From WENN.com

The Marvel action film, which opened globally at the end of April and in the U.S. on 4 May (12), has netted $1.07 billion, surpassing the $1.066 billion raked in by Pirates of the Caribbean: Dean Man's Chest - the former number six film on the box office takings list.

The film, which stars Robert Downey, Jr., Scarlett Johansson and Mark Ruffalo, has also smashed a new record in the U.S. by becoming the fastest to hit $400 million (£250 million). It took just 14 days to reach the feat - five days before The Dark Knight hit $400 million.

Film experts expect The Avengers to claim the number one spot on the U.S. box office countdown for a third week this weekend (18-20May12) with another $100 million (£62.5 million)-plus three-day take, and, at the same time, become the fourth biggest-grossing film in history.