The Avengers has made Hollywood history by becoming the first film ever to make more than $100m in its second week on release.

The hit superhero film, known in the UK as Avengers Assemble, took $103.2m (£64m) at the US and Canadian box office last week, according to studio estimates.

It is the second such record set by the movie, which also attracted record-breaking opening weekend takings of $207.4m.

The Avengers tells the tale of a group of Marvel Comics heroes teaming up to battle a threat from outer space and stars Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans and Mark Ruffalo.

Joss Whedon, who co-wrote and directed The Avengers, expressed delight about the film’s opening weekend record in an open letter on his website.

He wrote: "Topping a box office record is super-dope. People have told me that this matters, that my life is about to change. I am sure that is true. And change is good - change is exciting.

"What doesn't change is that I've had the smartest, most loyal, most passionate, most articulate group of - I'm not even gonna say fans. I'm going with 'peeps' - that any cult oddity such as my bad self could have dreamt of."

Watch the film's trailer below: