Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* opened in first place at the North American box office, earning $76 million in ticket sales over its debut weekend. The film’s global total stands at an estimated $162 million. While the domestic figure trails Marvel’s highest-grossing releases, it signals a promising start for a title built around characters who have remained outside the franchise’s primary spotlight.
Directed by Jake Schreier, Thunderbolts* features Florence Pugh and Sebastian Stan alongside David Harbour and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The story follows a group of morally conflicted figures who are brought together for high-risk missions. With production costs around $180 million, the film’s performance marks a critical test for Disney’s long-term plans for its superhero properties.
Initial reactions from audiences have been strong. The film holds a 95 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and received an “A-” from CinemaScore polling. These figures contrast with a more divided critical reception, with some praising performances and others questioning tonal choices and visual execution.
Marvel has faced increased scrutiny since the end of its Infinity Saga. Titles released in recent years have produced uneven results at the box office and in critical reception. Some industry observers see Thunderbolts* as an attempt to reposition the brand, prioritizing character-focused storytelling and emotional stakes over interconnected world-building.
Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst for Comscore, described the film’s opening as “a great reset,” citing the strong reception from moviegoers. “Marvel set the bar so high for so many years that a $76 million opening may seem to some like it should have done $100 million or something like that,” he said.
The cast has drawn attention for its dynamic range. Pugh’s performance in particular has been widely noted by critics across varying reviews. While some found the film’s depiction of topics such as depression and trauma to lack depth, others commended its self-awareness and tonal shift. Thunderbolts* currently holds one of the highest audience scores among Marvel films, tying with Spider-Man: Far From Home and ranking behind Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Spider-Man: No Way Home.
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The story also introduces narrative threads expected to continue in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which is slated for release on July 25. The new characters and tone are part of Disney’s strategy to transition away from legacy superheroes while addressing concerns of audience fatigue.
Elsewhere at the box office, Sinners, a period vampire film from director Ryan Coogler, earned $33 million in its third weekend. The film, starring Michael B. Jordan in dual roles as Mississippi bootlegging brothers, has reached nearly $180 million domestically and over $236 million worldwide. It remains a steady presence in theaters, dropping just 28 percent from the previous weekend.
Warner Bros. also claimed third place with A Minecraft Movie, which brought in $13.7 million during its fifth weekend. The adaptation has achieved a domestic gross of nearly $400 million and $873.4 million globally. Special event screenings labeled “Block Party Edition” were added over the weekend, encouraging interactive participation such as sing-alongs and internet meme references, reflecting the title’s wide appeal and social media influence.
Meanwhile, Rust, the Alec Baldwin-led western completed after a long-delayed production, debuted quietly in limited release. Distributed by Falling Forward Films, it earned an estimated $25,000 from 115 theaters. The film’s release follows nearly three years of controversy and legal proceedings stemming from the fatal on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021.
Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed has been sentenced to prison for involuntary manslaughter, while first assistant director David Halls received probation after pleading no contest to negligent use of a deadly weapon. Charges against Baldwin, who served as a co-producer, were dismissed in 2023 and again in 2024. As part of a wrongful death settlement, Hutchins’ husband, Matt Hutchins, was named an executive producer.
The subdued box office return for Rust reflects a combination of public scrutiny and limited promotional support. Its release is being closely watched both for its artistic merit and its association with one of the most tragic incidents in recent film production history.
Also new in theaters was The Surfer, featuring Nicolas Cage as a man confronting territorial surfers at an Australian beach. The film earned $674,560 from 884 theaters under distributor Madman Films.
Thunderbolts* arrives as Disney seeks to refine its approach to superhero storytelling. While the franchise’s most recent global hit, Deadpool & Wolverine, succeeded by leaning into irreverence and featuring less prominent characters, Thunderbolts* appears to follow a similar path by turning attention to figures once considered secondary. Its early commercial and audience reception may shape future decisions on how Marvel positions its next wave of titles.
