The record set by the Marvel Comics superhero mash-up was way above the previous record of $169.2 million for the debut of last year's "Harry Potter" finale.
"The Avengers" also bypassed the normal route and opened two weeks ago overseas. Worldwide, the movie is estimated to have sold tickets worth $641.8 million.
Hollywood launched a potentially record-shattering summer with a vengeance, "The Avengers" landing as just the first of three huge superhero tales that highlight a lineup filled with other blockbusters in the making.
"The Amazing Spider-Man" follows on July 3 and "The Dark Knight Rises" wraps up the current Batman series on July 20.
The very distant second at the box office this weekend, "Think Like a Man," brought in $8 million.
The top 10 films of the weekend were:
1. "The Avengers," $200.3 million ($151.5 million
international).
2. "Think Like a Man," $8 million.
3. "The Hunger Games," $5.7 million ($4.3 million
international).
4. "The Lucky One," $5.5 million ($5.5 million international).
5. "The Pirates! Band of Misfits," $5.4 million ($2.6 million
international).
6. "The Five-Year Engagement," $5.1 million ($2.3 million
international).
7. "The Raven," $2.5 million.
8. "Safe," $2.47 million ($2.2 million international).
9. "Chimpanzee," $2.4 million.
10. "The Three Stooges," $1.8 million.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
