Despite some naysaying to the contrary, "Thor: The Dark World" dropped its hammer on both the Friday night competition and box-office record books.


The latest Marvel film grossed $31.6 million during its opening day, putting the "Thor" sequel on track to earn around $80 million by the time receipts are counted on Sunday night. Not only would that number represent an increase of around $15 million from 2011's "Thor," but it would put "Thor: The Dark World" among the biggest November openings ever. Only three "Twilight" films, four "Harry Potter" films and last year's "Skyfall" have earned more than $80 million during debut weekends during the month.


More numbers, presuming the $80 million estimate holds: "Thor: The Dark World" would place among the upper-half of Marvel comics releases, earning more over its first weekend than "The Wolverine," "The Amazing Spider-Man" and "X-Men: First Class," among others. (It should be noted that Sony's "The Amazing Spider-Man" opened on July 3, and had earned a total of $137 million by the time its first full weekend was complete.) The sequel lags way behind Marvel's "Iron Man" franchise, as well as "Marvel's The Avengers," but unlike those features, this one doesn't star Robert Downey Jr. (Chris Hemsworth plays the God of Thunder.)


Overseas, meanwhile, "Thor: The Dark World" has already grossed over $268 million. Check back for the full box office report on Sunday.


[via THR]



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