‘Avengers Endgame: Encore’ Lands a Verified Hot Audience Score as Fans Rush Back to Theaters

Few superhero movies have left a mark quite like Marvel’s 2019 blockbuster, so it’s no surprise that ‘Avengers: Endgame: Encore‘ has been welcomed back with open arms. The film was originally directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, with an estimated budget between $356 million and $400 million, making it one of the most expensive movies ever produced.

Marvel boss Kevin Feige announced the re-release at SDCC 2026, promising brand-new footage shot specifically for the occasion. The extended version returned to theaters on September 25, setting the stage for ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ on December 18.

Now the audience reaction is in, and it’s overwhelmingly positive. Rotten Tomatoes announced that ‘Avengers: Endgame: Encore’ is Verified Hot with a 96% score on the Popcornmeter.

The site’s audience summary describes the film as arguably the most exciting ‘Avengers’ installment yet. It praises the movie for bringing together epic thrills and emotional turns that land as hard as a punch from Thanos. That kind of reaction suggests the magic hasn’t faded one bit. For many viewers, seeing it again on the big screen felt just as powerful as the first time.

Audiences say ‘Avengers Endgame: Encore’ is Verified Hot at 96% on the Popcornmeter! https://t.co/FRKSgSv3JF https://t.co/NVr7lNsXXm

— Rotten Tomatoes 🍅 (@RottenTomatoes) September 29, 2026

The strong reviews have been matched by impressive ticket sales. ‘Avengers: Endgame: Encore’ opened with $26.1 million domestically across 3,060 theaters. Internationally, it added another $60 million, bringing its worldwide total to about $86.1 million. That performance made it the first re-release to top the U.S. box office since ‘The Lion King’ in 3D back in 2011.

Reassemble the team & relive the experience as Avengers Endgame: Encore returns to theaters September 25.

Tickets now available for IMAX and Infinity Vision screens: https://t.co/pZZ4PiOyQb pic.twitter.com/2wKSVG4FLz

— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) August 25, 2026

The film opened strongest on Friday, earning $11.3 million, before adding $8.7 million on Saturday and $6.1 million on Sunday. This isn’t just the same movie with a new coat of paint. The re-release is an extended version, subtitled Encore, and it runs just over 3 hours.

The presentation also includes an exclusive look at ‘Avengers: Doomsday’. Fans who catch it on IMAX or Infinity Vision screens get an additional sneak peek at the upcoming film. Infinity Vision is a new certification for Premium Large Format theaters, promising big screens, bright images and outstanding sound. ‘Avengers: Endgame: Encore’ is the very first film released under the program.

The timing of the re-release is no accident. The Encore arrives ahead of the film’s 2 sequels, ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ in December and ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ in 2027. Feige has explained that the goal was to remind audiences what it felt like to watch the film in a packed theater, cheering along with everyone else. Judging by the Popcornmeter score, that plan worked.

Interestingly, ‘Endgame’ has seen some of its long-held records fall this year. ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ broke its record for the biggest Thursday night previews, the highest opening day, and the largest opening weekend of all time.

‘Brand New Day’ also surpassed ‘Endgame’ to become the highest-grossing superhero film domestically. Still, the Encore’s success proves that the 2019 film remains a fan favorite. The film’s emotional power is a big reason for its lasting appeal. The story follows the Avengers as they assemble once more to reverse Thanos’ actions and restore balance to the universe.

With stars like Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, and Scarlett Johansson, it’s a reminder of what made the Infinity Saga such a phenomenon. Many fans are treating the Encore as a celebration before the MCU’s next big event. With a near-perfect audience score and a box office crown, it’s clear that ‘Endgame’ still has plenty of fight left in it.

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