Disney and Marvel executives are happily piling up their numbers these days. On Friday, "Captain America: Civil War" is estimated to post an opening day of over $75 million and probably approaching $80 million as it starts the summer at the U.S. box office.
This figure includes the massive $25 million the film earned in late-night showing on Thursday. Its earnings overseas were a humongous $291.2 million when the movie was rolled out last weekend.
The preview gross of "Civil War" was a little lower than that of "Avengers: Age of Ultron" which collected $27.6 million in previews. "Ultron" raked up $84.4 million Friday with a first-weekend tally of $191.3 million.
It is now clear that "Civil War" is fast catching up with "Ultron." Conservative estimates are now saying that it is headed towards a $175 million to $180 million weekend.
By the end of the weekend, the current Avengers movie is projected to run third in terms of the highest May openings, just below Avengers' $207 million in 2012 and "Ultron's" $191.3 million, but still higher than "Iron Man 3" of 2013 which earned $174.1 million.
Stellar reviews worked out in "Civil War's" favor. The film earned a 92 percent "fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Many movie critics said it is the best Avengers movie so far.
It has a fresh take since the film is centered on a conflict between Captain America and Iron Man. This conflict forces the rest of the Avengers band to take sides.
The movie had a much bigger domestic debut than the previous Captain America film. This current movie included not only the usual Avengers stars, but new additions such as Spider-Man, Black Panther, and many others.
"Winter Soldier," the previous Captain America movie raked in $10.2 million Thursday preview night in April 2014 and earned $714.4 million overseas.
