Marvel’s latest release, Thunderbolts, has made a huge splash at the box office, toppling Sinners, the previous chart-topping film. The action-packed Marvel flick not only secured the number one spot but did so with a breathtaking debut, proving that the studio still has a powerful grip on global audiences.
Thunderbolts Shakes Up the Box Office
Opening with a massive $162.1 million globally, Thunderbolts has quickly captured the public’s imagination. This impressive figure includes $76 million from domestic ticket sales in the United States and $86.1 million internationally, making it a profitable success almost instantly. With production and marketing costs totaling around $280 million, the film has already recouped its investment, making it a financial success for Marvel and its partners.
The film, which features Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Natasha Romanoff’s (Black Widow) sister, brings together a team of anti-heroes who are sent on a CIA mission, only to discover they’ve been betrayed. Alongside Pugh, the film stars Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, reprising her role as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. The cast’s chemistry, combined with an action-packed plot, has clearly resonated with audiences, giving it an impressive 94% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have also been generous, awarding the film an 88% positive rating.
Sinners Takes a Step Back, Minecraft Stays Strong
After dominating the box office for two weeks, Sinners slipped into the second spot, earning $33 million over the weekend. This brings its total global earnings to $236.7 million. Starring Michael B. Jordan as twin brothers who return to their hometown only to encounter an unexpected vampire threat, Sinners has proven to be a solid performer, even if it couldn’t hold onto the top spot.
Meanwhile, Minecraft, the live-action film based on the iconic video game, continues its strong run. Despite being in its fifth week in theaters, it still managed to earn $13.7 million, securing the third spot. Starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa, the family-friendly adventure has amassed over $873.4 million worldwide. Its universal appeal and the connection to the beloved game have made it a standout success, especially with younger audiences.
Other Notable Performances at the Box Office
Mr. Wolff 2, starring Ben Affleck as a neurodivergent man with a knack for numbers and weapons, secured the fourth spot. The sequel to the 2016 hit earned $9.4 million over the weekend, bringing its total earnings to $54.3 million since its release.
In contrast, Snow White saw a sharp decline, falling to 13th place with just $236,000 in earnings. The musical, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, will soon find a home on Disney+, with a release expected sometime in June or July.
Looking Ahead
With Thunderbolts now reigning supreme at the box office, Marvel continues to demonstrate its dominance in the film industry. Whether or not it will maintain this momentum remains to be seen, but the early success of Thunderbolts suggests that Marvel has another hit on its hands. As for Sinners and Minecraft, both are still performing well and are expected to continue their solid runs. As the summer movie season continues, it’s clear that the competition is fierce, with more films set to battle for the top spot.