Disney and Marvel Studios’ latest superhero spectacle, Thunderbolts*, surged to the top of the North American box office over its opening weekend, pulling in an estimated $76 million, according to data released Sunday by Comscore.
This impressive performance places Thunderbolts* as the latest crowd-puller in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), captivating audiences with its ensemble cast and high-stakes narrative.
Internationally, Thunderbolts* added another $86.1 million from overseas markets, bringing its global opening total to a strong $162.1 million by Sunday. The film marks the 36th installment in the MCU and introduces viewers to the shadowy superhero team known as the Thunderbolts*, a group of reformed villains and anti-heroes navigating complex moral choices under government supervision.
Directed by Jake Schreier, Thunderbolts* boasts a star-studded lineup including Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and David Harbour. With a production budget of $180 million, the film is off to a solid start, bolstered by strong critical and audience reception. It currently holds an impressive 88% approval rating based on 257 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. Additionally, audiences gave it an “A-” grade on CinemaScore’s scale, indicating widespread satisfaction.
This marks a promising sign for Disney and Marvel as they test darker, ensemble-driven stories in their post-Avengers lineup. Thunderbolts* not only capitalizes on the popularity of familiar characters but also introduces new dynamics that have clearly resonated with global audiences.
Meanwhile, Warner Bros. Pictures’ horror entry Sinners dropped to second place in its third weekend, earning $33 million. Despite the decline, it has amassed a North American total of $179.7 million and a global haul of $236.7 million.
In third place, Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures’ fantasy comedy A Minecraft Movie brought in $13.7 million in its fifth weekend, pushing its North American total to an impressive $398.2 million.
With Thunderbolts* continuing to draw attention, industry analysts are watching closely to see if it can sustain its momentum and possibly spawn sequels or spin-offs within the MCU. For now, Thunderbolts* has struck box office gold.