Thunderbolts*'s post-credits scene changing the MCU in a couple of major ways, the positive word-of-mouth is carrying the film to new heights at the box office.
According to The Numbers, Thunderbolts*'s box office currently stands at $272.1 million, with the MCU movie ing the franchise's biggest box office bomb, The Marvels, which scored $199.7 million worldwide over its entire theatrical run, in only a week. The Captain Marvel sequel followed the original movie led by Brie Larson, which grossed over $1 billion, making its box office failure quite a disappointment. While Thunderbolts* includes several MCU franchise stars in its cast, it is the first film in the team's franchise, and that setup seems to be working for it.
What The Thunderbolts* Box Office Update Means
The MCU Movie Sets Its Sights On Becoming Profitable
Thunderbolts* had a reported budget of $180 million. Based on how the rule for movies to be profitable is that they need to do 2x-2.5x their budget, then the MCU's latest 2025 film has to end its global run in the $360-450 million range for it to be profitable. With its first two weekends at the box office out of the way, Thunderbolts* seems to be on a path that could put it at a $405-445 million worldwide finish, according to box office analyst Luiz Fernando (via Twitter).
Based on its performance so far and box office projections, it seems like possible Thunderbolts* sequel could climb higher at the box office after the solid first movie kickstarted the new Marvel franchise.
Our Take On The Thunderbolts* Box Office Update
The MCU's Biggest Box Office Bomb Tried Something Similar To Thunderbolts*
I'm surprised by just how fast Thunderbolts* was able to sur the entire box office gross of The Marvels. The 2023 MCU movie, like Thunderbolts*, featured a new Marvel team coming together.
The Marvels was even a sequel to a film that grossed $1 billion, while Thunderbolts* sees stars from different MCU projects team up for the first time. However, given how the first Captain Marvel proved itself divisive in many ways and Thunderbolts* sets up key changes for the MCU's next projects, I can understand why the two performed like they did, and Thunderbolts* is also the better film.
Thunderbolts*
- Release Date
- May 2, 2025
- Runtime
- 127 minutes
- Director
- Jake Schreier
- Writers
- Eric Pearson, Joanna Calo
- Producers
- Kevin Feige
Cast
Yelena Belova
Bucky Barnes
- Franchise(s)
- Marvel Cinematic Universe
All Announced MCU Movies
Source: The Numbers
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