Step aside,Deadpool,Batman V SupermanandZootopia. There’s a new big boy in town and his name is Steve Rogers. Yes! Marvel’s third chapter in the ongoingCaptain Americasaga is now the biggest movie of 2016 worldwide. And that’s no small feat. Though it is the official first movie of the summer, it also comes in the wake of some blockbuster releases. But that didn’t stop the Avengers from taking over the box office.
Captain America: Civil Waropened in the states on May 6th, and has enjoyed the past two weekends of release sitting at the #1 spot. That may change this weekend with heavy hitters such asThe Angry Birds MovieandNeighbors 2making their big screen debuts. But as of Wednesday, the ultimate fight between Team Cap and Team Iron Man has secured $310.5 million in domestic ticket sales. It earned another $671.4 million in international territories according toEW, bringing its global cume to an amazing $981.9 million. And it will probably reach $1 billion before this weekend is over.
Civil Warhas zoomed pastZootopia, which previously held the crown as the topbox officedraw of 2016 with $971.3 million. Both releases are from Disney, who have also fared well with their live-actionJungle Bookwhich has pulled in $831 million. Disney now has three of the top 2016 movies in its stable. Warner Bros. and DC Comics’Batman V Supermanis resting in fourth place with a global total of $870.1 million, which could substantial rise if The WB and DC decide to pull the trigger on an R-rated theatrical release forDawn of Justice.
A big portion ofCivil War’s success can be attributed to intentional markets. Here at home, the movie is actually trailingZootopia,Batman V SupermanandThe Jungle Book. Perhaps most surprising of all is thatDeadpoolis still standing tall has thebiggest domestic releaseof 2016 with $362.6 million to its name. WhileDeadpoolis a Marvel Comics character, the movie came from 20th Century Fox, who is looking to have another blockbuster hit this Memorial Day Weekend withX-Men; Apocalypse. Though, it’s not expected to fare as well as the other three big superhero movies of the year thus far.
That said,Captain America 3is only entering its 3rd weekend in release this Friday. And while it will face some big competition, especially when it comes toAngry Birds, the movie still has a long road ahead of it at the box office. This weekend will likely push the movie to $1 billion worldwide, making it the first 2016 release to achieve the milestone. And when all is said and done,Civil Warwill likely also take the domestic release box office crown away fromDeadpool. But that’s still a few weeks coming.
