'Avengers: Endgame' on pace to break records

SANDUSKY — "Avengers: Endgame" is easily one of the most-anticipated films of all time since it's the culmination of 11 years of storytelling spread across 21 interconnected movies.The newest Marvel movie has already broken "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" record for top grossing Thursday night preview after it took in $60 million in one night, according to Deadline.Experts project it will likely break the record for highest grossing opening day and highest grossing opening weekend. Globally, the movie has already broken the record for a premiere in China with more than $107 million grossed.Despite being one of the most anticipated movies in history, the newest Avengers' film isn't expected to beat the all-time box office record of $2.7 billion held by "Avatar."But it has a chance to become the second highest grossing film of all time — more than $2.1 billion — if it has the same longevity as "Avengers: Infinity War," according to Forbes.The movies' positive buzz and good word of mouth from fans are expected to help keep interest in the film beyond the opening weekend.The Marvel Cinematic UniverseIn 2008, a struggling comic company took a risk and self-financed "Iron Man," a movie based on what was a second-tier character at the time.What could have been a disaster gave birth to the highest grossing film franchise of all time with more than $18.2 billion in total box office from all of its films, according to Mental Floss, an online magazine. Almost every Marvel movie has been a critical and financial success.The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) also began the wave of shared-universe film franchises. Almost every studio has tried to replicate Marvel's success.Top Rotten Tomatoes Scores:• "Black Panther" — 97 percent• "Avengers: Endgame" — 96 percent• "Iron Man" — 93 percent• "Thor: Ragnarok" — 92 percent• "Spider-Man: Homecoming" — 92 percentHighest Global Box Office, according to Box Office Mojo:• "Avengers: Infinity War" — $2 billion• "The Avengers" — $1.5 billion• "Avengers: Age of Ultron" — $1.4 billion• "Black Panther" — $1.3 billion• "Iron Man 3" — $1.2 billionEditor's Note: Box office numbers are not adjusted for inflation.Reach reporter Michael Harrington at michaelharrington@sanduskyregister.com, follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterThe cast and crew of "Avengers: Endgame" at the world premier."Avenger: Endgame" could break several box office records.