Marvel blockbuster Avengers: Endgame has shattered the record for biggest opening weekend with an estimated US$1.2 billion ($1.7 billion) in global ticket sales and US$350 million ($497 million) in North America alone.

The final Avengers sequel far exceeded even the studio’s own massive expectations, according to Marvel estimates Monday morning (Australian time).

The movie was predicted to earn between US$260 million and US$300 million in US and Canadian theatres on its opening weekend, but moviegoers crammed cinemas to quickly push Endgame past the previous record of US$257.7 million ($366 million), set last year by Avengers: Infinity War.

Infinity War had only narrowly beaten Star Wars: The Force Awakens (US$248 million).

Globally, Endgame easily eclipsed the previous record of US$640.5 million ($910 million), also set by Infinity War.

Endgame also set a new weekend record in China, the world’s second largest movie market, where it made US$330.5 million ($469.5 million). Infinity War did not open in China, until two weeks after its debut.

Endgame has already earned more money in boxoffice sales than movies like the Bond blockbuster Skyfall, and DC superhero movies Aquaman and The Dark Knight Rises grossed in their entire runs.

Endgame beat the previous US box office record holder, Infinity War. Photo: Disney

The much-anticipated film, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, has a star-studded cast that includes Chris Hemsworth, Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Brie Larson, Karen Gillan, Danai Gurira, Bradley Cooper and Josh Brolin.

Disney chairman Alan Horn credited Marvel Studios and its president, Kevin Feige, for challenging “notions of what is possible at the movie theatre”.

“This weekend’s monumental success is a testament to the world they’ve envisioned, the talent involved, and their collective passion, matched by the irrepressible enthusiasm of fans around the world,” Horn said in a statement.

Endgame, is the 22nd movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which launched in 2008 with Iron Man.

The Marvel films have now eclipsed US$19 billion in worldwide box office.

John Fithian, chief executive of the US National Association of Theatre Owners, called the massive movie turnout as possibly “the most significant moment in the modern history of the movie business”.

“We’re looking at more than 30 million American and more than 100 million global guests that experienced Endgame on the big screen in one weekend,” Mr Fithian said.

“The numbers are just staggering,” he added.

-with agencies