Disney’s superhero sequel The Marvels experienced a disappointing opening weekend, grossing only US$63 million internationally and US$110 million globally, falling short of the anticipated US$140 million target for the US$220 million-budgeted film.
That being said, The Marvels still topped the worldwide box office in first place, with Five Nights at Freddy’s trailing behind at US$24.4 million.
This ranks as one of the weakest global debuts in Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) history. The film is a follow-up to 2019’s Captain Marvel, which had a stellar opening of US$302 million internationally and US$455 million globally.
In contrast, The Marvels saw lackluster performances across overseas markets, with China leading at US$11.7 million, but no single territory significantly standing out. The film’s performance in IMAX theaters was also underwhelming, contributing just US$5.6 million internationally and US$10 million worldwide.
Directed by Nia DaCosta, The Marvels stars Brie Larson reprising her role as Captain Marvel, with Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau and Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel. Despite being the shortest MCU film, it received mixed reviews, holding a 62% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Previously, the lowest Disney-owned Marvel opening was Ant-Man in 2015 with US$57.2 million. The Marvels stands out as a unique MCU release, being the first directed by a Black woman and featuring three female leads. However, it received only a ‘B’ CinemaScore, indicating tepid audience reaction.
Analysts suggest superhero fatigue may be affecting audience interest, despite recent successes like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Sony’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. The actors strike also impacted The Marvels, limiting promotional activities until a late agreement between SAG-AFTRA and studios.
With increasing competition from both cinemas and streaming platforms, The Marvels could mark a pivotal moment in the evolving landscape of superhero films.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing Honkai: Star Rail, cosplaying, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.
Trinity Sun
