We all knew it was going to be a success, but not potentially bigger than Infinity War domestic kinda big with DVD sales looking to continue its popularity

It's pretty simple. Marvel's bulletproof, high-profile brand, combined with being an event for almost 40 million Americans. Like Titanic, and Passion of the Christ, it drew people who don't even go to movies--going to this was important. Marketing and meme culture established Wakanda as a mythic, African promised land that went beyond geekdom. (Remember that huge travel magazine snafu?)

It being the first "true" black superhero along with the movements domestically. The OS success was propelled by its domestic overperformance.

So are you saying that if it wasn't an uber-success in the US, it would have flopped elsewhere?

I find that hard to believe. There are way more black people overseas than in the US. It would have performed similarly even if it didn't perform as it did in the US.

It would have done lesser but definitely not flopped. I was talking about numbers being much bigger than standard MCU OS numbers ($400m-$500m range)

oh ok

Wow, normally these threads are created after the first weekend.... But at the end of the day I think it's success was rooted almost a year ago when the first trailer dropped. MCU fans remembered him from his great into in Civil War and the glimpse of Wakanda in the after credit scenes. Minorities saw that first trailer and could not believe that Hollywood was actually going to spend major money in bringing a largely unknown but still popular cultural hero to the big screen right. Something that was uplifting/inspiring and not dark/brooding. It was also the first time they felt comfortable embracing making this a true event film with the expectation that you had to go see it and preferable in costume/dress. Look at the overwhelming social media campaigns from celebrities/Go Fund me buying out theaters, Dance challenges, M'baku challenges, Wakanda destination/vacation gags with Airlines, Kendrick Lamar curated soundtrack, and countless other promotions. General audiences love a new take on something were they really don't have to be invested in the prior 16 movies and honestly don't have to be concerned about the next 16. Last but not least it was an Awesome Movie! That just like the other films in the top five domestic command multiple viewings.

Wakanda Forever!

I'd be surprised if anyone re-watches Jurassic World except as background noise.

He said it all

#WakandaForever

A demographic that turned out for this film directly aimed at them than any other film in history. Plus, the normal Marvel bots like me who will see any Marvel film within the current universe.

Hey Thano dude, surely if everything went right it would have out-grossed The Force Awakens.

Being by miles the biggest film for black people in history. The key being not just that he's black but that he's cool.

I actually don't think Boseman or Black Panther is cool in his own movie. Killmonger, Shuri and Okeye asking with the new world are what works in the movie.

Also Blade was cool

Can they announce a new Blade movie already

Bad Boys for Life should do well. Black people won't know what's hit them with all the product they'll be expected to eat up over the next few years due to Bland Panther's success.

A new Blade will never hit the originals cultural impact specially now that BP exists.