Top 5 Biggest MCU Opening Weekends, Ranked

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been a powerhouse, producing some of the most profitable movies of all time. Bringing beloved comic book characters to the big screen has enabled Marvel Studios to dominate the box office for 15 years.

Despite a recent rough patch with its Multiverse Saga, the MCU’s recent films have proven that the franchise’s appeal remains formidable. Now that “Deadpool & Wolverine” has already slashed box office records, let’s review the MCU’s five biggest opening weekends so far.

5. The Avengers (2012) — $207,438,708

For the first time, fans saw Earth’s Mightiest Heroes united on the big screen in “The Avengers.” This seemed like an unachievable feat, especially after the enormous investment in world-building in prior films.

The gamble paid off as “The Avengers” scored big at the box office on its opening weekend. The movie fulfilled a dream for many Marvel fans, uniting favorite comic book heroes in a hilarious, heartfelt, and action-packed extravaganza that revolutionized the film industry.

4. Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) — $211,000,000

After the end of Wolverine in 2017’s “Logan,” the idea of seeing Hugh Jackman’s character team up with Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool seemed impossible. However, with the announcement of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” fans were all-in before it even premiered.

The film, which featured an epic dimension-hopping storyline and brought back numerous characters from past Marvel projects, promised a showdown in the Void. With the hilarious antics of Deadpool taking on the Multiverse, alongside ample heart, the movie was more than just a cash grab.

3. Avengers: Infinity War (2018) — $257,698,183

“Infinity War” brought a climactic battle between the Avengers and the evil Thanos, following a decade of buildup. Featuring the largest lineup of superheroes to date, audiences flocked to witness this monumental blockbuster event.

The sequel earned approximately 25% more than the first Avengers movie on its opening weekend, making half a billion dollars more at the box office overall. “Infinity War” surpassed “The Avengers” as the MCU’s highest-grossing project, reaching numbers rivaling “Avatar,” “Titanic,” and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

2. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) — $260,138,569

Following the shocking cliffhanger ending of “Spider-Man: Far From Home,” theaters were guaranteed to be packed for the sequel. The film teased the return of villains from Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man movies, heightening excitement.

The potential return of Maguire and Garfield, though kept secret, was enough to draw web-heads to theaters. This Multiversal crossover had the biggest opening weekend for a Spider-Man film and the second biggest for the MCU.

1. Avengers: Endgame (2019) — $357,115,007

Just like with “No Way Home,” an inevitable flood of theatergoers followed “Infinity War” and its infamous Snap. Audiences were eager to see how the remaining Avengers would undo Thanos’ damage and resurrect those who turned to dust.

“Endgame” offered more than a recap of the franchise’s greatest hits. It provided a stirring and poignant conclusion to the arcs of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, particularly Iron Man, Captain America, and Black Widow. The climactic final battle solidified its place in cinematic history, setting a high benchmark for future MCU films like “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars.”