Box Office Struggles for ‘Captain America: Brave New World’

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 24, 2025 — ‘Captain America: Brave New World‘ has experienced a turbulent box office journey following a strong opening weekend, which grossed over $87 million nationally. However, ticket sales have sharply declined in the weeks since its debut, marking this film as one of the lowest earners in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s history.

After its successful opening, the movie has faced a significant drop-off in ticket sales, now ranking as the third worst for the MCU. Its earnings trajectory is concerning, as it follows ‘Ant-Man 3’ with a 69% drop and ‘The Marvels’ at a stark 78% decline in sales. Despite these challenges, the film remains the highest-grossing flick in February, and accolades for the franchise may still be forthcoming.

Notably, Harrison Ford, who leads the film, has recently ascended the ranks of Hollywood’s highest-earning actors. He surpassed Dwayne Johnson in domestic box office revenue and is just $11 million shy of overtaking Johnny Depp, who portrays Captain Jack Sparrow. Ford’s rise is emblematic of the film’s dual storylines: while box office numbers dwindle, individual success is still evident within the cast.

As of now, ‘Brave New World’ has grossed a total of $295.6 million globally, comprising $147.2 million domestically and $148.4 million internationally. While it leads the box office for the month, these figures appear alarming for a franchise that typically eclipses the $1 billion mark.

Mixed reviews, combined with the film’s inability to draw audiences, have contributed to its decrease in ticket sales. Critics have noted that despite Ford’s foray into the role of Sam Wilson/Captain America, the movie has yet to resonate deeply with fans or critics alike.

The Captain America franchise has amassed over $2.5 billion globally, largely driven by past hits, including the $1.1 billion from 2016’s ‘Captain America: Civil War.’ The earlier installments, such as ‘The Winter Soldier’ ($714 million) and ‘The First Avenger’ ($370 million), set a high bar for earnings.

As Ford looks to surpass Depp in the financial standings, the performance of ‘Brave New World’ may shape his potential ranking. The film’s second-week performance saw a mere $12 million increase domestically, underscoring the uncertain nature of its box office future. For Ford, moving into the 44th spot among Hollywood’s top earners depends heavily on whether ‘Brave New World’ can sustain its momentum in the weeks ahead.

Although the film’s trajectory raises concerns, it may still provide significant financial benefits for the cast involved. Ford commented on his role, stating, ‘It didn’t seem to me to be a terribly difficult acting proposition.’ As ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ continues its theatrical run, industry watchers and fans alike await its ongoing impact on Ford’s status and the Marvel universe’s financial landscape.