Are Marvel Movies Still Box Office Juggernauts? The Russo Brothers Weigh In
For over a decade, the Marvel Cinematic Universe was an unstoppable force at the box office. But in recent years, things have been a little shakier. While some films continue to pull in huge numbers, others have struggled, leading to questions about whether the MCU is still a guaranteed moneymaker.
With Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars on the horizon, directors Joe and Anthony Russo recently shared their thoughts on the franchise’s financial future.
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Joe Russo acknowledged that some factors are simply out of their hands.
“We can’t control the economic environment. We can’t control what’s happening in the world around the time of the release. We can’t control the audience’s desire to leave their homes or not. All we can do is make the best movie possible in the hope that it excites them.”
Marvel’s post-Endgame era has been inconsistent at the box office. Hits like Spider-Man: No Way Home and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 proved the MCU could still bring in massive numbers, while The Marvels, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Captain America: Brave New World fell short of expectations.
The latter, in particular, has been a financial letdown, making just $373.7 million worldwide, which is especially disappointing for a Captain America film.
The mixed results have led to some backlash, with figures like Deadpool creator Rob Liefeld even suggesting Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige should step down. But if the past few years have shown anything, it’s that the quality of filmmaking and storytelling matters.
This summer’s releases will be a strong indicator of Marvel’s current standing. Thunderbolts* and The Fantastic Four: First Steps are generating buzz ahead of release, and if they succeed, it could reinvigorate enthusiasm for the Avengers films.
With characters from those projects are also expected to play a role in Doomsday, building a solid foundation with these films, will get people pumped for Marvel’s future.
Ultimately, the future of the MCU at the box office isn’t set in stone. But as Joe Russo pointed out, the best way to get audiences back in theaters is to give them a reason to be excited.