Marvel's 'Doctor Strange' Dominates the Box Office Opening Weekend

‘Doctor Strange’ hit theaters this weekend, and Marvel’s Sorcerer Supreme is well on his way to earning an estimated $85 million in its opening weekend.

Another Marvel movie, another dazzling opening weekend, right? This time, it’s not the usual subjects everyone knows like Thor, Iron Man, or even Captain America. This our first look at Marvel’s Master of Mystic Arts, Doctor Strange, on the big screen.

Starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Steven Strange, the movie tells the tale of a brilliant surgeon who turned to magic after a tragic accident prevents him from practicing his craft.

Cumberbatch is no stranger to the sci-fi world, having played a superhuman in Star Trek Into Darkness, but this is the first venture into the realm of superheroes.

Doctor Strange faced some stiff competition this weekend. Three new wide releases also dropped, and despite all three of this weekend’s new wide releases receiving rave reviews from opening day audiences, Marvel’s newest superhero more than doubled the earnings of DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls and Lionsgate’s World War II drama Hacksaw Ridge.

The success of Doctor Strange extends Marvel’s hit streak in turning lesser-known superheroes into household names — like Guardians of the Galaxy, and Ant-Man. The good Doctor’s first earnings blew away Marvel’s previous attempts at introducing new characters to moviegoers worldwide like Ant-Man (which earned $57.2 million), Thor ($65.7 million), and Captain America: The First Avenger ($65 million).

The film also topped foreign box offices last weekend raking in $87.7 million. As of today, the film has grossed over $133 million from international markets alone. Big earnings are a welcomed sign as the film, directed by Sinister’s Scott Derrickson, comes with a $165 million production price tag.

Due to its overwhelming success, we should expect to see Steven Strange again, as he is expected to appear in the upcoming Avengers Infinity War. Doctor Strange also stars Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Tilda Swinton.