Captain America: Brave New World Set for $90M Box Office Debut

The winter 2025 box office has a new hero to root for as Captain America: Brave New World looks set to launch with a strong $90 million-plus debut over the Presidents’ Day weekend. This projected opening places it among the biggest holiday releases, with the film being one of the most highly anticipated action thrillers of the year. The film marks a significant shift for the Captain America franchise, introducing a new lead—Anthony Mackie, taking on the mantle of the iconic superhero.

Mackie’s Sam Wilson steps into the role previously held by Chris Evans, and the movie takes a grounded, political action-thriller approach, distancing itself from the sci-fi and multiverse themes that dominated other recent Marvel films. Directed by Julius Onah, the movie promises an intense storyline focused on a global conspiracy, with Wilson grappling with a newly elected U.S. President, Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, portrayed by Harrison Ford, who unexpectedly transforms into the powerful Red Hulk.

While the film had a somewhat troubled production, including 22 days of additional photography, it has generated significant buzz for its refreshing approach. With a budget of $180 million, Brave New World offers a sharp departure from the high-tech, intergalactic plots of recent superhero films, opting instead for a more familiar, grounded narrative in the vein of Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

The film’s release is poised for a strong showing, helped by its timely opening on the Valentine’s Day/Presidents’ Day weekend. Early tracking suggests it could become one of the top launches for the holiday, following in the footsteps of major releases like Deadpool and Black Panther. As the film gears up for its February 14 release, final marketing pushes from Disney could push it even higher, depending on how audiences respond to the fresh take on the beloved superhero.

With an all-star cast that includes Mackie, Ford, and Danny Ramirez as Falcon, the film is expected to captivate both longtime Marvel fans and newcomers to the franchise. The success of Captain America: Brave New World could set the stage for more high-profile superhero films in the years to come, ushering in a new era for the MCU with Sam Wilson at the helm.