Marvel's Thunderbolts* debuts with $162 million at the worldwide box office.

      Marvel concluded Phase Five of the MCU this weekend with the release of Thunderbolts*, the second of three films from the studio this year, following February's Captain America: Brave New World and leading up to July's Fantastic Four: The First Steps. The film has initiated its theatrical release with a global opening of $162 million.

      In the domestic market, the Jake Schreier-directed ensemble secured the top position with an opening weekend gross of $76 million, slightly surpassing Ant-Man and the Wasp ($75.8 million) and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings ($75.4 million). Internationally, it garnered an additional $86 million from 52 markets, with China ($10.4 million), the UK ($7.7 million), and Mexico ($7.3 million) being the top contributors.

      Despite its figures being lower than Brave New World (which opened with $88.8 million domestically and $192 million globally), the Thunderbolts* 'brand' clearly does not hold the same weight as Captain America. Nevertheless, with favorable responses from both audiences and critics, its box office potential for the upcoming weeks appears bright, facing minimal serious competition until Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning and Lilo & Stitch release on May 23rd.

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      Marvel’s Thunderbolts is currently playing in theaters.

      About Gary Collinson: Gary Collinson is a writer and producer specializing in film, TV, and digital content. He is the founder of the pop culture website Flickering Myth and has produced the gothic horror feature film 'The Baby in the Basket' as well as the upcoming suspense thriller 'Death Among the Pines'.