In a twist that has industry watchers and fans alike abuzz, “The Marvels,” the next chapter in the storied Marvel Cinematic Universe, appears to be bracing for a box office takeoff fraught with turbulence. The presale ticket volumes for the film are painting a grim picture as they trail significantly behind those of two of DC’s most notorious box office bombs.
This narrative of underperformance is underscored by the fact that the presale figures for “The Marvels” have been recorded as the weakest in the post-Covid era for any MCU film, signaling a potentially waning interest from the franchise’s usually steadfast audience. The disappointment is compounded by comparisons to the original “Captain Marvel,” which soared to a formidable $153.4 million on its opening weekend in 2019, setting a high bar that its sequel seems unlikely to meet. Current forecasts place “The Marvels” at a potential $39 million opening, marking a stark decline of nearly 75%.
The consequences of such a soft opening could reverberate beyond mere numbers, challenging the narrative of Marvel’s invincibility at the box office. It begs the question of whether this is an isolated hiccup or a harbinger of superhero fatigue among audiences. Moreover, it puts pressure on the studio’s executives, who have long relied on the MCU as a guaranteed draw for audiences worldwide.
As “The Marvels” navigates these headwinds, the coming weeks will be crucial. Will it manage to capture the magic that has made Marvel a cinematic powerhouse, or will it succumb to the gravitational pull of box office disappointment? Only time will tell.
‘The Marvels’ Presale Puzzlement: A Stark Contrast to Previous Marvel Triumphs
As the countdown to the release of “The Marvels” continues, the presale ticket reports are stirring more than a little consternation among Marvel Studios and its legions of fans. In a striking departure from its predecessor’s lucrative launch, the sequel to “Captain Marvel” is navigating a presale path that’s notably lackluster.
The comparison to DC’s less successful ventures is particularly alarming, given that those films were widely panned by critics and fans alike. Yet, “The Marvels” finds itself in the shadow of such flops, a position unfamiliar and uncomfortable for a franchise that’s known for shattering box office records2. This sequel, which was expected to build on the success of its lead-in and expand the Marvel Universe even further, now faces the sobering prospect of being the weakest MCU film in terms of presale tickets in over four years.
The stakes are high, and the implications profound. A soft opening for “The Marvels” doesn’t just spell trouble for this particular installment; it could also cast doubts on the future of interconnected superhero narratives that have been the bread and butter of Marvel’s cinematic strategy. This is a studio that has deftly woven storylines across multiple franchises and mediums – a juggernaut that has, until now, seemed unstoppable.
As the presale numbers trickle in and the opening weekend looms, the question on everyone’s mind is whether “The Marvels” can stage a turnaround. Can it rally its fanbase and deliver an opening weekend that defies these early indicators? The answer will not only determine the immediate future of its titular hero but also set the tone for the next phase of Marvel’s cinematic universe.
