Summary
New summer movie stats further confirm what manyMCUfans already know to be true aboutAvengers: Endgame. Having been released in 2019, the fourthAvengersmovie serves as the culmination of over 10 years of interconnected storytelling which had been told across Marvel Studios' epic Infinity Saga. Spanning over 22 films fromIron MantoEndgame, a new set of data proves a core truth about this definitive final chapter, especially when compared to summer blockbusters in general.
In 2019’sAvengers: Endgame, Earth Mightiest Heroes are unwilling to live with Thanos' victory in the precedingAvengers: Infinity War. Looking to bring back those they had lost,the Avengers manage to claim Infinity Stones of their own via time travel, resulting in a major final confrontation with the Mad Titan that featured the vast majority of MCU characters that had been introduced and developed ever since 2008. To that end,here’s what a fascinating new set of summer blockbuster data reveals aboutEndgameand the greater MCU at large.
How To Watch the Marvel Movies In Order (By Release Date & In Order Of MCU Timeline Events)
Want to catch up before the next release, or just revisit the universe for a refresher? Here’s the order to watch the entire MCU timeline.
Avengers: Endgame Is Moviegoers' Favorite MCU Summer Blockbuster
Only Ranked Under Jurassic Park (1993)
Movie ticket sellerFandango recently conducted a new surveytaken by over 2,000 film fans, asking about their all-time favorite summer blockbusters that have been released over the years. Naturally, a good portion of the top 10 were MCU films, specificallyAvengersmovies. All four of theAvengersmovies premiered in late April/early May during their respective release years, a means of kicking off the summer with an epic superhero crossover. That said,Avengers: Endgameranks much higher than the other two MCU movies on this top 10 list.
1
(1993)
2
(2019)
3
(1981)
4
(1977)
5
(1980)
6
(2008)
7
(1983)
8
(2018)
9
(2012)
10
Independence Day
(1996)
Ranked second only below1993’sJurassic Parkfrom director Steven Spielbergfor the top spot,Avengers: Endgamelooks to be moviegoers' all-time favorite MCU summer blockbuster. The margin is also pretty wide betweenEndgameand the next favorite summer blockbusters from the MCU. WhileEndgamesits at #2, the precedingAvengers: Infinity War(2018)sits at #8, and the very firstAvengersfilm released in 2012 is ranked at #9.
Why Avengers: Endgame Is The MCU’s Most Popular Summer Blockbuster
The Answer Is Pretty Obvious
Avengers: Endgame’shigh ranking as the most-loved summer MCU blockbuster shouldn’t come as a big surprise. After all, it’s undoubtedly one of the most beloved and popular MCU films in general. A blockbuster among blockbusters,the level of storytelling and pay-off seen inEndgamewas unprecedented and will likely never be topped againdue to its groundbreaking foundation, having required over 10 years to develop along with its audience.
Engame’s summer ranking also makes sense when factoring in its financial success as well.A true mega-blockbuster and massive commercial success,Endgame’sall-time gross at the box office sits at just under 2.8 billion dollars, making it the second highest-grossing film of all time internationally. To that end, numbers like that only happen due to an extremely wide mass appeal, high amounts of excitement and satisfaction from audiences, and plenty of repeat viewings.
Why Avengers: Age Of Ultron Isn’t On The Popular Summer Blockbusters List
It’s The Least Event-Style Avengers Movie
Despite being a very entertaining MCU movie in general,Avengers: Age of Ultronis notably not on this new summer list, while the other threeAvengersfilms are. This can likely be attributed to the secondAvengersfilm not feeling like as much of an event film when compared to its otherAvengerscrossovers. Rather than being solely focused on the major threat that was Ultron, the MCU’s second major crossover had far more narrative avenues as it worked to set up what was coming next.
That said,Age of Ultron’sexistence as a key bridge film for future MCU projectsshould never be discounted. The way in which it sets up bothCaptain America: Civil Warand the next twoAvengersfilms in particular is very well executed, making the crossover film even more entertaining in retrospect. However,it’s understandable whyAge of Ultronwould rank much lower when compared to its fellowAvengersfilms, especially considering the additional lens of this survey about all-time favorite blockbusters with options spanning beyond the MCU.
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Cast
Avengers: Age of Ultron, released in 2015, follows Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man and Captain America, as they contend with Ultron, a rogue AI with plans for global annihilation. This Marvel sequel sees The Avengers form uneasy alliances and embark on a perilous global adventure to thwart Ultron’s schemes.
What Upcoming MCU Movies Could Become Popular Summer Blockbusters
Deadpool & Wolverine? Avengers 5 & 6?
Looking forward now that the MCU is in the midst of its Multiverse Saga,it’s interesting to think about which upcoming Marvel Studios projects might stand a chance at becoming major summer blockbustersthat could also make a similar all-time list one day, becoming just as popular (or even just close) toAvengers: Endgame. Naturally,July’sDeadpool & Wolverinecertainly stands a chanceat becoming an all-time best, especially given the iconic duo that is Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman playing their most famous and popular movie roles.
Additionally, one could presume that the upcomingAvengers 5andAvengers: Secret Warsalso stand to gain high rankings when they release in the next couple of years. That said,Secret Warslikely stands a much higher chance thanAvengers 5, if only because it’s expected to culminate and end the Multiverse Saga in epic fashionwith multiple characters, much likeAvengers: Endgameitself did for the Infinity Saga. At any rate, it will be exciting to see if this kind of summer ranking list ends up changing in the MCU’s favor, depending on how the next few years go for Marvel Studios.
Deadpool & Wolverine
A follow-up to the highly successful Deadpool and Deadpool 2 films starring Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth. The third film will be the first in the franchise to be developed under the Marvel Studios banner following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
