Note: This article may reveal significant SPOILERS for Thunderbolts. While the opening weekend box office figures for the latest MCU film, Thunderbolts, will provide an estimate for its future global and domestic success, it’s clear that it has made a promising start critically. Merely three months after Captain America: Brave New World caused a divide among fans and critics, Thunderbolts seems to have bridged the gap and garnered appreciation from both parties. If this positive response translates into box office success, it could potentially launch a new Avengers franchise.
In a surprising twist, “Thunderbolts” stood out as no mere trifle within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Contrary to expectations, lesser-known characters like Red Guardian and Ghost graced the screen, while also introducing one of the MCU’s strongest and potentially impactful heroes yet – Sentry. Moreover, the “Thunderbolts” post-credits scene holds significant weight in the grand scheme of the Multiverse Saga, paving the way for the storyline of “Avengers: Doomsday.” This strong connection to a highly anticipated sequel positions the movie favorably for success at the global box office, despite the team’s less celebrated collective stardom.
Thunderbolts* Total Box Office (So Far)
Thunderbolts* Current Box Office Results Explained
Following the initial weekend, the movie titled “Thunderbolts” seems to be following a modest yet anticipated path. By Sunday, May 4th, according to “The Numbers”, “Thunderbolts” is predicted to debut with $76 million domestically and $86.1 million internationally, adding up to an international gross of approximately $162.1 million. This figure is close to the $180 million production budget for “Thunderbolts,” which is typical for MCU films and coincides with the budgets for “Thor: Ragnarok” and “Captain America: Brave New World.” While it’s expected that “Thunderbolts” will earn more than its budget, whether it recoups its costs remains uncertain.
The opening weekend earnings for Thunderbolts*, an upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie, is roughly around the lower end compared to most MCU films. Specifically, it’s less than Captain America: Brave New World’s $88.8 million domestic gross in its opening weekend. However, Ant-Man and the Wasp from 2018 and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings from 2021 had similar opening weekends, yet they went on to earn $623 million globally for Ant-Man and the Wasp and $432 million for Shang-Chi. So, it’s still uncertain whether Thunderbolts* will follow a similar pattern or surpass these results.
Thunderbolts* Opening Weekend Box Office
Thunderbolts* Sits On The Lower End Of The MCU’s Opening Weekends
The film titled Thunderbolts* began its run modestly, with domestic earnings that, in ideal circumstances, could indicate a failure to recoup costs. However, this is on the lower side but still within the estimated box office range for the movie, which features a multitude of lesser-known characters who may not captivate casual viewers as much as Red Hulk or Deadpool. Fortunately, for Thunderbolts* and the MCU, critical and audience praise serves as a promising indicator for the film’s future success, as favorable word-of-mouth will keep it relevant within the genre and ensure its presence in the cultural spotlight.
| Movie | Budget | Domestic Opening Weekend | International Opening Weekend | Total Opening Weekend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunderbolts* | $180,000,000 | $76,000,000 | $86,100,000 | $162,100,000 |
For example, “Ant-Man and the Wasp” earned $75.8 million domestically during its opening weekend, yet received positive reviews from critics and eventually amassed a total of $623 million worldwide. Conversely, “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” which featured an unrecognized character, only managed to gross $432 million globally following a similar opening weekend, despite garnering even better reviews. As a result, it’s challenging to predict the trajectory of “Thunderbolts*” since its characters are relatively unknown, but they are not entirely new like Shang-Chi was in 2021.
*Note: Thunderbolts is a fictional team in the Marvel Universe.
