Everyone knew Avengers: Infinity War was going to open big, but after just five days it’s already the second highest grossing film of 2018 worldwide (behind Black Panther’s worldwide gross of $1.33 billion). The film also made US box office history, edging past Star Wars: The Force Awakens to become the new holder of the highest opening weekend EVER!

Star Wars: The Force Awakens held the crown of the highest opening weekend at the US box office, after opening to $247.9 million back in December 2015. Disney initially forecast a $225 million – $235 million opening weekend for Avengers: Infinity War. The Marvel behemoth opened in the US on Friday 27 April at 4,474 locations, earning $105.9 million on Friday (including $39 million from Thursday night previews). That makes for the second best opening day at the US box office, behind Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($119.1 million).

After the film’s Saturday gross of $83 million, it meant that the opening weekend record was now in play. As reported on Deadline, Disney finally declared that the Avengers had taken down the Jedi, with an estimated $61 million on Sunday, making for an estimated $250 million opening weekend. Come Monday morning, it turns out Disney had underestimated slightly. Sunday’s actual figure of $69.2 million means that Avengers: Infinity War managed to glide past Star Wars; The Force Awakens, with a staggering $258.1 million opening weekend.

Interestingly Marvel’s Black Panther also shot back up the US chart, climbing from eighth place to fifth in its eleventh week, possibly a result of Marvel fans wanting a starter before the main course.

Outside the US, Avengers: Infinity War got the party started as early as Wednesday in some locations. Deadline reported that the film earned $382.7 million in over 50 countries. Combined with the US gross, that’s a jaw-dropping $640 million worldwide after just five days – the biggest worldwide opening ever, besting previous record holder The Fate of The Furious ($541.9 million worldwide).

To put this into perspective for you, Avengers: Infinity War has already earned more money worldwide than Marvel’s own Ant-Man ($515 million worldwide) and Iron Man 2 ($623 million worldwide) managed during their entire run. The film is yet to open in Russia (3 May) and China (11 May).

In the UK, Avengers: Infinity War earned an estimated £30.7 million on its opening weekend, placing it third behind Spectre (£41.3 million, with four day previews) and Star Wars: The Force Awakens (£34 million).

You can read our review of Avengers: Infinity War by clicking here.