Thunderbolts Box Office: Matches Low Expectations

Marvel’s Thunderbolts movie debuted last night with Thursday previews and brought in around $11.5M at the box office.

As anticipated, the number is lower than Captain America: Brave New World‘s $12M Thursday, which went on to open to $88.8M.

If the Thunderbolts box office holds similar, it could perform better than expected. Estimates have been pretty low, around $70M-$75M, the second-lowest of the MCU only better than The Marvels, so it looks as things can only go up from here. If it hits $80M, that’s right in line with Black Widow ($80.3M), which this is really a sequel to.

Friday night update: It’s looking like Thunderbolts might stick with that $70M-$75M opening. Trades are reporting a $32M Friday, which includes that Thursday preview number. Cap 4 opened with a $40.9M Friday.

Saturday afternoon update: Disney is reporting a lower Friday with $31.5M. It’s hoped the opening will be $73M-$77M. International numbers are in and are around $47.2M, which could mean a worldwide opening of $165M+ through Sunday.

Sunday update: Trades are reporting a $76M opening, which, when you factor in inflation, is the second worst MCU opening of all time.

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Presales were also said to be pretty much on par with Eternals, but the Thunderbolts Thursday is better than Eternals‘ $9.5M. However, it’s basically the same when inflation is factored in, so not that much of a difference.

Captain America: Brave New World also has a worldwide box office of $414M which isn’t good. If Thunderbolts finishes similar, that still isn’t good as the flick cost around $200M plus marketing. It’s likely Thunderbolts will be among the lowest-grossing of the MCU movies just like Cap 4 and The Marvels.

Thunderbolts reactions

I saw Thunderbolts last night. I generally liked it. It’s at least entertaining but far from perfect. There’s cool stuff, and it’s geared more toward hardcore fans. Read my review here.

Thunderbolts also has a 89% Rotten Tomatoes Score, which isn’t too bad. The fan score is currently sky high at 96%, which seems outrageously high, IMO. Of course that follows the Thursday previews which are full of the Marvel zombie stans that eat up anything Kevin Feige throws at them. On IMDb, it’s currently rated a 7.8.

Deadline also adds Thunderbolts  has 4 1/2 stars on Screen Engine/Comscore’s PostTrak and a “great” 74% definite recommend. Kids under 12 and parents also give it five stars.