As Captain America: Brave New World inches closer to the milestone of $300 million at the global box office, the film faces a significant challenge in recouping its hefty production budget of $180 million. According to Deadline, the movie needs approximately $425 million to break even, making the 68% drop in domestic revenue during its second weekend a concerning development.

Opening strongly over the Presidents’ Day weekend with a $100 million domestic haul, the film initially seemed poised for success. However, its second-weekend earnings of $28.2 million paint a different picture. This steep decline mirrors that of 2023’s Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which similarly failed to meet financial expectations.

Senior Comscore analyst Paul Dergarabedian noted that while Marvel movies continue to draw audiences, the 68% drop suggests a waning interest compared to previous releases. Deadline predicts the film could ultimately gross around $450 million globally, though this remains uncertain.

Despite its strong start, Captain America: Brave New World has received mixed reviews, with IGN scoring it 5/10. The film’s lukewarm reception has raised concerns about the trajectory of the MCU following last year’s highly successful Deadpool & Wolverine. With upcoming releases like Thunderbolts and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Marvel Studios hopes this film can regain momentum and set the stage for future projects.