It is a record that apparently is not made for eternity. For years, James Cameron’s „Avatar – Journey to Pandora“ and Marvel’s „Avengers: Endgame“ have been engaged in an unusual long-distance duel for the title of the world’s most successful film. Now the balance of power has shifted again.

„Avengers: Endgame“ is once again at the top. The decisive factor is a re-release of the superhero film, which has been running in an extended version in theaters since September 24.

Marvel is relying on a strategy that already worked in 2019. The new extended version contains additional scenes that are intended to prepare for the upcoming film „Avengers: Doomsday.“

The strategy apparently paid off. According to a report by Moviepilot, „Deadline“ reports that „Avengers: Endgame“ reached a worldwide box office of 2.295 billion US dollars after the second weekend of the re-release.

This allowed the Marvel spectacle to surpass „Avatar“ once again.

The race between the two films has been ongoing for years. When „Avengers: Endgame“ hit theaters in 2019, the conclusion of the then Marvel saga became a worldwide phenomenon.

In the same year, „Endgame“ managed to dethrone „Avatar“ from the top after a re-release with additional material.

But James Cameron’s science fiction epic struck back. Before the cinema release of „Avatar: The Way of Water,“ the first part was brought back to theaters and thereby reclaimed the top position.

How long „Avengers: Endgame“ will hold the record this time is uncertain. The race between the two blockbusters is now so close that another successful re-release of „Avatar“ could change the rankings again.

This keeps the duel of the two cinema giants a special case: Films whose original cinema releases were years ago can still compete for the top of the worldwide box office through re-releases.

The additional scenes of the current „Endgame“ version also serve as a preview of the next big Marvel cinema event. According to Moviepilot, „Avengers: Doomsday“ is set to start in German cinemas on December 16, 2026.

Whether the new number one will actually remain at the top until then will depend not least on whether „Avatar“ finds its way back to the big screen again.

(VIENNA.AT)

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