Marvel Studios' "Captain America: Brave New World" soared into the box office with a heroic debut, raking in $88.5 million domestically, with projections pointing towards hitting $100 million by the end of the Presidents Day holiday weekend. Despite receiving mixed reviews and a B- CinemaScore, the film surpassed expectations, securing its place as the biggest opening weekend of 2025 thus far. It also claimed the title of the fourth-best Presidents Day launch in history, following in the footsteps of box office heavyweights like "Black Panther," "Deadpool," and "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania."
As the 35th installment in Disney's Marvel Cinematic Universe, "Captain America: Brave New World" introduced Anthony Mackie as the new Captain America, taking over the iconic mantle from Chris Evans. Directed by Julius Onah, the movie follows Sam Wilson, played by Mackie, in the midst of an international crisis triggered by the election of Thaddeus Ross, portrayed by Harrison Ford.
The holiday weekend marked a bustling period for theaters nationwide, with the industry keeping a close watch on the lasting power of "Captain America." While initial critical reception was less than stellar, with a 51% average on Rotten Tomatoes and a B- CinemaScore, Disney's Marvel movies have often demonstrated strong opening weekend performances even amidst mixed reviews. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining the film's longevity at the box office since no major blockbusters are lined up until Disney's "Snow White" remake in March.
Marvel Studios has more tentpoles lined up in the near future, including "Thunderbolts" in May and "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" in July, aiming to maintain their box office momentum. The success of "Captain America: Brave New World" comes at a pivotal time for the superhero genre, with audiences and critics alike closely monitoring the industry's shifting landscape.
In the midst of "Captain America's" dominance, Sony's "Paddington in Peru," the third installment of the beloved bear series, debuted in second place with a respectable $13 million over the weekend and an estimated $16 million by the end of the holiday frame. The family-friendly film received glowing reviews, boasting a 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an "A" grade on CinemaScore.
Meanwhile, Screen Gems/Spyglass Films' horror-thriller "Heart Eyes" experienced a Valentine's Day boost, landing in third place with $10 million over the weekend and an anticipated $11.1 million through Presidents Day. This marks a notable 20% increase from its debut earnings, with the film displaying solid box office resilience.
As the box office landscape continues to evolve, the performance of these films provides insights into audience preferences and trends in the industry. Despite initial skepticism, "Captain America: Brave New World" managed to defy expectations and showcase the enduring appeal of superhero storytelling on the big screen.
