Avengers: Infinity War estimated to break global opening weekend record

If confirmed, the superhero sequel would overtake The Fate of the Furious's $542m global opening weekend haul, a record set in 2017.

The film is also seen taking the all-time domestic opening record, making $250m in the US alone.

Official figures will come out on Monday, but this would put Avengers ahead of Star Wars: The Force Awakens' $248m take.

Infinity War, directed by brothers Joe and Anthony Russo, cost between $300m and $400m to make. 

The film tracks a range of Marvel superheroes in their battle against villain Thanos.

Actors including Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chadwick Boseman and Chris Pratt, star in the sequel, the first of two parts.

The conclusion is set to be released in May 2019.

• Marvel Avenged: From financial ruin to the biggest film franchise in history
• Why the snobbery about superhero films?
• Why comic superheroes were born in New York

Avengers: Infinity War comes 10 years after the release of Iron Man, which kicked off a series of high-profile superhero films.

The first Avengers came out in 2012. It held the previous record opening for a Marvel film, making $207.4m domestically. 

Age of Ultron, the second Avengers feature, debuted with $191m.