Box Office Success
Marvel’s "Thunderbolts" has exceeded expectations, earning $76 million in domestic sales over the weekend. According to Paul Dergarabedian, Senior Analyst at ComScore, this opening weekend is a significant success, especially considering the current state of the box office.
A New Chapter for Marvel
Dergarabedian notes that "Thunderbolts" is "setting in motion" a new chapter for Marvel, which is experiencing a resurgence in success. With upcoming films like "Fantastic Four" and "Avengers: Doomsday", Marvel is poised to have a strong year. The success of "Thunderbolts" is a positive sign for the franchise, and Dergarabedian believes that Marvel is experiencing a "real Renaissance" in terms of its box office performance.
Comparison to Other Marvel Films
In comparison to other Marvel films, "Thunderbolts" has performed well. Disney’s first Marvel film of the year, "Captain America: Brave New World", earned around $88.5 million in its opening weekend. While "Thunderbolts" did not reach this level, its opening weekend is still considered a success.
The Summer Film Season
The summer film season is a critical period for the box office, with almost 40% of the total annual revenue generated during this time. According to ComScore data, the summer season is off to a strong start, thanks in part to the success of "Thunderbolts". Dergarabedian notes that Marvel’s success is a "lot of lucky magic" for the summer film season.
The State of the Box Office
The box office has experienced a decline in recent years, with superhero films not performing as well as they did before the pandemic. However, the success of "Thunderbolts" suggests that the box office is still capable of producing strong results. David A. Gross, founder of the box office newsletter Franchise Entertainment Research, notes that new superhero films are averaging around $55 million in their opening weekends, which is 41% lower than the average from 2015 to 2019.
Other Successful Films
In addition to "Thunderbolts", other films have also experienced success at the box office. The re-release of "Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith" performed well, and Warner Bros.’ "The Accountant 2" also had a strong opening weekend. The success of these films suggests that the box office is diverse and capable of producing strong results across a range of genres.
The Future of the Box Office
Looking ahead, the summer film season is expected to be strong, with a range of sequels, remakes, and family entertainment films scheduled for release. The success of "Thunderbolts" and other films suggests that the box office is poised for a strong year. With the Memorial Day weekend approaching, films like "Thunderbolts", "Sinner", and "A Minecraft Film" are expected to continue performing well.
