"The Avengers" earns $178.4 million overseas

(CBS/AP) "The Avengers" doesn't open in the U.S. until Friday, but it  already has  done big numbers overseas, earning a total of $178.4 million.

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Disney's action-adventure film opened in 39 other countries a week before its North American debut, and receipts  show it lived up to its buzz.

The film had the biggest opening weekend ever in Mexico, Barzil, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Central America, Bolivia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, New Zealand and The Philippines, according to Hollywood.com.

The Marvel Comics-inspired blockbuster's cast includes Robert Downey Jr. Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson.

The film, directed by Joss Whedon, has strong word-of-mouth domestically from fans who were able to see advanced screenings and from critics who have already given the film high marks.

Now, the question is, will the film break records domestically?