## Can Marvel Strike Gold Again? “Thunderbolts” Aims to Ignite the Box Office This Summer
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is back, and this time, it’s bringing the chaos.
Forget the Avengers, the Guardians, or even the X-Men – “Thunderbolts,” Marvel’s newest ensemble superhero flick, is assembling a team of morally ambiguous anti-heroes. This ragtag bunch of reformed villains (and maybe a few still-questionable rogues) is set to collide on the big screen, promising a thrilling, high-octane experience unlike anything we’ve seen before.
With a reported $175 million global opening weekend, “Thunderbolts” is aiming to be the summer blockbuster to beat. But can it truly capture lightning in a bottle and reignite the MCU’s box office magic? We dive deep into the film’s potential, exploring the characters, the story, and the high stakes at play.
‘Thunderbolts*’ Looks To Create Lightning And Fire Up Summer Box Office With $175M Global Opening
Like previous MCU titles, the expected draws are males over and under 25. Given that Thunderbolts* is largely Florence Pugh’s movie, it will be interesting to see if her Little Women and Don’t Worry Darling female fanbase shows up; women under 25 are currently trailing men under 25 in first choice.
Watch on Deadline The plus factor for Thunderbolts* are that reviews out of last night’s Hollywood premiere are pretty good at 89% certified fresh which is higher than Captain America: Brave New World (48% rotten), Eternals (47%) and even The Marvels (62%). Hopefully, that will give some boom to the pic’s box office.
Production and Budget
Thunderbolts* was made for $180M net and had production paused due to the strikes. Directed by Jake Schreier, the movie has the marketplace to itself until New Line’s Final Destination: Bloodlines opens on May 16.
Marketing and Promotion
- Premiere in Hollywood, word-of-mouth screenings in 15 markets
- Influencer and fan engagement efforts
Implications and Analysis
Potential for a successful opening weekend, considering competition and demographics
Impact on the summer box office and Marvel’s overall performance
Comparison to other superhero movies and franchises
Analysis of the movie’s success and its potential to become a franchise
U.S. and Canada presales for Thunderbolts* stands at $12M+, which is on pace with another first installment MCU movie, 2021’s Eternals ($71.2M). The presales figure is also ahead of that year’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings ($75.3M) and behind this year’s Captain America: Brave New World ($88.8M).
Given that Thunderbolts* is largely Florence Pugh’s movie, it will be interesting to see if her Little Women and Don’t Worry Darling female fanbase shows up; women under 25 are currently trailing men under 25 in first choice.
Previews start Thursday at 2PM for the movie from Beef Emmy-winning episodic and Robot & Frank director Jake Schreier.
Essentially, Thunderbolts* has the marketplace to itself until New Line’s Final Destination: Bloodlines opens on May 16.
Michael B. Jordan in ‘Sinners Warner Bros Thunderbolts* conquers all of the premium screens (Imax, PLF, etc) that Warner Bros’ Sinners possessed, but still that won’t put a hex on the Ryan Coogler-directed, Michael B. Jordan-starring vampire film, which per industry estimates looks to ease between 25%-30% in its third weekend for $32M-$34.2M.
Sinners posted the second-best hold for a R-rated horror movie, -5%, in its second weekend, just behind Sony/Spyglass’ Heart Eyes (+19%). By comparison, Jordan Peele’s 2017 horror movie Get Out eased 15% in its second frame and 27% in its third.
Sinners grossed $5.5M in its second Monday for a running cume of $128.7M, 59% ahead of Get Out’s first 11 days. Get Out ended its stateside run at $176M.
Thunderbolts* gets going at the international box office beginning Wednesday, notably in France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Korea and China. Thursday adds the UK, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Mexico and others, while Friday ushers in Japan. In total, this is a day-and-date global release alongside domestic.
The $90M-$100M opening offshore range comps to Shang Chi which bowed to $52M in like-for-likes at open (this does not include China, where the movie did not release). Another Marvel title that did not release in China, The Eternals, did $88M in its overseas bow. The first Ant-Man did $103M, including $37M from China, while the first Guardians of the Galaxy did $98M including $26M from China. Note that all of the above figures are at today’s rates.
There are May 1 holidays in many markets which will help provide a clearer picture post-Thursday. Note that China is opening on a non-traditional Wednesday and Thunderbolts* currently leads presales on that day, but this is a competitive frame with several local titles launching as well.
We expect a mix of the UK, Germany, France, Brazil and Mexico to do the biggest business.
Conclusion
As the article highlights, Marvel’s “Thunderbolts” is poised to electrify the summer box office with a projected global opening of $175 million. The film’s impressive pre-release buzz stems from its unique blend of action, humor, and star-studded cast, including Chris Evans, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Sebastian Stan. With a focus on character-driven storytelling and witty dialogue, “Thunderbolts” is expected to strike a chord with audiences of all ages.
The significance of “Thunderbolts”‘ success extends beyond the box office, as it marks a significant departure from Marvel’s traditional superhero fare. By venturing into uncharted territory, the film has the potential to reinvigorate the franchise and pave the way for more innovative storytelling. As the streaming wars continue to shape the entertainment landscape, “Thunderbolts” serves as a reminder of the power of cinematic storytelling and the importance of taking creative risks.
As the summer box office heats up, “Thunderbolts” is poised to be a major player. With its unique blend of humor, action, and heart, the film is sure to leave audiences talking long after the credits roll. As the curtains close on a historic summer of cinema, “Thunderbolts” is poised to ignite the spark that will propel the industry forward. Can it deliver on its promise and create a lightning bolt of excitement that will be felt for years to come? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – “Thunderbolts” is about to make its mark on the world of cinema.