A significant number of blockbuster film series, including some of the most profitable in Hollywood, have originated from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), raking in billions at the box office.
Thanks to the leadership of Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) now holds the title of the most successful movie franchise in history. Since its inception in 2008, this interconnected world of Marvel superheroes has amassed a staggering total revenue of over $31 billion.
Over the past decade, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) had very few hiccups when it came to box office success. Many movies not only covered but multiplied their estimated production budgets by two or three times.
Each movie contributes a fresh episode to an overall epic narrative, but within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), individual character series may have different levels of success at the box office. Some rise higher in terms of ticket sales.
MCU Franchises Ranked by Box Office
Avengers – $7.7 Billion
In 2012, The Avengers changed the course of Hollywood forever. Dramatic? Maybe, but it’s true.
With immense success at global cinemas, the blockbuster film “The Avengers” grossed more than $1.5 billion, paving the way for other production studios to strive towards establishing their own shared universes on the big screen.
Marvel Studios deserves recognition for not finding a match to the success of the Avengers series so far. The film Age of Ultron amassed an impressive $1.4 billion globally, while Infinity War and Endgame established a two-part benchmark in cinematic storytelling, earning $2 billion and an astounding $2.79 billion respectively.
Typically, each Avengers film generates more than 1.9 million dollars worldwide, so expectations are high for the 2026 release of Avengers: Doomsday. However, it might not initially screen in China’s cinemas, which is currently the second largest market globally.
Spider-Man – $3.9 Billion
When Sony Pictures chose to collaborate with Disney and incorporate Spider-Man into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it was hard to imagine just how popular the series would grow.
Following some challenges with “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” in 2014 (grossing $202 million domestically, the lowest ever for a live-action Spider-Man film), Amy Pascal recognized it was high time for a fresh approach.
Following his introduction to the gang during “Captain America: Civil War”, Tom Holland’s portrayal of Spider-Man reached new heights in the 2017 film “Spider-Man: Homecoming”, which became the highest grossing Spider-Man movie since “Spider-Man 3”.
2019’s “Far From Home” was the first Spider-Man movie to surpass a billion dollars ($1.1 billion worldwide), and 2021’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home” almost broke every box office record, amassing more than $1.9 billion by the end of its time in theaters.
2026’s “Brand New Day” is anticipated to be among the top-grossing movies of the following year, largely due to the fact that previous Marvel Cinematic Universe “Spider-Man” films typically earn approximately $1.3 billion at the box office.
Thor – $2.7 Billion
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Thor has taken four turns at the plate, even though no home runs have been scored yet. However, with Chris Hemsworth leading the team, they’ve consistently managed to reach base safely.
2011’s “Thor” movie marked the debut of Chris Hemsworth as the god of thunder and earned an impressive total of $449.3 million globally. The sequel, titled “Thor: The Dark World“, saw a significant increase in revenue to $644.8 million, although it is frequently cited as one of the weaker entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
With “Thor: Ragnarok,” directed by Taika Waititi, everything shifted as the movie redefined Thor’s character tone and visual style. This daring transformation proved successful, as the film garnered $854 million in earnings before the release of “Avengers: Infinity War.
The film “Thor: Love and Thunder” carried on its lighter, less serious tone and earned approximately $760.9 million worldwide, but it encountered mixed reactions from both critics and fans. Whether a future “Thor 5” will surpass the billion-dollar mark remains to be seen; the first four films averaged around $677.3 million each.
Captain America – $2.65 Billion
The movies featuring Captain America have led viewers on an exhilarating cinematic odyssey, consistently amassing approximately $663.3 million per film and demonstrating significant advancements in scale and achievement.
Initially, the first installment of “The First Avenger” had a humble beginning, amassing a global box office revenue of $370.6 million by introducing Chris Evans as Steve Rogers within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The 2014 release of “The Winter Soldier” almost doubled that figure, raking in an impressive $714.4 million worldwide. This film not only boosted the franchise but also gained acclaim for its darker atmosphere and thrilling political undertones.
Later on, there was a period known as the Civil War, which many enthusiasts referred to as “Avengers 2.5” due to its extensive cast and crucial plotline. This movie soared to an impressive $1.15 billion, making it one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s biggest successes to date.
Nine years later, the series underwent a shift with “Captain America: A New World Order,” where Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) assumed the role. However, this movie has found it challenging to keep up the franchise’s box office success, having grossed $414.8 million worldwide thus far, which raises doubts about its profitability.
Guardians of the Galaxy – $2.48 Billion
Back in 2014, when “Guardians of the Galaxy” made its way to the big screen, it represented one of Marvel’s most daring creative risks. Few were familiar with the source comic, the unconventional tone, and a wise-cracking raccoon among its main characters left some wondering if it would strike a chord with viewers.
