TheMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)movies are not in the heyday they were in during the 2010s, and their recent movies prove that. This is not to say that they have been entirely unsuccessful. Rather, MCU films, both at the box office and in terms of critical reception, are incredibly inconsistent.
Thisyear, MCU kicked off withCaptain America: Brave New World.While the film is the no. 6 movie of the year at the worldwide box office, its $415 million gross pales in comparison to that of some of its predecessors. The franchise still has the chance to recover with therelease ofThe Fantastic Four: First Steps.
With the MCU being hit or miss in recent years, other franchises have tried to make it big. One such set of films is theJohn Wickfranchise, which began with the 2014 Keanu Reeves-led film.
Like the MCU,John Wickhas gone up and down over its decade-and-change-long tenure, but it has had some hits.John Wick: Chapter 4, for example, made over $447 million worldwide. The latest franchise film did not do as well, but it is having a VOD comeback that positions it above an MCU film.
Ballerina Is Beating Thunderbolts* On Digital
Ballerina Did Not Do Very Well In Theaters
Ballerina’s VOD sales are positioning it aboveThunderbolts*.Ballerinais aJohn Wickspinoff movie set in between the events of the third and fourth films. It focuses on Eve (Ana de Armas), who trains with the Ruska Roma to become an assassin. The spinoff did not do well at the box office despite being aJohn Wickfilm. As perBox Office Mojo,it made just $108.7 million worldwide.
Thunderbolts*is an MCU film that draws upon characters established inBlack Widowand more.Its box office totals were even lower than that ofCaptain America: Brave New World, making only $382 million.
As periTunes,Ballerinais currently a top 10 seller on VOD. In fact,theJohn Wickfilm is currently the no. 1 most rented filmaccording to the data. This comes in immediately aboveThunderbolts*, and also beats out other 2025 titles, includingKarate Kid: LegendsandFinal Destination: Bloodlines.
What This Means For Ballerina
The John Wick Franchise Can Breathe Easy
Ballerina’s victory on the VOD chart is a good sign for theJohn Wickfranchise. Even though the de Armas spinoff was not a huge box office win,the series already has other projects planned, suchDonnie Yen’s Caine spinoff.Even with their loss fromBallerina’s theatrical run, its persistence on digital proves that these movies can be successful, which is hopeful as the franchise continues.
