Marvel Studios’ “Thunderbolts” has faced a disappointing box-office performance, resulting in significant losses for the studio. According to recent reports, the film needed to gross around $425 million worldwide to break even. As of now, with its run effectively over in most markets, the film has only managed to rake in $377 million, translating to a loss of around $50 million.
This outcome is particularly concerning, as “Thunderbolts” is one of the lowest-grossing installments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The film’s underperformance is a stark contrast to Disney CEO Bob Iger’s earlier claims that it would be the “first and best” example of Marvel’s new movie strategy. The studio had high hopes for the film, which aimed to revamp its approach to storytelling and character development.
The MCU’s box-office performance has been impacted by the pandemic, which has led to a decline in global ticket sales. Prior to the pandemic, 19 out of 22 MCU films had grossed at least $500 million worldwide. However, since 2020, only six out of 13 films have achieved this milestone.
Despite the disappointing box-office numbers, “Thunderbolts” did receive positive word-of-mouth from audiences and critics alike. The film’s production budget was relatively low, at $180 million, and marketing costs were $100 million. This cost-efficient approach may have been a deliberate strategy by Marvel to test the waters with a lesser-known property.
The question remains as to whether Marvel will continue to focus on minor or obscure characters, as seen in films like “Guardians of the Galaxy,” or if it will stick to its marquee faces. The upcoming lineup of films, including “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” two “Avengers” films, “Spider-Man 4,” “Black Panther 3,” and “X-Men,” suggests that the studio will be focusing on its established franchises.
Even lesser-known characters like “Blade” are expected to appear in future films. The disappointing performance of “Thunderbolts” may have raised concerns about the future of Marvel’s smaller-scale projects, but it is clear that the studio is committed to exploring a wide range of characters and storylines. Marvel still has several projects that have been announced that do not yet have confirmed release dates.
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