The Marvels may currently stand as the least commercially successful film within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), yet it increasingly proves to be a critical piece as the Multiverse Saga unfolds. While the movie drew attention primarily for its unexpected box office performance, receiving the label of a financial disaster, its relevance grows with emerging insights into the saga’s trajectory. Rather than merely serving as a continuation of Captain Marvel, this film subtly introduces pivotal foundations for the future of the MCU.
Upon its release in November 2023, expectations for The Marvels were tempered yet hopeful. Following the billion-dollar success of its predecessor, Captain Marvel (2019), audiences anticipated a return to the adventures of Carol Danvers, especially with the addition of beloved characters like Kamala Khan and Monica Rambeau from WandaVision. However, the film experienced the lowest opening weekend in MCU history and struggled to surpass $200 million globally—significantly below previous installments. Several factors contributed to this decline, including superhero fatigue, ineffective marketing strategies, the 2023 actors’ strike limiting promotional activities, and overall confusion regarding the movie’s position within the larger narrative.
9 Kamala Khan: A Rising Star in the MCU
Introducing Kamala Khan: The MCU’s Ms. Marvel
The standout feature of The Marvels is undoubtedly Iman Vellani’s portrayal of Kamala Khan. Introduced in Disney+’s Ms. Marvel, Kamala breathes fresh energy, genuine enthusiasm, and a geeky charm that had been missing in the MCU. In The Marvels, her character shines not only as comic relief but also as a vital emotional anchor. Kamala’s heartfelt admiration for Captain Marvel adds depth to her interactions, making them feel authentic rather than superficial.
As the movie’s emotional center, Kamala successfully bridges the epic scope of cosmic threats with relatable street-level experiences. Vellani’s performance is at once engaging and heartfelt, positioning Kamala as a pivotal figure in the future of the MCU. The film makes a compelling case for her potential role as a central character among a new generation of Avengers, serving both as a fan and a hero.
8 Linking the MCU to the X-Men Universe
The Marvels Brings in the X-Men’s Beast
One of the film’s most significant revelations occurs in its post-credits scene, which alters the landscape of the MCU. In this moment, Monica Rambeau, after confronting an interdimensional rift, finds herself in an alternate reality where she reunites with a variant of her mother, Maria Rambeau, and the iconic Beast from the X-Men—played by Kelsey Grammer reprising his role from the previous Fox franchise. This moment represents the MCU’s only tangible connection to the X-Men universe, hinting at the eventual integration of mutants into its storyline.
The presence of Beast serves to lay vital groundwork for the anticipated inclusion of X-Men characters in Avengers: Doomsday. Previous appearances of X-Men, such as Charles Xavier in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, didn’t provide a lasting connection. Thus, the introduction of Beast hints that he and potentially a team of X-Men may play prominent roles in upcoming films.
7 Nick Fury’s Final Appearance
Nick Fury: The Architect of the Avengers
Samuel L. Jackson’s portrayal of Nick Fury has been integral to the development of the MCU since his initial appearance in Iron Man’s post-credits scene in 2008. As the universe transitions into multiversal complexities and a wave of new heroes, Fury’s role is gradually diminishing. The Marvels marks his final cinematic appearance—at least for the time being—though fans anticipate his eventual return.
Fury played a crucial role in assembling the original Avengers, making a future return plausible as new hero Sam Wilson forges a new team. In this film, Fury resumes leadership aboard SABER, overseeing cosmic threats with a tactical mentality. While his presence is less pronounced than in earlier films, his interactions with Carol, Kamala, and Monica encapsulate years of narrative buildup and interstellar planning.
6 The Film Features a Groundbreaking Three-Way Fight
The Marvels Showcases Innovative Fight Choreography
One of the most creatively executed action sequences in recent MCU installments occurs when Captain Marvel, Monica Rambeau, and Kamala Khan coordinate their powers in a unique mid-battle teleportation. This inventive fight showcases a fresh take on superhero dynamics, where their simultaneous abilities lead to a high-energy sequence filled with chaos and excitement. It marks a new era of fight choreography within the franchise, setting a standard for future action scenes.
