Early reactions to Thunderbolts* have reportedly been taken as a positive sign of the MCU movie’s potential by Disney, despite low box office projections. Recently, Marvel Studios has released several movies that have failed to live up to critical and commercial expectations, including Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, The Marvels, and Captain America: Brave New World. On the other hand, the mᴀssive events that represent 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday and 2027’s Avengers: Secret Wars promise to break records currently held by Avengers. Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. In the middle lies Thunderbolts*, which concludes Marvel’s Phase 5 with a long-awaited MCU crossover story.

As reported by THR, Thunderbolts* is projected to open domestically within the “$63 million to $77 million range“ — a low number for an MCU summer blockbuster. However, Disney has reportedly been pleased by Thunderbolts* test screening audience reactions. THR also reports that exhibitors and even rival studio execs have praised Thunderbolts*.

What The Thunderbolts* Box Office Projections And Disney’s Response Mean

Thunderbolts* Has Plenty Of Possibilities For Success At The Box Office

Thunderbolts* gathers a team of MCU anti-heroes, most of whom have previously appeared in MCU movies that weren’t as well-received as Marvel and MCU fans expected. Unlike crossover movies like The Avengers and Captain America: Civil War, solo movies prior to Thunderbolts* don’t guarantee a strong returning audience. Instead, the Thunderbolts* trailers’ promise of a bold and creative team-up movie might be doing the brunt of the work enticing audiences to watch Thunderbolts* in theaters.

As Disney’s reported response to thunderbolts* suggests, Thunderbolts* might surpᴀss recent MCU movies like Captain America: Brave New World and The Marvels at the box office mostly by word of mouth. Low box office projections aren’t a death sentence for movies, let alone summer blockbusters like Thunderbolts*. Movies like Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Doctor Strange, and Thor: Ragnarok have become fan-favorite Marvel releases due to their high quality instead of merely because of pre-release anticipation.

Our Take On The Thunderbolts* Box Office Projections And Disney’s Response

Thunderbolts Could Be A Sleeper Hit For Marvel

Marvel had done a great job keeping Thunderbolts*‘ best moments a secret. Valentina Allegra de Fontaine’s true intentions, the Thunderbolts’ fight plan against Sentry, and Taskmaster’s real fate are all questions that haven’t been answered by any trailer or clip. When Thunderbolts* hits theaters on May 2, 2025, audience reactions to the movie could lead tickets and box office projections to shoot up, and Thunderbolts*‘ box office lifetime to extend. Thunderbolts* may not have the same brand weight as The Fantastic Four: First Steps or Avengers: Doomsday, but its unique plot and style makes it a promising wildcard in Marvel Studios’ current slate.

Source: THR

Upcoming MCU Movies

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  Thunderbolts*

  Release Date

  
  May 2, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

  Release Date

  
  July 25, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Doomsday (2026)

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Spider-Man: Brand New Day

  Release Date

  
  July 31, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Secret Wars

  Release Date

  
  May 7, 2027
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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