Summary
Despite being hailed as one of the strongest entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe,Thunderbolts*could only manage to outshine one Marvel movie at the box office domestically. Although it might feel like a small feat, the latest movie in the franchise is a good sign for the upcoming set of titles.
Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has come to an end with the arrival ofThunderbolts*on the big screen. The movie tells the story of anti-heroes getting together and coming face-to-face with a menacing villain named Sentry. The superhero flick received a bumper response, earning near-universal acclaim from the critics as well as audiences. Moreover, the movie had an amazing opening weekend and earned more than $160 million globally. However, when it comes to competing with other Marvel entries that were released in May, the film has edged past one of the most beloved MCU movies with flying colors.
Thunderbolts* beat this beloved 2011 Marvel movie at the box office
According toBox Office Mojo, the film, directed by Jake Schreier,earned $76 million domestically in the first three days of its release and left behind the firstThormovie in the list of Marvel movies that were released in the month of May. The 2011 film, starring Chris Hemsworth in the lead role,made $65.7 million in the first three days, compared to the $76 million garnered byThunderbolts*.Consequently, the latest film in the MCU seems to have earned more thanThorglobally as well. Box Office Mojo reported that the Florence Pugh-starrer earned over $162 million in the film’s first weekend, whileThorminted approximately $152 million worldwide ($87 million internationallyand $65 million+ domestically).
When it comes to the Marvel movies that were released in May, the list was led by the firstAvengersmovie, which was released in 2012, and had an opening weekend of $207.3 million.Age of Ultron ($191.2 million) andIron Man 3($174.1 million) came in at number 2 and number 3. The list also includes titles such asCaptain America: Civil War ($179 million),Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness ($187.4 million), andGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 ($146.5 million).
InThunderbolts, a group of troubled superheroes—more like anti-heroes—are brought together for a dangerous and risky mission. These aren’t your usual perfect heroes; each one has a complicated past and has made mistakes along the way. They are sent on a mission that quickly turns deadly, trapping them in a situation filled with danger, backstabbing, and tough moral choices. As they move forward, the group is pushed to its limits. Each person has to face their inner struggles, dark memories, and regrets. They begin to question each other’s trust and their reasons for being on the team. Through fights, difficult decisions, and emotional challenges, they learn what it really means to work together—and whether they can be redeemed for the things they’ve done.
The film’s success made it clear that Marvel fans are now craving new stories, and when they are served with a good narrative, it becomes a hit among them. The massive worldwide opening ofThunderbolts*is a good sign for filmmakers who want to tell a fresh story in the MCU. Moreover, the way the movie has explored mental health issues is also worth applauding. It talks about mental health boldly and honestly. The movie doesn’t shy away from showing how hard things can get inside a person’s mind, especially for characters like Yelena and Bob. The film shows how damaging it is when people are treated like tools instead of human beings. The movie currently holds anaudience rating of 94%on the review site Rotten Tomatoes, showing that Phase 5 of the MCU is ending on an extraordinary note.
