Marvel Studios is getting ready to unleash their latest superhero on the world and things are looking pretty good so far.Doctor Strangeis scheduled to hit theaters andIMAXin just a few weeks and even though it may not doIron Mannumbers, it looks like the Master of the Mystic Arts will have a pretty solid showing at the box office. Early tracking for the movie shows thatDoctor Strangecould bring in as much as $75 million opening weekend.
Deadlineis reporting that Marvel’sDoctor Strangehas a pretty wide gap in projections for its opening weekend box office. On the low end, the movie should bring in $55 million but could top out around $75 million. Given the November release date and the fact thatDoctor Strangeis a relatively unknown character even to many comic book fans, that would be a pretty solid number.
Even ifDoctor Strangedoes wind up at the higher end of current projections, it will be on the lower end of Marvel Cinematic Universe opening weekends. The current low isThe Incredible Hulk, which opened to $55 million back in 2008.Marvel Studioshas only opened one other movie in November, which wasThor: The Dark Worldin 2013. That strategy paid off, as the movie earned $85 million on its opening weekend, besting the firstThoropening by $20 million. ButThor: The Dark Worldalso benefited by coming out afterThe Avengers, which helped to familiarize more of the general public with the character.
Doctor Strangehas only had a very subtle name drop inCaptain America: The Winter Soldier. Outside of that, the character has had zero screen time or build up in the MCU. Much likeAnt-ManandGuardians of the Galaxy, this movie is going to ride or die with the marketing. It is hard to know exactly how things will pan out. Many felt thatGuardians of the Galaxywas a huge risk prior to the release and the movie wound up breaking the August record for opening weekend box office at the time, bringing in $94 million. On the other hand,Ant-Manopened to a pretty soft $57 million, but wound up grossing $519 worldwide. That number is pretty impressive for abizarrecharacter many fans knew little about.
Marvel is hoping that moviegoers respond well to theDoctor Strange moviebecause they have larger plans for the character. He will be featured inAvengers: Infinity Warand we can only assume there will be sequels, unless for some reason the movie bombs in an inconceivable way. Much likeGuardians of the Galaxy, Marvel Studios recently screened 15 minutes of footage fromDoctor Strangeto fans all around the country, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive, which should help on the word-of-mouth side of things heading into the release.
If there is one thing Marvel has taught us it is to never underestimate them. It is entirely possible that with theimpressive castthey have assembled,Doctor Strangewill surpass expectations. The movie starsBenedict Cumberbatch,Rachel McAdams,Tilda Swinton,Chiwetel Ejiofor,Benedict WongandMads Mikkelsen.Doctor Strangewas directed byScott Derricksonand is set to hit theaters on November 4.
