Thunderbolts*, the latest installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, debuted in theaters on May 2nd, 2025 and had a promising start at the box office. The film, featuring a star-studded cast including Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour, generated a global total of $162 million, with $86.1 million internationally and $76 million domestically. Despite not reaching blockbuster debut levels, the film's earnings nearly match its $180 million production budget, although it requires further revenue to cover an additional $100 million in marketing costs. The movie has received high praise, achieving an 88% Tomatometer score and a 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating strong audience approval. As the MCU plans its future releases, Fantastic Four: The First Steps is set to premiere in July 2025, followed by Avengers: Doomsday in May 2026.

Thunderbolts* premiered on May 2, 2025, and opened with a global box office of $162 million, dividing into $86.1 million internationally and $76 million domestically.

The film features prominent actors such as Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour, contributing to its appeal despite Marvel's recent box office struggles.

While the opening weekend earnings nearly cover the $180 million production budget, the film needs significantly more revenue to recoup an additional $100 million spent on marketing.

Receiving high acclaim, Thunderbolts* boasts an 88% Tomatometer score and a 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, ranking it among the better-received MCU films.

The MCU's release slate includes Fantastic Four: The First Steps set for July 2025 and Avengers: Doomsday scheduled for release in May 2026, marking the progression into Phase Six of the franchise.

Thunderbolts* made it’s debut at the box office this weekend and it was a fair start!

The latest Marvel Cinematic Universe feature was released in theaters on Friday (May 2), featuring a stacked cast, including returning stars Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, Olga Kurylenko and more.

While the movie’s box office debut wasn’t massive as Marvel has been struggling with theatrical performance, it is not the worst debut for the MCU, and it has legs to keep growing!

Keep reading to find out more…

According to Variety, Thunderbolts* brought in a global total of $162 million – $86.1 million internationally and $76 million at the domestic box office.

This nearly meets the $180 million budget, but they still need to make at least twice as much, as the marketing cast another $100 million.

The movie is also one of the highest rated MCU movies on Rotten Tomatoes, with an 88% Tomatometer score and a 95% audience score.

Back in 2023, Captain Marvel sequel, The Marvels, ended it’s box office run as the lowest grossing MCU movie in history. The lowest box office earners of the MCU include Eternals, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania.

RELATED: Top 10 Highest Grossing Marvel Movies of All Time, Ranked

The next Marvel movie to hit theaters will be Fantastic Four: The First Steps, which debuts in July 2025, as the first Phase Six film. After that, the next film won’t be out until 2026 – Avengers: Doomsday in May 2026.