Despite falling short of early MCU highs, Thunderbolts** edges toward profitability with $325.7 million at the global box office, surpassing The Marvels and The Incredible Hulk.
May 21, 2025: Marvel Studios’ latest release, Thunderbolts, has crossed a significant milestone at the global box office. Within just two weeks of its release, the film has surpassed the $300 million mark, breathing new life into the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) commercial performance.
According to Box Office Mojo, Thunderbolts** has earned $325.7 million worldwide. With a production budget of approximately $180 million, and factoring in marketing costs, industry estimates suggest the film needs to reach somewhere between $360 million and $450 million globally to break even and turn a profit.
The film’s performance places it ahead of several MCU underperformers, including The Marvels ($199.7 million) and The Incredible Hulk ($265.5 million). While it’s still a long way from the billion-dollar heights of Marvel’s earlier phases, Thunderbolts** is on course to at least recover its investment.
Despite its solid momentum, box office analysts remain cautious. The film still needs to collect at least $34.3 million more to hit its profitability threshold, and projections suggest surpassing $400 million globally may be a stretch, given current trends.
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Still, the film’s second-weekend performance and positive word-of-mouth—boosted by a game-changing New Avengers post-credit scene—have kept interest alive among MCU fans. However, the subdued theatrical numbers highlight a growing reality: the billion-dollar era of MCU films may be waning, with audiences now more selective and franchise fatigue beginning to show.
Directed by Jake Schreier, Thunderbolts** features a team of anti-heroes drawn from previous MCU storylines, including Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, John Walker, and Taskmaster, and sets the stage for Avengers: Doomsday in the MCU’s upcoming lineup.
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Thunderbolts Box Office, Marvel Studios, Thunderbolts Movie, MCU 2025, Box Office Mojo, Avengers Doomsday, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Yelena Belova, John Walker, MCU Phase 5