THUNDERBOLTS Strikes with Seventy-Six Million Dollars Debut, Igniting 2025 Summer Box Office

Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah
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THUNDERBOLTS Strikes with Seventy-Six Million Dollars Debut, Igniting 2025 Summer Box Office
THUNDERBOLTS
Written By : Ekow Adjei Mensah

Marvel Studios’ THUNDERBOLTS launched the 2025 summer movie season with a solid $76 million domestic opening weekend, securing the top spot at the box office from May 2-4, 2025. Directed by Jake Schreier, the film features a ragtag team of antiheroes, including Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova, Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes, and David Harbour’s Red Guardian, uniting for a high-stakes mission.

Globally, the film grossed $162.1 million, with $86.1 million from international markets like China ($10.4 million) and the UK ($7.7 million). While the debut falls short of Marvel’s more explosive openings, such as DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE’s $211 million, it aligns with projections and outperforms last year’s summer kickoff, THE FALL GUY ($27.7 million), signaling a robust start for the season.

The film’s performance is bolstered by strong critical and audience reception, earning an 88% “Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an A- CinemaScore, a stark contrast to the poorly received Captain America: Brave New World (48% on Rotten Tomatoes, B- CinemaScore). With a $180 million production budget and $100 million in marketing, THUNDERBOTS needs sustained box office legs to break even, but its positive word-of-mouth and lack of major competition until FINAL DESTINATION: BLOODLINES on May 16 provide a clear runway. 

The film’s edgy, irreverent tone, amplified by promotional campaigns with brands like Tide and Harley-Davidson, resonates with its core demographic being 64% male and 61% under 35. While Pugh’s star power draws a broader audience. This debut sets an optimistic tone for Marvel’s summer slate, including THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS on July 25.
THUNDERBOLTS’ opening reflects both Marvel’s enduring appeal and the challenges facing the superhero genre in a post-Avengers: Endgame era. While the $76 million domestic haul is modest compared to Marvel’s historical blockbusters, it outperforms other MCU films introducing lesser-known characters, like SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND of TEN RINGS ($75 million) and ETERNALS ($71 million).

The film’s success is a critical step for Marvel to regain momentum after recent box office struggles, with analysts noting its strong reviews could drive repeat viewings and help it approach the $450 million global break-even point. As Hollywood banks on a robust summer led by titles like LILO & STITCH and MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING, THUNDERBOLTS has laid a promising foundation, proving there’s still thunder in Marvel’s cinematic universe.

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