New Marvel movie “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” earned $450 million U.S. at
the global box office over the weekend, setting a new post-pandemic record.
The film, produced by Walt Disney Co. (DIS), made an estimated $185 million U.S. in North
America during its opening weekend, according to box office data.
That number hit the high-end of expectations, which had the film earning $170 million U.S. to
$185 million U.S. in North America. It also makes "Multiverse of Madness," which stars Benedict
Cumberbatch as the superhero sorcerer, the 11th biggest opening in domestic box office
history.
The film's debut also more than doubled the opening weekend of the original “Doctor Strange,”
which earned $85 million back in 2016. “Multiverse of Madness” easily stands as the biggest
opening of 2022 so far, and the biggest opening weekend since the global pandemic hit in
March 2020.
Doctor Strange’s $450 million worldwide haul is positive news for a theater industry that is still
trying to reach a level of normalcy after the pandemic decimated its business. With other hit
films such as “The Batman” and “Sonic The Hedgehog 2,” the box office has bounced back this
year, but it still has a ways to go to reach pre-pandemic heights.
However, Hollywood has several films on its schedule this summer that could help theatres
bring in audiences.
Upcoming movies that could also be blockbusters include “Top Gun: Maverick,” the sequel to
the beloved 1986 action film starring Tom Cruise, as well as “Jurassic World: Dominion,” the
latest entry in the dinosaur franchise.