This sequence not only highlights the individual strengths of each character but also serves as a metaphor for their growing alliance. By introducing a dynamic method of power-sharing, this establishes a fresh approach to combat, providing an exhilarating viewing experience.
5 The Film Explores the Consequences of Heroic Actions
The Marvels Examines Captain Marvel’s Choices
The Marvels continues a crucial narrative thread in the MCU, where the repercussions of a hero’s choices resonate deeply. Following in the footsteps of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which showcased the fallout of reckless multiversal tampering, this film delves into the dire consequences of Captain Marvel’s decisions for the Kree homeworld and adjacent planets. The collapse of Hala becomes a poignant narrative focal point, illustrating that even noble intentions can result in devastating effects on civilizations.
This theme becomes increasingly relevant as the saga progresses towards Avengers: Doomsday, a narrative where the stability of reality hangs in the balance. Parallels to Iron Man’s legacy, particularly how his technology and hubris continue to resonate in the MCU, hint at a broader exploration of unintended consequences stemming from past heroes.
4 How Barriers Between Realms Are Shattered
The Quantum Bands and Multiversal Travel
Unlike previous MCU entries that relied on mystical or technological methods for dimensional breaches, The Marvels shows that multiversal travel can also stem from raw energy manipulation. The conclusion sees Dar-Benn unleash the Quantum Bands, creating a rift between realities, while Monica Rambeau utilizes her power to stabilize this unstable portal through sheer determination and her grasp of cosmic laws. This pivotal moment shifts the understanding of multiversal access, now open to science-based heroes rather than only sorcerers.
This development holds significant ramifications for Avengers: Doomsday, especially with an antagonist like Doctor Doom potentially harnessing this knowledge for malevolent intents. As The Marvels establishes the delicate balance of reality, it raises the stakes for threats that may exploit these newfound vulnerabilities.
3 The Film Poised for the Young Avengers
Kamala Khan Takes on a Recruitment Role
In a significant development at the end of The Marvels, Kamala Khan steps into the role of recruiter, mirroring Nick Fury’s famed scene from Iron Man (2008). This playful allusion hints at assembling a team, making it the clearest indication yet for a Young Avengers team being formed—something the MCU has been hinting at across several recent projects including WandaVision, Hawkeye, and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Kamala’s youthful optimism and admiration for the Avengers legacy position her as the ideal leader for this new generation of heroes poised to fill the void left by their predecessors. This development is not merely an adventure; it signifies a symbolic passing of the torch, making it a cornerstone for future narratives.
2 The X-Men as Collaborators with Multiversal Avengers
Paving the Way for the X-Men’s Role in Avengers: Doomsday
This introduction significantly impacts the impending Avengers: Doomsday, which is rumored to showcase an alliance among the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, the Thunderbolts, and the X-Men in opposition to Doctor Doom. Previously, cinematic portrayals of the X-Men did not depict collaboration with other superhero teams. The Marvels shifts this paradigm, establishing the X-Men as allies and potential contributors in the multiversal conflict ahead.
1 The Marvels Exceeds Box Office Expectations
Despite Challenges, The Marvels Shines
Despite being labeled as the MCU’s least profitable film, The Marvels offers an experience that far outweighs its financial performance. With its sharp character interactions, inventive fight sequences, and emotional depth, the film deserves better recognition than what it received in the box office.
Critics may point to inefficient marketing, audience fatigue with superhero films, or poor timing as reasons for its performance, but the film’s content remains strong. The chemistry between the leads, particularly Iman Vellani’s Kamala Khan, contributes a refreshing and heartfelt dynamic to the MCU. The film’s brisk runtime allows it to avoid the excessive length that has plagued other recent entries, while still delivering critical multiversal themes. Recognizing The Marvels within the context of upcoming narratives—such as Avengers: Doomsday and the complete integration of the X-Men—reveals its quiet yet substantial contributions to the MCU’s future.