Marvel’s Thunderbolts* tops US box office with $76m opening

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"Marvel's *Thunderbolts* Opens at Top of Box Office with $76 Million"

Marvel’s Thunderbolts* tops US box office with $76m opening analysis cover image The Guardian 7.8
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Original Article Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/04/marvel-thunderbolts-box-office-opening-rust-baldwin
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TruthLens AI Summary

Marvel Studios' latest release, Thunderbolts, debuted at the top of the US box office with $76 million in domestic ticket sales, marking a solid but not extraordinary opening for the franchise. The film, which features a team of antiheroes reminiscent of the Avengers, aimed to revitalize interest in Marvel properties amidst a period of declining box office performance. While the opening figures are comparable to those of previous films such as Eternals and Ant-Man and the Wasp, they indicate a continuing struggle for Marvel to recapture the box office magic it once enjoyed. Critics have responded positively to Thunderbolts, awarding it an 88% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and audiences have given it an “A-” CinemaScore, suggesting that strong word of mouth could help the film maintain momentum in the coming weeks. Despite this, expectations for a larger opening were prevalent given the film's favorable reviews and the anticipation surrounding it.

In addition to Thunderbolts, the box office continued to show resilience from other titles, notably Sinners, a vampire movie that has maintained its hold on audiences, grossing $33 million in its third week and bringing its domestic total to $179.7 million. Warner Bros also performed well with A Minecraft Movie, which has nearly reached $400 million domestically. Meanwhile, the release of Rust, a film overshadowed by the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, marks a significant moment in Hollywood, although it has only made an estimated $25,000 in its opening. The weekend saw a variety of films competing for attention, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities within the current cinematic landscape, as Marvel seeks to re-establish its dominance in the superhero genre while navigating a more competitive environment.

TruthLens AI Analysis

The article presents an analysis of the opening box office performance of Marvel’s Thunderbolts, highlighting its $76 million debut and the implications for Marvel Studios amidst a perceived decline in box office success. The focus is on the film's ratings and audience reception, but it also hints at broader concerns about Marvel's ability to maintain its previous dominance in the film industry.

Perception of Marvel’s Box Office Performance

There is a clear indication that the expectations for Thunderbolts were high, given Marvel's historical performance. The article notes that while the film's opening was solid, it did not meet the expectations set by previous blockbusters, creating a sense of urgency for Marvel to regain its former glory. This sentiment could reflect a growing concern among fans and investors about the franchise's future.

Public Sentiment and Audience Reception

Despite the film's respectable opening, the article discusses the mixed feelings among audiences and critics. With an impressive 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and an A- CinemaScore, the positive reviews suggest that Thunderbolts could perform well in the coming weeks. This juxtaposition of critical acclaim against box office numbers may create a narrative that the film industry is shifting, with audiences becoming more discerning about what they choose to support.

Implications for Future Marvel Releases

The mention of upcoming Marvel films, like Deadpool & Wolverine, highlights the competitive landscape that Thunderbolts is entering. This context suggests that while Thunderbolts may have started strong, its long-term success could be jeopardized by the overwhelming presence of larger franchises. The article subtly raises questions about whether Marvel can sustain interest in its lesser-known properties.

Industry Context and Competition

The competition from other films, particularly Sinners, further complicates the narrative for Marvel. This aspect of the article hints at a potential shift in audience preferences, where alternative films might start to capture attention away from the traditional superhero genre. This could signal a broader trend in the film industry that has implications for studios and investors alike.

Potential Manipulation and Bias

While the article primarily presents factual information regarding Thunderbolts, there is a sense of an underlying agenda to either reassure or caution investors and fans. By emphasizing both the positive reviews and the relatively modest box office numbers, the article could be attempting to shape public perception about the viability of Marvel’s future projects. The language used suggests a need for balance in presenting both optimism and realism regarding the state of the franchise.

The overall reliability of the article is high, as it conveys data and analysis from credible sources such as Comscore and Rotten Tomatoes. However, the framing of the narrative could lead to a skewed perception of the film's success and the future of Marvel Studios. The article serves as a commentary on the shifting dynamics within the industry and the challenges ahead for blockbuster franchises.

Unanalyzed Article Content

Source URL: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/04/marvel-thunderbolts-box-office-opening-rust-baldwin

Marvel Studios’Thunderbolts* opened with $76m in domestic ticket sales, according to studio estimates on Sunday, kicking off the summer box office with a solid No 1 debut that fell shy of Marvel’s more spectacular launches.

All eyes had been on whether Thunderbolts* – a team-up of antihero rejects similar to Avengers – could restore theWalt Disney Companysuperhero factory to the kind of box office performance the studio once enjoyed so regularly. The results – similar to the debuts of Eternals ($71m) and Ant-Man and the Wasp ($75m) – suggested Marvel’s malaise won’t be so easy to snap out of.

Some had expected a bigger opening for Thunderbolts because of the film’s good word of mouth. Unlike most recent MCU entries, reviews (88% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes) have been excellent for Thunderbolts, directed by Jake Schreier and starring Florence Pugh, David Harbour and Sebastian Stan. Audiences gave it an “A-” CinemaScore.

That kind of response should power the movie to strong business in the coming weeks. Though bigger MCU films – including 2024’sDeadpool & Wolverine(with a $211m opening on the way to $1.34bn worldwide) – have monopolized movie screens immediately, Thunderbolts* could gather steam more steadily – or it could go down as another example of Marvel struggling to rekindle its golden touch.

Marvel spent about $180m to produced the movie, which added $86.1m in overseas sales. The film also teases the next MCU chapter,The Fantastic Four: First Steps, due out 25 July.

“Marvel set the bar so high for so many years that a $76m opening may seem to some like it should have done $100m or something like that,” said Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst for Comscore. “This is a great reset. They’re hitting the reset with Thunderbolts*. The great reviews and the word-of-mouth should hold it [in] good stead.”

The Walt Disney Co also might not have expected such stout competition fromRyan Coogler’s Sinners. The Warner Bros release, which had led the box office the last two weeks, continued to hold remarkably well. In its third week, it grossed $33m, a dip of only 28%.

Sinners, a 1932-set vampire movie about bootlegging brothers (both played by Michael B Jordan) who open a juke joint in their Mississippi hometown, has proven a spring sensation in theaters. It has collected $179.7m domestically and $236.7m globally thus far.

Warner Bros also nabbed third place withA Minecraft Movie, thesmash-hitvideo game adaptation. In its fifth weekend, it rung up another $13.7m to bring its North American gross to nearly $400m. Worldwide, it has totaled $873.4m. Warner Bros added Block Party Edition screenings over the weekend for a sing-along and “meme-along” experience. The film has seen somerowdy screenings from TikTok-inspired moviegoers.

More than three years after cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed on set, the Alec Baldwin westernRustarrived in theaters. Its release brought some closure to one ofHollywood’s greatest tragedies. Distributor Falling Forward Films didn’t report box office, but estimates suggested Rust grossed approximately $25,000 in 115 theaters.

Following Hutchins’ death, the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, wassentenced to prisonfor involuntary manslaughter. First assistant director David Halls wassentenced to probationafter pleading no contest to negligent use of a deadly weapon. Involuntary manslaughter charges against Baldwin, a co-producer on the film, were twice dismissed,in 2023and againin 2024.

As part of a wrongful death settlement, Matt Hutchins, Hutchins’ husband, was made an executive producer on the film.

Also opening over the weekend wasThe Surfer, starring Nicolas Cage as a man trying to surf a “locals-only” Australian beach. The Madman Films release collected a modest $674,560 from 884 theaters.

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Source: The Guardian