Avengers: Endgame Encore Leads US Box Office with $11.2M

The 2019 blockbuster’s re‑run earned $11.2 million on Friday, outpacing A24’s Primetime, as Marvel gears up for the December Doomsday sequel.

Endgame Encore re‑claims the crown

Friday’s domestic tally saw the re‑released Avengers: Endgame pull in $11.2 million from just over three thousand screens, according to Variety. That put the film at the top of the US box‑office, a surprising comeback for a movie that first hit theatres seven years ago.

The numbers come from a weekend that also featured a handful of new releases. A24’s Primetime, starring Robert Pattinson as Dateline host Chris Hansen, earned $8.49 million from 2,874 locations, landing it in second place. Trade estimates suggest the thriller could finish the weekend with roughly $20.5 million.

What the rest of the chart looks like

Brad Pitt’s adventure The Heart of the Beast took third spot with $7.45 million, while the zombie‑filled Resident Evil slipped to fourth, bringing in $6.9 million across 3,684 venues. The franchise‑based horror, directed by Zach Cregger, posted a franchise‑best debut last weekend but is already feeling the dip.

Animated family fare Forgotten Island opened with $4.38 million from 3,548 screens. The film follows two friends who stumble onto a portal to a myth‑laden island, a premise that’s resonating with diaspora audiences.

Why the re‑run matters

Marvel’s decision to roll out Endgame Encore ahead of the highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday, slated for a December 18 release, appears to be a strategic move to remind audiences of the saga’s climax. When it first arrived in theatres, Endgame became the second‑highest‑grossing film ever, trailing only Avatar’s $2.9 billion worldwide.

Industry watchers note that the $11.2 million Friday haul could translate to about $26 million by Sunday, a solid showing for a re‑release. It also points to the staying power of the Marvel brand in a market that’s currently juggling new horror entries and prestige dramas.

Primetime’s surprise push

Primetime’s performance is noteworthy for an indie‑scale drama. The film, which dramatizes the controversial “To Catch a Predator” segment, has been buoyed by strong word‑of‑mouth and festival buzz from Venice. Real‑life Chris Hansen, however, has publicly dismissed the movie as “bizarre” and “detached from reality.”

The bigger picture

While Endgame Encore dominates, the box‑office landscape shows a mixed bag. Resident Evil’s fourth‑place finish signals a steep fall after its franchise‑record debut, and The Heart of the Beast’s modest numbers hint at a crowded summer for action‑adventure titles.

As December approaches, the industry will be watching how the Doomsday sequel performs against the backdrop of these early‑season trends. For now, Marvel’s old favourite has reminded everyone why it still commands crowds, even when it’s been out of circulation for years.