of his reach.

STX Films' animated film "UglyDolls" placed fourth, at 8.5 million dollars. The plot? A bunch of misfit dolls with pointy ears and bad teeth, residents of Uglyville , face a harsh world but finally discover their inner beauty. The voices of Kelly Clarkson, Nick Jonas, Wanda Sykes and Janelle Monae are featured.

In fifth place, hanging strong in its ninth week out, was Disney's "Captain Marvel," at 4.3 million dollars. Brie Larson stars as a former fighter pilot who gains superpowers.

Source(s): AFP