Marvel Studios’ latest installment, Thunderbolts now officially promoted as The New Avengers—saw a notable drop at the U.S. box office on Wednesday but continues to hold strong compared to other recent MCU entries. Following a strong showing on Discount Tuesday, the film collected $4.3 million on Wednesday, down 42.4% from the previous day’s total.
Steady Hold Amid Competition and Comparisons
Despite the decline, The New Avengers still outperformed Captain America: Brave New World, which earned $3.4 million the same day with a sharper 45.9% drop. The antihero-led adventure remains more stable than previous Marvel entries like The Marvels and Quantumania, both of which saw steeper midweek drops. Analysts believe the current trend reflects a frontloaded box office boost driven by heavy anticipation and discounted ticket deals.
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Near Milestone and Global Earnings
Domestically, the film has now grossed $91.1 million and is expected to cross the $100 million mark by the end of Thursday. Globally, it has earned $177.3 million, making it the eighth-highest-grossing film of 2025 so far. This positions the film for a promising second weekend, despite rising competition.
New Team, New Era for the MCU
Directed by Jake Schreier and co-written by Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo, Thunderbolts marks the 36th entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film unites Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), and US Agent (Wyatt Russell) in a high-stakes mission that ultimately forms a new superhero team—the “New Avengers.” This rebranding is hinted at in the film’s final moments and end credits, and Marvel began officially using the new title post-opening weekend.
Critical Response and Future Outlook
Reviews have praised the film’s ensemble cast and emotional depth, giving the MCU a fresh twist through its antihero focus. While box office trends will be closely watched, The New Avengers is off to a solid start.
