Box Office: ‘Black Panther’ To Cross $700 Million in North America

Disney-Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” is becoming the third film in history to cross the $700 million mark at the domestic box office this weekend, joining “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “Avatar.”

By Dave McNary   LOS ANGELES (Variety.) –

The blockbuster debuted on Feb. 16 and is now in its 25th weekend of release, showing at 25 outlets. It grossed $16,000 on Friday to take the gross to $699,985,026 on its 169th day. Disney launched the DVD and VOD sales in May.

“,” starring Chadwick Boseman and directed by Ryan Coogler, stunned the industry when it debuted with $242.1 million over President’s Day weekend , including a Friday-Sunday gross of $202 million, followed by one of the biggest second weekends in history with $111.7 million, now ranking as third behind only “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and Avengers: Infinity War.”

“Black Panther” totaled a stunning $605.4 million in its first 31 days. It has passed Star Wars: The Last Jedi” ($619.8 million) for sixth place and “The Avengers” ($623.4 million) for fifth place “Jurassic World” at $652.3 million for fourth place and “Titanic” at $659 million for third place. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” tops the list at $936 million followed by “Avatar” at $760 million.

With an additional $646.7 million internationally, “Black Panther” has a global total of $1.35 billion, ranking as the second biggest film of the year behind only “Avengers: Infinity War.”

“Black Panther” is the key factor in this year’s healthy box office. According to comScore, year-to-date domestic box office is leading last year by 7.6% at $7.4 billion.