Marvel’s Thunderbolts Box Office Projections Fall Short of Captain America 4 – Will the Antihero Team-Up Succeed?

Thunderbolts
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After the mixed reception of Captain America: Brave New World, Marvel Studios is now gearing up to release its next big project—Thunderbolts—which is set to hit theaters on May 2, 2025. While excitement is building around this darker, grittier MCU film, early box office projections have raised a few eyebrows.

According to a new report from Box Office Pro, Thunderbolts is expected to earn between $65 million and $85 million during its opening weekend in North America. While this isn’t a bad number, it is notably lower than the three-day debut of Captain America: Brave New World, which earned $88.8 million during its opening weekend in February.

That film was released over the Valentine’s Day and President’s Day holiday weekend, giving it a strong four-day total of $100 million. Despite that strong start, however, Captain America 4 has seen a slower performance in the following weeks. It’s expected to head to digital platforms soon, after earning a domestic total of $199.2 million and $213.7 million from overseas, for a global total of $412.96 million.

What is Marvel’s Thunderbolts About?

Thunderbolts is the 36th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and is directed by Jake Schreier. The movie brings together a group of familiar antiheroes and morally complex characters from previous MCU entries. The cast includes:

  • Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova
  • Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes / The Winter Soldier
  • Wyatt Russell as U.S. Agent
  • David Harbour as Red Guardian
  • Olga Kurylenko as Taskmaster
  • Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost
  • Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine
  • Lewis Pullman as Sentry
  • Geraldine Viswanathan in a new role

One of the most intriguing elements of Thunderbolts is the introduction of Sentry (Bob), played by Lewis Pullman. In the comics, Sentry is an incredibly powerful character struggling with his identity. He also has a dangerous dark side known as The Void, a version of himself that spreads chaos and destruction. This duality could add a dramatic and emotional twist to the team’s already complicated dynamics.

Thunderbolts* Plot Summary

The official premise for Thunderbolts reads:
“A group of antiheroes finds themselves ensnared in a deadly plot orchestrated by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, forcing them into a high-stakes mission that may be their only shot at redemption—if they can learn to work together.”

This sets the stage for a movie that blends action, dark humor, and redemption arcs, much like Marvel’s answer to DC’s Suicide Squad. With characters like Yelena, Bucky, and Red Guardian all trying to find their place in a chaotic world, the emotional weight could resonate with fans looking for a deeper narrative.

Will Thunderbolts Be a Box Office Hit?

The projected opening of $65–$85 million suggests moderate interest, but it may not be enough to guarantee a blockbuster success. Given that Captain America: Brave New World already struggled to maintain momentum beyond its opening weekend, Marvel Studios could be facing another challenge in keeping audience interest high for Thunderbolts.

Still, ensemble films with strong characters have done well in the past, and if early reviews are positive, Thunderbolts could exceed expectations. With a May 2 release date, it also benefits from the start of the summer movie season, which typically brings more foot traffic to theaters.

Final Thoughts

As Marvel continues to experiment with new stories and characters post-Endgame, Thunderbolts represents a bold move in a different direction. The combination of powerful but damaged characters, a shadowy mission, and darker themes could give this film a unique identity within the MCU.

Keep an eye on this one—it may surprise everyone.

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