There was never any doubt that Marvel’sCaptain America: Civil Warwould be a hit. But just how big a hit wasn’t immediately clear. This monster blockbuster has pulled in $75.3 million during its first day in release. It is now estimated to have an opening weekend between $172 million and $178.8 million. If it can soar just a little higher than 2013’sIron Man 3, which earned a first weekend total of $174.1 million, it will be the 5th highest opening of all time. Anything lower will slide it into 6th place. That said,Civil War’s Friday numbers fell short ofBatman V Superman’s opening day earnings of $81.5 million.
That doesn’t mean it won’t soar past theDC Comics adventurethroughout the rest of the weekend, as the movie is garnering better word-of-mouth. As it stands now,Captain America: Civil Warwill give Disney five of the sixtop grossingdomestic openings of all time. The pack is lead by 2015’sStar Wars: The Force Awakenswith $247.97 million, but the number two spot belongs to Universal’sJurassic World, which earned an amazing $208.8 million last summer. Marvel’sThe Avengersis in 3rd place with $207.4 million, and coming in 4th isAvengers: Age of Ultronwith $191.2 million.Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justiceis resting in the 7thbest domestic openingslot with $166 million. And while that movie quickly dipped throughout its first weekend, Marvel’sCivil Waris only expected to rise.
$25 million ofCaptain America: Civil War’s Friday gross of $75.3 million came fromThursday preview screenings. While some prognosticators pegged the Marvel Phase 3 adventure’s opening weekend at a high $190 to $200 million, Disney never wavered from their own predicted estimates of around $175 million. And most insiders don’t believe thatCaptain America 3is falling short, with summer 2016 off to a great start. Though, Deadline notes that now there is some added pressure in making sureAvengers: Infinity War Part 1andPart 2are significantly special to keep the core audience coming back.
As it stands,Captain America: Civil Waris one of thebest reviewed Marvel moviesyet, and is a hit with both fans and critics. Though it will likely fall short of the originalAvengersandAge of Ultron, it does hold the highest opening for any of the threeCaptain Americastandalone movies.Captain America: The First Avenger, released in 2011, only earned $25 million on its first Friday for a weekend total of $65 million.Winter Soldiercame in with an opening day tally of $36 million for a first weekend gross of $95 million.Civil WarmatchedAge of Ultron’s budget of $250 million. The movie has already proven to be profitable with a worldwide cume of $366.4 thus far. It’s expected that number will rise to $600 million by the time the weekend is over.
Captain America 3currently has an A CinemaScore and is rated fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with 91% positive reviews. UnlikeBatman V Superman,Civil Waris not expected to have such huge drop-offs in the coming weeks. Many expect it will hold steady throughout its second weekend, taking the top spot again as it goes against the thrillerMoney MonsterstarringGeorge ClooneyandJulia Roberts, and the horror movieThe Darknessheadlined byKevin Bacon.
It should also fare quite well in its third weekend, asAngry Birdsflies in along with theSeth RogenandZac EfronsequelNeighbors 2: Sorority Rising. Also opening inCivil War’s third week isThe Nice Guys, a comedy that pairsRussell CroweandRyan Gosling. It arrives fromIron Man 3directorShane Black.Captain Americawill face its stiffest competition over Memorial Day weekend, as it is pitted against Disney’s own sequelAlice Through the Looking Glassand the second big Marvel movie of the summerX-Men: Apocalypse, which comes from 20th Century Fox Studios. Stay tuned throughout the weekend as we bring you the total opening grosses forCaptain America: Civil War.
