The Best James Cameron Movie of All Time Officially Beats Avengers: Endgame Encore

James Cameron proved yet again that even after 15 years, not even the Avengers can beat him at the box office. This week saw the release of Avengers: Endgame Encore, which earned over $86 million on opening weekend (via Variety). However, despite an incredible original run of $2.79 billion at the box office, it still does not beat Avatar after the re-release.

The latest MCU offering, which sets up the upcoming Doomsday, had extended scenes and more deleted footage. However, despite the biggest franchise in the world re-releasing its biggest movie, James Cameron’s dream project still ran ahead. The gap is, however, still pretty close.

Endgame Encore’s $86 Million Opening Couldn’t Beat James Cameron

A still from Avatar | Credits: 20th Century Fox

Avengers: Endgame Encore released on September 25 and quickly topped the box-office charts with a $26 million domestic and $60 million international gross, bringing its opening weekend total to $86 million. The film beat the record for a re-release, which was previously held by (surprise! surprise!) another James Cameron film, Titanic 3D.

The weekend haul pushed Endgame‘s lifetime worldwide total to roughly $2.88 billion, moving the film past the $2 billion mark internationally and making it just the second American release ever to clear that threshold. That leaves Endgame sitting somewhere between $39 million and $44 million behind Avatar, depending on which tally is used, with Avatar‘s global collections standing at $2.923 billion (via Box Office Mojo).

So, while it was a great weekend for Endgame Encore and the competition is quite close, James Cameron still holds up as the king of the box office. Avatar remains the highest-grossing movie in history, a title it first lost to Endgame back in 2019 before reclaiming it during a later Avatar re-release. 

The margin is now thin enough that the outcome of Endgame‘s remaining theatrical run could change the charts. The hype for Avengers: Doomsday is also at an all-time high, and after Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s incredible box office performance, Avatar might just be in trouble.

Will Avengers: Doomsday Settle Cameron vs MCU Box Office Feud?

A still from Avengers: Endgame | Credits: Marvel Studios

While Avengers: Endgame Encore’s box office returns are a plus to the franchise, the film’s re-release was never about the numbers. This December, the MCU will be bringing out its biggest project yet with Avengers: Doomsday. Love for the franchise in the Multiverse Saga has not been the same as the Infinity Saga, which ended with Endgame. Encore saw extended scenes and extra footage directly tied to Doomsday, which introduces Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom. 

Doomsday‘s own numbers are already staggering before a single ticket has been used. Advance sales are reportedly approaching $50 million, a figure reached nearly four months ahead of release. 70% of them have reportedly been for the Infinity Vision format that the film is introducing to theatres (via Variety).

Global projections have put the film as one of the, if not the, highest-grossing films of 2026. After the pre-sale surge, the film was projected to have an incredible $300 million opening weekend (via Collider). While the MCU has had a rocky journey till now, Spider-Man: Brand New Day proved that the franchise can still rake in huge numbers.

With all this in mind, there are huge chances of Doomsday becoming the highest-grossing film of all time, even surpassing James Cameron’s Avatar. However, the tentpole also faces stiff competition from Dune: Part Three, which is a huge contender. That is one of the obstacles that could put Cameron on top again.

What do you think Avengers: Doomsday will earn at the box office? Comment below.