‘Avengers: Endgame’ Is Reportedly on Track To Reclaim the Box Office Crown From ‘Avatar’ This Weekend

Few records in Hollywood have changed hands as dramatically as the title of highest-grossing movie of all time. For a decade, James Cameron’s ‘Avatar‘ held the crown before a Marvel juggernaut knocked it off in 2019. Since then, the top spot has become a rare tug-of-war between 2 of the biggest films ever made.

That rivalry has a long history. ‘Avengers: Endgame‘ became the highest-grossing film ever on July 21, 2019, after 89 days in release, but ‘Avatar’ took the title back in March 2021 following a re-release in China. More re-releases have since pushed ‘Avatar’ even higher, leaving Marvel’s film in second place.

Now the race has reignited. On September 30, Global Box Office posted on X that ‘Avengers: Endgame’ is tracking to surpass the original ‘Avatar’ this coming weekend to become the highest-grossing movie of all time. It is a projection rather than a confirmed result, so the numbers over the next few days will decide it.

The push comes from ‘Avengers: Endgame Encore’, a re-release that hit theaters on September 25 with 4 new scenes tying into ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, according to Gold Derby. Screen Rant noted that the re-release was timed to build anticipation for that film, which arrives on December 18. The strategy appears to be working.

According to Deadline, the ‘Encore’ opening weekend brought in $86 million worldwide, including $26 million domestically and $60 million overseas. It topped the global chart and lifted the film’s lifetime total to $2.885 billion, which stands about $39 million behind ‘Avatar’s $2.92 billion. The original run had earned $2.799 billion.

AVENGERS: ENDGAME is now tracking to surpass the original AVATAR this coming weekend to become the highest-grossing movie of all time . https://t.co/Nv2kw9QYuJ

— Global Box Office (@GlobalBoxOffice) September 30, 2026

Those results are historic for a re-release. The $26 million domestic debut ranks as the third-best start ever, behind the 1997 re-issue of ‘Star Wars’ at $35.9 million and ‘The Lion King 3D’ at $30.2 million. Its $60 million overseas opening was also the second-best for a re-release, trailing only ‘Titanic 3D’ at $67 million.

Deadline also noted that the UK, Mexico, and Australia each set franchise records in the second weekend with market totals of $11.5 million, $9 million, and $5.4 million respectively. Disney Food Blog reported that the weekend helped Marvel Studios cross $35 billion globally. That milestone shows how much life is left in a film released more than 7 years ago.

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 gap is small, but the clock matters. Re-releases often suffer sharp drops after opening weekend, and Screen Rant cautioned that it remained to be seen whether the film could make up the difference during its second frame. Even so, the outlet pointed out that ‘Encore’ is performing far better than the average re-release.

Earlier estimates suggested the film might need only a modest haul to close the gap, given how close it already is. Still, anything short of the full $39 million would leave ‘Avatar’ in first place for now. ‘Avatar’ itself has benefited from re-releases over the years, so its total could tick upward as well.

Claiming the record would be a major symbolic win for Marvel Studios ahead of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’. It would also give Disney a headline moment just as marketing for the new film ramps up. Regaining the crown has a certain poetry, given that the studio has been chasing it since 2021.

There is also a fan angle. Audiences flocked to theaters to revisit the film that ended the Infinity Saga, which adds an emotional charge to the race. Whether the record falls this weekend or later in the run, the re-release has already proved that the film’s pull is still strong.

The result should become clear within days, and either way, it is a fascinating test of how far nostalgia can carry a blockbuster. The next weekend box office report will likely settle the debate.

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