Via Box Office Mojo, The Numbers, Deadline, and other sources:Audiences came out bigger than expected for the latest superhero to arrive on the big screen as "Captain America: The First Avenger" delivered a strong $65.1 million opening, giving it a huge victory over a rapidly declining "Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2". Paramount reps were obviously ecstatic with the reception afforded to "Captain America" and the film opened almost even with May's "Thor", which started with $65.7 million.
With the arrival of "Captain America", everything has lined up nicely for May 4, 2012, when the eagerly anticipated "Avengers" film, featuring Iron Man, The Hulk, Thor, Captain America, and other Marvel comic book icons finally sees its realization on the big screen. After some initial alarmingly negative reviews, "Captain America" saw its Tomatometer rise to 74% - on par with the reception critics levied upon "Iron Man 2" (74%) and "Thor" (77%).
Audiences were quite taken with the film and its throwback look and feel, grading it an A- via CinemaScore. The film has yet to make its mark overseas yet, grossing $2.8 million in Italy, the only overseas location receiving the film. Paramount and Marvel are rechristening the film internationally as "The First Avenger".
All in all, its yet another success for Marvel and Paramount, as Chris Evans lines up nicely alongside his counterparts, setting the stage for one of the most eagerly anticipated advance release dates of recent memory.
A "Harry Potter" breakdown (perhaps literally), Justin and Mila receive a warm welcome, and Indian cinema makes some headlines...more analysis, The Weekend Breakdown and The Top 40 after the cut!
