'Black Panther' Eclipses 'Hunger Games' and 'Lion King' at the Box Office

Black Panther continues to eclipse other historic blockbuster films including The Lion King, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, according to Variety. The Disney-Marvel box office smash has become the 17th highest-grossing domestic release in the 13 days since its release.

The film raked in $6.8 million on Wednesday domestically and $8.3 million internationally, making its domestic total $428.7 million. It sits $7 million behind the classic E.T. — The Extraterrestrial in the 16th position. Its international total is now $763.3 million, surpassing The Amazing Spider-Man. Early predictions had the Ryan Coogler-directed flick making $100 million to $120 million its first weekend, but Black Panther doubled expectations by launching with $242 million.

If it makes the predicted $55 million to $75 million its third weekend, it could become one of only ten movies in history to cross the $500 million thresholds domestically. It could also set another record by becoming one of the highest-grossing films in its third week alongside Star Wars: The Force Awakens at $90.2 million, Avatar at $68.5 million, and The Avengers at $55.6 million.

This follows the news that Black Panther is now the third highest-grossing Marvel film ever behind The Avengers and Avengers: Age of Ultron, which pulled in $623 million and $459 million stateside. If Black Panther hits the $500 million mark, it’ll pass the latter.

This weekend the Chadwick Boseman-starring blockbuster may face some competition as the Jennifer Lawrence thriller Red Sparrow and Bruce Willis-led Death Wish hit theaters.