The Marvel Cinematic Universe is coming back to theaters withBlack Widow, and early estimate numbers tell us that the pandemic didn’t affect the popularity of the MCU. Even if all theaters aren’t operating at full capacity yet, the solo adventure ofScarlett Johansson’s super-spy is on track to be the most successful release since the beginning of the pandemic.
WithBlack Widowestimates putting preview night U.S. box office at $13.2 million, the new MCU dethrones thealready impressive results ofF9, which got $7.1 million on its first Thursday. The numbers are not only high for pandemic metrics but also in comparison to other MCU movies. As an example,Ant-Man and the Wasphauled $11.5 million on preview night, whileGuardians of the Galaxyonly reached $11.2 million. Early predictions also project a box office between $80 million and $90 million for a 3-day start. That doesn’t take into consideration 41 international markets where the movie is already available, including France, Russia, Australia, Japan, and Brazil.
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It’s no surprise thatBlack Widowhas been well-received in theaters. Before the pandemic, Disney released three MCU movies every year, all of them making hundreds of millions of dollars. However, sinceBlack Widowis the first MCU movie to also be available on Disney+ at release time, the question of whether streaming and piracy could hurt the movie’s profits lingered. The answer is no, apparently, asBlack Widowhas started its time in theaters by surpassing expectations.
Natasha’s long-overdue solo adventure happens betweenCaptain America: Civil WarandAvengers: Infinity War, leading the heroine to confront her past and bring down the evil organization that builds female assassins such as herself.Cate ShortlanddirectsBlack Widowfrom a story byJac Schaeffer(WandaVision) andNed Benson(The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby), and a screenplay written byEric Pearson(Thor: Ragnarok). The movie also starsFlorence Pugh,Rachel Weisz, andDavid Harbour.
Black Widowis now available in theaters and to stream via Disney+ Premier Acess.
KEEP READING:Kevin Feige Explains How ‘Black Widow’ Sets Up the Future of the MCU in New Featurette
