Marvel’s ‘The Avengers’ $185.1M Overseas: Continues Breaking Box Office Records

COMMENTS (126)

• One issue with early release overseas is spoilers. While I haven’t seen a lot of it yet for Avengers, and with the time between overseas and the US fairly close I think I can avoid it, the perfect example of the problem different timed releases is the second season of the BBC’s Sherlock with Cumberbatch and Freeman. Within days of the BBC showings in January, I saw discussions, pictures, and all sorts of spoilers on social media (some from Moffat and Gatiss and others in news stories). The shows will not officially be aired in the US until May, the last I heard, on PBS Mystery. Do studios and networks not realized how interconnected the world is through the internet? At some level, there is little to do about spoilers once the movie airs, and a little time lag is understandable, but the five months for Sherlock is ridiculous. A couple weeks like the Avengers can be negotiated as I wait to see it on the big screen, but don’t let it go too long.

  Comment by jdessart — Thursday April 26, 2012 @ 5:03am PDT  Reply to this post

  • I often wait six months or more to see HBO or Showtime series and I rarely see movies in the theater. I spend a lot of time on sites like this and generally find it easy to avoid being spoiled for both movies and TV shows. Overall, people are respectful about not posting spoilers without warnings and if I find a site that isn’t good about that, I avoid it.

    I did get spoiled on something from S2 of Boardwalk Empire yesterday but it was my own damn fault for not having more self-control and reading a story I knew I shouldn’t, lol.

    Comment by scifi_fan — Saturday April 28, 2012 @ 1:43pm PDT  Reply to this post

• Do you reckon a billion is out of the question?

  Comment by Brian — Thursday April 26, 2012 @ 10:05am PDT  Reply to this post

  • With all the merchandise available at nearly every store, I’m sure they’re going to make a billion off of the Avengers.

    Comment by Dustin — Saturday April 28, 2012 @ 2:27pm PDT  Reply to this post

• I don’t know what you guys are talking about. I have found EXCELLENT downloads of ALOT of these movies that have not yet been released in the US. And, yes, I most likely would not be watching these, if the movies were released here first, but my wallet thanks the movie studio’s for their BAD marketing.

  Comment by Justin — Thursday April 26, 2012 @ 11:57am PDT  Reply to this post

  • its understandable if it’s an indie flick that hasnt been released in the US yet…but a blockbuster. Hell Hunger Games has been out for a month and there still isnt a decent quality download for that.

    People who are gonna download this film never meant to go to the theater to watch it cuz if you rather see it in crappy quailty on the computer than in good crisp quailty at the theater u never meant to go watch it in the first place.

    As for the overseas thing. it’s true. It builds hype ( I’m sure Battleship is gonna do better here in the US now due to the overseas hype) and to take advantage of the holidays other countries have ans such….its a good business strategy. And the summer movie season starts the first week of may ( though the last few year the last week of april has been showing up) so they werent gonna push it up cuz some fanboys are butthurt other countries got it first than them.

    Comment by Jon — Thursday April 26, 2012 @ 2:09pm PDT  Reply to this post

    • I dunno about Battleship. Americans still know it’s a stupid board game and buzz on the movie hasn’t contradicted that image, so that could limit interest. But excitement has been pretty high to see The Avengers, so that should do very well domestically.

      Comment by scifi_fan — Saturday April 28, 2012 @ 1:45pm PDT  Reply to this post

• I saw it Yesterday (in Italy the 25th is a holiday too) and I can tell you that in Turin, where I live (the 3rd biggest city in Italy) ALL shows in ALL theaters were SOLD OUT! Btw, the movie is amazing.

  Comment by TheDude — Thursday April 26, 2012 @ 2:06pm PDT  Reply to this post

• Sure I understand scheduling conflicts, not every Nation has the same holiday’s, sports events as the US. I get it, no need to start the US bashing, name calling, etc.

  What I don’t understand is why couldn’t the studios have opened it simultaneously in the US and overseas? That’s not a hard concept. What is the logic behind waiting so long to release the movie in NA?