How The Thunderbolts* Box Office Compares To Other May MCU Movies
May is a vital timeframe for movie releases since it marks the beginning of the summer blockbuster season and continues to garner ticket sales throughout the entire summer. It’s also the usual month when the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) unveils its Avengers movies, making it likely that the film Thunderbolts was given this slot following the ending which granted the team their new identity as the New Avengers. Originally, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame were planned for May, but they were moved up a week in the US (to late April) to align with European release dates and prevent spoilers from circulating.
| Movie | Domestic Opening Weekend | International Box Office Total |
|---|---|---|
| The Avengers (2012) | $207,438,708 | $1,515,100,211 |
| Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) | $191,271,109 | $1,395,316,979 |
| Iron Man 3 (2013) | $174,144,585 | $1,214,630,956 |
| Captain America: Civil War (2016) | $179,139,142 | $1,151,899,586 |
| Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) | $187,420,998 | $952,224,986 |
| Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) | $146,510,104 | $869,087,963 |
| Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) | $118,414,021 | $845,555,777 |
| Iron Man 2 (2010) | $128,122,480 | $621,156,389 |
| Iron Man (2008) | $102,118,668 | $584,877,827 |
| Thor (2011) | $65,723,338 | $449,326,618 |
| Thunderbolts* (2025) | $76,000,000 | $162,100,000 |
In comparison to other films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) that were released in May, Thunderbolts* had one of the lowest opening weekends, surpassing only Thor’s domestic gross of $65.7 million. Given that four out of the eleven MCU movies that grossed over a billion dollars have been released in May, the bar for success is quite high. However, Marvel Studios is attempting an intriguing strategy by changing Thunderbolts* billboards to read The New Avengers instead. This unusual approach could potentially boost ticket sales and help Thunderbolts* achieve similar levels of success as other May-released Avengers movies.
*Note: “Thunderbolts” is a fictional superhero team in the Marvel Comics universe, but there has been no official announcement about the title of an upcoming MCU film.
What The Thunderbolts* Box Office Means For The MCU
Thunderbolts* Is A Consequential MCU Installment
It’s no surprise that there’s been some wobbliness with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, particularly during the Multiverse Saga. After the release of Captain America: Brave New World, it’s clear that Marvel is hoping for a victory with their next project, but whether or not Thunderbolts* will deliver this success remains to be seen. Given the lesser-known characters in Thunderbolts compared to the Avengers, their team-up film has always been a bit of a gamble. We’ll have to wait and see how this plays out at the box office.
There’s a possibility that Marvel Studios may have underestimated the drawing power of Bucky Barnes and Florence Pugh, or perhaps they overestimated it. However, the daring move to rename the Thunderbolts team as The New Avengers shows ambition and could lead to significant box office success. Each Avengers film has earned over $1 billion worldwide, giving the name a powerful appeal. With positive audience feedback, Thunderbolts could witness a rapid increase in popularity in the near future.
The achievement of Thunderbolts* could also impact whether another franchise is established based on this debut. Guardians of the Galaxy, which initially showcased rather unconventional characters when it came out in 2014, nevertheless kick-started one of the MCU’s most reliable franchises due to the exceptional quality of its first movie. However, it’s important to consider that Guardians of the Galaxy was launched during a time when the MCU was already quite established and popular. The current general discontent with the Multiverse Saga might pose challenges for the New Avengers.
*Note: Thunderbolts refers to an upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe film, not an existing franchise.
The praise for Thunderbolts* could boost feelings towards the current Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but it’s only the actual viewing of the movie that can truly restore trust. The New Avengers will significantly impact Avengers: Doomsday, so Marvel Studios must deliver an exceptional performance to encourage viewers to watch Thunderbolts* first, in order to build anticipation for these characters’ upcoming roles. Regardless, a solid box office success could position MCU Phase 6 favorably for comparison with the acclaimed MCU Phase 3.
Read More
- Gold Rate Forecast
- tWitch’s Legacy Sparks Family Feud: Mom vs. Widow in Explosive Claims
- OM PREDICTION. OM cryptocurrency
- Oblivion Remastered: The Ultimate Race Guide & Tier List
- 25+ Ways to Earn Free Crypto
- Meet the Stars of The Wheel of Time!
- Solo Leveling Season 3: What You NEED to Know!
- Why Gabriel Macht Says Life Abroad Saved His Relationship With Family
- The Monkey – REVIEW
- How to Get to Frostcrag Spire in Oblivion Remastered
2025-05-05 06:07