James Cameron has once again congratulated Marvel Studios after Avengers: Endgame reclaimed its title as the highest-grossing film of all time, surpassing his own Avatar. Cameron shared a celebratory post on Instagram, featuring an image of Iron Man amidst the Na'vi of Pandora.
"Congratulations to Marvel and the #1 Avengers: Endgame: Encore for bringing moviegoers to the cinemas – Jim Cameron," the post read. This marks the latest chapter in the ongoing box office rivalry between the two blockbuster films, which have traded the top spot multiple times since 2019.
Marvel initially surpassed Avatar's record in 2019, prompting a similar congratulatory message from Cameron. However, Cameron later predicted that Avatar would regain the lead, a prediction that proved true in 2021. The recent re-release of Avengers: Endgame, subtitled Endgame Encore, included new bonus footage, which helped the film attract audiences back to theaters.
Following its re-release, Avengers: Endgame experienced a strong opening weekend. Despite a subsequent drop in its second weekend, the film ultimately secured enough revenue to once again surpass Avatar. Box Office Mojo data indicates that Avengers: Endgame now stands at $2.938 billion worldwide, with Avatar at $2.923 billion. Both films remain close to the $3 billion milestone.
In terms of critical reception, Avengers: Endgame also holds a slight edge according to IGN reviews. The film received a 9.5/10 rating upon its 2019 release, while Cameron's 2009 sci-fi hit Avatar earned a 9/10.