ZAMM.COM

Summer’s off to a happy start for exhibitors as Marvel’s super-misfits tale THUNDERBOLTS* opens to $76M.

Hollywood handicappers expected Disney/Marvel’s PG-13 action epic to do $70-75M, but those lower tier comic characters — THUNDERDOLTS* might say it best — over-performed, per Comscore.

Directed by Jake Schreier (BEEF), it stars Florence Pugh as the ruthless assassin Yelena Belova and has catapulted Pugh to superhero star status. It’s tracking best for first choice with over-25 men (12 points over norm) and next best with men under 25 (nine points over norm). Rotten Tomatoes critics are applauding at 88% while audiences are over-the-moon at 94%.

Yes, THUNDERBOLTS* isn’t in that rarefied opening weekend league of  Marvel heavyweights like SPIDER-MAN ($114.8M – 5/3/02), IRON MAN ($98.6M – 5/2/08), THE AVENGERS ($207.4M – 5/4/12) or AVENGERS: ENDGAME ($357.1M – 4/26/19). But that pre-Covid world is ancient history. In today’s Hollywood, a $76M launch for a lesser known Marvel brand means moviegoing’s not dying (sorry Netflix).

Domestic ticket sales this weekend were $145.63M, according to Comscore Senior Media Analyst Paul Dergarabedian. That’s down 2.6% from the prior weekend, but up 95% vs. this time last year. Comscore’s year to date tally has 2025 at $2.49B, up 15.7% from $2.15B in 2024. The prior weekend showed 2025 up by 11.04% vs. last year.

Hollywood buzz-ards are buzzing about a knock-out Memorial Day weekend (5/23) with Disney’s LILO & STITCH & Paramount/Skydance Media’s MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING opening to $200M or more between them for four days.

Meanwhile, back at the multiplexes: Disney/Marvel topped the chart with a $76M domestic launch for THUNDERBOLTS* at 4,330 theatres ($17,552). With $86.1M from international theatres, its global cume is $162.1M. BUDGET BUZZ: $180M to produce.

Warner Bros./Proximity Media’s SINNERS was #2 in weekend three with $33M (-28%) at 3,347 theatres ($9,860). Written & directed by Ryan Coogler (BLACK PANTHER), it stars Michael B. Jordan. It’s done $179.7M domestic and $236.7M worldwide. BUDGET BUZZ: $90M to produce.

Warner Bros./Legendary Entertainment’s A MINECRAFT MOVIE was #3 in weekend four with $13.7M (-40%) at 3,571 theatres ($3,836). It’s done $398.2M domestic and $873.4M worldwide. BUDGET BUZZ: $150M to produce (with about $37.5M from Legendary).

Next weekend (5/9): In Lionsgate’s R rated action thriller SHADOW FORCE, an estranged couple with a bounty on their heads go on the run with their child when their shadow ops ex-employer sets out to kill them.

Directed by Joe Carnahan (THE A-TEAM), FORCE stars Kerry Washington & Omar Sy. It’s tracking for first choice below norm with all demos.