Marvel's Thunderbolts Targets $175M Worldwide Opening
Marvel’s Thunderbolts expected to earn $175M globally on debut weekend, backed by strong critical reviews and solid presales in North America.
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Marvel Studios is expected to lead global box office receipts this weekend with Thunderbolts, following strong reviews from critics. The film holds a nearly 90 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes, ranking it among the top-rated entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Deadline reports that Thunderbolts could earn $175 million worldwide in its opening weekend. In North America, forecasts place the debut between $70 million and $75 million. International markets are projected to contribute an additional $90 million to $100 million.
Prelaunch ticket sales in North America have already surpassed $12 million, matching the pace of 2021’s Eternals, which opened to $71.2 million. Sales sit ahead of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings ($75.3 million) but remain below Captain America: Brave New World ($88.8 million).
Early critical reception for Thunderbolts outpaces recent MCU releases. Captain America: Brave New World earned a 48 per cent critic score, Eternals 47 per cent and The Marvels 62 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes. Industry analysts say positive reviews should drive audience turnout.
Directed by Jake Schreier, Thunderbolts features Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes and Wyatt Russell. Olga Kurylenko, Lewis Pullman, Geraldine Viswanathan, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen and Julia Louis-Dreyfus complete the ensemble.
The story follows a team of antiheroes who face a mission assigned by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. They must work together under threat of dire consequences, with a chance to earn redemption. The film opens May 2 in North America.
