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).
9 Biggest MCU Phase 6 Storylines Thunderbolts* Sets Up
Thunderbolts* sets up many major storylines that will shake the MCU in exciting ways, with the Marvel movie pushing the Avengers franchise forward.
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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