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Perhaps the most telling example is the Doctor Strange sequel, which initially was believed to have a budget of approximately $200 million. But recent disclosures, based on tax documents, reveal that Disney actually spent $414 million on its production—making it one of the most expensive Marvel films ever, surpassing Avengers: Age of Ultron. When factoring in tax benefits and other accounting intricacies, the net spend still exceeds $350 million.
Budget vs. Box Office Reality
While Marvel movies are often promoted as box office hits, the true profitability is much murkier. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness grossed about $950 million, a figure that sounds impressive but is misleading when considering the real costs involved.