Thunderbolts* Approaches $280M Box Office Amid New Avengers Marketing

Thunderbolts* maintained a robust performance at the box office during its second weekend, a feat notable among Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) releases. The film, led by Florence Pugh, has now amassed a global total of $272.2 million. Domestically, it added $33.1 million, while internationally, it earned $34 million, securing its position at the top of the box office charts for the second consecutive week. This represents a mere -44% drop from its opening weekend, outperforming other MCU films like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (-52%), Captain America: Brave New World (-54%), and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (-54%). To date, Thunderbolts* has grossed an estimated $128.5 million in the U.S. and $143.7 million overseas.

In an effort to boost its appeal, Marvel intensified its marketing campaign for Thunderbolts*, even renaming the film to New Avengers. The studio cleverly extended the on-screen rivalry between Sam Wilson’s Avengers and this new team into real-world promotions. As Marvel gears up for the pivotal launch of Phase 6 with The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July, sustaining interest in Thunderbolts* is crucial.

According to Variety, Disney invested $180 million in the production of Thunderbolts* and an additional $100 million in marketing efforts. For the movie to be profitable, it needs to maintain its global box office momentum.

Disney CEO Bob Iger praised Thunderbolts*, citing it as "the first and best example" of Marvel's renewed focus on quality over quantity, highlighting the studio's strategic shift in content creation.

Thunderbolts* kicked off with a $76 million domestic opening, a figure considered solid but not spectacular. This surpassed the openings of Eternals ($71 million) and Ant-Man and the Wasp ($75 million), both of which were deemed flops, yet fell short of the typical MCU movie opening.

The film has resonated well with both audiences and critics. IGN’s review of Thunderbolts* awarded it a 7/10, commending its ability to delve into the darker aspects of its characters while maintaining an engaging narrative. Disney hopes this positive reception will help Thunderbolts* sustain a stronger theatrical run compared to Captain America: Brave New World, which experienced a significant drop-off. Amid recent struggles for Marvel movies, Thunderbolts* stands out as a promising entry, alongside the success of the billion-dollar Deadpool & Wolverine film.

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Looking ahead, Marvel's lineup includes Avengers: Doomsday set for release on May 1, 2026, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day on July 31, 2026, with Avengers: Secret Wars slated for May 7, 2027.

Elsewhere, Sinners has reached $283.3 million globally, and A Minecraft Movie has grossed $909.6 million after six weekends.