Despite modest expectations, the anti-hero ensemble film has already surpassed The Marvels in both domestic and global revenue
May 26, 2025: The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s latest entry, Thunderbolts, has now doubled the domestic box office haul of The Marvels after just three weeks in theaters. Boasting a cast of misfits and antiheroes—played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, Lewis Pullman, Olga Kurylenko, Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour—Thunderbolts dives into themes of self-worth, mental health, and the search for higher purpose.
While The Marvels featured an equally star-studded trio—Imaan Vellani’s Ms. Marvel, Teyonah Parris’ Photon, and Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel—the two films have had vastly different commercial outcomes.
According to Box Office Mojo, Thunderbolts has earned $173.8 million domestically compared to The Marvels’ lifetime domestic total of $84.5 million. Internationally, Thunderbolts has reached $355.5 million in total revenue, while The Marvels ended its run with $206.1 million. Interestingly, international markets contributed 51.1% of Thunderbolts’ box office, while The Marvels drew 59% of its revenue from overseas.
Thunderbolts’ Steady Climb: A Sign of Resilience, Not a Blockbuster*
Although Thunderbolts isn’t expected to match the colossal earnings of Avengers: Endgame or even last year’s Deadpool & Wolverine, it comfortably outpaces some of the MCU’s recent struggles. In fact, it’s already surpassing Captain America: Brave New World, which grossed $168 million in its third week. While it may not be a billion-dollar juggernaut, Thunderbolts seems poised to break even—marking it as a respectable success rather than a flop.
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Thunderbolts, The Marvels, MCU, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Florence Pugh, box office, superhero films