The superhero pic — introducing a new team of antiheroes and villains to the big screen — hopes to grow that number by the time it kicks off the summer box office season May 2.
It’s a virtual given that the 2025 summer box office will get off to bigger start than last year when Marvel’s Thunderbolts* flies into theaters over the first weekend of May. However, the antihero comic book pic still has its work cut out for it.
According to tracking, the tentpole is headed for a domestic debut in the $63 million to $77 million range, with a target number of $70 million. While a fair number in and of itself, that’s on the lower end for a Marvel Cinematic Universe title opening in summer.
Disney insiders say there’s plenty of room for growth, noting that the film’s rag-tag team of antiheroes and villains are making their appearance on the big screen for the first time, so aren’t a known property (advance ticket sales, which commenced earlier this week, are on the slower side so far). The studio says the response to the film has been strong among those treated to early screenings, as well as among theater owners, who saw footage of Thunderbolts* at CinemaCon last week. Several exhibitors, along with rival studio execs, told THR the film looks potentially fun and appealing.
