Box Office Shocker: 'Avengers' Pacing to Fly Past $500 Mil Globally by Sunday

Disney and Marvel Studios appear to have a runaway hit on their hands.

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The Avengers, which only began rolling out at the international box office late last week, is easily on track to become the most successful title produced in-house by Marvel Studios, besting the $623 million worldwide gross of 2010's Iron Man 2.

Directed by Joss Whedon, Avengers is doing massive business at the international box office, earning $218 million in its first six days through Monday and breaking records across the globe. And the 3D pic, which unites many of Marvel's marquee superheroes, could enjoy weekend-like business Tuesday because of the May Day holiday in many foreign markets.

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At this pace, Avengers' foreign gross likely will grow to $350 million-$400 million by Sunday, boosted by its debut in Russia and China this weekend.

Avengers opens at midnight Thursday in North America, where it's widely expected to debut north of $150 million, based on the strength of prerelease tracking. Bullish box office observers believe Avengers could finish the weekend with a global gross well north of $500 million, if not closer to $600 million.

The superhero tentpole is the first Marvel Studios film marketed and distributed by Disney following the company's acquisition of Marvel.

Last summer, Marvel's Thor grossed $449.3 million worldwide, while Captain America: The First Avenger earned $368.6 million. The first Iron Man earned $585 million globally in 2008; all three characters are featured in Avengers.