Black Widow is Marvel's most successful flop. It now holds two records: the highest opening weekend at the box office of 2021 and of the pandemic period in the U.S. and the highest grossing movie in the U.S. of 2021 and of the pandemic. But that's not enough.
The movie opened with an astounding 80 million dollars in the U.S. which is the highest opening of 2021 and of the entire pandemic period. So that's great. But Marvel movies usually open around 100 million dollars and that's what was expected of this movie as well. The Disney+ money is around 60 million dollars as the movie was available to watch at home for Disney+ subscribers for an extra 29.90$. Together they do pass the 100 million dollars mark, but it doesn't really count. Also, for 29.90$ you can watch the movie at home as many times that you want so no repeat money there. But it is still a pretty good opening.
But a really bad opening date. Why is that? Because during July and actually until now, no new Western movies are allowed to be screen in China. The second biggest movie going market in the world. Even now the movie doesn't have a release date in China. Not that it will help. Everyone in the country will have pirated the movie, plus it comes out digitally pretty soon. Marvel movies usually make big money in China but not this time. And it shows. The movie opened with only 158 million dollars globally. It is hundreds of millions of dollars that could have made the movie look much better and probably make Scarlett Johansson happier.
But when in terms of COVID in the U.S. the movie couldn't come out in a better time. In fact, it is now the highest grossing movie in the U.S. for the entire year and for the entire pandemic era as it made 179 million dollars in the U.S. alone. Considering the numbers of the forth wave, Black Widow may actually keep this title for the rest of 2021 as we are heading for another problematic period of time.
But looks are important and it looks like Black Widow has made only 359 million dollars worldwide, making it one of the lowest grossing entries in the MCU, somewhere with The Incredible Hulk (264 million dollars) and Captain America: The First Avenger (370 million dollars). It doesn't look good in comparison. In comparison Fast and Furious 9 made 662 million dollars globally and most of that money came from China. Sure, there is a good chance that no one will see this money, but looks are very important. And this makes Black Widow look not so good.
But if it would have been released earlier or later it would have suffered from COVID and I don't think delaying it in another year was actually practical. It would not interest anyone in 2022. There is no good release date for this movie.
I loved the movie and choose to focus on its success. I haven't seen any other movie in theaters because of COVID. Maybe it will still look good on the end of the year charts. If COVID will continue to surge with the delta variant, I don't see any movie in the U.S. opening higher than this. As for making more money, well, maybe some movies will have long legs, but it is too soon to tell. So far, Black Widow will be the number one movie of the year for me.
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