The summer box office just got a jolt of thunder.
After months of anticipation and industry skepticism, Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts has stormed into theaters with a powerful $11 million in Thursday night previews, marking a much-needed boost for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As the first major MCU release of the summer, this ensemble antihero flick is already showing signs of becoming a standout success.
🔥 A Strong Start Amid MCU Fatigue
The early buzz around Thunderbolts is undeniable. Starring fan-favorites like Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova), Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier), David Harbour, and others from MCU spin-offs such as The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Hawkeye, and Black Widow, this film unites a cast of morally grey characters in a high-stakes mission that blends action, espionage, and redemption.
Despite concerns over “superhero fatigue,” Thunderbolts is defying expectations with a 96% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, alongside a Certified Fresh 88% critic rating. These figures place it significantly above the more lukewarm reception for Captain America: Brave New World, which opened earlier this year with a 48% critic score and a 78% audience score.
📊 Box Office Numbers That Matter
The Thursday night preview haul of $11 million places Thunderbolts just behind Brave New World ($12M), but ahead of past MCU hits like:
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Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings ($8.8M)
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Eternals ($9.5M)
These early figures are particularly impressive considering Marvel had to reshuffle its release calendar due to last year’s WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, postponing major tentpoles like Deadpool & Wolverine to July.
Current projections for Thunderbolts include:
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$70M–$75M domestic opening weekend
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Up to $175M global debut
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Premium format boost via IMAX, Dolby Cinema, 4DX, and ScreenX
With a wide release across 4,300+ theaters, the film is on track to become one of the summer's top performers.
🎬 More Than Just a Movie — A Strategic Sequel
Thunderbolts isn’t just a standalone blockbuster — it functions as a spiritual sequel to several recent MCU properties. Tying into The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Hawkeye, and Black Widow, it expands the Marvel narrative in a grittier, more grounded direction, much like Captain America: The Winter Soldier did in 2014.
Directed by Jake Schreier, the film takes a fresh, character-driven approach, focusing on the internal conflicts and damaged loyalties within its core team. This storytelling choice has already resonated with both casual moviegoers and longtime MCU fans.
💥 Competition Heats Up: ‘Sinners’ Still Sizzling
Marvel isn’t the only studio with momentum this weekend. Warner Bros.’ Sinners, a vampire thriller directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan, is tracking a third weekend of $35 million, only a 23% drop from the prior week — an impressive hold for a genre release.
While Sinners continues to hold strong, Thunderbolts offers something different: a high-profile team-up that brings together some of the MCU’s most complex and beloved side characters, finally giving them the spotlight.
🎟️ Can Thunderbolts Sustain the Thunder?
Marvel has faced intense scrutiny over the last few years, with criticisms about visual effects, storytelling fatigue, and an overreliance on interconnected streaming content. But Thunderbolts may signal a course correction. With tighter storytelling, emotionally driven arcs, and well-balanced action, it delivers exactly what audiences have been asking for: a return to form.
Moreover, Thunderbolts benefits from strong presales that surpass 2021’s Shang-Chi and Eternals, even if they trail slightly behind Brave New World. As word-of-mouth builds, this could translate into a robust opening weekend and long tail success.
🧲 Final Thoughts
Marvel’s Thunderbolts is proving to be more than just a filler between Avengers films. It’s a critical moment for the MCU’s evolution — one that re-centers its focus on character, chemistry, and consequences.
If the $11 million Thursday is any indication, the film’s thunderous momentum is only just beginning.
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