Forget Doomsday, Avengers: Secret Wars is the Most Important MCU Movie Since 2012

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It’s been seven years since the last Avengers film, so this year’s Avengers: Doomsday is expected to be a major blockbuster. Previous phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe have always culminated in an Avengers movie, providing a strong finish. However, the original Avengers team broke up after Endgame, with the deaths of Tony Stark and Steve Rogers’ journey into the past. While a new, smaller team appeared after Thunderbolts, they haven’t had the same impact.

Marvel is understandably putting all its energy into promoting Doomsday. It’s a major event for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a chance to revitalize the franchise after some recent challenges, and it brings back both Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom and Chris Evans. However, even with all the hype around Doomsday, next year’s Avengers: Secret Wars is actually the truly critical moment for the MCU – it’s the biggest test the universe has faced since 2012.

The Entire MCU Rested On The Avengers’ Success

It’s easy now to look back and assume the Marvel Cinematic Universe was always destined to succeed, but that’s not quite accurate. Fans of the Infinity Saga often misremember how things unfolded, proving that it’s much easier to understand events after they’ve already happened. The early days of the MCU were actually full of risks and uncertainties. Building a cohesive universe with such diverse elements – the technology of Iron Man, the mythology of Thor, and a WWII hero in the modern world – was a huge gamble.

Looking back, the 2012 film The Avengers was a turning point for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It could have easily failed – imagine if the actors hadn’t clicked, or the movie relied too much on inside jokes and fan references. But somehow, it all came together brilliantly, thanks to strong writing, direction, and performances. The film’s massive success – earning over $1.5 billion – made every other studio want to replicate Marvel’s formula.

The first Avengers movie was incredibly important because it showed everyone how successful a shared cinematic universe could be, and it firmly established Marvel as a leader in that area. While the journey wasn’t perfect – there were definitely some missteps along the way – by Phase 3, Marvel movies were consistently earning over a billion dollars at the box office. Infinity War and Endgame built on the original Avengers formula, taking it to a much larger scale, and both easily surpassed $2 billion in earnings. Endgame remains one of the highest-grossing films ever made, second only to James Cameron’s Avatar.

We’re Back At Another Crucial Moment For The MCU

It’s fitting that the fate of the Marvel Cinematic Universe once again depends on a new Avengers movie. While Doomsday is expected to be successful and maintain momentum, the real challenge lies with Secret Wars. This film needs to achieve the same level of impact as the first Avengers movie, captivating audiences and setting the stage for the exciting new phase focused on the Mutant Saga.

The idea of interconnected movie universes is facing challenges. Directors like Christopher Nolan believe audiences are tired of franchises and are looking for something new. Marvel movies haven’t been performing as well recently, possibly because there are now so many related shows on Disney+. While big events like Doomsday and Secret Wars will still draw crowds, it’s uncertain if audiences will continue to support Marvel films beyond that in the coming years.

Many believe the MCU’s current challenges started with the massive success of Avengers: Endgame seven years ago. While a huge hit, the film truly felt like an ending for many fans, a feeling that was made stronger when the pandemic forced Marvel to change its future plans. Secret Wars needs to be different. Instead of concluding the Multiverse Saga, it should leave audiences excited for what’s to come – essentially, it needs to be the opposite of Endgame.

The directors of Infinity War and Endgame, the Russo brothers, are returning to helm the next Avengers films, Doomsday and Secret Wars, and they’re aware of the high expectations. Joe Russo explained that these new movies represent a fresh start for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which is exactly what it needs to move forward. We’ll find out next year if they successfully deliver on that promise.

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2026-02-23 21:41