Instead, it unexpectedly skyrocketed to popularity, raking in $772.8 million globally and reshaping the concept of a successful superhero film.
In the second installment, titled “Vol. 2“, there was a deeper focus on character development, and it garnered a staggering global revenue of $863.8 million.
As of its release in 2023, the Guardians of the Galaxy series had firmly established itself as one of Marvel’s most cherished and reliable franchises, concluding the trilogy with a poignant ending that earned an impressive box office total of $845.6 million.
As a passionate cinephile, I can confidently say that I’ve been consistently impressed by the profitability of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but none more so than the Guardians series. On average, each film from this franchise generates an astounding $827.4, making it one of the MCU’s most lucrative investments. It serves as a testament to the fact that taking daring risks can lead to substantial rewards.
Iron Man – $2.43 Billion
Even though it ranks seventh overall, per its weight in terms of films produced, the Iron Man series within the Marvel Cinematic Universe still stands as the most prosperous.
In 2008, producing Marvel Studios was quite a risky move. If Iron Man hadn’t been successful, it’s possible that we wouldn’t have the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) that we know today.
Iron Man flew to success, garnering praise from both critics and viewers, and raking in a massive $585.4 million worldwide, transforming Robert Downey Jr. into a global superstar. The sequel, Iron Man 2, was released in 2010, earning another impressive $623.9 million globally, maintaining the strong momentum as Marvel prepared for its first significant ensemble movie.
2013 saw the release of Iron Man 3, riding high on the excitement generated by The Avengers. This film managed to earn an astounding $1.21 billion, demonstrating that the Marvel Cinematic Universe had truly gone global and could even make standalone sequels into billion-dollar movies.
Collectively, the trio of Iron Man movies amassed an average revenue of approximately $808 million. This figure signifies not just box office triumph but also the significant part this series played in establishing one of the most influential and powerful cinematic universes ever created.
Black Panther – $2.21 Billion
In terms of box office success, there’s simply no more powerful pairing within the Marvel Cinematic Universe than the two films directed by Ryan Coogler, namely Black Panther.
2018’s “Black Panther” wasn’t merely a blockbuster movie; it was a significant cultural landmark. This film surpassed predictions by earning an astounding $1.35 billion worldwide, making it a pivotal moment not only for Marvel Studios but also for the broader Hollywood industry as a whole.
The initial superhero movie to receive a Best Picture nomination at the Oscars demonstrated that stories with diverse perspectives can achieve global success.
Sadly, the direction of the franchise was altered following the premature death of Chadwick Boseman in 2020, an event that greatly affected fans and caused Marvel to rethink their strategies. The movie “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” served as a heartfelt tribute and a continuation of the story, raking in $859.2 million worldwide.
The combined earnings of these two movies surpassed $1.1 billion globally, and it appears the interest in this series is still robust. There are whispers that Black Panther 3 might hit theaters as early as February 2028, suggesting that the realm of Wakanda will persist as a crucial component of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s future.
Doctor Strange – $1.63 Billion
2016’s “Doctor Strange” raked in a robust $677.7 million worldwide, setting Stephen Strange (portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch) as a significant mystical figure within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, it was “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” that significantly boosted the character’s box office presence, amassing an impressive $955.8 million globally.
Some believed that Multiverse of Madness was boosted by the anticipation sparked by Spider-Man: No Way Home , in which Doctor Strange played a significant part. However, it held its ground with a distinctive visual aesthetic and an abundance of Multiverse turbulence. Despite varying opinions from critics, the film emerged as one of Marvel’s top earners following Endgame.
Given the impressive earnings of approximately $816.7 million from the first two movies and their upward trend, it seems highly probable that a third “Doctor Strange” film will be produced, likely following the release of “Avengers: Secret Wars“.
Ant-Man – $1.61 Billion
Initially, the film known as “Ant-Man” brought in an impressive $519.3 million worldwide, demonstrating a solid debut for a lesser-known hero among mainstream viewers. The sequel, titled “Ant-Man and the Wasp,” experienced growth with a global earnings of $622.7 million. This increase was likely due to positive sentiment and its release following the highly anticipated movie, “Infinity War.”
On the other hand, the movie “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” marked a significant shift. Originally slated as a major launch for Phase 5 with Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors) as the main focus, the film fell short in both critical and commercial success, earning a total of $476.1 million globally.
Together, these three movies earn around 539.3 million dollars on average, which isn’t negligible but falls short when compared to Marvel’s blockbuster hits that usually surpass the billion-dollar mark. This means Ant-Man ranks lower in terms of financial success within Marvel’s cinematic universe.