  Comment by Django — Saturday April 28, 2012 @ 5:18am PDT  Reply to this post

• This is one of like 8 summer blockbusters being released overseas first! Avengers, Prometheus, GI Joe, etc. Such BS.

  I guess it’s either stay off of entertainment message boards for the next few months to avoid spoilers, or just keep my internet habits the same and see less movies. I’m going with the latter. Looks like I’ll be saving some money this summer.

  You know what. I’ve NEVER downloaded a bootleg copy in my life, but f*ck it. If Hollywood can’t satisfy my viewing pleasures, I’ll figure out a way to myself, and I’m sure with all of these overseas premiers I’ll easily find a way to view movies as they’re released.

  Comment by Not waiting for the release date — Saturday April 28, 2012 @ 5:46am PDT  Reply to this post

• What, are there like two people on here that get it? Releasing overseas is a strategic, business decision. Battleship was getting crucified in the media prior to overseas release, and now word of mouth that it’s not as bad as it was made out to be by whiny internet bloggers is working in Uni’s favor. Avengers would have always been a money-maker, now it’s going to be a record setter. If you can really be satisfied with a crappy bootleg copy, you weren’t ever likely to shell out the money to see it in the theater anyway. American audiences are not ENTITLED to see films first. What kind of nutso thinking is that? Get real. Decisions on where and when to release a film should be made to ensure the best profit scenario. PERIOD.

  Comment by Leeroy — Saturday April 28, 2012 @ 1:30pm PDT  Reply to this post

• JOHN CARTER was a solid & enjoyable film that, marketed properly, would’ve done nicely. I, along those who actually saw it, would live to see the sequel.

  Comment by James — Saturday April 28, 2012 @ 1:32pm PDT  Reply to this post

  • I am tired of hearing this crap. John Carter costs twice as much as Avengers. I can see where the costs were spent in Avengers with A list talent. John Carter, never have I seen a film cost as much and didn’t see the $250M worth of production costs in a film. Pirates 4 was also a $250M production costs with Jonny Depp and more, John Carter bunch of no names, so the film should have been a stunning as AVATAR. John Carter was a fine film, but it should have cost $80-100M in production costs.

    Comment by mark — Saturday April 28, 2012 @ 3:24pm PDT  Reply to this post

• As so many on Deadline like to claim – Hollywood is a business first and foremost.

  The irony that now they are complaining BECAUSE Hollywood is doing just that and acting like a business by scheduling films abroad differently to ensure they make the most money they can because it has the side effect of meaning they don’t get it first is awesome. It could only happen on a Deadline article.

  And those of you boasting (sorry, whining I should say) that are going to run off crying like babies to download sites? Good luck. It doesn’t look like The Avengers is going to need your money anyway going by the number of others willing to pay to see it properly in theatres.

  Comment by Esquire — Saturday April 28, 2012 @ 2:31pm PDT  Reply to this post

• Also, not ‘everyone’ who saw John Carter would love to see a sequel to that mess of a film.

  Comment by Esquire — Saturday April 28, 2012 @ 2:33pm PDT  Reply to this post

• I thought I’d interject in here real quickly. Torrents sites don’t cut into profits nearly as much as people seem to think. If someone…alright me and other people I know who have used torrents… wants to see a movie in theatres it’ll happen even if there is the option of a free inferior copy. The only times these bootlegs are watched are if there was no way you were going to see that in theatres anyway. Hell releasing it overseas first won’t affect the people who would’ve DLed it anyway, since a cam would’ve been up on May 5th or 6th at the latest and then everything is back to where we were before.

  Anyway as an American I am incredibly anxious to see this but as this is the weekend before finals week, I wouldn’t have been able to see it until the 4th weekend anyway so I am not really caring too much about the release date. I’ve been waiting for a few years for this to come out another 10 days isn’t so bad (except for the many spoilers I stupidly read; that’s annoying).

