“Avengers: Endgame” is selling advance tickets at an unprecedented pace. On Wednesday morning, Fandango reported that in its first week of pre-sales, the upcoming Marvel Studios film sold five times the number of tickets that “Avengers: Infinity War” sold in the same period last year.
Fandango also reports that thousands of showtimes for the film’s opening weekend have sold out at theaters nationwide, and that demand is so intense some cinemas are now opening launch times on Friday, April 26 as early as 4 AM. Such screen times may be necessary especially in smaller markets, as the film’s three-hour run time would result in one less screening per day during normal theater operating hours.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see a record amount of fans reporting sick to work or taking the day off on Friday, April 26 because they’ll be attending opening day screenings of ‘Avengers: Endgame,’” says Fandango Managing Editor Erik Davis.
Early projections for “Avengers: Endgame” predict a $220-260 million opening, with the upper end topping the record $257.6 million domestic opening weekend total set by “Infinity War.” But with presales breaking every record imaginable, all bets are off for this film. The possibility of the first-ever $300 million domestic debut is now on the table, though analysts who spoke to TheWrap say they expect a lower, but still record-breaking $270-280 million opening.
“Endgame” is also expected to break the record $640 million global opening of “Infinity War,” as unlike that film, China will open day and date with all other global markets this month.