The Marvel Universe has been active since 2008, when it began with the debut of Iron Man. There are valuable insights Marvel can gather from certain less-popular movies within their collection. Although Iron Man is still highly acclaimed among Marvel films, the franchise has experienced significant highs and lows during its tenure. Examining the specifics of the least favorably received Marvel films, which include a few unexpected titles, reveals that Marvel can continue to thrive if they address past errors.
Rebirth* and Deadpool & Wolverine* , coupled with the enthusiasm generated by the cast reveal for Avengers: Armageddon, offer a glimmer of hope that Marvel may already be learning from past errors.
*Note: I’ve corrected the given titles to maintain consistency and make them more recognizable.
10. Sequels To Major MCU Movies Still Aren’t Automatically Successful
Several Disappointing Sequels Are Near The Bottom Of The List
Despite Marvel producing some of the finest sequels within their cinematic universe, it’s worth noting that several of the least favorably-received MCU films were actually follow-ups to box office sensations. Iron Man 2 serves as one of the clearest instances where this is the case. The production team, aiming to capitalize on the success of the original Iron Man, brought back many of the same personnel and attempted to recreate elements that had previously resonated with audiences. Regrettably, this approach did not strike a chord with many viewers.
Similar to Thor: Love and Thunder and Avengers: Age of Ultron, other Marvel sequels didn’t get the thoughtful treatment they deserved, often released simply to cash in on their namesake. Every movie within the MCU needs a solid reason for its existence, and that includes follow-ups to box office smashes as well.
9. Introducing New MCU Hero Teams Requires Great Care
Marvel Teamups Need To Be Approached With Purpose And Respect
In contrast to movies such as Iron Man 2 and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which effectively used their screen time to introduce new characters and grow their ensembles, The Marvels struggled to establish a cohesive team. Instead of carefully selecting characters that complement each other, the film combined several intellectual properties haphazardly, leading to an underwhelming cinematic experience.
In the Marvel Cinatic Universe (MCU), it’s crucial to handle team-ups with meticulous care. The reasons and objectives that bring characters together should be well thought out. For instance, using grand cosmic events like The Marvels, where characters were exchanged in a rather peculiar and unsuccessful manner, is not effective. While each character can carry their own story, more emphasis needs to be placed on team dynamics as we move forward.
8. Thor’s MCU Movies Are Some Of The Franchise’s Most Volatile
The God Of Thunder Can Really Be Hit Or Miss
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Thor is a highly popular character, but it’s crucial for the MCU to handle him carefully in future projects. Although Thor: Ragnarok stands out as one of the strongest films in the series, Thor: The Dark World and Thor: Love and Thunder are among the weaker entries. It appears that Thor either delights audiences or falls flat.
For a while now, there have been discussions about a potential Thor 5 with George Miller. Although another chapter in Thor’s tale could strengthen the franchise, it’s equally possible that it might negatively impact the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel should be mindful when utilizing Thor to preserve his popularity within the series.
7. Huge Villains Like Kang And Red Hulk Need To Justify Their Presence
Just Because The Villains Work In Comics Doesn’t Mean They’ll Work In The MCU
Some remarkable and formidable MCU villains have been unexpected picks, effectively translating their comic counterparts for screen appearances. However, others, such as Kang, have relied too heavily on the popularity of their comic book versions, which has not proven effective in making them compelling threats on the big screen. This misstep has prompted a significant change in strategy from Marvel Studios for the upcoming “Avengers: Endgame”.
Marvel should make sure that their villains play significant roles within the franchise, rather than simply adding them for the sake of including characters that were popular in the comics. Introducing such characters might initially attract audiences to the opening weekend, but if they are not utilized effectively, viewers may quickly become disinterested.
6. Deviating Too Much From The MCU Formula Can Be Detrimental
The MCU Has A Consistent Tone Across The Franchise
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), it’s crucial to maintain a particular tone that defines any MCU movie. Although there’s some leeway in terms of style and structure, this core aspect is vital for preserving the Marvel brand identity. Movies like “Eternals” missed the mark with audiences as they ventured too far from their usual approach.
The movie “Eternals” had an unusual theme revolving around supernatural abilities, filmed on location and directed by an Oscar-winning filmmaker. Although the film held intrigue in itself, it lacked a sense of belonging within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This disconnection left both viewers and critics feeling unengaged, emphasizing the significance for Marvel to ensure their films maintain a consistent feel within the universe.
