The Batman. The Sam Raimi-helmed sequel saw the return of original film stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, and Rachel McAdams. They were ed by Elizabeth Olsen and Marvel Cinematic Universe newcomer Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez. Reeves' fresh take on the Caped Crusader saw Robert Pattinson star as the iconic hero.
Coming after the multiverse-opening suring Raimi's three Spider-Man movies at the box office, Doctor Strange is set to break the records set by another superhero from a different universe.
As reported by Variety, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has spent its third week at the top of the domestic and international box office charts, earning $342 million in North America and $461 million in international markets. In total, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has now sured over $800 million in its complete box-office gross since its release on May 6th, making it the highest-grossing film of 2022 so far. Multiverse of Madness sured the previous holder of the top spot, The Batman, by an estimated $35 million in its overall box-office gross, though it has still yet to sur Reeves and Pattinson's film domestically, as The Batman sits ahead of the Raimi-helmed sequel at an estimated $369 million.
The sequel's performance is promising to Marvel Studios, whose Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and Spider-Man: No Way Home placing themselves in the sixth, fourth, second, and first places respectively. No Way Home would also firmly place itself as the total highest-grossing film of 2021, becoming the first film to earn over one billion dollars at the box office since theaters reopened.
While Reeves and Pattinson's future with The Batman is already guaranteed following the announcement of a sequel, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a promising sign of Marvel Studios' 2022 financial success, as audiences become more confident in returning to the theaters. The sequel also saw a major step in the MCU's storytelling, as it further tied the studio's television releases to its cinematic releases in importance with its continuation of the narrative of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever currently scheduled to hit theatres in 2022, Marvel Studios is seemingly set for further box-office success throughout the year.
Source: Variety
