Variety reports that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has earned an impressive $28 million during Thursday previews in North America. That's the fifteenth-highest preview haul of all time, and a good start for a movie that looks set to do big business both domestically and internationally this weekend.
2018's Black Panther took $25 million in previews, and later went on to gross over $1.3 billion worldwide. This sequel is expected to have a huge opening, with current conservative estimates suggesting it will earn at least $175 million.
Black Panther had a $202 million opening weekend, and was later nominated for "Best Picture" at the Oscars. Despite receiving glowing reviews, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hasn't received quite the same level of acclaim as its predecessor. It is, however, the only MCU movie released in 2022 that's "Certified Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes with 84%.
We also can't help but wonder if turnout will be lower due to Chadwick Boseman's passing, while the trailers have made it clear the movie deals with grief and isn't necessarily the typical "fun" MCU blockbuster. However, it's worth noting that the box office is still down in the wake of the pandemic and these numbers are far from bad.
In fact, as things stand, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will be nipping at the heels of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' $187 million launch, a figure that remains the year's biggest. In comparison, that earned $36 million in Thursday previews, while Thor: Love and Thunder scooped up $29 million.
So, if nothing else, the movie will soon have the second-highest opening of any 2022 release, and that's pretty darn impressive. Overseas, the movie has already earned $30.8 million, and should surpass Black Adam's current worldwide cume in a single weekend.
"Black Panther: Wakanda Forever ranks among Marvel Studios' best movies, and is an emotional, uplifting, tour de force of a blockbuster," we said in our latest review of the movie. "Letitia Wright delivers a powerhouse performance, while Angela Bassett’s majestic work will leave you reeling."
Will you be watching the sequel on the big screen this weekend?