'Thunderbolts*' Set To Lose Massive Amount Despite 88% Rotten Tomatoes Score

Thunderbolts* might’ve won over critics, but it’s losing the battle where it counts most — the box office. The film, which was marketed as the start of Marvel’s leaner, smarter cinematic era, is now set to lose over $50 million, despite boasting an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes and solid audience buzz. In fact, when the film hit theatres, Disney CEO Bob Iger called it the “first and best” example of Marvel’s new strategy — prioritizing quality over quantity after years of fatigue and overextension. But after grossing just $371 million globally, Thunderbolts* has become one of the lowest-grossing entries in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s a sobering reminder that critical acclaim and franchise branding aren’t guarantees anymore. As Fandango’s Shawn Robbins told Variety: “We’re in a new era where not every Marvel movie is going to hit $1 billion.”