Avengers: Infinity War is set for another milestone as it edges towards becoming the fastest film in history to reach $1bn at the global box office.
Marvel Studios’ latest superhero epic enjoyed the biggest opening weekend on record following its highly anticipated release last Thursday, and since then has climbed to a total gross of $905.1m (£756m).
That figure was recorded after US cinemas closed on Thursday.
The film has made $338.4m in America, meaning that it will cross the $1bn mark on Friday or Saturday – its 10th and 11th days of release.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens holds the current record for the fastest film to $1bn, having done it in 12 days when it released just before Christmas in 2015.
JJ Abrams’ blockbuster went on to become the third highest grossing film ever with $2.07bn in takings, still well behind Titanic and Avatar, which tops the chart with $2.79bn.
It remains to be seen whether Infinity War can reach such heights, but it looks certain to at least gatecrash the top five, with the huge Chinese market being made to wait until 11 May until they can see it.
Infinity War – which sees an all-star cast of heroes from Iron Man to Doctor Strange bid to take down the villainous Thanos – has already sailed past the total box office earnings of a number of comic book favourites, including Wonder Woman and Guardians of the Galaxy.
Once it crosses $1bn, the Disney empire will be able to lay claim to exactly half of the 34 films to have reached the landmark figure.