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 Marvel’s diminishing returns infographic
Graphic charts earnings from all the Marvel movie opening weekends.
GN45080EN

ENTERTAINMENT

Has superhero fatigue struck the Marvel universe?

By Ninian Carter

November 16, 2023 - The weak opening weekend performance of Disney’s latest movie, The Marvels, could be a reflection of a general decline in cinemagoers’ appetite for superhero movies.

Disney’s latest superhero movie has posted the worst ever opening weekend box office takings for a Marvel film – less even than 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, which is regarded as a flop.

The Marvels opened in 4,030 theatres across the United States on November 10, earning just $46 million on the weekend.

Worryingly for Disney, this could be a sign of a general decline in cinemagoers’ appetite for superhero movies, following years of Disney diluting the franchise with spinoffs, sequels and streaming shows – something they stand accused of doing to the Star Wars franchise as well.

Over its 15-year run, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has earned $30 billion in worldwide box office takings.

With the exception of Spider-Man, the highest earners have all been from The Avengers story arc, which would suggest that Marvel’s recent attempts to bring to screen more obscure comic book characters have fallen flat, as fans seem more invested in the original, well known characters.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 16/11/2023; STORY: Graphic News
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