‘Thunderbolts’ Aims for $70–75 Million U.S Debut, Kicks Off Summer Box Office With a Bang — But Is It Enough?

Florence Pugh and Sebastian Stan’s antihero-led Marvel film tops the North American box office, but falls short of higher projections amid a hefty $280M combined budget.

May 3, 2025: Disney-Marvel’s Thunderbolts has opened its North American run with a projected weekend total of $70–75 million, launching the 2025 summer box office season on a solid—if slightly muted—note. The Florence Pugh and Sebastian Stan-starrer is playing in 4,330 theaters across the U.S. and Canada.

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According to Deadline, the film’s estimates align with earlier industry projections from Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, which pegged its opening between $63M and $77M. However, Box Office Pro had projected a more optimistic $80–90M weekend.

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While most studios would celebrate a $70M debut, Marvel’s Thunderbolts comes with big expectations—thanks to its massive $180 million production budget and $100 million marketing spend. That puts extra pressure on the film to perform exceptionally over the coming weeks to reach profitability.

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How It Stacks Up:

• The film dethrones vampire thriller Sinners from the No. 1 spot at the domestic box office.
• Sinners is projected to earn $30–35 million in its third weekend, pushing its domestic total above $175 million.
• A Minecraft Movie continues to hold strong, expected to gross $13 million this weekend and reach nearly $400 million in North America.

What Could Help Thunderbolts Fly Higher:

• Strong Rotten Tomatoes ratings — 88% from critics, 95% from audiences.
• Fresh storytelling — focusing on antiheroes like Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, and Red Guardian, rather than typical Marvel superheroes.

Despite the lower-than-expected start, Thunderbolts could still surprise if weekend walk-ins and international markets deliver stronger-than-expected numbers. Disney will be watching closely—especially given Marvel’s need for a box office win.

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