  Comment by Gray — Saturday April 28, 2012 @ 2:47pm PDT  Reply to this post

• Their is no character dev. Seamus may have great digital lights but it’s a comic book without a soul. Batman grosses will kick its ass. Schools out when batman flies in to take all the money. As for the USA v the world on distribution. Well the 95 percent of the world may get it first but we get it cheaper.

  Comment by 8movies5plays — Saturday April 28, 2012 @ 2:56pm PDT  Reply to this post

• Wow! Looks like The Avengers will earn nearly all of its budget back before it even hits the US. There’s no way this movie won’t earn over a billion before it’s all said and done.

  Comment by Jeremy — Saturday April 28, 2012 @ 3:47pm PDT  Reply to this post

• So much for the end of the super hero genre that so many predicted would come this year.

  Comment by Terry Keefe — Saturday April 28, 2012 @ 4:05pm PDT  Reply to this post

  • Um, who in their right mind ever predicted that?

    Comment by Johnny Ringo — Saturday April 28, 2012 @ 4:59pm PDT  Reply to this post

• See people, THIS is what a blockbuster 4-quadrant movie looks like. Men AND women will go see this. As opposed to the Hunger Games, which was made for and watched only by tween fangirls.

  Comment by firebrand — Saturday April 28, 2012 @ 4:47pm PDT  Reply to this post

  • Ahhh firebrand, how I’ve missed you…not. You don’t make 375 million domestically if only tween girls were going to see it. The theater I was in had every quadrant in it you moron and as many other people had the same experience, just get over it. You’re wrong. Not sure what you have against the hunger games but you just come off ridiculous

    Comment by llama — Sunday April 29, 2012 @ 9:08am PDT  Reply to this post

    • HG may have hit 3-4 quads, but Avengers will hit 3-4 and it’s a far better movie with much more to offer for everyone.

      Comment by Ann — Sunday April 29, 2012 @ 4:44pm PDT  Reply to this post

• While I’m not sure why it didn’t go day-and-date with America, y’all realise Asia is the biggest continent for film piracy, right?

  This just helps make up for all the years of delayed releases. Hell, just last week we discovered “The Cabin in the Woods” is being sent direct-to-DVD in Australia and New Zealand. It’s payback.

  Comment by Glenn — Saturday April 28, 2012 @ 4:54pm PDT  Reply to this post

• Europe used to get movies released MONTHS after the US, so I can’t say I’m too upset that for once the US gets it just a bit later.

  But it’s all strategy – the dates (hardly causing a lengthy wait… what, ten days?) are there to create the word-of-mouth buzz needed. There’s absolutely no doubt the positive international buzz will increase opening weekend revenues in the US. It is a business, after all.

  It’s good people, in fact it’s amazing and worth waiting for… but if you want to d’load it and – as with all movies – run the risk of cutting its returns and potential future outings, that’s your (illegal) choice.

  Comment by A J Mosby — Saturday April 28, 2012 @ 6:50pm PDT  Reply to this post

• Yay, more fucking comic book movies. KILL. ME. NOW, regressive adults.

  Comment by JJ — Saturday April 28, 2012 @ 9:13pm PDT  Reply to this post

  • You really shouldn’t let others force you into seeing films that are beneath you and that you don’t want to see. Is really nothing else available at your local cinema?

    Comment by Wonk — Saturday April 28, 2012 @ 10:50pm PDT  Reply to this post

    • Wonk, your comment is priceless haha:)).
      I don’t feel tempted by this film either but it’s not as if I don’t have other options, no one is forcing me to watch it.

      Comment by A B — Sunday April 29, 2012 @ 5:34pm PDT  Reply to this post

• I find it interesting that many Americans are moaning that a film about characters created in America about American values should be released in America first or at least same day as everyone else, but when the USA gets Harry Potter before everyone else the British don’t really bat an eyelid. Also, if you are excited about this movie, you’re going to see it up there on the big screen, so just relax and enjoy it. Let the studio execs worry about piracy. Who cares if someone you’ve never met before in Europe has seen it before you?

