The summer blockbuster season officially kicked off over Mother’s Day weekend thanks to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ whopping $185 million domestic opening. With no new major competition (who in their right minds would even dare to go up against it?), the latest chapter in the hand-over-fist Marvel Cinematic Universe instantly became the biggest box-office debut of 2022.
Doctor Strange earned a staggering $40,802 per-screen average in 4,534 theaters. The MCU’s latest fared even better overseas, where it raked in $265 million in 49 international territories for a cumulative worldwide box office tally after its first weekend of $450 million—$33 million of which came from IMAX screens. In comparison, the first Doctor Strange earned $677.8 million worldwide during its entire theatrical run. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ massive debut is just the latest confirmation that when it comes to the box office, there is the MCU and then there’s everyone else. After all, the franchise’s four 2021 releases accounted for nearly 30% of all tickets sold in North America last year.
Following the announcement in March that several titles would be delayed due to the global health crisis, The Walt Disney Studios announced updates to its upcoming release schedule.