Box Office Performance of Thunderbolts Characters in Previous MCU Films and What It Means for Its Potential Success

As Thunderbolts gears up for its May 2025 release, it’s important to analyze the box office performances of its main characters in previous MCU films to get a sense of how the movie might perform. These characters are mostly from films that, while popular, haven’t necessarily been blockbusters in the same league as the Avengers or Spider-Man films.

Bucky Barnes, portrayed by Sebastian Stan, has appeared in some of the most successful MCU films to date. Captain America: The Winter Soldier grossed $714 million, while Captain America: Civil War took in over $1.1 billion globally. These numbers place Bucky among the top-tier characters in terms of box office pull. His established presence and connection to the Captain America franchise suggest that Thunderbolts has a strong foundation, but it’s important to note that Bucky’s biggest successes were part of ensemble films rather than a solo venture.

Ghost, played by Hannah John-Kamen, had a more modest box office showing in Ant-Man and The Wasp ($622 million). While Ant-Man wasn’t one of the MCU’s top franchises, the film did well, and Ghost was a memorable addition to the story. Her appearance in Thunderbolts may not necessarily attract a large audience on her own, but the character still has a fanbase that could drive interest, particularly if her role is well-received.

John Walker, introduced as U.S. Agent in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Disney+), doesn’t have any direct box office numbers, but the series had a significant cultural impact, being one of the most-watched Marvel series on the platform. His popularity, especially with the rise of the antihero trend, might help increase interest in Thunderbolts, but without any theatrical box office data, his draw remains uncertain.

On the other hand, some Thunderbolts characters come from films that had more mixed financial results. Yelena Belova, played by Florence Pugh, debuted in Black Widow ($379 million), which was significantly impacted by the pandemic and its hybrid release format. While the film’s box office was lower than most MCU entries, Yelena became a standout character and was well-received, appearing again in Hawkeye and garnering growing popularity. This could translate to stronger interest in Thunderbolts, especially as Yelena’s fanbase continues to expand.

Red Guardian (David Harbour) and Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko) were also part of Black Widow, but they didn’t have as much impact at the box office. While these characters were interesting in the context of the movie, they weren’t the driving forces of its financial performance. However, Red Guardian’s comedic and heroic qualities, alongside the general intrigue surrounding Taskmaster, could spark curiosity among fans when paired with a larger team in Thunderbolts.

Finally, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), who has appeared in post-credit scenes in various MCU films, has yet to be part of any box office numbers. Though her character is clearly positioned to play a key role in Thunderbolts, her influence on the film’s box office performance is unclear. As a shadowy figure pulling strings behind the scenes, Valentina’s appeal may be more niche compared to the others.

Looking at all the characters’ past performances, it’s clear that Thunderbolts will likely perform in the mid-range of MCU films. While none of these characters are as recognizable as major headliners like Iron Man or Spider-Man, the ensemble cast has the potential to create strong audience interest through character dynamics and storytelling. Given that Ant-Man and The Wasp grossed $622 million and Black Widow made $379 million, it’s likely that Thunderbolts will land somewhere in this range, potentially between $400 million and $600 million globally. The success will largely depend on how Marvel markets the film, builds chemistry among the characters, and how well the story resonates with audiences looking for something new from the MCU. If Marvel can capture the same excitement that The Suicide Squad did for DC fans, Thunderbolts could exceed expectations and become a surprising hit, but if the audience feels the ensemble lacks cohesion, it may struggle to break past the $500 million mark.

Ultimately, the movie’s success will hinge on how well these less-established characters can hold their own in the context of a team-up film, and whether Marvel can deliver a fresh take on the antihero genre that captivates both hardcore fans and general moviegoers alike.