CHUCK ZLOTNICK/MARVEL STUDIOS VIA THE ASSOCIATED PRESSThis image released by Marvel Studios shows Danai Gurira, Chadwick Boseman, Chris Evans, Scarlet Johansson and Sebastian Stan in a scene from 'Avengers: Infinity War,' which premiered April 27.

VALDOSTA — Christmas came early this year at Valdosta Cinemas.

The holiday season is the busiest time for movie theaters, but that’s usually for a variety of reasons. Whether people are looking to get away from their relatives for a few hours, or people just fully utilizing the days off from school and work.

This weekend, however, crowds of people filled Valdosta Cinemas for only one reason, “Avengers: Infinity War.”

Destini Adams, assistant manager at the theater, said nearly every showing of the Avengers on Thursday and Friday was completely sold out. Valdosta Cinemas’ biggest theater can hold 300 people. 

She said there were lines of people waiting to get into the inside theaters due to moviegoers waiting through the credits of each showing for the end credit’s scene. One line, she said, stretched as far as the next theater and wrapped around in a horse-shoe shape.

“We anticipated it was going to be a big showing. We were prepared,” Adams said. “We set it up to run every 30 minutes and we opened earlier and closed later, but the turn out has been crazy.”

She said the theater usually sees this type of showing during Christmas, but that’s Christmas.

“This is just one movie, so for one movie to bring this many people, yeah, that’s a little unusual,” Adams said. “I worked the booth last night and I was surprised when anybody ordered a ticket that wasn’t the Avengers.”

For anyone unaware, “Avengers: Infinity War” is the third Avengers movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Avengers include Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, Thor, Spiderman, the Guardians of the Galaxy and many more. The massive cast of colorful superheroes join forces to stop the ultimate galactic villain Thanos from gathering all six “Infinity Stones.”

According to Box Office Mojo, the much-anticipated Marvel film made $106 million opening day release and is expected to make more than $240 million opening weekend. This would be the second largest opening weekend behind “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” at $248 million.

In Valdosta, the parking during the Friday showing was so packed people were parking at CVS next door, according to people who attended.

Adams said Avengers did slightly better than Marvel’s last hit movie “Black Panther.” She said she expects Avengers to be packed until the end of summer.

Thomas Lynn is a government and education reporter for The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be reached at (229)244-3400 ext. 1256