The Marvels Posts Lowest Box Office Opening at $47 Million
Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe used to be the golden goose at the box office, but things have taken a turn. “The Marvels” had a rough start in its opening weekend, pulling in only $47 million – the worst debut in MCU history. The film had an estimated 300 million dollar budget.
Initial predictions were way higher, around $75-80 million, but those hopes dwindled to a more modest $60-65 million as the release approached. Despite the movie being the 33rd MCU film in 15 years, it couldn’t even hit these lowered expectations. The film faced challenges like bad buzz and key cast members, including Brie Larson, being MIA due to the SAG strike, which thankfully ended just in time for the release.
Out of the extensive MCU catalog, only two films, “The Incredible Hulk” in 2008 and “Ant-Man” in 2015, have had weaker openings, not adjusting for inflation. While the MCU has been showing some chinks in its superhero armor, with “The Marvels” being a clear example, the other big releases this year, “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” in February ($106 million) and “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” in May ($118 million), still pulled in impressive numbers, hitting the coveted triple digits. “The Marvels” is a bit of an oddball in the MCU world – usually, these movies don’t stumble right out of the gate, but this one did.
Related: The Marvels Arrive at Avengers Campus in Disneyland
Paul Dergarabedian, media analyst at Comscore, analyzed that, “It may be not so much superhero fatigue, but more an issue of audiences who are looking for a more unique take on this tried-and-true genre.”
BoxOffice Pro chief analyst Shawn Robbins echoed his concerns for the Superhero Genre, saying, “the saturation of the MCU has “(diminished) the level of urgency audiences once felt for the franchise.” Long before the release of “The Marvels” fans around the world have continued to groan that there are too many Marvel projects.
Disney CEO Bob Iger has plotted a course-correct to Marvel’s release strategy favoring quality over quantity, something that was ignored during the Chapek era. While audience reviews of the film have been generally positive, many fans might be waiting for the inevitable release of the film on Disney+. Since the pandemic, viewer consumption of film has shifted with many opting to watch blockbuster films at home in their personal theaters.
All hope is not yet lost for “The Marvels” heading into the holidays. Fans might give “The Marvels” consideration as we approach the Thanksgiving Holiday. Let us know your thoughts on the film. Did you see “The Marvels”? Share your opinions in a comment.
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