  Comment by whonose — Saturday April 28, 2012 @ 10:45pm PDT  Reply to this post

• It may just be me, but I think that in the Uk some people arent seeing it because our title sounds like a toy. “Marvel’s Avengers Assemble”

  Comment by jack — Saturday April 28, 2012 @ 11:05pm PDT  Reply to this post

• Honestly people?! What’s the hype.

  The first half of the film is slow, so slow… the dialogues are lame and pathetic. With the exception of Robert Downey Jr., Tom Hiddleston and Mark Rufallo the actors perfrom really statically. Even the usually excelent actress Scarlett Johansson performs underwhelingly. Evans and Hemsworth are not even worth mentioning.
  And then the Technobabble… Ionic compensator here, Flux field modulator there… It was like listening to a random Star Trek Voyager episode… Someone in the audience said “Boring” and people started to laugh…

  The SFX sequences are great, and as soon as the aircraft carrier is attacked the film finally gains speed and action but until then the 70 minutes feel tiresome and boring. Dialogue seems forced and the whole direction like a TV show rather than a big budget blockbuster movie.

  I enjoyed the effects (ILM once again), but I did not find the character chemistry so many here talk about, NONE AT ALL. Even worse: Some characters just behave like idiots. When Iron Man fights Thor, Loki is waiting… for what? I mean he could get away within those 10 minutes of fight (which feel like an hour or so)…
  Some people even left the theater in the middle of the film.

  The score is lame and exchangable.

  For me it was a huge letdown. Actually I went in there to just enjoy the visuals (especially after the mediocre movies THOR and CAPTAIN AMERICA), but I had to fight through the first hour to get what I wanted…

  What a disappointment this movie is. But go and see it on the big screen. At least the second hour consists of excellent SFX sequences which are fairly good converted to 3D.

  Comment by Xavier — Sunday April 29, 2012 @ 4:13am PDT  Reply to this post

  • I like listening to the sound of my own voice too.

    Comment by Fremen — Sunday April 29, 2012 @ 9:11am PDT  Reply to this post

  • I don’t think you understood part of the film. Why was Loki waiting around whilst Thor and Iron Man were fighting? Well, it was clear that Loki WANTED to be caught. How did you miss that? He was manipulating the Avengers into arguing with each other and setting the Hulk off on a rampage.

    Comment by the dude — Sunday April 29, 2012 @ 1:16pm PDT  Reply to this post

• All the pointless whining over crappy bootlegs of this movie. Avengers is going to do very well at the box office so don’t worry.

  Comment by Max Renn — Sunday April 29, 2012 @ 5:38am PDT  Reply to this post

• I watched it on IMAX two days ago and I’m going to watch it again–same time as the US release–just in case their would be a different post-credit scene.

  Comment by The Buskalo Kid — Sunday April 29, 2012 @ 5:52am PDT  Reply to this post

• Awesome, saw it in Melbourne. I can’t believe anybody has mentioned how FUNNY it is (in a good way)! You’re going to laugh your guts out!

  Comment by avengerjohn — Sunday April 29, 2012 @ 6:54am PDT  Reply to this post

• Two questions: 1) How much has John Carter grossed internationally? I know it was a costly production, but I’m under the impression it has been performing well outside of NA. 2) Why isn’t Disney stock rising more? This is showing signs of being one of the biggest movies of all time. I realize that typically a single film doesn’t move the needle on the big media conglomerates, but this is an evergreen franchise with never ending ancillary value.

  Comment by Rich — Sunday April 29, 2012 @ 8:17am PDT  Reply to this post

  • One movie isn’t going to move the stock in either direction, Disney is bigger than just movies, it’s more of a sideline with them, they use movies to sell stuff, everything from cruises on their cruise lines to small trinkets in the Disney Stores, all Disney movies are is an opportunity to sell products.

    Whereas with other media companies it’s their life’s blood.

    Comment by lsb — Sunday April 29, 2012 @ 9:38am PDT  Reply to this post