Doctor Strange 2 To Surpass The Batman To Have Biggest US Opening Weekend So Far In 2022

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is poised for a huge opening as one of the first major blockbusters of the coming summer months.

According to Variety, the Doctor Strange sequel is projected to make between $160 million and $180 million for its opening weekend in North America, where it's set to play in more than 4,400 theaters. The report added that some believe the film could hit $200 million.

Looking globally, Multiverse of Madness is set to make in the range of $125 million to $140 million from international markets over its opening weekend. Put together, the Marvel film is looking at $340 million in global box office sales on the high end for its first weekend.

The film reportedly had a mighty budget of $200 million to produce, and that does not count what are surely very sizable marketing and promotion costs.

If Multiverse of Madness can live up to expectations at the box office, it would be 2022's biggest opening weekend thus far, surpassing The Batman, which currently holds the record in 2022 with a $134 million opening weekend in the US.

2016's original Doctor Strange made $85 million in the US for its opening weekend, ending its run with $232 million domestically and $677 million worldwide.

Multiverse of Madness was originally going to be directed by Scott Derrickson, who also made the first movie, but he dropped out due to creative differences with Marvel. Spider-Man director Sam Raimi came onboard to direct Multiverse of Madness, marking his first time back directing a movie since 2013's Oz the Great and Powerful.

In addition to Benedict Cumberbatch as Strange, Multiverse of Madness stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, Michael Stühlbarg, and Rachel McAdams.

GameSpot's Multiverse of Madness review scored the film an 8/10.

"Despite the unevenness in the presentation, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a fun, fresh take for the MCU and, with any luck, a hopeful indication of things to come in the future," reviewer Mason Downey said. "While Phase 4 has certainly not been shy about taking risks and playing with styles and genres thus far, Multiverse of Madness represents Marvel's most extreme diversion from the mold in some key ways (while, unfortunately, being deeply beholden to the formula in others.) It feels exciting to think that the MCU may be getting less precious with its toys and allowing more directors to start pulling at the seams."