Is Marvel Losing Its Grip? When ‘Captain America 4’ Meets ‘Ne Zha 2’
Marvel Studios’ latest blockbuster, Captain America: Brave New World, has stumbled at the box office since its release on Valentine’s Day. Featuring Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson stepping into the role of Captain America, the film delves into political intrigue with President Thaddeus Ross, played by Harrison Ford, navigating past mistakes amidst a potential assassination plot.
Despite high expectations, the film has received a lukewarm reception. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 49% approval rating based on 300 critic reviews, with an average rating of 5.5 out of 10. Critics note that while Mackie capably assumes the mantle, the film feels “too routine and overstuffed with uninteresting easter eggs” to stand out as a worthy standalone adventure. IGN commented that the movie “feels neither brave, nor all that new.”
Commercially, Brave New World has struggled to make an impact. After a strong opening weekend, it experienced a significant 68% drop in its second weekend, earning $28.2 million domestically and bringing its total to $141 million. Globally, the film has grossed over $289.4 million, but it faces challenges in surpassing the $425 million worldwide break-even point.
In contrast, the Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2 is achieving unprecedented success. Recently becoming the highest-grossing animated movie of all time in China, it has earned 13.7 billion yuan (approximately $1.9 billion) globally, despite limited overseas releases. The film continues to break records on the all-time global box office chart.
The contrasting performances of these two films highlight a shift in audience preferences and the evolving dynamics of the global film market. While Marvel’s latest offering struggles to meet expectations, Ne Zha 2 captivates audiences with its compelling storytelling and high-quality animation. This trend suggests that viewers are increasingly seeking fresh narratives and diverse perspectives.
In the Chinese mainland, Captain America: Brave New World is trailing behind at the box office, with moviegoers showing a clear preference for domestic productions over Hollywood sequels. In the nearly two weeks since its release, the film has only grossed 98 million yuan, a stark contrast to first-week earnings of Detective Chinatown 1900 at 1.8 billion yuan and Ne Zha 2 at 3.1 billion yuan. Ticketing platform Maoyan has downgraded its final box office projection for Brave New World to 120 million yuan.
The film has also faced critical backlash, earning a dismal 5.2 out of 10 on media review platform Douban, placing it alongside poorly received predecessors like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and The Marvels. Industry experts suggest the film’s underperformance reflects systemic issues plaguing Marvel rather than a rejection of individual heroism.
Zhang Peng, a film researcher at Nanjing Normal University, commented that Marvel’s recent decline stems from “a combination of quality deterioration, disjointed storytelling, and formulaic character development, which have fueled global audience fatigue.” He noted that the rise of domestic cinema has raised viewers’ expectations, with audiences increasingly gravitating toward narratives that resonate culturally. “The implied values in Marvel’s works feel alien to Chinese sensibilities, exacerbating the disconnect,” Zhang told the Global Times.
He added that for Hollywood to regain relevance in China, it must prioritize compelling storytelling while balancing cultural sensitivity and market adaptability. “A good story transcends borders, but its delivery must evolve with the times,” Zhang said.
The success of Ne Zha 2 underscores this shift, as it offers a fresh take on traditional Chinese mythology, appealing to both young and adult audiences. As global viewers seek diverse stories, the film industry is witnessing a transformation that emphasizes originality and cultural authenticity.
For Marvel and other Hollywood studios, this may signal the need to innovate and adapt to changing audience preferences worldwide. The Global South’s burgeoning markets, with their unique tastes and cultural contexts, are becoming increasingly influential in shaping the future of cinema.
