Marvel Studios used to be a superhero powerhouse, consistently churning out hit after hit for 15 years. However, their most recent sequel, “The Marvels,” fell short at the box office – bringing in the lowest ticket sales ever for a Marvel release. The sequel was expected to match the success of its predecessor, “Captain Marvel,” but it struggled to meet those expectations, even with a $300 million budget.
The film “The Marvels” underperformed in the domestic market, debuting at $47 million in ticket sales. Despite this, the movie collected an additional $63.3 million from overseas earnings. The film is centered around a trio of superheroines and was directed by Nia DaCosta, who became the first Black woman to helm a Marvel film.
Disney, the corporate owner of Marvel, acknowledged the disappointing results and speculated that the film may have been hindered by a perceived need to watch Disney+ shows in order to understand the movie. The company affirmed its commitment to promoting the film and attracting female audiences, despite the initial setback.
Critics attributed the film’s struggle to audience fatigue and corporate pressure on Marvel to rapidly increase its output to drive Disney+ subscriptions. Disney’s decision to reduce the number of upcoming Marvel films scheduled for release indicates a shift in strategy to prioritize quality over quantity.