"Doctor Strange 2" kicked off with its second pandemic result

Marvel Studios' "Doctor Strange 2: Into the Multiverse of Madness" got off to a successful start at the domestic and international box office, grossing $185 million in its first weekend in U.S. theaters and $450 million cumulatively.
The film, directed by Sam Raimi, delivered the eleventh-highest grossing start in domestic box office history and seventh among Marvel Cinematic Universe projects after the screenings of Avengers 2: Age of Altrone ($191.3 million), Black Panther ($202 million), The Avengers ($207.3 million), Avengers 3: Infinity War ($257.7 million) ), "Spider-Man 3: No Way Home" ($260.1 million) and "Avengers 4: The Finale" ($357.1 million).
The sequel took the top spot in all major markets overseas where restrictions have been lifted in recent weeks due to the COVID-19 outbreaks, including South Korea. The film grossed a whopping $30 million in that country, making it the sixth highest debut of any Hollywood film project.
Doctor Strange 2 was shown in 4,545 theaters in its home country, the highest number in the pandemic era and the fifth highest of all time, another sign that the movie business is coming out of stagnation.