The Marvelsmight be the lowest-performingMarvel Cinematic Universemovie ever, but it feels increasingly like the most vital as the Multiverse Saga crescendos.The Marvelswas one of the most talked-about entries inthe MCU timeline– not necessarily for its plot, but for its surprising underperformance. Labeled a box office bomb, it fell short of the MCU’s usual financial standards. Yet in the wake of newer revelations about the Multiverse Saga’s direction,The Marvelsis gaining retroactive significance. More than just a misunderstood sequel toCaptain Marvel, the film quietly planted the seeds for major developments inthe MCU’s future.
WhenThe Marvelspremiered in November 2023, expectations were modest but optimistic. Following the billion-dollar success ofCaptain Marvel(2019), there was hope that audiences would return to see the continuing adventures of Carol Danvers, especially with fan-favorite Kamala Khan andWandaVision’s Monica Rambeau joining the cast. Instead, the film had the lowest opening weekend in MCU history and barely crossed $200 million globally – a sharp decline from past entries. Several factors contributed: superhero fatigue, lackluster marketing, the 2023 actors' strike preventing the cast from promoting the film, and general confusion about the film’s place in the broader saga.
9Kamala Khan Is One Of The MCU’s Greatest New Characters
Kamala Khan Is The MCU’s Ms Marvel
If there’s one universally praised aspect ofThe Marvels, it’s Iman Vellani’s Kamala Khan. First introduced in Disney+’sMs. Marvel, Kamala brings a refreshing blend of teenage energy, earnestness, andgeeky enthusiasm that had long been missingfrom the MCU. InThe Marvels, she’s a standout presence – not only as comic relief but also as a character with genuine heart and an evolving heroic identity. Her fangirling over Captain Marvel is played with authenticity, making her interactions feel layered rather than gimmicky.
Kamala also serves as the film’s emotional core, bridging the gap between cosmic-level stakes and street-level relatability. Vellani’s performance is charming without being over-the-top, making Kamala a key figure for the MCU’s future.The Marvelsshowcaseswhy Kamala could become one of the next-generation Avengers’ central figures, while also serving as a conduit for the audience as a superhero fan herself.
8The Marvels Proffers The MCU’s Connection To The X-Men Universe
The Marvels Introduced The X-Men’s Beast
One ofThe Marvels’ biggest twists came in its post-credits scene – and it’sa game-changer for the MCU. Monica Rambeau, after closing an interdimensional rift, awakens in what appears to be an alternate reality, greeted by a variant of her mother Maria Rambeau and none other than Beast from the X-Men, played by Kelsey Grammer reprising his role from Fox’sX-Menfranchise.
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This remains the only remaining connection between the X-Men’s universe and the MCU continuity, setting the stage for the mutants’ long-anticipated arrival. With numerous X-Men characters confirmed in theAvengers: Doomsdaycast,this connection will be vital.While asDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessincluded a Charles Xavier variant, he was promptly killed with no other X-Men confirmed. As such, Beast and the implied X-Men inThe Marvelsis likely the team who will appear inDoomsday.
Nick Fury Was Central To Forming The First Avengers
Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury has been one of the MCU’s most iconic characters since the post-credits scene ofIron Manin 2008. But as the MCU moves forward into multiversal chaos and younger heroes take the stage,Fury’s presence is slowly being phased out.The Marvelsmarks his last appearance in the franchise, but he will presumably return at some point in the future.
Fury was integral in forming the MCU’s original Avengers, it would be fitting for him to return at some point while Sam Wilson is creating the new team. InThe Marvels, Fury returns to a leadership role aboard SABER, acting as a strategic overseer of cosmic threats. Though his role is smaller than in previous outings, his interactions with Carol, Kamala, and Monicareflect the culmination of years of interstellar planning.
6The First Three-Way Marvels Fight Is Captivating
The Marvels Boasts Great Fight Choreography
One of the most inventive action sequences in recent MCU history unfolds inThe Marvelswhen Carol Danvers, Monica Rambeau, and Kamala Khan find themselves swapping places mid-battle across different locations. Unlike other team fights, this one’s core mechanic is teleportation, triggered by the simultaneous use of their powers – creatinga dynamic and high-energy sequencethat’s as fun as it is chaotic. It’s a landmark for Marvel choreography, pushing the limits of spatial continuity and coordination, especially as they start to anticipate the switches and use them tactically.
In a franchise that sometimes leans too heavily on CGI-laden spectacle, this fight sequence stands out for its clever concept and character-driven tension. Not only does it showcase each Marvel’s unique abilities, but it also serves as a metaphor for their slowly forming bond. It’s the first time the MCU has introduced this kind of dynamic power-sharingin a fight – and it’s visually thrilling to watch.
5The Marvels Deals With The Fallout Of A Hero’s Actions
The Marvels Explored The Consequences Of Captain Marvel
The Marvelscontinues a growing MCU trend: examining how the decisions of heroes ripple outward in disastrous or unexpected ways. Just likeDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessintroduced Incursions caused by reckless multiversal tampering,The Marvelsexplores the consequences of Captain Marvel’s actions on the Kree homeworld and other affected planets. The fall of Hala isn’t just a footnote – itbecomes the emotional and thematic core of the story, showing that even well-intentioned heroism can destabilize entire civilizations.
