Captain America: Brave New World electrified theaters with an $88.5 million domestic debut, positioning itself as 2025’s highest opener. Disney projects the film will hit $100 million by Presidents’ Day, cementing Marvel’s comeback after last year’s sparse release slate.
Anthony Mackie officially takes up Captain America’s shield in this franchise reboot, succeeding Chris Evans’ decade-long run. Harrison Ford joins as President Ross, whose transformation into Red Hulk adds explosive stakes. Despite mixed reviews (51% Rotten Tomatoes), audiences awarded an 80% approval score, with men comprising 63% of opening crowds.
“A highly processed, empty calorie, regret-later candy of a movie,”wrote AP critic Mark Kennedy. Yet the film’s $180 million budget — lower than recent Marvel entries — and global $192.4 million gross signal cost-effective success.
Marvel’s 2025 roadmap now surges ahead:
- Thunderbolts* (May)
- The Fantastic Four: First Steps (July)
Internationally, Paddington in Peru claimed second with $13 million, while horror sequel Heart Eyes slashed its way to third. The box office remains 20% above 2024 levels, proving superhero fatigue hasn’t grounded Marvel’s wings yet.
