Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* stormed into theaters on May 2, 2025, racking up an impressive $162.1 million worldwide in its opening weekend, according to Box Office Mojo. The film, which later revealed its true title as The New Avengers, topped domestic charts with $76 million from 4,330 theaters and pulled in $86.1 million from international markets, marking a strong launch for the summer movie season. While it didn’t hit the heights of Marvel’s biggest blockbusters, the debut proves there’s plenty of appetite for this ragtag crew of antiheroes.
The Team-Up Nobody Saw Coming
Directed by Jake Schreier (Robot & Frank), Thunderbolts* brings together a motley band of MCU misfits: Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova, Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes, David Harbour’s Red Guardian, Wyatt Russell’s John Walker, Hannah John-Kamen’s Ghost, Lewis Pullman’s Bob/Sentry, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as the scheming Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. The story follows these dysfunctional outsiders on a deadly mission, blending high-octane action with dark humor and surprising heart. The film’s final act unveils the team as The New Avengers, setting the stage for their role in Avengers: Doomsday (2026).
The $180 million production, plus $100 million in marketing, needed a big splash to justify its price tag. While falling short of Captain America: Brave New World’s $192.4 million global debut earlier this year, Thunderbolts* outpaced other MCU origin stories like Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings ($75.4 million domestic) and Eternals ($71.3 million domestic), per Variety. Its $76 million domestic haul was slightly above projections of $70–75 million, with $11.5 million from Thursday previews alone.
International Appeal and Critical Buzz
Overseas, Thunderbolts* shone brightest in Latin America, where it scored the second-biggest debut of 2025, and smaller Asian markets, per Koimoi. Top territories included China ($10.4 million, despite a non-traditional Wednesday release), the UK ($7.7 million), Mexico ($7.3 million), and Brazil ($4 million). The film’s international take of $86.1 million was 45% ahead of Shang-Chi and 13% above Ant-Man in like-for-like markets, according to Screen Daily. Europe saw mixed results due to weather changes, but strong Friday-to-Saturday bumps in some regions signaled healthy word-of-mouth.
Critics and audiences are loving the film’s vibe, giving it an 88% “Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 257 reviews and a 94% audience score. PostTrak exit polls reported 4.5/5 stars and a 74% “definite recommend,” with kids under 12 and parents giving it a full 5 stars. The A- CinemaScore, a step up from Brave New World’s B-, suggests staying power. “To launch an ensemble of junior varsity characters unfamiliar to many outside the core fan base, and to do so with some of the best word of mouth the MCU has seen in years, is a fresh reminder of what Marvel is capable of,” Shawn Robbins of Box Office Theory told CNBC.
A New Chapter for Marvel
Thunderbolts* marks a “great reset” for Marvel, as Comscore’s Paul Dergarabedian put it to The Guardian. After a rocky few years with underperformers like The Marvels ($46.1 million domestic debut), the studio is banking on this film’s positive buzz to rebuild momentum. Unlike Brave New World, which collapsed due to poor reception, Thunderbolts* is poised for longevity, especially with a month-long runway before heavy hitters like Final Destination: Bloodlines (May 16) and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (May 23). IMAX screens contributed $18.1 million globally (11% of the total), with $8.6 million domestic, the highest IMAX share for a Marvel film since Doctor Strange (2016).
The film’s demographic breakdown shows a male-heavy audience (64%), with the 25–34 age group (30%) leading, followed by 18–24 Gen Z viewers (21%), per Screen Daily. About 4.7 million tickets were sold domestically, per EntTelligence, slightly below Brave New World’s 5.7 million. Trailers for Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 25), Predator: Badlands (November 7), and Tron: Ares (October 10) played before screenings, hinting at Marvel’s packed slate.
The Road to Profitability
With a $180 million budget, Thunderbolts* needs roughly $450 million globally to break even, factoring in theater splits and marketing costs, per ScreenRant. Its current $162.1 million is a solid start, but it’s got work to do to avoid the fate of Brave New World, which ended at $414.8 million. Strong reviews and audience love could give it legs, unlike last year’s strike-hit summer kickoff, The Fall Guy ($65.4 million global debut). The film’s practical action, emotional depth, and Florence Pugh’s standout performance—her “Little Women* fanbase showed up, per Deadline—are driving its appeal.
What’s Next?
Thunderbolts* isn’t just a one-off; it’s a launchpad for the MCU’s next phase. The post-credits scene, shot on the Doomsday set, teases the Fantastic Four and a legal clash with Anthony Mackie’s Captain America over the Avengers name, per my earlier article. As the summer box office heats up, Thunderbolts* has set a confident tone, with analysts like Dergarabedian predicting a record-breaking May thanks to upcoming releases like Disney’s Lilo & Stitch.
Grab your tickets to see The New Avengers in theaters now, and find out why this dysfunctional squad is winning hearts and dominating screens. With no major competition for weeks, it’s the perfect time to catch Marvel’s latest hit.
