Marvel’s latest film, “Thunderbolts,” is holding strong at the box office, earning $33.1 million in its second weekend. While this is a 55% drop from its initial $74 million debut, it’s still a better performance than many of its recent superhero predecessors, which saw declines of up to 78%.
“Thunderbolts” had a softer start compared to other Marvel hits, but it’s receiving solid reviews. Disney teased fans by revealing that the team of antiheroes will be known as “The New Avengers,” creating buzz for their appearance in the upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday” in 2026.
To date, “Thunderbolts” has made around $128.5 million in North America and $272 million globally. Given its production and marketing costs of roughly $280 million, it needs to continue drawing audiences to break even.
Disney CEO Bob Iger praised the film as a key example of the company’s new direction for Marvel. He stated, "We’ve realized that making too many films may dilute our focus on quality." This shift comes after several recent Marvel releases faced negative reviews and low earnings.
Despite some films struggling, there are bright spots at the box office. The low-budget horror movie “Clown in a Cornfield” opened above expectations with $3.8 million, quite an achievement for a film reportedly made for under $1 million. David A. Gross, a film consultant, noted, “This score shows the strength of indie horror, especially on a micro-budget.”
Meanwhile, films like “Sinners” are thriving. It secured $21.1 million in its fourth weekend, totaling over $283 million worldwide, a remarkable feat for an R-rated vampire thriller.
On the other hand, newcomers like “Shadow Force” and “Fight or Flight” fell flat, each expected to earn around $2 million. “Shadow Force,” starring Kerry Washington, has received poor reviews and might soon shift to streaming to recoup losses.
Despite these ups and downs, overall domestic revenues are 16% higher than last year. However, they still lag 32% behind pre-pandemic levels. With the summer blockbuster season ramping up, analysts are hopeful for a big bounce back as more big films like “Final Destination: Bloodlines” are set to be released.
This weekend may be quieter, but the anticipation for the upcoming films suggests an exciting May ahead for moviegoers.
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