Drink to 'Avengers: Infinity War' having the best opening weekend box office of 2018 so far

I concluded yesterday's National Superhero Day entry by waffling about when I'd bring up the subject again, writing "I'll have more on superhero movies next month when I plan on posting more about the Saturn Awards -- or maybe tomorrow when I post about how "Avengers: Infinity War" is doing at the box office."  I decided on the latter.  Variety reports ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ Scores Second-Highest Domestic Opening of All Time ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ Closes in on All-Time Domestic Weekend Record.

The Marvel powerhouse opened in North America with $245 million from 4,474 locations, landing it the second-highest domestic debut of all time. The title of biggest opening ever still belongs to “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which bowed with $248 million in 2015 and went on to make over $936.6 million domestically.

UPDATED: The Marvel powerhouse looks to open in North America with $250 million from 4,474 locations, which would land it the highest domestic debut of all time. This number could fluctuate when an official tally comes in on Monday.

That would be enough to surpass previous title holder “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which bowed with $248 million in 2015 and went on to make over $936.6 million domestically.

“Infinity War” joins the company of “The Force Awakens,” “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” “Jurassic World,” “The Avengers” and “Black Panther” as one of six films in history to cross the $200 million mark in their debuts.

The latest superhero title did score the highest opening for a Marvel film, surpassing the original “Avengers'” opening of $207.4 million. Its sequel, “Age of Ultron,” launched with $191 million.

UPDATED (again!): Monday Morning, Variety confirmed ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ Officially Lands Biggest Box Office Opening of All Time.

Though final domestic numbers won’t be confirmed until mid-Monday, its domestic total exceeded expectations for a North American launch of $258.2 million. Internationally, it secured $382.7 million for a global tally of $640.9 million. Initial projections on Sunday showed $250 million in North America, along with $380 million internationally.

Those numbers easily secured Marvel’s latest title the biggest domestic and global debuts of all time. The previous domestic record-holder was “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which bowed with $248 million in 2015. “Infinity War” also topped “The Fate of the Furious'” global opening record of $542 million. The international opening of $382.7 million, which doesn’t include China, represents the second-highest international debut ever. “Fate of the Furious” still holds the top spot with $443 million, including $185 million in China.

"Black Panther" being the box office leader only lasted two months.  I don't think Disney is the least bit upset about that.  At this rate, both films will reach $700 million at the North American box office with "Infinity War" surpassing both that level and "Black Panther" by tens of millions of dollars  $750 million is not out of the question.  I don't expect that "Solo," this year's Star Wars movie, will fare as well, making this the first year in four years that a Star Wars film is not the box office champion.  I still think it will be a hit, but $350-400 million isn't even in "Rogue One" territory.  Disney won't be upset about that, either.

The box office performance of "Infinity War" deserves a drink.  Tipsy Bartender just happens to have four of them from the very first movie in the series six years ago: The Avengers Cocktails.

These cocktails are based on these four Avengers; The Hulk, Thor, Iron Man and Captain America.
...
THE AVENGERS COCKTAILS

THE HULK
1 part Absinthe
1 part Midori
3 parts Mountain Dew

THOR: GOD OF THUNDER
1 part Berry Liqueur
1 part Mead
1 part Lingonberry Vodka

IRON MAN
1 part Grenadine
1 part Drambuie
2 parts Orange Juice
1 part Scotch

CAPTAIN AMERICA
1 part Grenadine
1 part Blue Curacao
1 part Creme de Cacao

Drink up to superheroes!

Stay tuned for the last post of the month, which should post at 8:00 P.M. EDT tomorrow.