Much discussion has arisen regarding the fluctuations of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in recent years. Since Avengers: Endgame, the franchise has faced challenges in regaining the excitement and momentum that characterized its success from 2008 to 2019. Phase 4 revealed significant issues, which have become even more apparent in Phase 5.
While Phase 4 included some successes (Spider-Man: No Way Home, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) and some failures (Eternals, Thor: Love and Thunder), this trend has continued into the next phase, revealing a clearer pattern. This indicates the extent of the struggles faced by the overall series.
Phase 5 Never Gained Momentum Thanks To Up & Down Fan Reception
Even when the MCU released a less impressive film in the past, such as Thor: The Dark World, they followed it up with a strong entry. This allowed for fewer misses, helping the franchise build momentum and creating anticipation for major films.
Phase 5 has not achieved this, and the same can be said for the entire MCU after Endgame. Phase 5 has consistently followed a fan favorite with something that fans did not enjoy each time. Between Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Deadpool & Wolverine, and Thunderbolts*, there were missteps like Captain America: Brave New World and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
The continuous release of films that have not met fan expectations has hindered the MCU’s ability to gain momentum. This results in a lack of excitement for upcoming projects, including Avengers: Doomsday, which does not evoke the same anticipation felt before Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
The Box Office Of Phase 5 Was Also A Mixed Bag
The reception from critics and fans is important, but box office performance is ultimately what matters for the MCU. These films come with substantial budgets and are expected to generate significant revenue, yet this has not entirely been true for Phase 5.
The successful films include GOTG Vol. 3 (over $800M) and Deadpool & Wolverine (over $1.3B). However, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania failed to reach $500M against a budget nearing $400M, while <em>The Marvels</em> is now the lowest-grossing MCU film ever, Captain America: Brave New World earned just over $400M, and Thunderbolts* did not surpass $400M.
This situation does not bode well for the future of the franchise and highlights the diminishing excitement surrounding these projects.
Most Phase 5 MCU Movies Were Still Good
Despite mixed fan reception for many projects in Phase 5, most of the films are genuinely good. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 completes a stellar trilogy alongside its predecessors, while Deadpool & Wolverine successfully continues that series, and Thunderbolts* shines due to Florence Pugh’s emotional performance.
A number of fans were less enthusiastic about films like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Captain America: Brave New World, and The Marvels. While mixed reviews for those first two are somewhat understandable, it’s important to note that The Marvels is an entertaining film that holds significant importance for the future of the MCU.
This demonstrates that even during challenging times for the MCU, it can still produce quality projects, leaving room for optimism about its future. Consistency is key moving forward.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a multimedia superhero franchise that began in 2008 with Paramount’s Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr. The franchise quickly grew in popularity, with Disney eventually buying out Marvel Entertainment in 2009. The MCU consists of dozens of movies and TV shows, most notably Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision, and Loki.
