Disney and Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame Encore returned to the top of the North American box office, earning $26 million from 3,060 cinemas over the weekend and leading all new releases, per variety.com.
The reissue also generated $60 million internationally, bringing its global opening total to $86 million.
The re-release of the 2019 superhero blockbuster outperformed several new films despite having been widely available on streaming platforms for years. Industry analyst David A. Gross said re-releases rarely exceed $10 million, describing the performance as a successful marketing boost ahead of December’s “Avengers: Doomsday”.
Among new releases, A24’s crime drama Primetime opened with $19.2 million from 2,863 locations. Directed by Lance Oppenheim and starring Robert Pattinson as television host Chris Hansen, the film delivered the third-largest opening weekend in A24’s history. Produced for $15 million, it is already positioned to become profitable during its theatrical run.
The film attracted a notably young audience, with 69% of ticket buyers under 30. However, audience response was mixed, earning a “B” CinemaScore. The story centres on Hansen’s efforts to expose child predators through sting operations. The real-life Hansen later criticised the film, calling it detached from reality.
Sony’s Resident Evil secured second place with $23 million in its second weekend, despite a 60% decline from its $60 million debut. The reboot has now earned $103.4 million domestically and $196.5 million worldwide against a reported $75 million production budget.
Paramount’s Brad Pitt-led survival thriller The Heart of the Beast opened in third place with $20 million from 3,435 cinemas. Although considered a respectable launch for an original adult-oriented film, the opening falls short of expectations given its $82 million budget. The film has performed better internationally, earning $30.1 million overseas for a global debut of $50.1 million. Strong reviews, including an 87% Rotten Tomatoes rating and an “A-” CinemaScore, may help sustain momentum.
Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island debuted in fifth place with $12.8 million domestically and $7.8 million internationally, for a global start of $20.6 million. The animated feature, which cost $80 million to produce, received positive reviews and strong audience scores but faces a challenging path to profitability.
The domestic box office has reached $7.8 billion in 2026 and is approaching the $8 billion mark months earlier than in 2025. With major releases including “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Dune: Part III” still to come, the industry is on course for its strongest year since the pandemic disrupted cinema attendance.
•Featured image: ©Walt Disney Co./courtesy Everett / Everett Collection