Marvel Studios’Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnesshas finally premiered in theaters after years of delays and anticipation. As if there was any doubt, the Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen film is poised to win the weekend after earning an outstanding $36 million from Thursday night previews.
Set after the events ofAvengers: EndgameandWandaVision,Doctor Strange 2finds the titular sorcerer trying to helpXochitl Gomez’s America Chavez, who is being pursued by creatures that are attempting to steal her ability to travel across the multiverse. Enlisting the help of Olsen’s Scarlet Witch, our heroes find themselves on a journey across the alternate realities beyond the MCU and encountering a few surprising yet familiar faces along the way,
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Per Deadline,Doctor Strange 2’s $36 million from preview screenings is enough for the second-best total from previews during the pandemic. OnlySpider-Man: No Way Homehas earned morefrom Thursday night previews during the pandemic after having scored $50 million over the same period back in December 2021. The long-awaitedDoctor Strange 2sequel is currently the eighth-biggest preview earner overall, ranking behindAvengers: Infinity War’s $39 million. Furthermore,Doctor Strange 2is now the fifth-highest Thursday night preview earner for IMAX, having grossed $4.2 million in ticket sales from IMAX theaters.
Doctor Strange 2is tracking to openwith a worldwide total of approximately $300 million, with at least $160 million of that projected to come from the domestic box office. If these figures hold,Doctor Strange 2will have the biggest opening for a Disney film since the pandemic started, asSpider-Man: No Way Homeis actually a Sony film co-produced by Marvel Studios. At this time, the pandemic-era opening weekend record for Disney is held byShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, which debuted with $75.3 million over Labor Day weekend in September 2021.
News ofDoctor Strange 2’s early box office success will likely come as a relief to exhibitors after expected juggernauts likeFantasticBeasts: The Secrets of Dumbledoreflounderedin theaters. While the earnings of blockbusters likeThe Batmanand critical darlings likeEverything Everywhere All at Onceare nothing to sneeze at, theater owners are probably relieved to know audiences are seemingly ready to head back to the cineplex for the summer season.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessis now playing in theaters.
