Box Office: Marvel's Doctor Strange Levitates To $75 Million Opening Weekend

Nearly a month ago, it was reported that Marvel's Doctor Strange was on track for an opening weekend at the North American box office in the $55 million-$75 million range. While Marvel would be delighted with the high-end, even though it would be $10 million below their last November release, Thor: The Dark World ($85.7 million); however the low-end would have it competing with The Incredible Hulk, which brought in $55.4 in June 2008, for the studio's worst debut weekend.

And just several days ago, box office analysts projected a $65 million-70 million, but after Doctor Strange raked in $9.4 million at Thursday night previews, besting the $7.1 million Thor: The Dark World took in on Thursday, Variety has given its opening figures an upward revision, estimating a $75 opening.

And even that estimation might be too conservative. The website Box Office Mojo is predicting an $80 million-$85 million opening weekend. Why so high? They point out that 3,530 of the 3,882 theaters are showing the film in 3D; "of that theater count 379 will be showing the film in IMAX, 516 PLF theaters and 189 D-Box locations;" it has an impressive 90% rating on RottenTomatoes; and Benedict Cumberbatch has a large and eager fanbase.

From Marvel comes DOCTOR STRANGE, the story of world-famous neurosurgeon Dr. Stephen Strange whose life changes forever after a horrific car accident robs him of the use of his hands. When traditional medicine fails him, he is forced to look for healing, and hope, in an unlikely place – a mysterious enclave known as Kamar-Taj. He quickly learns that this is not just a center for healing but also the front line of a battle against unseen dark forces bent on destroying our reality. Before long Strange – armed with newly acquired magical powers – is forced to choose whether to return to his life of fortune and status or leave it all behind to defend the world as the most powerful sorcerer in existence. Join Strange on his dangerous, mystifying, and totally mind-bending journey.

The cast features Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock, Star Into Darkness, The Imitation Game), Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave), Rachel McAdams (Sherlock Holmes), Michael Stuhlbarg (A Serious Man), Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale) and Tilda Swinton (The Grand Budapest Hotel).

The film is directed by Scott Derrickson (Sinister) and written by Derrickson, Jon Spaihts (Prometheus), and C. Robert Cargill (Sinister).

Marvel's Doctor Strange is produced by Kevin Feige with Louis D'Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Charles Newirth, Stephen Broussard and Stan Lee serving as executive producers.

Marvel's Doctor Strange will cast a spell on audiences November 4, 2016.