5. … But Being Too Similar To Previous Works Can Also Cause Issues
The Franchise Still Needs To Feel Fresh With Each Installment
In a nutshell, while “Eternals” stood out due to its uniqueness, other films in the bottom 10 tended to feel overly familiar, echoing previous installments. “Iron Man 2” was undeniably repetitive, but the most noticeable instance of this sameness is arguably the contentious “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” Despite its numerous strengths, viewers felt that it didn’t offer enough freshness to warrant its place in the series. In essence, “Ultron” seemed less like a sequel to “The Avengers” and more like a carbon copy reboot.
It’s essential for Marvel to strike a delicate balance in making their movies feel both comfortably familiar and freshly innovative. This can be quite challenging, but Marvel appears to have the skillset needed to achieve this equilibrium.
4. Angstier Hulks Make For Less Well-Received Stories
Smart Hulk Might Actually Be The Best Path Forward
In hindsight, it appears that keeping Smart Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe could be a wiser choice for the character. It turns out that some of the darker, more vengeful portrayals of the Hulk have ended up among the franchise’s least successful films. This was evident in movies like “Age of Ultron” and “The Incredible Hulk,” which unfortunately did not fare well.
There’s a strong desire among fans for the MCU to bring back the enraged Hulk, but it’s important to remember that this character also has a sensitive side, and his complex nature hasn’t quite worked within the MCU. If the series decides to reintroduce the violent Hulk, they should be mindful of how they portray him. It appears that audiences prefer light-heartedness and humor from the Hulk rather than intense, thought-provoking emotions.
3. Each Director Dies A Hero Or Lives Long Enough To Become A Villain
Even The Best Filmmakers Lose Their Touch After Too Long
Jon Favreau is among today’s top filmmakers, yet his continued work on the Iron Man series for a second film didn’t pan out as planned. This pattern was also observed in other notable creators such as Taika Waititi, Joss Whedon, and Peyton Reed. These talented individuals crafted some of Marvel’s finest films initially, but subsequently produced some of their less impressive work within the same franchise. Even the most skilled creatives don’t always guarantee continued success in the same series.
It’s essential to allow these movie creators to delve into other characters and narratives to avoid the risk of one franchise becoming repetitive or taking unexpected turns. The case in point is “Thor: Love and Thunder,” which, following the success of “Thor: Ragnarok,” veered too heavily towards comedy. Marvel should be cautious about sticking with the same team for too long, as this might contribute to apprehensions about “Avengers: Doomsday.
2. The Marvel Brand Is Bigger Than Any Star
Star Power Can Only Go So Far In The MCU
From a film lover’s perspective, it’s always been clear that the Marvel Cinematic Universe shines brightest due to its iconic intellectual properties. While we’ve welcomed heavyweights like Harrison Ford, Angelina Jolie, and Christian Bale into our theaters, their presence hasn’t significantly altered the audience’s response to these movies. Instead, Marvel should remember that it’s the superheroes who are the main attractions; even the biggest stars in Tinseltown are merely supporting acts.
In their latest production, “Eternals” relied heavily on exceptional acting talent, even attracting stars such as Kit Harrington, Gemma Chan, and Richard Madden. However, despite this stellar casting, the film unfortunately didn’t resonate deeply with audiences. It is crucial for Marvel to understand where their true star power lies and prioritize choosing fitting actors, such as Simu Liu, over just the most popular ones.
1. Connecting Disney+ Series To The Films Makes Too Much Homework
Marvel Movies Need To Stand On Their Own
To ensure Marvel stays the dominant franchise, it’s crucial they avoid losing new or casual viewers. Introducing Disney+ series has added excitement, but weaving those narratives too closely together has been problematic. The underperformance of “The Marvels” is partly due to casual audiences feeling compelled to watch “Ms. Marvel” and “WandaVision” as prerequisites for understanding the film, which led many to skip it instead.
In the Multiverse of Madness, starring Doctor Strange, enjoyed massive box office earnings, however, it was noticed that viewers had their share of bewilderment as well. This confusion stemmed from the film’s heavy connection to WandaVision, a series on Disney+. Given that not all audiences have watched this show, some found Wanda’s abrupt change in character perplexing and disjointed. Her sudden transformation seemed swift and puzzling, especially since her motivations were explored more in the television series instead of a Marvel Cinematic Universe film. It appears that Marvel Studios should aim for their TV and movie productions to be self-contained in the future.
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2025-04-28 02:00