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SALT LAKE CITY — Marvel's "The Avengers" opened over the weekend and shattered records. The film not only made boat loads of money in just a few days, but it also gathered positive review after positive review. Marvel has a massive hit on their hands and continuing on with a big weekend; let's take a look at the five biggest opening weekends of all time.
The list is interesting, considering the record seems to be broken on a yearly basis these days as studios produce bigger and bigger films. To put this in perspective, number 10 on the list, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1", made $125,017,372 opening weekend. Just 21-years before then Tim Burton's "Batman" broke records when it made $40,489,746 opening weekend. A lot has changed in just a couple of decades.
5. Spider-Man 3, $151,116,747 Opening Weekend
The third installment of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man series was the poorest reviewed of the franchise, but it was the most hyped. All three films are in the top 30 for opening weekends, but number three drew in the crowds the first few days.
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Much of that is due to the popularity of the second film, but a weaker story took its toll after a time. When all was said and done, "Spider-Man 3" was the poorest performing of the series.
4. The Hunger Games, $152,535,747 Opening Weekend
That's right; the highly anticipated April release killed it at the box office opening weekend. Everyone knew the film would be a huge hit, but the success of the film opening weekend shocked just about everyone.
Thanks to the hype and popularity of the books "The Hunger Games" is the best opening ever for a non sequel. With that in mind, don't be surprised if the sequel, "Catching Fire" out does Games when it comes out next summer.
3. The Dark Knight, $158,411,483 Opening Weekend
Christopher Nolan's "Batman Begins" left audiences dying for more Batman. So, when the "Dark Knight" was slated for release in the summer of 2008, fans could hardly wait. Then, the unfortunate death of young actor Heath Ledger shined a light on the film and especially the career defining role of the Joker.
Ledger's mesmerizing turn as Batman's arch nemesis brought movie goers out in droves. When it opened in July of 2008, "The Dark Knight" had the best opening weekend of all time.
2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, $169,189,427 Opening Weekend
Harry Potter became a global phenomenon and the fact that fans filled theaters across the globe to their brim for the finale was no surprise. The eighth and final entry in the film series was entertaining and powerful, and just about everyone saw it.
The film crushed the previous number one opening weekend, "The Dark Knight", by nearly $11 million. People just could not wait until Monday to see how the boy wizard finished his epic journey.
Potter's triumphant rein at the top of the opening weekend hill would not last long.
1. The Avengers, $200,300,000, Opening Weekend
I think we all knew "The Avengers" was going to be huge, but this is insane. The super hero ensemble film didn't just crush its opening weekend predecessor, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2," it obliterated it.
Avengers made more than $31 million more than Potter opening weekend. Most films are considered a huge success if they break the $200 million mark during their box office run, "The Avengers" managed to go over that in three short days.
The film will continue to make crazy amounts of money, but truth be told, its $200 million opening record could soon be broken.
This summer's, "The Dark Knight Rises" has a chance, but it will likely rival its forerunner, "The Dark Knight" in the $150 million range. But, let's fast forward to 2013.
We will get the aforementioned "Catching Fire" that could possibly give Avengers a run for its money. Also in 2013 is Marvel's "Iron Man 3." Following the success of the earlier films and now "The Avengers," the third Iron Man could break the super hero team's record. We'll just have to wait and see.
What upcoming films do you think could break "The Avengers" impressive record? Or will that record stay intact for a long time to come? Tell us on the comment boards and on Facebook.
