Marvel Studios next Block buster opens with a solid $76 Million domestic opening weekend

A band of offbeat antiheroes has given the summer movie season a much-needed jolt.

Disney and Marvel’s latest release, Thunderbolts, roared into theaters with a domestic haul of about $76 million in its opening weekend — securing the title of the third biggest debut of 2025 so far.

Globally, the newest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe raked in a solid $162.1 million when including overseas sales.

“Thanks to Thunderbolts, May is shaping up to be one of the strongest months on record,” noted Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at ComScore.

By contrast, last summer stumbled out of the gate when Universal’s The Fall Guy managed just $28 million in its first few days. That marked the first time since 2009 that the summer season kicked off without a Marvel movie leading the charge.

In recent years, Marvel has had a bumpy ride trying to match the colossal success of 2019’s Avengers: Endgame. The studio has alternated between blockbusters and disappointments, with fans frequently calling out uneven quality. Films like The Marvels and Captain America: Brave New World underperformed, even as Deadpool & Wolverine surpassed expectations.

“All big franchises deal with ups and downs, shaped by both internal choices and external pressures,” explained Shawn Robbins, head of analytics at Fandango and creator of Box Office Theory. “But there’s no question that Thunderbolts marks a well-earned win for Marvel after years of mixed reactions.”

While $76 million might seem modest compared to Marvel’s past giants, experts told CNBC that it’s an impressive feat for Thunderbolts — especially given that it features a lineup of lesser-known characters.

“To successfully launch a squad of mostly unfamiliar faces and do it while earning some of the best word of mouth Marvel has enjoyed in years shows the studio’s potential when it really clicks,” Robbins added.

Currently, Thunderbolts boasts an 88% "Fresh" rating from 257 critics on Rotten Tomatoes and an even higher 94% approval from audiences.

“The strong debut of Thunderbolts is just the beginning,” said Dergarabedian. “It’s poised to enjoy a long run at the box office, much like A Minecraft Movie and Sinners, which have both shown remarkable staying power.”

Warner Bros.' recent hits, A Minecraft Movie and Sinners, have drawn steady crowds’ week after week, and the industry is hopeful that Thunderbolts will follow suit.