'Avengers' demolishes records with $1.2B opening weekend

The universe belongs to Marvel. "Avengers: Endgame" shattered the record for biggest opening weekend with an estimated $350 million in ticket sales domestically and $1.2 billion globally, reaching a new pinnacle in the blockbuster era that the comic-book studio has come to dominate.

The "Avengers" finale had been forecast to open between $260 million and $300 million in U.S. and Canadian theaters, but moviegoers turned out in such droves that "Endgame" blew past the previous record of $257.7 million, set last year by "Avengers: Infinity War."

"Endgame" was just as enormous overseas. Worldwide, it obliterated the previous record of $640.5 million, also set by "Infinity War." "Endgame" set a new weekend record in China, too, where it made $330.5 million.

"Endgame" has already made more than movies like "Skyfall," "Aquaman" and "The Dark Knight Rises" grossed in their entire runs, not accounting for inflation.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters:

1. "Avengers: Endgame," $350 million.

2. "Captain Marvel," $8.1 million.

4. "Breakthrough," $6.3 million.

5. "Shazam!" $5.5 million.

6. "Little," $3.4 million.

7. "Dumbo," $3.2 million.

8. "Pet Sematary," $1.3 million.

10. "Penguins," $1.1 million.