Remember that other film we were all gassing on about recently? Y'know, the one with all the kids and the fighting and the cool soundtrack? Yeah, we're struggling to remember it either, and that's thanks to the phenomenal success of 'The Avengers' which has taken an unprecedented $200.3 million on its opening weekend at the U.S. Box Office, far out stripping 'The Hunger Games' (that's the one) success earlier this year, and even blowing away the biggest opening weekend of all time in the final 'Harry Potter' film, which took $169.2 million on its debut.

The omens were there for Joss Whedon's movie, with impressive openings overseas, and indeed many are pointing to Marvel and Disney's decision to distribute the film abroad before opening in the U.S. as a reason for its snowballing momentum, with the film becoming a truly worldwide event before it had even hit the U.S. market. Having also picked up $151.5 million overseas over the weekend its total worldwide now stands at an amazing $441.5 million in just the 12 days that it's been open.

'The Hunger Games' is still the biggest grossing film in the US this year, with a total of $380.7 million - and it came in third this weekend with takings of $5.7 million on its seventh weekend outing - but Lionsgate must be looking over their shoulders at the incredible start posted by 'The Avengers,' it's unlikely it'll be rooted at the top for much longer.