Thunderbolts lost millions despite rave reviews, what's next for Marvel?
Critical acclaim, financial crash
Shawn Robbins, director of analytics at Fandango, suggests Marvel has entered a 'new era' where blockbuster success cannot be assumed. Indeed, while pre‑pandemic MCU films largely topped $500 million, only 6 of 13 movies have crossed that mark since 2020. Still, Marvel's vast ecosystem—including Disney+, theme parks, and merch—helps cushion losses.
Standalone films are fading, but the big guns still fire
Michael Bock from Exhibitor Relations notes that 'lower‑tier comic book movies aren't cinematic slam dunks anymore,' pointing to Thunderbolts' rapid decline at the box office. In response, Marvel is scaling back stand‑alone origin films and doubling down on tentpole events and crossover extravaganzas, think Fantastic Four: First Steps, Avengers: Doomsday (Dec 2026), Spider‑Man 4, and Avengers: Secret Wars (Dec 2027). These are seen as safer bets with built‑in fanbases.
Quality over quantity: The creative course correction
After Marvel fatigue set in—sparked by an overload of interconnected films and TV series—Kevin Feige admitted the studio had overstuffed its release schedule . The misfires of The Marvels and Quantumania forced introspection. Now, Marvel is pulling back, emphasising fewer, bigger, and more polished projects. Thunderbolts was viewed more like a narrative bridge than a standalone hit,
What's Marvel's next move?
Marvel has signalled that it will prioritise proven franchises like Avengers and Spider‑Man. Lesser-known characters may only get spotlight time in team‑ups rather than their own blockbusters . With rising production costs and tighter budgets, the MCU's strategy appears to be about smart storytelling over sheer volume.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
35 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Tom Holland and Zendaya spice up summer romance with Indian meal on Spider-Man: Brand New Day sets in England; See pics
Popular Hollywood actors Zendaya and Tom Holland have been making the most of their time together in England this summer, blending work with quiet moments away from the set of Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Between long shooting days and packed filming schedules, the engaged couple have been spotted enjoying each other's company at parks, cafés, and cosy neighbourhood haunts. Tom Holland and Zendaya have been spending time in London In the latest pictures doing the rounds on social media, the pair were seen at a park in London's Gerrards Cross on Friday. Tom was filming a scene reportedly showing Peter Parker visiting Aunt May's grave, while Zendaya—whose MJ's story ended on an emotional, uncertain note in the last film—was there just to meet him. The day also included a stop at local Indian restaurant Caraway Café, which shared its excitement online: 'Homework can wait, Gerrards Cross can't! Thrilled to be visited by the amazing @tomholland2013 and the ever so beautiful @zendaya… a moment our team will always cherish!' This is just one of several sightings of the couple in recent weeks. Earlier this month, they were photographed walking through London's Richmond Park with their dogs—Zendaya's miniature schnauzer Noon and Tom's new pup Daphne. The two also enjoyed a coffee date in Scotland last month, and Holland was spotted visiting Zendaya on the set of Euphoria back in April. Their romance has been unfolding alongside a busy filming schedule. Tom has been shooting major action sequences for the £150 million Marvel sequel in Glasgow, which has been transformed into downtown New York for the production. The film, expected to release next year, is also rumoured to feature Stranger Things star Sadie Sink. Off screen, the couple's relationship continues to make headlines after news of their engagement earlier this year. The proposal took place quietly between Christmas and New Year at one of Zendaya's family homes, and was first revealed when she debuted her east-west 5-carat old mine cut diamond ring—estimated at $120,000—at the 2025 Golden Globes. Wedding plans, however, are on hold. 'The process hasn't even started yet,' her stylist Law Roach told E! News, pointing to Zendaya's stacked schedule, which includes Dune: Part Three, Euphoria season three, and The Odyssey, along with Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Before Park Hyung-sik's Twelve, enjoy 5 fantasy K-dramas on OTT
