After a disappointing 2025 that saw Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts*, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps either lose money or barely break even, this year has proven that audiences will show up for the right superhero movie.
In this instance, that's Spider-Man: Brand New Day, a blockbuster that has broken countless box office records and massively exceeded expectations. This past weekend, it became the web-slinger's highest-grossing movie ever, swinging past the $2 billion mark worldwide.
Now, all eyes are on December's Avengers: Doomsday. Is an Avengers movie set to be outgrossed by a solo outing for Spidey, or will the Multiverse's Mightiest Heroes be enough to put an end to "superhero fatigue" once and for all?
According to The Wrap, after opening advance ticket sales over the weekend (premium format presales started in July), Avengers: Doomsday is "approximately 65% ahead of the pace set by the first two days of presales for 'Brand New Day.'"
That movie was second only to Avengers: Endgame, with a $360 million opening weekend in the U.S. and a global bow of $927 million. If these numbers are any indication, Avengers: Doomsday will smash all expectations during its first weekend in theaters.
However, it's going to be essential for the movie to be as well-received as Spider-Man: Brand New Day. If the Russo Brothers drop the ball and deliver a let-down, then that second-weekend drop will be colossal (think: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which had a massive near-70% drop during its second weekend, a freefall from a then-massive $166 million start).
Dune: Part Three is also in the mix, of course, and exhibitors expect to see a strong December with that and Avengers: Doomsday holding up well, similar to how The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day have ruled July.
"According to theatrical sources," writes the trade, "[Dune: Part Three's] IMAX 70mm screenings are already seeing dozens of sellouts on the film’s opening weekend and could see continued high demand for round-the-clock showtimes, through Christmas weekend and beyond."
Marvel Studios has been hyping up Avengers: Doomsday since last December, when four teasers played in theaters alongside Avatar: Fire and Ash. Of course, excitement started building even before then with last March's epic cast/chair reveal.
In Avengers: Doomsday, beloved heroes from three distinct universes will be set on a deadly collision course and face an existential threat unlike anything they’ve ever encountered.
Dune: Part Three is set nearly two decades after Paul Atreides seized control of the Imperium. Now a ruthless Emperor, Paul must face the consequences of his reign as old allies return, terrifying new threats emerge, and betrayal lurks in every shadow. Haunted by visions of Imperial collapse and the reappearance of his long-lost love, Paul is drawn into a sweeping conspiracy, with Chani at the heart of its unfolding mystery.
As rebellion brews and enemies close in, Paul must confront the true cost of power and the fate of those he loves the most.
Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three will both be released on December 18. Which of them will you be checking out on opening day?