Thunderbolts Opens at $162M Globally, Trails Behind Captain America 4

New Delhi | May 5, 2025 — Marvel Studios’ latest release, Thunderbolts, has made a powerful entry into global cinemas, recording a $162.1 million opening on its first day. The much-anticipated film, which unites some of the MCU’s most unpredictable characters, has exceeded projections but still trails behind recent Marvel heavyweights like Captain America: Brave New World and Deadpool & Wolverine.

According to Box Office Mojo, Thunderbolts earned $76 million in North America and an additional $86.1 million from international markets on day one. The early international rollout—particularly in regions like Southeast Asia and India—along with robust Thursday previews, helped the film surpass its $150 million pre-release estimates.

Despite the strong start, Thunderbolts has not eclipsed the $192 million debut of Captain America: Brave New World or the record-setting $250 million opening of Deadpool & Wolverine last year. Still, industry analysts point out that the positive early reception gives Thunderbolts a strong runway in the coming weeks.

While the film may not have reached Deadpool levels, it is expected to outperform Captain America 4 in the long run. The Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford-led film suffered from poor critical reception and audience fatigue, leading to a sharp drop after its $192 million opening. It eventually concluded its run with $415 million globally. In contrast, the Marvel Studios film is enjoying favorable reviews and enthusiastic word-of-mouth, which could give it the legs to cross that mark.

Thunderbolts – Budget & Stakes

According to Variety, the film was produced on a budget of $180 million, with Disney investing an additional $100 million in global marketing efforts. That puts Thunderbolts in a break-even zone only if it surpasses $500 million globally—something that looks increasingly plausible as long as the positive reception holds.