Support Us
Sign Up
Even the mighty Marvel Cinematic Universe isn’t immune to the occasional box office stumble. While the franchise is known for billion-dollar blockbusters like Avengers: Endgame and Spider-Man: No Way Home, not every superhero outing has hit those lofty heights. From pandemic-era challenges to franchise fatigue and misfires in marketing, a few Marvel titles have struggled to soar at the box office. As Thunderbolts teeters on the edge of joining this list, we’re breaking down the ten MCU films that brought in the lowest global grosses—and what might have gone wrong.
10. Ant-Man (2015)
The original Ant-Man may be a fan favorite today, but at release, the tiny superhero had a modest start. Coming off the high of Avengers: Age of Ultron, Marvel pivoted to a smaller, heist-comedy vibe with Paul Rudd in the lead. The risk mostly paid off, but compared to other MCU entries, its global haul of $519 million leaves it bringing up the rear of Marvel’s billion-dollar era.
Domestic Box Office: $180.2 million
Worldwide Box Office: $519.3 million
Budget: $130 million
9. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
Tasked with launching Phase 5 and introducing Kang the Conqueror as the MCU’s next big bad, Quantumania stumbled out of the gate. Tepid reviews, confusing trailers, and the off-screen controversy surrounding star Jonathan Majors all contributed to underwhelming returns. Despite its scope and ambition, the film failed to build momentum and became one of the franchise’s biggest missed opportunities.
Domestic Box Office: $214.5 million
Worldwide Box Office: $476.1 million
Budget: $200 million
8. Thor (2011)
Long before Ragnarok reinvented the God of Thunder, Kenneth Branagh’s Shakespearean take on Thor delivered a very different vibe. While it introduced Chris Hemsworth’s now-iconic Avenger and Tom Hiddleston’s beloved Loki, it didn’t exactly electrify the box office. The film still managed respectable earnings, but compared to its sequels, it’s a thunderclap that barely echoed.
Domestic Box Office: $181 million
Worldwide Box Office: $449.3 million
Budget: $150 million
7. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
Released in the thick of the pandemic, Shang-Chi faced an uphill battle—but still punched above its weight. The origin story introduced a fresh hero and a vibrant martial arts-inspired style, earning strong critical acclaim. While its global total doesn’t reflect its cultural impact, Shang-Chi built enough goodwill to keep the hero in the MCU’s future plans.
Domestic Box Office: $224.5 million
Worldwide Box Office: $432.2 million
Budget: $150 million
6. Captain America: Brave New World (2025)
Anthony Mackie’s debut as the new Cap was highly anticipated, but Brave New World couldn’t quite rally the audience. The film reintroduced the Red Hulk and brought Harrison Ford into the fold, yet lacked the buzz needed to break out. With lukewarm word-of-mouth and tough competition, this fourth Captain America entry struggled to fly.
Domestic Box Office: $200.5 million
Worldwide Box Office: $415.1 million
Budget: $180 million
5. Eternals (2021)
Directed by Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao and boasting a dazzling ensemble cast, Eternals seemed poised for greatness. Instead, its dense lore and tonal shift left audiences divided. Despite the likes of Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, and Richard Madden, the cosmic epic underperformed, and a sequel remains uncertain.
Domestic Box Office: $164.9 million
Worldwide Box Office: $402.1 million
Budget: $200 million
4. Black Widow (2021)
Scarlett Johansson’s long-awaited solo outing suffered from more than just pandemic timing. Released simultaneously on Disney+ Premier Access, Black Widow became a high-profile casualty of hybrid distribution. Still, it introduced fan-favorite Yelena Belova and managed a respectable haul given the unusual release model.
Domestic Box Office: $163.7 million
Worldwide Box Office: $379.8 million
Budget: $200 million
3. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Set in World War II, The First Avenger served as a throwback origin story for Steve Rogers. While it set up crucial groundwork for The Avengers, the film’s traditional tone and pre-Avengers release meant it didn’t reach the stratospheric numbers that would come later. A solid entry—but one of the MCU’s quieter hits.
Domestic Box Office: $176.7 million
Worldwide Box Office: $370.6 million
Budget: $140 million
2. The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Often treated as the MCU’s forgotten child, The Incredible Hulk came before the MCU was a household name. Edward Norton’s lone turn as Bruce Banner was quickly overshadowed by Mark Ruffalo’s later portrayal. Though it didn’t smash the box office, the film has found renewed interest thanks to recent MCU callbacks.
Domestic Box Office: $134.8 million
Worldwide Box Office: $264.8 million
Budget: $137.5 million
1. The Marvels (2023)
The biggest box office flop in Marvel Studios history, The Marvels fell far short of expectations. Despite being a sequel to the billion-dollar-grossing Captain Marvel, the film failed to spark audience interest. A blend of weak marketing, franchise fatigue, and post-strike delays doomed it to a historic loss, reportedly costing Disney over $230 million.
Domestic Box Office: $84.5 million
Worldwide Box Office: $206.1 million
Budget: $270 million
Follow us on MSN for more content like this.
More from Nerdspin -10 Best MCU Post-Credit Scenes of All Time, Ranked
10 Best MCU Post-Credit Scenes of All Time, Ranked
From shocking reveals to epic teases, these MCU post-credit scenes changed everything.
Follow us on MSN for more content like this.
Also From Nerdspin – 20 Iconic Pop Culture Costumes Worn by Actresses, Ranked
20 Iconic Pop Culture Costumes Worn by Actresses, Ranked
From Daenerys’ dragon queen gowns to Harley Quinn’s rebel chic, these iconic costumes defined pop culture.
Follow us on MSN for more content like this.