Captain Marvel – $1.33 Billion
It was nothing short of a triumph when Captain Marvel hit theaters in 2019.
In its premiere, Marvel Studios’ groundbreaking superhero movie starring a woman became the first of its kind to gross an astonishing $1.13 billion globally. Released prior to Avengers: Endgame, this film leveraged the strong momentum of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and debuted Carol Danvers (played by Brie Larson) as a formidable cosmic entity.
As a diehard Marvel fan, I must admit that what unfolded was an unexpected twist in Marvel’s illustrious history. The highly anticipated Marvels, featuring Captain Marvel alongside Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani) and Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris), was supposed to cement its predecessor’s legacy. Regrettably, it missed the mark significantly. With a worldwide gross of only $206.1 million, it now holds the title as the lowest-grossing MCU film ever made, serving as a much-needed reminder for the studio.
On average, the two movies earned approximately 667.2 million dollars, yet this figure hides a tale of stark contrast. It tells a story of a swift ascent leading to a peak, followed by an abrupt descent that was both unforeseen and humbling.
BONUS: Deadpool* – $2.85 Billion
Although the third installation is the sole production by Marvel Studios, the films featuring Deadpool and Wolverine are considered to have made the initial box office earnings of the Marvel Cinematic Universe officially valid or recognized in a retroactive sense.
As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I can’t help but reminisce about the unexpected blockbuster that was the original Deadpool. Released by 20th Century Fox, this film took the world by storm despite a relatively small production budget of $58 million and the R-rating often associated with a more limited audience. Yet, against all odds, it went on to earn an astounding $782.6 million globally.
In 2018, Deadpool 2 continued its success with an impressive global take of $734.5 million, solidifying the series’ status as a dominant force within the genre.
The series soared to unprecedented levels with the collaboration of Deadpool & Wolverine. This was the initial film under Marvel Studios after Disney bought Fox, and it transformed into a significant cultural moment by bringing Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool back together with Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. The movie proved to be an unstoppable force at the box office.
The duo of Deadpool and Wolverine generated an impressive global revenue exceeding $1.3 billion, breaking numerous R-rated movie records and establishing themselves as the highest-grossing R-rated films in history.
Altogether, the three Deadpool films average an impressive $951.7 million per installment.
Solo MCU Franchises Ranked by Box Office
Shang-Chi – $432.22 Million
Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the movie Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was successfully released and garnered an impressive $432.2 million at the worldwide box office. This is particularly noteworthy given that it features a completely new cinematic character.
As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but sing the praises of this remarkable story that resonated deeply with me and countless others, swiftly earning its spot as a beloved origin tale. With Simu Liu set to reprise his role in Avengers: Doomsday, my excitement for his next solo adventure knows no bounds. Though a sequel date hasn’t been announced since Destin Daniel Cretton is helming Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the demand from fans like me is unwavering.
Eternals – $401.73 Million
As a cinephile, I was genuinely thrilled about the upcoming release of Eternals given the buzz and stellar ensemble. However, to my disappointment, the film fell short both critically and at the box office, raking in only $401.73 million globally, which wasn’t nearly as impressive as anticipated.
Under the guidance of Academy Award-winning director Chloé Zhao, this movie strove for grandeur but fell short with both viewers and critics. Intriguingly, at one point, Eternals had some of the highest betting odds to take home the Best Picture award at the Oscars. However, it ended up becoming the MCU film with the lowest ratings on Rotten Tomatoes.
To date, there’s been no indication that the team or characters will return in future MCU projects.
Black Widow – $379.75 Million
At long last, Black Widow provided a standalone narrative for the character of Natasha Romanoff, portrayed by Scarlett Johansson. However, some enthusiasts expressed disappointment that this story came so late, particularly following her demise in Endgame.
Simultaneously hitting cinemas and Disney+ for an additional charge, the movie “Black Widow” managed to earn a total of $379.75 million worldwide despite facing difficulties due to the ongoing pandemic.
The project faced significant setbacks because of COVID-19, primarily functioning as a precursor for Yelena Belova’s (played by Florence Pugh) introduction. She will be taking the lead role in the upcoming Thunderbolts team.
The Incredible Hulk – $265.57 Million
The Incredible Hulk raked in a total of $265.57 million worldwide, making it the underappreciated standalone movie within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Because Universal Pictures holds the rights for Hulk’s individual movies, Marvel hasn’t produced a separate Hulk film yet. However, the character continues to appear in group productions. Whether or not there will be another solo Hulk movie is still unclear.
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2025-04-27 14:38