Summer box office gets off to a robust start with Marvel's 'Thunderbolts' earning a hefty $76 million.
A Rugged Gang of Heroes Reigns Supreme at the Box Office
Sans capes and catchphrases, the unconventional team-up of Marvel's "Thunderbolts" proved their punching power at the box office this weekend, dominating the charts and reigniting the glory days of theaters.
Starring the fierce duo of Florence Pugh and Sebastian Stan, "Thunderbolts" delivered a formidable $76 million in ticket sales across the U.S. and Canada. Globally, the movie also roared, earning $162 million, with $86 million coming from overseas audiences.
Anticipation for the film was high, with initial estimates suggesting a $70 million opening weekend. However, some analysts predicted even bigger earnings, pegging the high end at $80 million.
The reported budget for "Thunderbolts" clocked in at a hefty $180 million.
Reminiscent of Marvel films like "Eternals" and "Shang-Chi," "Thunderbolts" opened with comparable numbers, raking in $71 million and $75 million, respectively, in their debut weekend. The most recent Marvel film, "Captain America: Brave New World," shattered expectations with a whopping $89 million in its opening weekend in February.
Marvel's box office success has set the bar high, making it challenging for every film in the franchise to reach similar heights, particularly amid pandemic challenges and the dual writers and actors strikes in 2023. Despite a few stumbles, such as "The Marvels," the generally positive response to "Thunderbolts" might propel Marvel's summer blockbuster, "The Fantastic Four: First Steps."
After a quiet start to the year at the box office, theaters have witnessed a significant resurgence this spring. The release of "A Minecraft Movie" in April marked the beginning of this turnaround, followed by the success of R-rated horror flick "Sinners."
"Sinners" maintained its hold on the charts this weekend, earning another $33 million domestically, dropping just 28% from the previous week. The critically-acclaimed film has amassed a total of $180 million in the U.S. to date, providing much-needed relief for the movie industry.
Joining "Sinners" in the top five were "A Minecraft Movie," "The Accountant 2," and Sony's horror film "Until Dawn."
Overall, the U.S.-Canada box office has seen an improvement of 16% compared to the same time in 2024, with a diverse lineup of family movies, R-rated horror films, and now superhero flicks attracting audiences back to theaters.
"It seems like we're inching closer to the before times," said Shawn Robbins, founder of Box Office Theory and director of analytics at Fandango. "The fact that this is happening in April also bodes well for the summer season ahead."
More to Discover:
- The intriguing post-credits scenes that hint at the MCU's next chapter
- A frank review of "Thunderbolts": Setting expectations low and exceeding them
- Record-breaking $157 million debut for "Minecraft" at the box office
- The lustrous allure of Hollywood's business sector has once again captured the attention of the public, with the debut of Marvel's "Thunderbolts" serving as a beacon of hope for the entertainment industry.
- The explosive success of "Thunderbolts" toastedly sets a new standard for upcoming movies and TV shows, further propelling the enduring relevance of California's 'tainment-centric hub, Hollywood.
- Complementing the cinematic dominance of "Thunderbolts," the R-rated horror movie "Sinners" has maintained a robust footing in the industry, earning an impressive $180 million in U.S. ticket sales.
- Continuing the upward trend, upcoming summer releases like "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" may benefit from the resurgence in moviegoers, as industries strive to recapture the dizzying heights of the pre-pandemic era.
- As theaters nationwide witness a rejuvenation in interest, anxious Hollywood executives can now dance a merry jig, their doubts and sluggish footing assuaged by the thunderous roar of eager patrons lining up for the latest blockbusters.
- With a blend of family movies, R-rated horror films, and superhero flicks cashing in on the masses, the U.S.-Canada box office has showcased growth of 16% compared to the same time in 2024, foreshadowing a grand future for the entertainment industry.
