"Captain America: Brave New World" Eyes $100M 4-Days Opening at Box Office

Disney and Marvel Studios’ Captain America: Brave New World is off to a solid start at the box office, with an estimated $40 million from Friday and previews. The film, starring Anthony Mackie as the new Captain America, is on track for a 4-day opening in the mid-to-high $90 million range, with a chance to hit $100 million if Sunday and Presidents Day holds are strong.

Box Office Breakdown

• Friday/Previews: $40 million
• Saturday Estimate: $27 million (down 33% from Friday)
• 3-Day Projection: $87 million
• 4-Day Projection: $95 million to $109 million

The film’s performance is being compared to Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which opened with a $106 million 3-day weekend in 2023. If Brave New World can match or exceed Quantumania’s Sunday hold (-24%), it could push past the $100 million mark.

A Tentpole in a Quiet Market

Captain America: Brave New World is benefiting from being the only major tentpole release in theaters right now. With no other big-budget films competing for attention, the Marvel sequel is drawing in audiences looking for a blockbuster experience. Premium formats like IMAX and PLF screens are contributing 37% of the weekend’s revenue, highlighting the appeal of seeing the film on the biggest screens.

Audience Demographics

The film is attracting a diverse audience, with strong turnout across key demographics:

• Gender: 62% male, 38% female
• Age: 29% aged 25-34 (the largest demo), 42% aged 35+
• Diversity: 35% Caucasian, 26% Latino and Hispanic, 23% Black, 10% Asian

Mixed Reception

Despite its strong box office performance, Brave New World has received a lukewarm reception from audiences, earning a B- CinemaScore. This puts it on par with other divisive Marvel films like Eternals (B) and The Marvels (B). However, the film’s opening weekend numbers suggest that superhero fatigue may not be as severe as some have claimed—at least for now.

Other Box Office Highlights

1. Paddington in Peru (Sony): The family-friendly sequel is holding strong in second place with an estimated $16 million to $17.5 million 4-day opening. It earned an A Cinema Score, with kids under 12 giving it an 85% positive rating.
2. Dog Man (Universal/Dream Works Animation): In its third weekend, the animated film is eyeing a $13.35 million 4-day total, bringing its domestic cume to $70.4 million.
3. Heart Eyes (Screen Gems/Spyglass):The horror film is performing well in its second weekend, with a projected $11 million 4-day total.
4. Ne Zha 2 (CMC): The Chinese animated film is making a splash in the U.S. with an estimated $7.2 million 4-day opening.

The Road Ahead

With a production budget of $180 million, Captain America: Brave New World will need to gross around $425 million globally to break even. While its domestic opening is strong, its long-term success will depend on international performance and word-of-mouth.

Final Thoughts

Captain America: Brave New World is proving that the Marvel brand still has pull at the box office, even as the studio navigates challenges like audience fatigue and mixed reviews. With Anthony Mackie stepping into the lead role, the film represents a new chapter for the franchise—and if it hits $100 million, it could signal a bright future for the MCU.