Russo Brothers hail Avengers: Endgame re-release as career's finest hour
Synopsis
Seven years after its original release, Avengers: Endgame is once again the highest-grossing film of all time — and the Russo Brothers say it feels like the most special chapter of their careers. The Encore re-release, which debuted on 25 September 2026 with new footage and a Doomsday teaser, did far more than revive nostalgia; it rewrote box-office history a second time.
Key Takeaways
Avengers: Endgame has reclaimed its title as the highest-grossing film of all time following the Endgame Encore re-release.
The Encore edition released in theatres on 25 September 2026 , featuring new footage and a preview of Avengers: Doomsday .
Directors Joe and Anthony Russo described the experience as “one of the most special moments” of their careers.
The Russo Brothers closed their video message with the iconic line: ‘We love you 3000’ .
Originally released in 2019 , Endgame concluded the story begun in Avengers: Infinity War (2018) involving Thanos and the Infinity Stones.
Filmmakers Joe and Anthony Russo have expressed heartfelt gratitude to fans worldwide after Avengers: Endgame reclaimed its title as the highest-grossing film of all time following the Endgame Encore re-release on 25 September 2026. In an emotional video message, the duo invoked the film's iconic Iron Man line, declaring: “We love you 3000.”
What the Russo Brothers Said
In the video, Joe and Anthony Russo reflected on the unique bond they share with audiences who watched the film in cinemas. “Our favourite thing about making Avengers: Endgame was sitting in the theatres with audiences as we released it. So the fact that we could do that again on the Encore re-release was amazing,” the directors said.
They also extended their appreciation to every supporter who helped the film reach this milestone. “We just want to thank everyone for all of your support throughout the entire career — the lifetime career — of this movie,” they added. The brothers described the experience of making the film and witnessing its continued resonance as “one of the most special moments” of their careers.
A Message to New and Returning Fans
“We’re grateful to everybody who went back out to the theatre to see it again, to cheer for it again, to feel something in a room full of people. You brought people who hadn’t seen it the first time, introduced new fans to the movie. We love you very much and we’re super grateful,” the Russo Brothers said in the video.
The video caption reinforced the sentiment: “Thank you for coming back to theatres for Endgame Encore and making Endgame the #1 film of all time. To every fan who’s been part of this journey for the last seven years, we love you 3000.”
About the Encore Re-release
The Avengers: Endgame Encore returned to cinemas on 25 September 2026, featuring new footage and an exclusive preview of the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. The re-release proved decisive in pushing the 2019 Marvel Studios blockbuster past existing box-office records to reclaim the top spot globally.
The Infinity Saga in Context
Avengers: Infinity War, released in 2018, saw the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy attempt to prevent Thanos from assembling the six Infinity Stones to erase half of all life in the universe. Avengers: Endgame followed in 2019, depicting the surviving heroes’ mission to reverse Thanos’s catastrophic actions. The two films, directed by the Russo Brothers, together form the centrepiece of Marvel’s unprecedented cinematic run. Notably, the Encore re-release arrives as Marvel builds momentum for its next major theatrical event with Avengers: Doomsday on the horizon, making this box-office milestone a strategic as well as sentimental one.
Point of View
Because if this template holds, re-releases become a reliable instrument for record-setting, which complicates how the industry measures genuine audience appetite.
NationPress
5 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Avengers: Endgame reclaim the highest-grossing film of all time title?
Avengers: Endgame regained the top spot at the global box office after its Encore re-release on 25 September 2026 drew large audiences back to theatres. The re-release included new footage and an exclusive preview of the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday.
What did the Russo Brothers say about the Endgame Encore?
Directors Joe and Anthony Russo called the Encore re-release ‘one of the most special moments’ of their careers, saying they were grateful to fans who returned to theatres and even introduced the film to new viewers. They signed off their video message with the iconic phrase ‘We love you 3000.’
What new content was included in the Avengers: Endgame Encore re-release?
The Endgame Encore, which arrived in cinemas on 25 September 2026, featured new footage alongside an exclusive first look at the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday.
What is the storyline connection between Infinity War and Endgame?
Avengers: Infinity War (2018) followed the Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy as they tried to stop Thanos from collecting the six Infinity Stones to eliminate half of all life in the universe. Avengers: Endgame (2019) continued the story, with the surviving heroes working to reverse Thanos’s devastating actions.
Who directed Avengers: Endgame?
Avengers: Endgame was directed by brothers Joe Russo and Anthony Russo, collectively known as the Russo Brothers, who also helmed Avengers: Infinity War.
