Directed by Jake Schreier, Thunderbolts* (complete with a quirky asterisk that ties to its alternate title, The New Avengers) assembles a killer lineup: Florence Pugh as the fierce Yelena Belova, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, David Harbour as the lovable Red Guardian, Wyatt Russell as John Walker, Olga Kurylenko as Taskmaster, Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as the scheming Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. The film also throws in Lewis Pullman as Bob, a mysterious figure linked to the volatile Sentry, shaking things up in the MCU. The plot follows this chaotic squad on a shady mission that spirals into a bigger conspiracy, forcing them to team up and save the day.
Marvel’s Thunderbolts* has officially smashed through the $300 million mark at the global box office, a big win for the superhero flick starring a scrappy crew of MCU misfits. According to BoxOfficeMojo.com, the film has raked in $325.7 million as of May 18, 2025, with $155.4 million from the U.S. and Canada and $170.3 million from overseas markets. Not bad for a team of underdogs!
A Solid Box Office Run
Kicking off on May 2, 2025, Thunderbolts* debuted with a hefty $162.1 million worldwide, including $76 million at home and $86.1 million abroad, landing it as the third-biggest U.S. studio opening this year, trailing A Minecraft Movie and Captain America: Brave New World, per BoxOfficeMojo.com. It held strong in its second weekend, dropping just 55.5% to earn $33.1 million domestically—better than recent MCU films like Captain America: Brave New World (65% drop) or Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (54% drop). That staying power pushed it past $300 million in just over two weeks, leaving the MCU’s lowest earner, The Marvels ($199.7 million), in the dust.
With a $180 million budget and about $100 million in marketing, the film needs roughly $450–500 million to break even, since studios keep about 55% of ticket sales. The current $300 million haul means Marvel’s pocketed around $165 million, so there’s still a gap. But with projections eyeing a $400–450 million finish, Thunderbolts* could come close to profitability, especially with digital and Blu-ray sales down the line. Experts peg its final tally at $405–445 million, topping Captain America: Brave New World’s $415.1 million but falling short of MCU heavyweights like Deadpool & Wolverine ($1.34 billion).
Read Also: Final Destination: Bloodlines Kicks Butt with a $102M Global Opening This Weekend
Fans and Critics Are Loving It
What’s keeping Thunderbolts* in theaters? It’s a hit with both fans and critics. The movie’s sitting at an 88% “Certified Fresh” rating and a 94% audience score, matching Spider-Man: Far From Home as one of the MCU’s most-loved films. Reviewers are raving about its sharp humor, messy-but-relatable team vibes, and Pugh’s commanding lead, with some calling it Marvel’s best in years. Fans agree, giving it an “A-” CinemaScore, which has silenced doubts about whether a team of B-list heroes could draw crowds.
Overseas, the film’s killing it in markets like the UK/Ireland ($15.5 million), China ($13.8 million), Mexico ($11.2 million), France ($7.2 million), and Australia ($6.3 million). A 44% drop in its second weekend (outside China) shows audiences keep coming back, especially in Europe and Latin America, where it’s ruling the charts. Marvel’s clever move to rebrand it as The New Avengers after release has fans buzzing, tying it to the Avengers legacy that’s always a box office goldmine. Plus, a post-credits scene teasing Avengers: Doomsday has everyone hyped for what’s next.
Facing Tough Competition
It hasn’t been all smooth sailing. Thunderbolts’ $76 million domestic opening was solid but lagged behind Captain America: Brave New World’s $192 million global debut and ranks low for the MCU, similar to Eternals ($71 million) or Shang-Chi ($75 million). It’s also gone head-to-head with Warner Bros.’ Sinners, a slick vampire thriller from Ryan Coogler starring Michael B. Jordan, which hit $283.3 million globally and passed $200 million domestically. Sinners’ tight 28–36% weekend drops made it a close race, but Thunderbolts* pulled ahead to $300 million first. Meanwhile, A Minecraft Movie is still crushing it at $909.6 million, showing how packed the 2025 box office is.
What’s Next for the Team?
Hitting $300 million cements Thunderbolts* as a win for Marvel, with room to grow as it heads into Memorial Day weekend. It’ll face new competition from Final Destination: Bloodlines (May 16) and big releases like Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning and Lilo & Stitch (May 23). Story-wise, the film sets up Avengers: Doomsday and brings Sentry into the mix, making it a key piece of the MCU’s future. Disney’s Bob Iger has praised Thunderbolts* as proof Marvel’s focusing on quality over churning out films, a nod to fans who’ve felt superhero overload since Endgame.
As Thunderbolts* keeps drawing crowds, its success will hinge on holding onto that fan love and milking the New Avengers hype. For now, zooming past $300 million shows Marvel’s still got it—and even a team of oddballs can steal the show.
Source: BoxOfficeMojo