‘Worst-ever MCU opening weekend box office for ‘The Marvels’

Brie Larson, best known as Carol Danvers, also known as Captain Marvel, takes the lead in the new Marvel Studios film “The Marvels.”

The initial box office numbers for “The Marvels” left something to be desired. The film only brought in $47 million domestically during its opening weekend, making it the lowest-grossing opening in the history of the franchise, which includes over 30 films.

Before “The Marvels” hit theaters, analysts were projecting an opening between $75 million and $80 million. However, these estimations were scaled back to $60 million and $65 million in the days leading up to the release. Internationally, the film managed to earn $63.3 million, bringing its total global earnings to $110.3 million.

Despite the disappointing domestic debut, the film’s performance in the international market is proof of the significance of global audiences for Marvel. The studio now looks to the Thanksgiving holiday corridor to boost attendance and help the superhero film move closer to profitability.

The critical reviews for “The Marvels” were lukewarm, with Rotten Tomatoes giving it a 62% rating. However, audiences were more receptive, awarding it an 85% score.

“Marvel has simply set a very high standard for themselves,” stated Shawn Robbins, chief analyst at BoxOffice.com. “When a new film or series is released, they have more pressure to stand on their own while also pushing the universe forward.”

Despite the disappointing box office numbers for “The Marvels,” it’s important to note that Marvel has generated nearly $30 billion since 2008. The underwhelming performance of the latest film may inspire a reevaluation of future release plans at the studio.

Disney CEO Bob Iger previously mentioned plans to scale back the studio’s Marvel slate, citing a need to rethink the overall theatrical and streaming strategy. This decision also comes at a time when Marvel Studios is facing challenges with actor Jonathan Majors, who is entangled in legal issues.

Overall, “The Marvels” will serve as a turning point for Marvel from both a creative and business standpoint. The relative slowdown in Marvel content next year may provide a healthy buffer for the studio, the company, and audiences.