Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts is projected to collect between $70 million and $75 million in its domestic opening weekend, according to current industry tracking. Internationally, the film is expected to finish its first weekend with a total between $160 million and $175 million.
Disney’s latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe arrives as the only new wide release in theaters this weekend. That gives Thunderbolts a clear path to lead the box office, though its projected start falls below the figures posted by several recent Marvel titles. Captain America: Brave New World opened to $88 million domestically this past February, reaching $100 million through the Presidents’ Day weekend. Its worldwide opening reached $192.4 million.
Recent titles that launched under the $100 million mark include Eternals ($71 million), Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings ($75 million), and The Marvels ($46 million). Higher-performing entries include Deadpool & Wolverine ($221 million), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 ($118 million), Black Panther: Wakanda Forever ($181 million), and Thor: Love and Thunder ($144 million).
Thunderbolts was produced with a reported budget of $180 million and marketing costs estimated at roughly $100 million. While this represents a slight reduction from earlier Marvel releases, the film’s performance will still be watched closely by studio executives and theater operators. Brave New World, for example, opened well but declined steeply in following weekends, ending its run with $414 million worldwide. That figure left it short of profitability based on theatrical returns alone.
Thunderbolts follows a group of characters previously introduced across multiple Marvel projects. Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), and Red Guardian (David Harbour) form the core of the team, brought together for a high-stakes mission. The film is positioned as a bridge to future Marvel entries, with the studio already confirming that many of these characters will appear again in Avengers: Doomsday, set for release in 2026.
Audience awareness has been high in early polling, with advance ticket sales suggesting a strong turnout. The studio is relying on the film to stabilize interest in its theatrical output after an inconsistent stretch for the superhero genre. The last two years have seen mixed results for both Marvel and other studios attempting to launch or continue comic-based franchises.
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Beyond its box office forecasts, Thunderbolts represents an effort to focus on secondary characters within the Marvel roster. While past films have been driven by marquee names, this installment features a lineup drawn from previous ensemble projects and streaming series. The studio is banking on crossover familiarity and upcoming appearances in future titles to build interest.
Elsewhere at the box office, Sinners is projected to earn another $35 million in its third weekend. The R-rated vampire thriller, directed by Ryan Coogler and produced by Michael B. Jordan, has shown staying power since its release. Its current totals stand at $123 million domestically and $163 million globally. The film’s 20% drop from last weekend suggests continued interest and strong word of mouth.
While Thunderbolts will not face direct competition from new releases, its long-term performance will depend on how it holds in the weeks ahead. July will bring two additional major comic book films to theaters: The Fantastic Four: First Steps from Marvel Studios and Superman from Warner Bros. and DC. Both titles are expected to draw significant attention and could shift audience focus as the summer season continues.
