How do critic and audience scores reflect the performance of the Marvel Cinematic Universe post-Endgame?
But are MCU movies actually getting worse?
Three metrics are key in answering that question.Rotten Tomatoesis a percentage of “positive” reviews.
Metacritic is a weighted score by industry professionals.
And the CinemaScore is a grade from eager moviegoers.
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score
TheRotten Tomatoes Critic Scoreis actually not a rating at all.
It is an “enjoyment” metric that shows the percentage of “positive” reviews from verified critics.
While anything below 60% is considered “Rotten”.
Phase Four follows the most critically acclaimed Phase with the most polarizing.
It is important to note that when Phase Four hits, it hits hard.
Not great news critically for the first proper introduction of the saga’s biggest bad so far.
Metacritic Critic Score
TheMetacritic Metascoreis much closer to an actual rating of the movie.
This is considered arbitrary, but it is what it is.
Key Metric:Metacritic is a 0-100 score where anything above 60% receives a green label.
Anything above 81% is given a “Must-See” label.
Metacritic reports roughly 5% of recorded movies have reached this status.
Phase 4 is the first MCU Phase without a movie that surpasses a 75% Metacritic score.
In fact, Phase Three has 58% of Marvel Studios movies scoring above 75%.
The only actual bright spots for critics in Phases Four and Five areShang-ChiandNo Way Home.
These are a measure of how the most passionate fans of these movies felt directly after their first watch.
No Marvel Studios movie has received lower than a B-.
By the timeThe Avengerscame around in 2012, it was smooth sailing for Marvel Studios and their fanbase.
Heading into The Multiverse Saga, they couldn’t miss.
Three movies into Phase Four and the now statistically infamousEternals, Marvel Studios received their first “B-”.
Final Verdict for CinemaScore Voters:The roughest 8-movie stretch in the history of the MCU.
Actually seen the film and 2.)
Have a valid opinion outside of “review bombing.”
Many believe that the review bombing ofCaptain Marvelis what pushed this initiative.
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score couldn’t disagree more.
Technically, Phase Four is the highest-rated Phase in the MCU so far.
Metacritic Audience Scores
TheMetacritic Audience Scoreis a true user vote from the Metacritic audience.
Many websites likeIMDband Letterboxd have the same access, but Metacritic has the name value.
Every Phase of the MCU has a Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score lower than the Audience Score.
Both Phase Three and Four have average critic scores higher than the average audience scores.
Five of the six lowest Metacritic Audience scores belong tothe post-Infinity Saga era.
Phase Four in the Metacritic Audience score is without a doubt the weakest Phase in this entire study.
This does not include the Cinema Score to get a better idea of long-term reactions to these movies.
Are Marvel Movies Really Getting Worse?
Comparing theAverage Critic Scoreand theAverage Audience Scoretells the story of how Marvel Studios movies are trending post-Infinity Saga.
Critics and Audiences alike are taking the MCU one movie at a time.
Critics on the other hand seem to be in a position where Marvel Studios has to earn it again.
The reality of the situation is that Marvel Studios is at a crossroads.
The rest of the 2023 theatrical slate for Marvel Studios is a make-or-break moment for the red brand.
All of the pieces are in place for the first back-to-back critical hits since Phase Three.
All eyes now point toJames GunnandGuardians Vol.
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