NEW YORK — By any measure, the release of “Avengers: Endgame” is a movie-theatre event unlike any other.

When the 22nd film in Marvel Studios’ saga opens in North American theatres on Thursday night, it will land on more screens than any movie ever has in U.S. and Canadian theatres. And the 4,600 theatres the Walt Disney Co. has lined up may still not even be able to keep up with demand.

Beginning Thursday night, AMC Theatres will stay open 72 hours straight. Some $120 million in presales have already set records on advance ticketing services Fandango and Atom. AMC’s website was crashed by early “Endgame” ticket buyers.

Disney said Wednesday that “Avengers: Endgame” grossed about $107.2 million in China on Wednesday, where it first opened.

Jake Coyle, The Associated Press