Disney’s “Thunderbolts” Shakes Up Summer Box Office with $76 Million Opening

Marvel's latest release, Thunderbolts, has electrified the summer box office, surpassing expectations with an impressive $76 million in domestic sales during its opening weekend. While not the colossal numbers Marvel movies once raked in, this debut marks a promising start for the superhero franchise's comeback and sets the stage for what's to come.

As Disney’s first Marvel film of 2025, Thunderbolts has exceeded expectations by 8%, signaling that the Marvel Universe may be gearing up for a renaissance. According to Paul Dergarabedian, a senior analyst at Comscore, the success of Thunderbolts paves the way for future Marvel blockbusters. “Between this, Fantastic Four, and then the other Marvel movies coming down the pipeline — particularly a year from now with Avengers: Doomsday — Marvel’s set up for a real renaissance to get that Marvel magic going,” Dergarabedian shared with CNN.

A New Chapter for Marvel: What’s Next?

While Thunderbolts doesn't boast the monumental opening weekend of Marvel’s past, it’s still a very strong showing. In comparison to other superhero films, especially post-pandemic, the $76 million debut is considered a success. David A. Gross, founder of FranchiseRe, stated, “This is not among the biggest superhero launches we’ve had in the history of the genre. In general, superheroes are not doing the kind of business they did before the pandemic.” However, he did acknowledge, “It’s still a very good opening.” In comparison, Captain America: Brave New World, Disney’s previous Marvel release in 2025, grossed $88.5 million domestically during its first three days. However, Thunderbolts has surpassed expectations, which bodes well for the upcoming slew of Marvel films.

Box Office Boosts and Surprising Wins for Disney

Marvel’s resurgence at the box office comes at a critical time for the industry. After a slower-than-usual start to the summer movie season in May, Disney’s superhero offerings have given the box office a significant boost. According to Comscore data, summer box office sales account for nearly 40% of the entire year’s total, and Thunderbolts' success is paving the way for other big releases.

But it’s not just Marvel movies fueling the box office. Disney had another surprising win with the re-release of Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith, which edged out The Accountant 2 for the No. 2 spot last weekend. Shawn Robbins, director of movie analytics at Fandango, commented on the success, saying, “Re-releases typically haven’t performed to this scale in roughly a decade... ‘Star Wars’ has always been the poster franchise of theatrical re-releases dating back to the early ’90s.” The nostalgic pull of Revenge of the Sith, especially for younger audiences who missed it in theaters, shows the lasting power of the Star Wars franchise.

Superheroes Still Holding Strong

Despite the ongoing challenges in the superhero genre, Thunderbolts’s strong showing proves that superheroes still hold significant appeal. Although superhero movie openings have been more modest in recent years, with the average superhero movie debuting at around $55 million compared to the highs of 2015-2019, Thunderbolts defies the odds and contributes to the ongoing success of Marvel. As for the broader box office, Thunderbolts is not alone in its triumph. Warner Bros. has also seen success with Sinners and A Minecraft Movie, both of which debuted strongly. Sinners has grossed $179 million domestically, while A Minecraft Movie continues to perform well, earning $398 million domestically, according to Comscore data.

Memorial Day Weekend and Big Releases

Looking ahead, Thunderbolts is poised to continue its run for several weeks, facing little competition until Memorial Day weekend. This summer's box office will be led by a mix of sequels, remakes, and family-friendly entertainment. As Dergarabedian predicts, “We’re going to have one of the biggest, if not the biggest, Memorial weekends ever, so this sets up that very nicely with Thunderbolts.” Memorial Day weekend will see the release of Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch, alongside Paramount’s Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning. With Marvel’s resurgence, the industry’s diverse slate of films, and the excitement around upcoming releases, this summer is shaping up to be a monumental one for moviegoers. Thunderbolts has kicked things off with a bang, and it’s only the beginning of a summer filled with excitement, big releases, and blockbuster performances.

Avengers: Doomsday, box office success, Disney films, Marvel Movies, summer box office, superhero films, Thunderbolts