Marvel Studios’ latest film, Thunderbolts, has hit the box office with a strong showing, but it also marks a significant moment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as it becomes the fourth-lowest performing film in MCU history for its second Friday, earning $9 million on May 9, 2025. This performance puts it behind only Captain America: Brave New World, The Marvels, and Quantumania in terms of second Friday earnings.
Despite its underwhelming Friday figures, projections suggest that Thunderbolts could gross approximately $35 million over its second weekend, representing a 53% drop from its opening weekend tally of $74.3 million. This drop is comparable to the performance of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, which saw a second weekend gross of $34.7 million, adjusted for inflation.
As of Thursday, May 8, 2025, Thunderbolts has accumulated a domestic box office total of $95,354,195, with international earnings of $86,236,966, bringing its worldwide total to $181,591,161. The film's budget is estimated at around $300 million, raising concerns about its financial viability as it faces upcoming competition from films like Final Destination: Bloodlines and Disney's live-action Lilo & Stitch.
In a strategic move, Disney has also planned to re-release the classic Snow White this weekend across more than 1,200 theaters, possibly indicating a lack of confidence in Thunderbolts’ performance.
Box office analysts have noted that the second weekend for Thunderbolts will be crucial, especially since it has no direct competition this weekend, which could either boost its earnings or lead to a steeper decline.
In comparison, other MCU films have also struggled recently. The Marvels, despite being a sequel to the successful Captain Marvel, grossed only $84.5 million domestically, making it the only MCU title not to surpass the $100 million mark. This has raised eyebrows within the industry, especially as Thunderbolts approaches that milestone.
As the weekend progresses, Thunderbolts is expected to surpass the $100 million mark in domestic earnings, a feat that would further highlight the underperformance of The Marvels, which managed only $205.8 million globally.
In addition to box office performance, the critical reception of The Marvels has been lukewarm, with a 62% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences rated it more favorably at 83%. In contrast, Thunderbolts has been described as an engaging film with plenty of action, yet its box office results suggest that it may not resonate with audiences as strongly as hoped.
Looking at the competition, Warner Bros.’ horror film Sinners continues to perform well, projected to earn around $20 million this weekend, bringing its total to approximately $213.3 million. Sinners has shown resilience at the box office, with a solid performance over its four-week run.
Meanwhile, A Minecraft Movie is expected to add $8.8 million in its sixth weekend, pushing its domestic total to $408 million. Other new releases like Clown in a Cornfield are also entering the fray, with expectations of around $3.6 million in ticket sales.
As the summer movie season heats up, Thunderbolts will soon face stiff competition from Final Destination: Bloodlines, which is anticipated to debut with $30 million to $40 million, bringing back the franchise’s trademark thrills.
Despite the challenges ahead, Thunderbolts still has a chance to solidify its place in the MCU, especially with the upcoming crossover film Avengers: Doomsday, which began production at the end of April 2025. This film is expected to feature a host of returning fan-favorite characters, though none from The Marvels have been confirmed for the cast.
The future of Thunderbolts remains uncertain, but it is clear that the film is at a crucial juncture. As audiences weigh their options at the box office, the performance of Thunderbolts could have lasting implications for the MCU and its upcoming projects. Will it manage to sustain viewer interest, or will it fall victim to the same fate as The Marvels? Only time will tell.
