Although there are multiple star-studded franchises in all of Hollywood’s entertainment industry, perhaps none comes close to such immaculate box office success as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Especially when it comes to worldwide openings, the MCU is widely the chart dominator and has achieved some of the most jaw-dropping feats as far as the box office is concerned.
As surprising as it may seem (especially to non-Marvel fans), the top 10 movies to have opened to the most massive global box office records include films from the MCU. According to the records, Marvel movies dominate 50% of the list, leaving only the 5 remaining positions for other films from other franchises.
Don’t believe us? Dig in to find out for yourself!
Top 10 Massive-est Worldwide Openings in Hollywood History
10. Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017)
The eighth episode in the Star Wars saga released in 2017, Star Wars: Episode VIII -The Last Jedi failed to leave the usual indelible mark on the audiences, despite being one of the most critically acclaimed films from the franchise. Nonetheless, its worldwide opening was massive enough to make it the highest-grossing film of 2017.
As per Deadline, the film launched globally at a whopping $450.8 million, currently ranking as the tenth-highest worldwide opening film of all time. Adding to this is the fact that despite the reviews, the $317 million budgeted movie still managed to turn in a stunning $1.3 billion worldwide overall (as per Box Office Mojo), eventually becoming another profitable project for the franchise.
9. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
Released in 2022, the second installment of the Doctor Strange film series, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was inevitably met with mixed reviews at its release. Regardless, made on its estimated budget of $200 million (as per Forbes), it still managed to become the ninth-highest worldwide box office opener in Hollywood history.
Garnering a little over $2 million more than this list’s tenth entry, Doctor Strange 2 opened a $452 million portal through its worldwide opening weekend (via Deadline). It then went on to turn in a star-studded $955.7 million throughout its theatrical run, eventually turning in massive profits (as per Box Office Mojo).
8. Captain Marvel (2019)
While the sequel turned out to be a massive failure to many, the first film in the Captain Marvel film series didn’t hesitate to leave its audiences starstruck. Made on a reported budget of $160 million (as per Box Office Mojo), the action-packed masterpiece went on to become the eighth-highest worldwide opener of all time.
As reported by Deadline, the movie (notably second from Marvel in the list) stood at a sparkling worldwide opening of $456.7 million. What’s more, it went on to cross the $1 billion mark at global box offices, with Box Office Mojo’s report revealing that the Brie Larson-starrer stood at an epic $1.13 billion at the end of its run.
7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011)
Easily regarded as one of the best films ever from the Harry Potter saga, the final movie in the film series Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 set a worldwide opening-weekend record with a brilliant $481.5 million (as per The Hollywood Reporter).
Thanks to such amazing figures, Harry Potter 8 stands as the seventh-highest opening film of all time. Moreover, the 2011 masterpiece went on to gross a sparkling $1.35 billion mark, becoming one of the highest-grossers of all time (via Box Office Mojo).
6. Jurassic World (2015)
While the second and third films worked their charm too, perhaps none comes as close to brilliance as 2015’s Jurassic World. An epic mix of action and perfection, the fan-favorite movie upped the global opening game as Deadline reported it as having brought in $524.4 million just from its worldwide opening weekend.
Besides taking the place in the list as the sixth-highest worldwide opener of all time, the $150 million budgeted movie further achieved some incredible feats. As per Box Office Mojo, the total revenue the Chris Pratt-starrer scored from worldwide box offices at the end of its run stood at a tremendous $1.67 billion, which, needless to mention, is pretty impressive.
5. Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015)
The second and last Star Wars film on this list, 2015’s Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens was an unarguably remarkable addition to the Star Wars saga. Made on a budget of $245 million, it went on to claim the fifth position in the list of highest Hollywood worldwide opening films.
As reported by Box Office Mojo, the film stood at an exceptional $529 million from its global opening gross. Adding to this was the even more star-studded final worldwide gross from the film, which stood at $2 billion (via Box Office Mojo) — a superb feat, indeed!
4. The Fate of the Furious (2017)
The eighth installment in the Fast & Furious film series, The Fate of the Furious defied all odds as it became one of the most-liked films from the saga. Adding to this, it also managed to have a striking collection from its worldwide opening, becoming the fourth-highest worldwide opening film in Hollywood.
According to the figures reported by Forbes, the Fate of the Furious held a record-crushing $532 million through its global opening. Going forward, the 2017 film even crossed the $1 billion mark, turning in a total worldwide gross of $1.2 billion garnered from its entire theatrical run (as per Box Office Mojo).
3. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
With the third installment in Tom Holland‘s Spider-Man film series, the Marvel Cinematic Universe once again takes the leash in its hands for the list of the highest worldwide opening films in Hollywood. A masterpiece, it still ranks as the third-highest-grossing film in its global opening.
As reported by Deadline, the film managed to get a stunning $600 million just from its global opening. Adding to this, it then went on to garner a further brilliant $1.92 billion from worldwide box offices, leaving everyone stunned by its success (as per Box Office Mojo).
2. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
To say that Avengers: Infinity War‘s second position on the list of the highest worldwide opening Hollywood films is as inevitable as Thanos’ snap at the end of the movie wouldn’t be an understatement, considering how it’s only true.
According to Deadline‘s reports, its global opening weekend stood at a whopping $640.5 million, becoming the biggest of all time before its sequel. Plus, its final worldwide gross of $2 billion wasn’t a disappointment either (as reported by Box Office Mojo)!
1. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Last but not least, Avengers: Endgame. One of the best films ever (if not the best film ever) from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the sequel to Infinity War proved that the sky’s the limit as it earned (and currently stands at) the topmost position in the list of highest worldwide opening films in the history of Hollywood.
As per the numbers shared by Deadline, the 2019 blockbuster masterpiece had a global opening of $1.2 billion, which is almost double that of its predecessor! And if you’re wondering, ‘Then how much was its worldwide gross?’ Then prepare to be surprised, for Endgame ended its theatrical run on a perfect $2.79 billion (via Box Office Mojo) — numbers that are nothing short of magnificent.
