Thunderbolts*’s box office has surpassed a movie led by one of theMarvel Cinematic Universe’s original Avengers. 2025 has been a divisive year for MCU releases so far. WhileCaptain America: Brave New Worldwas faced with mixed reception,Thunderbolts*was universally beloved. However, despite great reviews and major events, likeThunderbolts*’s post-credits scenesetting up the Fantastic Four’s MCU arrival andAvengers: Doomsday, the MCU’s latest movie underperformed at the box office. However,Thunderbolts*is going out on a positive note as it climbs above another MCU movie before leaving theaters.
According toBox Office Mojo,Thunderboltshas passed Scarlett Johansson’sBlack Widowat the box office. The New Avengers' movie debut is currently at $380.3 million, while the MCU’s only Black Widow movie stands just a little below it, with a global box office total of $379.7 million.Thunderbolts’s box office will not be able to pass any other MCU movies, as the film’s legs at the box office are no longer there, andMarvel has datedThunderbolts*’s digital release, which will happen soon, on July 1.
What Thunderbolts* Passing Black Widow At The Box Office Means
Where Will The Movie End Up In The MCU’s Box Office Rankings?
Despite overwhelmingly positive reviews,Thunderbolts*’s all-star cast, and the reveal of the team’s name change to The New Avengers, the MCU’s latest movie did not manage to become a hit at the box office. Still, the fact that it passesBlack Widow’s total gross is a bit of a positive note to end its disappointing theatrical run. The 2021 MCU movie is connected toThunderbolts*in many ways, with the biggest being the fact thatYelena Belova, Red Guardian, and Taskmaster all debuted in the MCU through the Scarlett Johansson-led film.
$199,706,250
$265,573,859
$370,569,776
$379,751,131
$380,368,739
$401,731,759
Captain America: Brave New World
$415,069,466
Since Florence Pugh’s Yelena isThunderbolts*’s main character, the film very much feels like aBlack Widowspiritual sequel of sorts, so the fact that it surpassed that film’s box office is positive. That said,Thunderbolts*will end its theatrical run as the fifth lowest-grossing movie in the MCU. The film’s latest domestic weekend saw only $1 million, and with its digital release coming soon,Eternals' $401.7 million total is simply too far away forThunderbolts*. The MCU movie will also end its theatrical run with around $30-35 million less thanCaptain America: Brave New World.
Our Take On Thunderbolts* Passing Black Widow At The Box Office
The Two MCU Movies End Up In The Same Situation
Sadly,Thunderboltspassing Black Widow at the box office is too little too late. On the one hand, I’m glad it did, as I believe the 2025 Marvel entry to be the most exciting movie out of the two. On the other hand,Thunderbolts’s new box office milestone still leaves the film as one of the lowest-grossing MCU movies ever. I still havehope for aThunderboltssequel to happendespite its negative box office, as the team could grow in popularity inAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret Wars. At the very least,Thunderboltsgoes out beating an original Avenger.
Thunderbolts*
Cast
Thunderbolts follows seven disillusioned individuals who find themselves trapped in a perilous situation. Tasked with a daunting mission, they must face the most shadowy aspects of their histories to survive and achieve their goals.
Black Widow
Black Widow: Released in 2021, Black Widow follows Natasha Romanoff as she faces a conspiracy linked to her past. Pursued relentlessly, Natasha must confront her history as a spy and navigate fractured relationships from her previous life before becoming part of the Avengers.
