On March 26, 2025, Marvel Studios held a five-hour YouTube livestream announcing the start of production for Avengers: Doomsday and a list of the major cast for the movie. The cast features actors known for playing various MCU and X-Men characters. While this publicity move builds anticipation, it also raises the question: is Marvel trying to reignite dwindling fan enthusiasm?
Exploring this, UIMSA Press organized a poll among UItes to gauge their interest in the MCU. The 48 responses received provided intriguing insights into how fans currently feel about the franchise.
Of the 48 responses, 45.8% (22) reported having watched 30-34 MCU movies. The most watched films were Black Panther, Spider-Man: Far From Home and Spider-Man: No Way Home, with 46 responses each. The least-watched movie was Captain America: Brave New World with only three responses and the second least was The Marvels with only 26 responses. The low turnout for the most recent release (Captain America: Brave New World) could be attributed to the fact that at the time of the poll, the movie had not yet had a digital release.
Interestingly, more than 50% of respondents admitted to waiting for digital releases rather than seeing films in theatres. This, however, does not necessarily indicate declining interest. In fact, 43.7% of respondents said they saw more MCU movies in theatres after Avengers: Endgame than before (37.5%). The age range of respondents could explain this discrepancy – most were between 18-25 years old, meaning pre-Endgame films came out when they were younger and had less autonomy to visit theatres.
When asked how excited responders were before the release of Avengers: Endgame on a scale of 1 (Not Excited at all) to 5 (Very Excited), a staggering 92.1% responded with 4 or 5. However, when comparing their excitement levels for post-Endgame movies, on a scale of 1 (Not Excited at all) to 5 (More Excited), 29.2% responded with 4 or 5, 22.9% responded with 3 and 48% answered with 1 or 2. This shows a clear decline in their level of interest.
A closer look at viewing habits also reveals a drop in engagement. The average viewership for pre-Endgame movies among respondents was 85.49%, while post-Endgame movies saw a decline to 74.97%. This suggests that while fans are still watching MCU content, they are doing so with less enthusiasm and selectivity.
To fully cement whether interest had truly dropped, a question to test responders’ current knowledge of the MCU was asked, of which only 25% got right. The question asked the number of movies left until the next Avengers movie, of which there are only two, Thunderbolts* and The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Why has the interest/enthusiasm for the MCU dropped? When asked directly if they had lost enthusiasm for the MCU, many respondents expressed frustration. Their reasons varied, but common themes emerged:
“The movies don’t hit like before again.” A common sentiment among respondents was a noticeable negative shift in quality. Many fans believe the storytelling, action sequences and sometimes-even CGI have generally reduced in quality, making newer films feel less fresh and exciting. The emotional depth seen in early films like Captain America: The First Avenger and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 has been harder to find in recent releases. There is also the nostalgia factor, which plays a role, as fans compare the current state of Marvel to the golden era of the Infinity Saga.
“Superhero fatigue and a lot of ‘rinse and repeat.’ Same formula, we want something new.” The MCU has released a massive number of movies and TV shows in recent years, leading to what can be called superhero fatigue. While early Marvel films felt unique and ground-breaking, recent ones often follow the same basic structure – introducing a new hero, setting up a larger conflict and concluding with a CGI-heavy final battle. This repetition, combined with the sheer volume of content, has made it difficult for fans to stay invested.
“Too long and branching. They’re starting to do too much with The Marvels and co.” The interconnected nature of the MCU, once seen as a strength, is now overwhelming for some viewers. With multiple spin-offs, Disney+ shows, and crossovers, it has become increasingly difficult to follow the overarching storyline, if there even is one. Films like The Marvels and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness introduce complex narratives that require prior knowledge of other projects to fully understand. Some fans feel that Marvel is overcomplicating its stories, making it harder to enjoy each movie as a standalone experience.
