Marvel’s “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” is set to pull in a blockbuster opening weekend of $185 million domestically according to Disney whilst rivals suggest it will go higher – closer to $195 million. Either way the film outdid its predecessor’s $85 million opening weekend on Friday, snagging $90 million that day (with Thursday night previews).
It marks a decided return to form for a Marvel Studios release through Disney Pictures after their three films last year debuted to less than half that with domestic openings in the $71-80 million range each.
Marvel and Sony’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home” of course had the second-biggest opening of all time with $260 million. The new ‘Strange’ still managed to have the eleventh biggest opening of all time and sits only behind the four “Avengers” films and that aforementioned Spidey movie as the sixth biggest opening weekend for a Marvel Studios film.
The Sam Raimi-directed film also easily took the crown of the biggest opening weekend of 2022, handily beating “The Batman” with $134 million.
Outside of Marvel, “The Bad Guys” dropped to second place with $9.7 million while “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” was third with $6.2 million. “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” slipped to fourth with $3.8 million, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” was fifth with $3.3 million, and “The Northman” was sixth with $2.7 million.
Source: Variety
