"Jurassic World" overtakes "The Avengers" for biggest opening in U.S. history
The dinosaurs are definitively back on top after "Jurassic World" had a Tyrannosaurus rex-sized opening that proved even bigger than expected.
The film, which critics hailed as the best sequel in the four film franchise, brought in a whopping $208.8 million in its first weekend in theaters, according to Universal Pictures on Monday. Internationally, the film grossed a similarly mighty $315.3 million, bringing its international total to a record $524.1 million.
It's the highest-grossing opening weekend of all time.
Chris Pratt stars in the fourth installment of the popular series, directed by Colin Trevorrow.
"It feels so wonderful to hear the overwhelmingly positive response," Pratt wrote on his Facebook page. "We are incredibly blessed and overcome with joy at the outcome of the movie and couldn't be more appreciative for the amazing support you've shown so far. This is bigger than all of us. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"Marvel's The Avengers" had previously held the domestic all-time opening weekend record. That film opened to $207.4 million in 2012.
"Jurassic World" is the latest in a string of successes for Universal in 2015, including "Fifty Shades of Grey," "Furious 7" and "Pitch Perfect 2."