Twelve is a South Korean fantasy action series about 12 angels who take on human form to protect the Korean Peninsula from evil spirits. They had previously driven away these spirits, but now evil is returning, and the angels must reunite to fight. The series stars Ma Dong-seok, Park Hyung-sik, and Seo In-guk, among others. This is inspired by the 12 zodiac animals of East Asian legend, where each angel represents an animal. The series will be available on Disney+. Indian audience can expect it on JioHotstar (OTTplay Premium) Park Hyung-sik in Twelve Ahead of the release of Twelve, stream the other 5 fantasy K-dramas on OTTplay Premium! 5 fantasy K-dramas to watch Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, also known as Goblin, is a South Korean fantasy romance drama. In the series, Kim Shin (Gong Yoo), an immortal goblin, seeks a bride to break his curse and end his immortal life. The series follows Kim Shin as he confronts a grim reaper (Lee Dong-wook), an energetic high school student named Ji Eun-tak (Kim Go-eun), and Sunny (Yoo In-na), the owner of a chicken restaurant. Their interconnected lives are filled with love, loss, friendship, and explorations of themes such as immortality, fate, and forgiveness. In this K-drama, Gu San-young is possessed by an evil spirit, and Yeom Hae-sang, a professor who can see demons. They investigate mysterious deaths linked to the possession and uncover the truth behind them. This series explores themes of social commentary, cultural beliefs, and the struggles of young people. In the series, Kim Tae-ri, Oh Jung-se, Hong Kyung, and others play key roles. The Judge from Hell is a Korean drama about a demon named Justitia, who possesses the body of a murdered judge Kang Bit-na. It is to complete a mission to send ten unrepentant murderers to hell. The story shows the themes of justice, redemption, and the blurred line between good and evil. Moving is a group of teenagers with inherited superpowers who, along with their parents, try to live normal lives while hiding their powers. The series is based on a webtoon by Kang Full. Moving features Ryu Seung-ryong, Han Hyo-joo, Zo In-sung, and Lee Jung-ha. The Golden Spoon is a South Korean drama about Lee Seungcheon. He is a poor student who gets the chance to switch lives with his wealthy friend, Hwang Taeyong. He uses a magical golden spoon to do it. The story explores themes of wealth, social class, and the consequences of chasing a different life.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Disney to shut down Hulu app
Disney is likely to shut down the Hulu standalone app in 2026. As per Variety, the streaming giant will merge Hulu into Disney+. Disney chief Bob Iger touted a number of benefits through the move, including increased engagement and lower churn rates. But a major boon for Disney should come on operating expenses. In fiscal 2025, Hulu will have programming costs of USD 4.1 billion and non-programming expenses of USD 2.9 billion -- increasing to USD 4.4 billion in content costs and USD 3.3 billion in non-content costs by fiscal 2027, according to projections by MoffettNathanson analyst Robert Fishman. Disney has "an opportunity to drive additional cost efficiencies from the elimination of duplicative technology and administrative costs" at Hulu, he wrote in a July 14 note. According to Fishman, the benefits of combining Hulu with Disney+ are "likely still not fully captured in our current forecast." Disney now owns 100 per cent of Hulu after Disney finally closed its deal with Comcast to buy out NBCUniversal's one-third stake in the streamer in June 2025. On Disney's earnings call Wednesday with analysts, Iger didn't quantify expected cost synergies of the planned integration of Hulu into Disney+ although he said it would yield "operational efficiencies," as per Variety. "We obviously will deliver efficiencies. When these are together, they'll be on one tech stack, as a for instance, one tech platform," Iger said. He also noted that Disney has a unified sales approach for advertising across Hulu and Disney+, "but this will give our sales organization a chance to package them far more effectively than they have before." That said, the CEO largely focused on what he promised will be a "far better consumer experience." "We are building on Disney's value proposition in streaming by combining Hulu into Disney+ to create a unified app experience featuring branded and general entertainment news and sports, resulting in a one-of-a-kind entertainment destination for subscribers." In addition, in the fall of 2025, Hulu will replace the Star tile on Disney+ internationally as the brand for adult-oriented programming.