I’m Worried It Looks Like Marvel Has Sidestepped The Issue Of Doctor Doom Looking Like Iron Man In The Worst Possible Way
With Robert Downey Jr. back in the MCU as Doctor Doom, it seemed a major Avengers 5 narrative would be their resemblance, but the cast suggests not.
This sets up a key thematic thread heading towardAvengers: Doomsday, where reality itself will presumably be at risk of multiversal collapse. Strange’s meddling in the multiverse still hasn’t been addressed, with an incursion still pending. There are also parallels with Iron Man’s legacy - particularly in how his tech and ego continue to haunt the MCU. With Robert Downey Jr. playing the MCU’s Doctor Doom,Iron Man’s death and legacy will presumably play a role, potentially continuing this trend by creating inadvertent consequences.
4The Marvels Demonstrated How The Barriers Between Realities Could Be Broken
The Quantum Bands Rip A Hole Between Universes
UnlikeLokiorDoctor Strange, which rely on magic or TVA tech to breach dimensions,The Marvelsproves that multiversal travel can be achieved through raw energy manipulation. Dar-Benn uses the Quantum Bands a the end of the movie, killing herself and ripping a hole between realities. Monica Rambeau sacrifices herself, using photonic energy to stabilizes it through sheer willpower and knowledge of cosmic mechanics. This is an incredibly important precedent: multiversal hopping is no longer just for sorcerers or gods – it’s accessible to high-level science heroes too.
That has enormous implications forAvengers: Doomsday, especially with a scientific tyrant like Doctor Doom entering the fray. If a multiversal incursion can be triggered and stabilized by someone like Monica,Doom could feasibly do the same, but with malevolent intent.The Marvelsquietly lays the groundwork for how fragile the boundaries between realities really are – and who might exploit that in the near future.
3The Marvels Set-Up The MCU’s Young Avengers
Kamala Khan Is Recruiting Young Heroes
At the end ofThe Marvels, Kamala Khan takes a major step forward not just as a solo hero, but as a recruiter. The final scene mirrors the iconic Nick Fury moment fromIron Man(2008), with Kamala playfully channeling that same vibe as she approaches Kate Bishop to talk about forming a team. It’s subtle, butit’s the clearest setup yet for theYoung Avengers– a team the MCU has been slowly building toward sinceWandaVision,Hawkeye, andThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
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Kamala is the perfect character to spearhead this youthful movement: earnest, hopeful, anda total fangirl of the Avengers legacy. Her charm, combined with her newfound leadership initiative, sets the stage for a new generation of heroes stepping into the void left by the original Avengers.The Marvelsisn’t just another cosmic adventure – it’s a passing of the torch, making it essential for what comes next.
2The Marvels Introduced The X-Men As Allies Of Multiversal Avengers
The X-Men’s Introduction Will Be Key For Avengers: Doomsday
The monumental moment inThe Marvelswhere Monica wakes up in a universe containing the X-Men has even further ramifications. Monica meets a variant of her mother who has become the superhero Binary. Binary is based on Carol Danvers and Monica Rambeau from the comics, both of which are affiliated with the Avengers. This suggests that in some universes, the X-Men arealready working with the Avengersand cosmic-level heroes.
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The Avengers: Doomsday cast has been revealed and is missing some essential characters from the MCU, especially in relation to the movie’s themes.
This will be pivotal heading intoAvengers: Doomsday, which is rumored to feature a team-up between the Avengers, Fantastic Four, Thunderbolts, and X-Men against Doctor Doom. As the cinematic X-Men have previously not been seen working with other heroes,The Marvelsbreaks this precedent,establishing them as collaboratorsin advance ofAvengers: Doomsday. The introduction of Binary as an X-Men affiliate was not only a surprise for audiences but sets the tone for a united multiversal front.
1The Marvels Is Way Better Than The Box Office Suggests
The Marvels Was Plagued With Issues Upon Release
The Marvelsmay be the MCU’s lowest-grossing film to date, but its quality, stakes, and importance are far greater than ticket sales suggest. From its whip-smart character dynamics to its inventive fight choreography and emotional weight, the filmoffers a lot more than it was given credit for.Blame poor marketing, superhero fatigue, or timing – but not the content itself.
The chemistry between the leads, particularly Iman Vellani’s Kamala Khan, brings a much-needed freshness and heart to the MCU. Its concise runtime avoids the bloat of other recent entries, while stilldelivering huge multiversal implications. For a film that’s become unfairly associated with the phrase “box office bomb,”The Marvelsquietly accomplishes more for the future of the franchise than most recent blockbusters. RewatchingThe Marvelswith the knowledge of what’s coming –Avengers: Doomsday,Avengers: Secret Wars, and the full X-Men integration – reveals just how foundational this underdog movie truly is.
