Marvel movies have always been moneymakers, and BLACK PANTHER (starring Chadwick Boseman) should have no problem being one of the biggest movies of the year. But if a new record PANTHER just broke is any indication, the movie is going to do way better at the box office than anyone imagined.
Tickets for BLACK PANTHER went up on Monday, and the movie has already pounced over CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR to become the fast-selling MCU movie in its first 24 hours of ticket presales. Though this doesn’t mean the movie will make more money than CIVIL WAR in its opening weekend, it does mean there’s an overwhelming anticipation to see the movie, and could easily clear $100 million for the weekend.
CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR was able to make $179 million during its first weekend in May 2016, and chances are slim PANTHER will hit that high a number. But even if it’s presales stay on a similar path as CIVIL WAR, it could break the record to have the largest February opening ever (DEADPOOL is the current leader with $132 million). At the very least it could best the openings of other solo MCU movies, like SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING ($117 million), THOR: RAGNAROK ($122 million), and IRON MAN 2 ($128 million).
Who knows if PANTHER’s presales will continue to soar or if this initial success was incredibly front-loaded. But no matter what, the movie is poised for a tremendous opening, as fans are eager to see such a fresh perspective in the MCU. Now that we know how many tickets the movie is selling we will be keeping an even keener eye on the box office, and I would expect there's going to be a lot of bubbly popping the weekend of February 16.
BLACK PANTHER hits theaters February 16.