Marvel’s “Thunderbolts” electrified the box office, beating expectations with $76 million in domestic sales this weekend.

Marvel Studios’ “Thunderbolts” opened with $76 million in domestic ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday, kicking off the summer box office with a solid No. 1 debut that fell shy of Marvel’s more spectacular launches.

Marvel and Disney's newest release Thunderbolts* has proved a hit at the box office, after taking an estimated $162m (£122m) internationally. The film, which both production houses hope will kickstart a new franchise,