Thunderbolts* Shocks Marvel Fans by Outperforming Beloved Thor at Box Office

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Summary

  • Thunderbolts* outshone one Marvel movie at the box office, earning more than $160 million globally.
  • The film features anti-heroes facing challenges, exploring mental health, with a 94% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
  • The success of Thunderbolts* highlights a demand for new Marvel stories and a positive end to Phase 5 of the MCU.

Regarding Thunderbolts, while it was acclaimed as among the most powerful productions within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, its box office performance in the U.S. outshone just one other Marvel film. Although this may seem insignificant, the fact that it surpassed another title in the series serves as a positive indicator for the upcoming slate of movies.

The final phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been concluded with the debut of “Thunderbolts” in theaters. This movie follows a group of morally ambiguous characters who unite to confront a formidable foe known as Sentry. The superhero film was met with tremendous praise, garnering nearly universal acclaim from both critics and viewers. Furthermore, it enjoyed a highly successful opening weekend, generating over $160 million worldwide. Notably, when compared to other Marvel releases in May, this movie has surpassed one of the most cherished MCU films with ease.

Thunderbolts* beat this beloved 2011 Marvel movie at the box office

As per Box Office Mojo, the newly released movie helmed by Jake Schreier has outperformed the initial Thor film in terms of domestic earnings during its first three days. The 2011 film featuring Chris Hemsworth amassed $65.7 million during this period, whereas the latest release, tentatively named Thunderbolts, earned $76 million. This suggests that the recent Marvel Cinematic Universe production has potentially surpassed Thor’s global earnings as well. Box Office Mojo further revealed that the film starring Florence Pugh generated over $162 million in its opening weekend, with Thor earning around $152 million worldwide ($87 million internationally and $65 million domestically).

Speaking of Marvel films launched in May, the top spot was claimed by the original Avengers movie from 2012, raking in a whopping $207.3 million during its opening weekend. Following closely were Age of Ultron, earning $191.2 million, and Iron Man 3 with $174.1 million. Titles like Captain America: Civil War ($179 million), Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness ($187.4 million), and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 ($146.5 million) were also part of this impressive lineup.

In “Thunderbolts,” an assemblage of flawed superheroes, who are arguably anti-heroes, are united for a perilous and hazardous task. Unlike traditional paragons of virtue, each member carries a burdened past and has committed errors. The mission they undertake swiftly becomes lethal, leaving them in a precarious predicament brimming with danger, betrayal, and challenging moral dilemmas. As the team progresses, they are tested to their utmost limits. Each individual must confront their internal turmoil, shadowy memories, and remorse. They start to doubt each other’s loyalty and their motivations for being part of the squad. Through battles, agonizing choices, and emotional trials, they discover the true essence of teamwork—and whether they can find redemption for their past actions.

The overwhelming success of the film indicates a strong demand among Marvel enthusiasts for fresh narratives, and when they receive a well-crafted storyline, it resonates with them powerfully. The impressive global debut of Thunderbolts serves as a positive signal for directors aiming to create innovative stories within the MCU. Furthermore, the movie’s portrayal of mental health issues deserves recognition for its bravery and honesty. It fearlessly addresses mental health struggles, particularly in characters like Yelena and Bob, demonstrating how challenging life can be within one’s mind. The film powerfully conveys the message that treating people as mere tools rather than human beings is deeply harmful. With a 94% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it is evident that the conclusion of Phase 5 in the MCU is nothing short of extraordinary.

Thunderbolts* is currently playing in theaters.

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2025-05-05 19:34