The summer box office race is back in full swing after a two-year dismal hiatus caused by the coronavirus outbreak. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, from Marvel Studios, has just kicked off with a bang this weekend, and it’s set to take over the world.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, a collaboration between Marvel Studios and Disney, grossed $36 million in Thursday evening previews in North America, making it the eighth biggest preview gross ever behind Avengers: Infinity War, not accounting for inflation.
North American audiences will get their first look at the Sam Raimi-directed sequel, which features Benedict Cumberbatch as the title character, on Thursday night. The next installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is expected to bring in between $160 million and $180 million in its home debut and over $300 million worldwide, according to tracking estimates. More optimistic analysts place those amounts higher but admit that it all hinges on how front-load the $200 million blockbuster is.
Doctor Strange 2 debuted in 20 foreign countries on Wednesday, grossing an amazing $27.2 million on its first day. Up to date, it has grossed $85.7 million in global markets.
In 2016, the debut Doctor Strange grossed $85 million domestically, starting a new Marvel franchise. Cumberbatch‘s role grew in popularity after starring in Avengers: Infinity War and, more recently, Sony and Marvel’s $1.9 billion blockbuster Spider-Man: No Way Home.
