Captain America: Brave New World Faces Steep Second-Weekend Box Office Drop

“Captain America: Brave New World” is projected to maintain its top position at the box office this weekend, but it is also on track for one of the sharpest second-weekend declines in Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) history. According to Deadline, the film is expected to gross approximately $28 million domestically in its second frame, marking a 68% decline from its opening weekend. While this drop is not as severe as those seen by “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” (70%) and “The Marvels” (78%), it still places “Brave New World” among the MCU’s biggest second-weekend fall-offs.

How Brave New World Compares to Other MCU Drops

Several past MCU films have experienced similar declines in their sophomore weekends. “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” (67%), “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (67.5%), ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ (67.7%), and ‘Black Widow’ (67.8%) all recorded drop-offs in the 67-67.8% range. Depending on its final numbers, ‘Brave New World’ could end up ranking third all-time among MCU films with the largest second-weekend declines.

Box Office Performance & Early Indicators

Despite its significant drop, “Captain America: Brave New World” achieved the biggest opening weekend of 2025 so far, bringing in $100 million domestically over the extended Presidents’ Day weekend. However, early signs suggested it would not reach the box office heights of the MCU’s biggest hits.

Its preview screening earnings were lower than “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” indicating moderate initial demand.
The film received mixed word-of-mouth, which likely impacted its long-term staying power.
Industry projections suggested a front-loaded performance, with expectations of a $30+ million second weekend. Estimates predicted the second weekend could see a 65-70% drop off.

Financial Outlook for Brave New World

With a reported $180 million production budget, “Captain America: Brave New World” has a smaller price tag than some recent MCU films. While it is still expected to turn a theatrical profit, its performance signals ongoing challenges for Marvel Studios. Marvel and Disney had hoped for a stronger turnout, especially as they continue adjusting their strategy for future releases. Some are wondering if “superhero fatigue” is setting in.

What’s Next for the MCU?

Captain America: Brave New World could remain at the top of the box office for a third consecutive weekend due to a lack of major new releases. That will likely change into March.

Marvel’s next opportunities to regain momentum come later in 2025, with “Thunderbolts*” and “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” generating interest. Whether these upcoming projects will help reinvigorate the franchise remains to be seen, but for now, “Captain America: Brave New World’s” box office trajectory highlights the struggle with audience engagement in the MCU.