‘Avengers: Endgame’ Re-Release Dominates Thursday Box Office Competition

Tena Milakovic
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Late September typically sees a quieter box office, but this year is different. A mix of new releases and a nostalgic blockbuster has transformed this usually slow period into a bustling competition. Six films surpassed the million-dollar mark in preview screenings alone, highlighting the stakes involved this weekend.

With star power and international heavyweights in the mix, names like Brad Pitt, Robert Pattinson, and the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe were vying for audience attention. Industry analysts were keenly observing which film would rise above the rest.

By Thursday night, the results were clear. ‘Avengers: Endgame Encore’ led the charge with an impressive $3.8 million in preview screenings, according to Exhibitor Relations, placing Marvel’s re-release well ahead of its competitors for the weekend.

Following closely was ‘Resident Evil,’ which earned $3.3 million, while Robert Pattinson’s ‘Primetime’ brought in $2.7 million. Brad Pitt’s survival thriller ‘Heart of the Beast’ secured $2 million, with ‘The Paradise’ and DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Forgotten Island’ rounding out the top six with $1.7 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

This Thursday’s box office results are notable for their diversity. ‘The Paradise,’ featuring Nani and directed by Srikanth Odela, is a period action drama set in 1980s Secunderabad, focusing on a marginalized tribe’s struggle against systemic oppression. It arrives in North America with a strong overseas performance, buoyed by significant advance bookings in India.

On the animation front, ‘Forgotten Island’ is DreamWorks Animation’s latest original tale, directed by Joel Crawford, known for ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,’ alongside co-director Januel Mercado. This film offers a comedic adventure rooted in Philippine mythology, providing families with a lighter option amidst the weekend’s heavier releases.

In live-action, ‘Heart of the Beast’ features Brad Pitt as a Special Forces officer stranded in the Alaskan wilderness with his retired combat dog, directed by David Ayer. ‘Primetime’ showcases Robert Pattinson in a different light as a journalist, generating buzz as it heads to release.

Screenshot 2026 09 24 at 11 24 57 Avengers Endgame Rotten Tomatoes

Despite the competition, all eyes are on ‘Avengers: Endgame’s’ return to theaters. The film’s preview earnings continue a trend of record-setting momentum that began when tickets went on sale in late August, achieving the largest first-day presales of the century for any theatrical reissue.

This initial surge has only intensified, with North American presales nearing $15 million, reportedly the highest total ever for a theatrical re-release. With Thursday’s preview figures now in, industry experts are increasingly optimistic that the film could surpass $25.6 million this weekend, potentially breaking the record for the biggest re-release opening weekend, previously held by the 2012 3D re-release of ‘Titanic.’

For a film that originally premiered in 2019, this level of continued interest underscores the enduring appeal of the Marvel franchise and the effectiveness of nostalgia as a marketing tool for theatrical events. With ‘Resident Evil’ and several strong newcomers also performing well, this weekend is shaping up to be one of the most competitive box office periods of the year.

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