The Hunger Games Catching Fire Could Earn Second-Biggest Opening Weekend Ever

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire will hit theaters in the United States on Nov. 22 and has the potential to earn the second-highest three-day opening of all time behind The Avengers.

The Hollywood Reporter notes that Catching Fire continues to generate a massive amount of buzz and interest and "could easily cross the $175 million mark" in its three-day opening. If it does, then it would surpass Iron Man 3, which opened earlier this year to $174.1 million, for the second-highest three-day opening ever behind The Avengers, which hauled in $207.4 million in 2012.

Lionsgate, the company behind the film, is projecting a much more conservative estimate between $140 million and $150 million. But as THR points out, sequels generally bring in more cash than the original films. The first Twilight movie inly grossed $69.6 million in its opening weekend, but Twilight: New Moon hauled in $142.8 million a year later.

As a result, some very optimistic individuals think Catching Fire could even make more than $190 million in its first three days.

The first Hunger Games film grossed $152.5 million in March 2012 and eventually made $691.2 million total, including $408 million domestically. Catching Fire also cost much more than the original Hunger Games at more than $130 million compared to $78 million. If the above projections hold true, the film would make back its entire budget in three days.

The film stars Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark and Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne. Francis Lawrence takes over as director from Gary Ross.