The Jaw-Dropper
Warner Bros. just pulled off a masterstroke—and Hollywood is buzzing. ‘Final Destination: Bloodlines,' a film once destined for the streaming graveyard of HBO Max, has slashed its way to a franchise-record opening of $46 million (Deadline). Meanwhile, Marvel's ‘Thunderbolts*'—a film with all the makings of a summer blockbuster—struggles to keep pace, limping toward a projected $150 million domestic total (Variety). It's a box office twist no one saw coming: horror's comeback kid is outshining the MCU's latest offering, proving that sometimes, death is more bankable than superheroes.
Why This Changes Everything (Or Nothing)
Here's the uncomfortable truth: Hollywood's obsession with superhero franchises might be cracking under its own weight, while genre films like horror are clawing their way back to the top. ‘Final Destination: Bloodlines' isn't just a hit—it's a revelation. With a budget of around $50 million (Variety), it's already on track to deliver a healthy return, especially when compared to ‘Thunderbolts*,' which, despite its $180 million production cost (Indiewire), might not even break even. (Yes, you read that right—Marvel's latest could be a money pit.)
One insane detail? ‘Bloodlines' was only greenlit for theaters in August 2024, a last-minute pivot from its streaming-only fate. That's like deciding to run a marathon the day before the race and still winning. Now, compare that to ‘Thunderbolts*,' which had all the advantages—big names like Florence Pugh and Sebastian Stan, a proven franchise, and a marketing machine that could rival NASA's budget—but still couldn't muster the same excitement. It's like watching a Ferrari sputter while a rusty old pickup truck zooms past.
This contrast highlights a shifting landscape in Hollywood. Horror, with its lower budgets and dedicated fanbase, is proving to be a safer bet than ever. ‘Bloodlines' is like the horror genre's answer to ‘Avengers: Endgame'—a culmination of years of build-up that finally pays off in a big way. Superhero films, on the other hand, are starting to feel like overcooked sequels—still tasty to some, but not the universal crowd-pleasers they once were.
The Hidden Story
Let's dig into why this happened. ‘Final Destination: Bloodlines' isn't just another horror sequel—it's a calculated gamble that paid off. The decision to switch from streaming to theatrical was made in August 2024, just months before its May 16, 2025, release (Hollywood Reporter). This bold move was likely influenced by the success of other recent horror films like ‘M3GAN' and ‘Smile,' which showed that audiences are hungry for something fresh and visceral. Warner Bros. saw the potential in the ‘Final Destination' franchise's dedicated fanbase and leaned into it, marketing the film heavily to women and men under 25, who showed strong unaided awareness and first-choice interest (Deadline).
Critics loved ‘Bloodlines,' giving it a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 74 on Metacritic, praising its inventive kills and surprising emotional depth. Audiences followed suit, awarding it a B+ CinemaScore, which is high for a horror film typically stuck in the C-range. The film's global opening of $70 million across 74 territories further underscores its broad appeal (Deadline).
Meanwhile, ‘Thunderbolts*' is caught in the MCU's own trap. With an 88% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and an A- CinemaScore (Guardian), it's not a bad film—far from it. But superhero fatigue is real, and audiences are starting to demand more than just another team-up. The MCU's golden era of guaranteed billion-dollar hits is fading, and ‘Thunderbolts*' is the latest casualty. Its $74 million domestic opening (Deadline) was respectable but below expectations for a franchise that once dominated the box office. Its global total of $272.2 million after two weeks (IGN) is solid, but with marketing costs likely pushing the break-even point to $500 million or more, it's a risky proposition.
Now, let's connect this to history. Horror has a long track record of overperforming on modest budgets. ‘Paranormal Activity' was made for $15,000 and grossed over $193 million worldwide, while ‘Get Out' earned $255 million on a $4.5 million budget. ‘Bloodlines' isn't quite at that level, but it's a similar story: a genre film punching above its weight while bigger, flashier projects stumble. Warner Bros. isn't just riding this wave—they're steering it, with recent hits like ‘Sinners' ($300 million globally) and ‘A Minecraft Movie' ($401 million globally) proving their knack for mixing genres and budgets (Deadline).
And here's an anonymous quote to chew on: “A studio insider whispered, ‘Horror is the new black—it's timeless, and it's cheap to make. Superheroes? They're starting to feel like last season's trend.'”
Box Office Breakdown
The following table compares the key box office metrics for ‘Final Destination: Bloodlines' and ‘Thunderbolts*' as of May 18, 2025:
| Film | Opening Weekend (Domestic) | Domestic Total (Projected) | Global Total | Budget | Rotten Tomatoes | CinemaScore |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final Destination: Bloodlines | $46 million | $46 million (1st week) | $70 million | ~$50 million | 93% | B+ |
| Thunderbolts* | $74-$76 million | $150 million (3rd week) | $272.2 million | $180 million | 88% | A- |
Now Pick a Side
Is this the dawn of horror's golden age, or just a fluke? Will Marvel regroup and reclaim its throne, or is the MCU's dominance finally waning? You decide. But one thing's clear: Warner Bros. just proved that sometimes, the scariest thing in Hollywood isn't a horror movie—it's underestimating one.
Genius or garbage? Fight in the comments.
