Theater counts: Thunderbolts* deflects a host of newcomers to remain widest release

May 8, 2025

As no surprise, last weekend’s box office belonged to newcomer Thunderbolts* as the latest film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe gobbled up a respectable $74.3 million in its opening weekend while assembling approximately $86 million from overseas play for a global start of $160 million. While there are plenty of options for moviegoers this weekend, it looks to be a near replay of last, with the top three holding steady in their spots for their second, fourth, and sixth frames respectively.

While Thunderbolts* is still the big movie of the week, four new wide releases are entering cinemas this weekend. Starting out in 2,277 locations, the widest of the bunch is the Eli Craig slasher-horror, Clown in a Cornfield. The film, set in Kettle Springs, Missouri, follows a father and daughter who must fend off a sinister, grinning figure who has emerged from the cornfields to cleanse the town of its burdens, one bloody victim at a time.

Also opening in wide release this weekend is the action-thriller Shadow Force. The film stars Kerry Washington and Omar Sy as Kyrah and Isaac, who were once the leaders of a multinational special forces group called Shadow Force. Breaking the rules by falling in love, they go underground to protect their son. With a large bounty on their heads, the family’s fight becomes an all-out war. Shadow Force will be available in 2,170 movie houses.

Arriving in approximately 1,600 venues this weekend is the action-comedy Fight or Flight. The movie stars Josh Hartnett as an exiled American agent who’s given one last chance to redeem himself by tracking down a mysterious, international high-value asset known only as “The Ghost” on a flight from Bangkok to San Francisco. To make matters worse, the plane is filled with assassins from around the world who are assigned to kill them both.

Lastly, from Briarcliff Entertainment comes the Shakespearean tragic love story, Juliet & Romeo. Making its appearance in 1,350 theaters, the greatest love story of all time is now set as a pop musical.

Rounding out the top five widest releases this weekend is the aforementioned current frontrunner and once again widest release with Thunderbolts* leading the way once again with 4,330 theaters. Second-place finisher at the box office and previous box office topper, Sinners, also finds itself as the second-widest release, adding 155 locations from last weekend for a total of 3,502 cinemas this weekend. Narrowly behind is $400 million domestic earner A Minecraft Movie, still showing in a solid 3,468 locations. Occupying the fourth place spot is The Accountant 2, available to see in 3,402 theaters, and lastly, Until Dawn, is dropping 590 locations this week, but can still be seen in 2,465 theaters.

Looking ahead to next weekend, we see the release of the horror feature, Final Destination: Bloodlines, and the psychological thriller, Hurry Up Tomorrow. The latter is projected to arrive in approximately 2,000 locations throughout North America.

Theater Counts for May 9

Estimates for May 16

Filed under: Theater Counts, Final Destination, Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Accountant, Josh Hartnett, Kerry Washington, Omar Sy