It’s hard to believe that earlier this year, Marvel’s quirky space opera Guardians of the Galaxy was the studio’s biggest gamble and had industry analysts skeptical about how well the virtually-unknown property would perform. But now, after grossing a whopping $326.7 million in the United States, Star Lord and his ragtag group of outlaws are continuing to break box-office records overseas. I’m sure that right about now, Marvel execs are quoting Rocket Raccoon, walking around hallways shouting, “We’re gonna be rich!”
Guardians opened in China over the weekend and rocketed toward a record-breaking $29.8 million, making it the highest-grossing October debut in the country’s history. That little bounty has pushed the film past the $700 million mark worldwide.
As of right now, Guardians has grossed a hefty $705.1 million, putting it head-to-head with this year’s The Amazing Spider-Man 2, which grossed $707.9 million. Guardians is definitely going to blow past that number – as it has yet to open in countries like Italy – and stands a chance at passing this year’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier ($713.9M) and X-Men: Days of Future Past ($747.9M).
The film also stands as one of Marvel’s most successful films in international markets, surpassing the box office totals of Iron Man 2 ($267M), 20th Century Fox’s The Wolverine ($282M), Thor ($268M), Iron Man ($267M) and Captain America: The First Avenger ($194M).
In other words, any doubt in the titular team of criminals-turned-heroes has long diminished, and it’s now clear that Marvel can adapt just about any property that it wants (provided that we get a good movie out of it, of course).
