When the MCU launched with Iron Man (2008) and peaked with The Avengers (2012), fans knew what to expect: well-paced storytelling, characters they could root for, and a shared universe that felt connected. There was excitement around every new release because it all felt like part of a larger, thoughtful plan.
Fast-forward to now, and that clarity is long gone. The storytelling feels scattered. Characters come and go without purpose. For many fans, the emotional attachment that once made the MCU so special isn’t there anymore.
Fans aren’t turning up in droves like they used to. More and more are walking away entirely—saying the magic they once felt has vanished.
From Buzz to Burnout
Recent projects have been absolute flops. The Marvels (2023) was disjointed and failed to engage mainstream audiences. Eternals (2021) struggled with pacing and lacked strong character dynamics. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) introduced a major villain in Kang—but the movie itself didn’t land with the impact fans expected.
Over on Disney+, Secret Invasion came and went with little buzz. Ms. Marvel had its moments, but couldn’t hold viewers’ attention week to week. Instead of creating excitement, Marvel’s content overload left fans feeling tired. Watching new releases felt less like a treat and more like a chore.
Big Mistakes
There’s no one reason why the MCU lost its way—but a few big ones have become clear.
#1 – Forced messaging started taking priority over character arcs. “Woke” themes began to feel like they were being shoved in just to check a box, not because they served the story or the character journey. That’s not to say diversity is the problem—it’s the execution that feels hollow.
#2 – At the same time, Marvel began introducing new waves of heroes—without giving audiences time to say goodbye to the ones they already cared about. Fan-favorites were sidelined with little resolution, and the new faces were often dropped into massive storylines before we even got to know them.
#3 – Instead of building a stronger universe, Marvel built a confusing web of storylines that rarely connected. What once felt like a cohesive saga started feeling like twelve separate ones.
Way Too Much Disney+
The real flood came from Disney+. Since 2021, Marvel has launched:
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WandaVision
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The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
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Loki
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Hawkeye
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Moon Knight
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Ms. Marvel
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She-Hulk
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Secret Invasion
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Echo
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Agatha All Along
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Daredevil: Born Again
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Ironheart
Twelve shows in just a few years—plus multiple theatrical releases. Even the most dedicated fans struggled to keep up. Storylines felt incomplete, characters vanished without resolution, and nothing felt essential anymore.
Major Changes Ahead
Kevin Feige, the mastermind behind the MCU, finally admitted what fans have been saying for years: Marvel overdid it. There was simply too much content and not enough focus.
Feige says that moving forward, Marvel will dramatically reduce the number of Disney+ series—capping it at around two live-action shows per year. The priority will return to the big screen, where Marvel made its name. The goal? Give projects more breathing room and make every release feel important again.
Can Marvel Make a Comeback?
This isn’t just about slowing down—it’s about rebuilding trust. Feige wants to make Marvel feel special again. And with big-ticket titles like Fantastic Four and Avengers: Secret Wars on the horizon, the studio has a real chance to right the ship.
If Marvel stays focused, takes its time, and gets back to telling great stories, the MCU just might win fans back—and remind us why we fell in love with it in the first place.
