Two new movies are set to break a 14-year-old Hollywood trend this weekend

Composite image featuring Florence Pugh in Thunderbolts and Michael B Jordan in Sinners — Thunderbolts* and Sinners are bucking box office trends (Picture: Marvel Studios/Warner Bros. Entertainment)

Two new movies are set to break a 14-year strong Hollywood trend this weekend, with both Thunderbolts* and Sinners projected to break $30million (£22.6million) within the same window.

Released as the latest instalment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thunderbolts* sees a motley crew of superhero D-listers join forces to take on corrupt politician Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus).

In doing so, they find a sense of brotherhood and redemption in a world sorely lacking its Avengers.

Meanwhile, Sinners (directed by the MCU’s own Ryan Coogler) features Michael B Jordan in dual roles as a pair of twin brothers battling vampires in their 1930s juke joint.

Both films have been released to critical acclaim, with many proclaiming Thunderbolts* to be something of a return to form for the flagging MCU.

And, with the film tracking to make over $30million worldwide in its opening weekend, it’s set to be joined there by Sinners, pulling in a similar figure after its third week of release.

Film-Summer Movie Preview — Sebastian Stan, Hannah John-Kamen, Florence Pugh, Wyatt Russell and David Harbourstar in Marvel’s Thunderbolts* (Picture: AP)

Undated film still from Sinners. Pictured: Michael B Jordan as Smoke. See PA Feature SHOWBIZ Film Reviews. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature SHOWBIZ Film Reviews. PA Photo. Picture credit should read: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc./Eli Ade. All Rights Reserved. NOTE TO EDITORS: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature SHOWBIZ Film Reviews. — Bloody vampire film Sinners is expected to join Thunderbolts* at the top of the box office (Picture: Warner Bros. Entertainment/Eli Ade. All Rights Reserved/PA)

This achievement by two very different films bucks a long-standing trend in which the lion’s share of the money is taken by just one film – as opposed to shared between two.

The last time this happened was in 2011, with the release of Kenneth Branagh’s Thor facing off against Universal Pictures’ Fast Five during the same release window.

Here, the God of Thunder achieved a worldwide gross of $449,326,618 (£382.7million) while Fast Five took a whopping $626,137,675 (£471.7million).

{“@context”:”https://schema.org”,”@type”:”VideoObject”,”name”:”Metro.co.uk”,”duration”:”T2M22S”,”thumbnailUrl”:”https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/28/17/94603875-0-image-a-1_1738083997386.jpg”,”uploadDate”:”2025-01-28T17:06:22+0000″,”description”:”From the director of Black Panther and Creed and starring Michael B. Jordan comes a new vision of fear: Sinners.”,”contentUrl”:”https://videos.metro.co.uk/video/met/2025/01/28/101161806626797135/480x270_MP4_101161806626797135.mp4″,”height”:270,”width”:480}

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video

Up Next

window.addEventListener(‘metroVideo:relatedVideosCarouselLoaded’, function(data) {
if (typeof(data.detail) === ‘undefined’ || typeof(data.detail.carousel) === ‘undefined’ || typeof(data.detail.carousel.el_) === ‘undefined’) {
return;
}
var player = data.detail.carousel.el_;
var container = player.closest(‘.metro-video-player’);
var placeholder = container.querySelector(‘.metro-video-player__up-next-placeholder’);
container.removeChild(placeholder);
container.classList.add(‘metro-video-player–related-videos-loaded’);
});

The presence of MCU alumnus Michael B Jordan aside, Sinners is a very different prospect from its multiplex neighbour.

Set in the 1930s deep South, it follows twin brothers ‘Smoke’ and ‘Stack’ as they attempt to open a juke joint in their hometown.

The party is soon interrupted when a gang of vampires (led by Skins star Jack O’Connell) arrive on their doorstep, thirsty for blood. Featuring some shocking violence, throbbing tunes and steamy sex scenes, it’s a far cry from its director’s more sanitised Marvel work.

Audiences have dubbed the horror film a modern ‘masterpiece’ – contributing to a 98% fresh score on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.

{“@context”:”https://schema.org”,”@type”:”VideoObject”,”name”:”Metro.co.uk”,”duration”:”T2M”,”thumbnailUrl”:”https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/04/17/08/97376745-0-image-a-2_1744875697953.jpg”,”uploadDate”:”2025-04-17T08:45:08+0100″,”description”:”Ensnared in a death trap, an unconventional team of antiheroes – Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster and John Walker – embarks on a dangerous mission that forces them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts.”,”contentUrl”:”https://videos.metro.co.uk/video/met/2025/04/17/8662428670672389222/480x270_MP4_8662428670672389222.mp4″,”height”:270,”width”:480}

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video

Up Next

Comment nowThunderbolts* or Sinners? What will you be watching this weekend?Comment Now

Thunderbolts* meanwhile, finds the MCU in a darker place than usual, with Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) struggling with her emotions after the death of her sister (Black Widow, as played by Scarlett Johansson).

Crossing paths with fellow mercenaries John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), she joins forces with her dad (David Harbour) and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) to take down shady politician Valentina and pet project Bob (Lewis Pullman).

Undated film still handout from Thunderbolts. Pictured: Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh). See PA Feature SHOWBIZ Film Thunderbolts. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature SHOWBIZ Film Thunderbolts. PA Photo. Picture credit should read: Courtesy of Marvel Studios. ? 2025 MARVEL. All Rights Reserved. NOTE TO EDITORS: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature Thunderbolts. — Florence Pugh stars as miserable mercenary Yelena Belova (Picture: Marvel Studios)

Described as ‘easily one of the best MCU movies in a long time,’ the 36th film in the franchise has connected with fans thanks to its surprisingly grown-up themes and strong cast.

What links both films is that they’ve managed to get bums on seats and, in their good reviews and positive word of mouth, proved that there’s life in the old dogs (vampires and the MCU) yet.

In the words of a certain Bob, we’re so full, so filled.

Thunderbolts* and Sinners are out in UK Cinemas now.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply