Disney/Marvel’s magic-filled latest conjured $85 million from 3,882 theaters its opening weekend, besting predictions of a $70 million take.
This is the tenth largest opening for a Marvel movie finishing just behind Thor: The Dark World, the only other film from the Marvel Cinematic Universe to open in November.
Boosted by 3-D and IMAX ticket sales, Strange also notched the 13th-best November opening of all time and the 14th-consecutive No. 1 debut for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (out of 14 films). The film has grossed $325.4 million worldwide in just 13 days, after opening in international markets last month.
Compared to over single-character intros in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) Doctor Strange dramatically outperformed Captain America: The First Avenger and Thor, which opened with $65 million and $66 million respectively, last year’s release of Ant-Man, which debuted with $57 million, and The Incredible Hulk, which opened with $55.4 million in June 2008. Only Iron Man, with $98.6 million ($102.1m including previews) back in Summer 2008, had a larger opening.