Ant-Man And Minions To Battle For #1 At Box Office This Weekend

What does being Marvel Studios' latest lesser-known property get you at the box office? Current estimates say somewhere in the realm of $60 million for domestic opening weekend for Ant-Man. If it's less than $65 million, that would put it in 11th place out of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, ahead of only The Incredible Hulk. It would need to better $65.7 million to place it over Thor.

The global box office should be more impressive, with about the same amount coming in from foreign markets, according to industry publication Deadline's estimates, putting their global total currently at between $115 and $120 million.

Minions meanwhile is in its second weekend, after a mammoth $115.7 million opening that put it in second place all-time for animation openings. With an estimated drop of somewhere in the 50% range, it could beat out Ant-Man for the top spot this weekend in the U.S.

Marvel has recently shifted directions for Ant-Man's marketing, putting out posters that prominently feature Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor, and releasing a clip that includes another Avenger. The film currently has a 75% fresh rating on RottenTomatoes, but has garnered positive buzz from audiences at early screenings.

Ant-Man, starring Paul Rudd, premieres Friday, July 17, 2015. See where other Marvel and comic book movies fall on the full upcoming schedule here.