Thunderbolts makes a strong start at the box office

Thunderbolts debuts strongly with $162.1M globally.

: Thunderbolts, Marvel's latest movie, has made an impressive debut at the box office, earning $76 million domestically. This surpasses expectations and the opening weekend takes of films like Shang-Chi and Eternals, but falls just short of Black Widow. With a global total of $162.1 million, the film is bolstered by strong international earnings of $86.1 million. Thunderbolts' success is partly due to an extensive marketing campaign and anticipatory audience interest.

Thunderbolts, the newest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), has made a formidable entrance at the box office. Domestically, it earned $76 million, slightly surpassing expectations that estimated it would bring in $70 to $75 million. This places it above the debuts of recent Marvel films such as Shang-Chi with $75.4 million and Eternals with $71.3 million, though it doesn't quite reach the $80 million mark set by Black Widow.

The international performance of Thunderbolts has been equally impressive, with an $86.1 million take, bringing the global total to $162.1 million. The film's strong start is attributed to Marvel's intensive marketing campaign, which included trailers, advertisements, and even cereal box promotions. The campaign teased a unique 'dysfunctional team-up' among recent and classic MCU antiheroes, adding a layer of intrigue by hinting at the film's connection to future Marvel titles, notably Avengers: Doomsday.

In comparison, other films at the box office are also performing well. Sinners, which was once at the top, has fallen to the second position domestically, earning $33 million over the weekend. Although this represents a 28% decrease from the previous week, its total domestic earnings stand at $179.7 million, with a worldwide total of $236.7 million. Analysts speculate it might end its theatrical run with $330 to $400 million globally as it is set to return briefly to IMAX, indicating sustained interest.

Additionally, Minecraft, another major release by Warner Bros., has reached $873.4 million globally, benefiting from Japan's Golden Week holiday. Industry experts suggest it could reach the $1 billion mark if it maintains its strong hold in key markets. Meanwhile, Until Dawn has also remained in contention, achieving $3.8 million domestically with a notable $6.4 million internationally, reflecting a respectable draw since its April release.

The remainder of May promises more genre films, with highly anticipated releases like Clown in a Cornfield, Final Destination Bloodlines, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, and Lilo & Stitch. These upcoming movies are expected to capture audience attention and compete within the summer movie landscape.

Sources: Gizmodo, Hollywood Reporter

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