Thunderbolts* Set to Shatter MCU Records with Massive $175M+ Opening Weekend

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Summary

  • Thunderbolts* is Marvel’s latest hit, defying expectations with a large opening weekend haul of over $175 million globally.
  • The movie’s success signals a return to form for Marvel, focusing on morally gray characters and compelling storytelling.
  • Thunderbolts* showcases a unique perspective with anti-heroes teaming up to fight a new villain, challenging traditional hero narratives.

Following some disappointments at the box office with movies like Deadpool and Wolverine excluded, it appears Marvel has hit the jackpot with their latest release – Thunderbolts*. The buzz from word-of-mouth is encouraging audiences in droves to catch this superhero film, surprising everyone by raking in a massive sum during its opening weekend.

The current Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is drawing to a close with the release of Thunderbolts, which follows a group of morally ambiguous characters joining forces to battle an antagonist called Sentry. This movie has been met with great enthusiasm since its premiere, leaving fans confident that Marvel is once again delivering impactful narratives. In addition to garnering praise from critics, the film is also proving to be a massive financial success, potentially outperforming the opening weekends of two other Marvel movies.

Thunderbolts* eyeing to beat two Marvel movies with staggering opening numbers

The upcoming Marvel film, Thunderbolts*, is projected to rake in over $175 million worldwide during its first weekend at the box office. According to reports, it’s expected to make around $70-$75 million in domestic sales and approximately $100 million internationally. Pre-sales for the movie in the U.S. and Canada have already surpassed $12 million, which is comparable to Eternals’ figures. If Thunderbolts* achieves these earnings, it would outperform two other Marvel Cinematic Universe films, Shang-Chi and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1, in terms of opening weekend box office revenue. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings earned $139.7 million during its debut weekend.

In contrast, the initial global earnings of the first Guardians of the Galaxy film surpassed $161 million in its first three days alone. On the other hand, it appears that the domestic opening numbers for Thunderbolts are stronger than those of Thor, Ant-Man, and Eternals.

*Assuming Thunderbolts is the correct name for the movie in question.

The movie, titled “Thunderbolts,” presents a band of antiheroic characters who find themselves trapped in a deadly situation, compelled to undertake a risky mission. As they tread along a treacherous road filled with deceit, brutality, and ethical gray areas, every character is pushed to confront their troubled pasts and internal struggles, challenging their allegiance, endurance, and the essence of atonement. In significant roles are Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova), Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier), David Harbour (Red Guardian), Wyatt Russell (John Walker/U.S. Agent), Hannah John-Kamen (Ava Starr/Ghost), and Lewis Pullman (Sentry).

The impressive $175 million+ debut weekend of “Thunderbolts” is a significant victory for Marvel, offering several noteworthy advantages. Following a series of lackluster box office returns and mixed reviews (e.g., “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania”, “The Marvels”), this impressive start suggests that fans are eagerly re-engaged with Marvel narratives. Furthermore, the film’s emphasis on morally ambiguous characters instead of conventional heroes signals a readiness among audiences to explore fresh stories and perspectives. Fans have long been clamoring for Marvel to enhance the storytelling quality in their cinematic ventures, and it appears they have successfully accomplished this with “Thunderbolts”. Additionally, as the final installment of Phase 5, its success serves as a powerful closing note and fosters intense anticipation for Phase 6 and forthcoming titles like “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Fantastic 4”.

Thunderbolts* is scheduled to hit theaters on May 2, 2025.

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2025-04-30 20:00