Marvel’s ‘Thunderbolts’ Struggles at Indian Box Office on Day 2
Marvel’s Thunderbolts shows a lukewarm response in India, with box office collections dipping on Day 2, signaling a modest run ahead.
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Marvel Studios’ latest installment, Thunderbolts, is witnessing a lackluster performance in India, with the film failing to make a significant impact at the box office. The film, which debuted to a modest Rs 3.75 crore nett on its opening day, is on track for a further decline, with early estimates predicting a Rs 2.25 crore nett collection on Day 2.
Directed by Jake Schreier, Thunderbolts features a star-studded cast, including Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Despite the film's prominent place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), it has struggled to draw substantial crowds in Indian theaters. While reviews have generally been favorable and the production values remain high, the film's box office performance has been underwhelming.
This trend of Hollywood blockbusters underperforming in India is not unique to Thunderbolts. Earlier this year, Captain America: Brave New World launched with disappointing numbers, and Disney’s Snow White also failed to generate interest. On the other hand, Interstellar’s re-release in February and March managed to attract a strong audience, highlighting Indian audiences' continued enthusiasm for directors like Christopher Nolan and James Cameron.
The decline in Marvel's appeal can be partly attributed to the absence of its previous A-list stars, including Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Robert Downey Jr., and Tom Holland. These actors had been pivotal in establishing Marvel’s dominance in the Indian market, and their absence from recent MCU releases, including Thunderbolts, appears to have affected audience engagement.
The storyline of Thunderbolts revolves around a group of antiheroes who are brought together for a mission that may lead to their redemption. However, with the film’s collections dipping on its second day, it is clear that Thunderbolts may not replicate the massive successes of earlier MCU films in India, unless it sees a substantial turnaround over the weekend.
Globally, the film’s performance mirrors its struggle in India, with Thunderbolts showing moderate box office numbers in parts of Europe and Asia. Nevertheless, the film is expected to gross approximately USD 130 million globally in its opening weekend, with USD 70 to 75 million anticipated from the U.S. alone.
As the weekend progresses, industry watchers will be closely monitoring whether Thunderbolts can reverse its fortunes or if it will continue its underperformance at the global box office.