“Yes, because I don’t see Iron Man anymore.” Tony Stark (Iron Man) was at the heart of the MCU for over a decade, and his death in Avengers: Endgame left a void that Marvel has struggled to fill. Many fans feel that his absence, along with the departures of Steve Rogers (Captain America) and Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow), has removed the emotional core of the franchise. While new characters have been introduced, they have not quite matched the charisma and depth of the original Avengers, leaving some fans feeling disconnected.
“They’re trying too hard to be inclusive, especially with making female main characters.” Some respondents expressed frustration with what they perceive as forced diversity in recent Marvel projects. While female-led films like Captain Marvel and Black Widow were meant to empower audiences, some fans feel the execution has been lacklustre, making inclusivity feel more like a corporate mandate rather than organic storytelling. Hence, making these additions lack the same appeal as earlier heroes.
“They’ve depowered so many characters now. She-Hulk was the last straw.” Several respondents believe that recent MCU portrayals have weakened powerful characters, making them less compelling. This is particularly noticeable with once-dominant figures like Thor and the Hulk, whose powers have been downplayed in recent films. Meanwhile, characters like She-Hulk were introduced with comedic, self-aware tones that some fans found off-putting. For example, She-Hulk portrayed the character as more powerful than the Hulk, with feats the Hulk in previous movies had previously surpassed. All while making fun of his struggle to get his powers under control, which included a failed suicide attempt.
However, not all responses were negative. A few fans remain loyal, with one stating, “I can never lose enthusiasm for Marvel. What is life without Marvel?” Respondents also shared what they believe the franchise lacks post-Endgame:
“Good storytelling and writers who actually have read the comics.” A major complaint among respondents is that recent MCU films have suffered from inconsistent writing, although this might not be entirely the writers’ fault. Marvel’s strict confidentiality on projects makes communication between projects utilising the same characters difficult, resulting in continuity issues and inconsistencies. Case in point being Nick Fury’s more comedic take in The Marvels, which was released shortly after the more dramatic, dark take seen in the Secret Invasion show. Some still believe that hiring writers who are passionate about Marvel’s history could help restore the franchise’s quality.
“It will always be Iron Man. Avengers isn’t the same without him.” Iron Man was not just a character—he was the face of the MCU. His humour, intelligence, and emotional growth made him one of the most beloved superheroes in modern cinema. His absence has left many fans feeling that something essential is missing from the franchise. While Marvel is introducing new characters, none has yet achieved the same level of fan devotion as Tony Stark. Marvel may have misheard this complaint though, leading them to recast Robert Downey Jr as Dr Doom for the upcoming movies.
“The depth of plot and intricate storytelling that was present from Phases 1-3.” Phases 1-3 of the MCU masterfully built up a grand, interconnected narrative, resulting in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Each movie played a role in a larger story, with clear character arcs and emotional payoffs. Many fans feel that newer films lack this level of planning and coherence, making them feel like a barrage of content and purposelessness, resulting in a lack of interest.
“The connectivity of the characters—that was what made the pre-Endgame movies exciting.” The original MCU line-up had a strong sense of camaraderie, with characters appearing in each other’s films in meaningful ways. Iron Man mentoring Spider-Man, Thor and Hulk’s unlikely friendship, and Captain America’s leadership created memorable dynamics that fans loved. In contrast, post-Endgame films feel more disconnected, with new characters introduced but not forming the same level of on-screen chemistry. This lack of cohesion has made the newer MCU feel less like a shared universe and more like a collection of separate projects.
One respondent summed it up best: “The MCU got way too complicated. Simplicity and more grounded stories would help—like Daredevil Born Again.“
Overall, the MCU has seen a massive decline, with a significant drop in interest and engagement among fans, as evidenced by the poll. The upcoming Avengers: Doomsday faces a significant challenge in reigniting fan interest and addressing the issues that have led to this decline in enthusiasm, especially when considering that the main villain has not been seen on screen before. In case you were wondering, there were more male responses (77.1%) than female.
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