The Marvels’ Rotten Tomatoes Score Improves, But Box Office Predictions Are Grim
The Marvels, the latest installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, debuted to subpar reviews. However, over time, the Rotten Tomatoes score has improved from 54% to 61%, just barely crossing the line to be considered “fresh” instead of “rotten” on the site. Despite this improvement, it still ranks as the third worst-rated MCU movie, putting it just above Thor: Love and Thunder and Thor: The Dark World.
The film’s box office forecast is also looking bleak, with most predictions estimating a $50-60 million opening weekend in the US and $140 million globally. This may result in one of the lowest-performing box office openings in MCU history, especially given the film’s $200 million budget.
The poor reception of The Marvels has raised concerns for Disney, who is hoping for a turnaround with the next MCU movie, Deadpool 3. In light of the movie’s performance, Disney is making changes to its content strategy on Disney Plus, aiming to create standalone shows that require less “homework” and leaning into more adult-oriented fare.
Despite the struggles with The Marvels, Disney has upcoming projects in the pipeline, including a Chris Evans-less Captain America 4, Marvel’s Thunderbolts, and the highly troubled production of Blade. The studio is also eyeing Phase 6 in mid-2025, with plans for the Fantastic Four, Avengers films, and other projects.
The disappointing performance of The Marvels has prompted speculation about Marvel’s future direction, with suggestions that the studio may begin to cater to older fans given the nature of their upcoming projects.
With audience reactions and box office numbers yet to come in, The Marvels’ future remains uncertain. As the days unfold, the fate of this MCU movie will become more apparent.
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Paul Tassi is a long-time contributor to Forbes, with expertise in video games, television, and movies. He has also published five science fiction novels.