'The Avengers' Already Dominating International Markets

Marvel clearly has a record-breaker on its hands.

"The Avengers" doesn't even hit U.S. theaters until just over one week from now. It's already busting studio records with pre-sale numbers that have it out-grossing four of the first five Marvel Studios productions' advance ticket sales combined.

Internationally, it earned $17.1 million Wednesday opening in 10 of its 42 opening international markets, according to number from The Hollywood Reporter.

Most notably, its $6-million Australian opening came in second to "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" as among the all-time biggest Down Under debuts - 214 percent the business the $1.8-million "Iron Man 2" opening did. Elsewhere, Joss Whedon's team-up of Black Widow, Nick Fury, Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Hawkeye and The Incredible Hulk made $800,000 in New Zealand, $2.9 million in France, $3.7 million in Italy, $1.2 million in Taiwan and $1.3 million in the Philippines.

Though under the $1-million mark, New Zealand's opening topped the country's all-time list. Italy's opening was the biggest ever for a Disney feature and the second-biggest for a Marvel title. The Walt Disney Co. purchased Marvel in mid 2011.

The Taiwan opening likewise set a new all-time mark, and a second-best all-time ranking for the Philippines.

The Hollywood Reporter claims that IMAX screens have been averaging $22,000 in sales. Early speculation has the film easily topping the $150-million line, based just on these early international numbers and advance sales.