Box-office revenue: A look at how Marvel Studios built a box-office juggernaut

By Associated Press

Benedict Cumberbatch (from left), Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo and Benedict Wong in a scene from “Avengers: Infinity War.” | Marvel Studios via AP

LOS ANGELES — Marvel Studios has built a movie empire that has not only proved crowd-pleasing, but has also racked up box-office profits to the tune of nearly $15 billion in the 10 years since “Iron Man” was released.

The 2008 film starring Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man proved that superheroes not named Spider-Man, Superman and Batman could find massive audiences. “Avengers: Infinity War,” the 19th film in the Marvel Studios universe arrives Friday, and may break box-office records in its opening weekend. The third Avengers film assembles characters and story lines developed over the years, including Captain America, Thor, the Guardians of the Galaxy and this year’s sensation, the Black Panther.

The following is a look at how Marvel has built its cinematic version of the Hulk, with the film’s title, release date, domestic gross and total worldwide box office, as compiled by comScore:

“Iron Man,” May 2008, $318.6 million, $582 million

“The Incredible Hulk,” June 2008, $134.8 million, $263.3 million

“Iron Man 2,” May 2010, $312.4 million, $623.7 million

“Thor,” May 2010, $181 million, $448.7 million

“Captain America: The First Avenger,” July 2011, $176.7 million, $371 million

“Marvel’s The Avengers,” May 2012, $623.4 million, $1.52 billion

“Iron Man 3,” May 2013, $409 million, $1.2 billion

“Thor: The Dark World,” November 2013, $206.4 million, $645 million

“Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” April 2014, $260 million, $714.3 million

“Guardians of the Galaxy,” August 2014, $333.2 million, $773.3 million

“Avengers: Age of Ultron,” May 2015, $459 million, $1.4 billion

“Ant-Man,” July 2015, $180.2 million, $519.3 million