It's Okay to Have Cinematic Universe Fatigue

‘AVENGERS: ENDGAME’ [2019], the twenty-second film in THE MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE [2008-] / MARVEL studios AND WALT DISNEY STUDIOS MOTION PICTURES

Ever since the first Iron Man movie kicked off a universe that finally gave the world the Avengers on the big screen, fans have been on the ball for every continuing story in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where characters like Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and others can tag along with each other to help save the world. Years after this, many other studios begin to form their own versions, with Warner Bros. making cinematic universes such as the Conjuring Universe, the MonsterVerse and their most popular, the DC Extended Universe. With all of these cinematic universes going on and on, at any point, you’d think there will be no end; one must think to themselves, “Is it okay to have fatigue with cinematic universes?”.

What is a “Cinematic Universe”?

THE FIRST CINEMATIC UNIVERSE, THE UNIVERSAL classic monsters [1925-1956] / UNIVERSAL PICTURES

A cinematic universe (also known as a shared universe) is much different than a franchise. Where a franchise is based on one property extending itself to being more than just three movies or so, a cinematic universe is a type of multimedia franchise consisting of many properties joining together. It all dates back from 1925 all the way to 1956 when Universal Pictures first made up a franchise based on monsters such as The Phantom of the Opera (not the musical version), the Wolfman, the Invisible Man, Frankenstein, and Count Dracula called Universal Classic Monsters.

As the term “shared universe” died out that time, it would emerge back in 2008 when the world was first introduced to Iron Man and the post-credit scene that made many Marvel fans be very prepared for what’s to come. And behold, a cinematic universe—based on Marvel’s property of superheroes—was born. So after a few solos outings, each starring Thor and Captain America, Disney made a deal with Paramount and Marvel Studios to start making extra cash, and just like that, the cinematic universe has so far made 23 films (with more coming soon).

‘WONDER WOMAN 1984’ [2020], THE NINTH film IN THE DC EXTENDED UNIVERSE [2013-] / WARNER BROS. AND DC ENTERTAINMENT

And with other movie companies listening, they took pursuit. We now also have cinematic universes featuring the monsters from Godzilla’s world, a universe consisting of demonic evils that Lorraine and Ed Warren faced from The Conjuring series, and a universe all around the superheroes of DC Comics. With a few being cancelled (Universal’s Dark Universe and Sony’s Amazing Spider-Man Universe) and new ones coming in (Sony’s Universe of Marvel Characters and a soon-to-be universe centered around 2019’s Brightburn), it comes to my sense that Hollywood has offered the world too many cinematic universes that it feels like [to me] a buzzkill.

My former enjoyment with the Marvel Cinematic Universe

While I wasn’t big on almost every cinematic universe, one that use to stand out to me was the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While I had a blast with every MCU movie [especially the intense adrenaline of last year’s Endgame], as time went by during COVID and Black Widow and Eternals being pushed to next year, I began to wonder to myself if I want to keep going with these movies. Almost everyone has made a struck change during quarantine with some thinking on changing themselves for the better once this COVID thing is done and over with while some are slowly shifting to insanity as they freak out at any Costco worker that advises them to wear a mask while shopping. In that moment of still being in quarantine, it occurred to me to realize at this time that I feel completely done with the Marvel Cinematic Universe as I felt bored thinking about them.

I began to do some overthinking during the fall, and it helped me to understand that it’s okay to slip-slide away from this universe and every other cinematic universe in general. Most of the movies in the MCU, in my opinion, have been the exact same: fight some baddies, meet new recruits, be comedic, get their ass handed to them by the film’s villain, motivate themselves, come back into battle, fight more baddies and kick the villain’s ass; then later at the end of the movie, mid and post-credit scenes! It’s déjà vu! I also felt the same with every other cinematic universe handling the same things they do with their movies over and over and I’ve just had enough of it.

I feel much more relieved of not watching cinematic universes than ever before. Although I won’t be seeing anymore of Marvel’s upcoming projects in their cinematic universe from next year to beyond, I wish the people in charge of them the best of luck and to always keep entertaining their fans.

Should it be okay to have fatigue with cinematic universes?

It should not be my way on how I should control people. I’m 100% okay if you enjoy a cinematic universe; I ain’t stopping you. But to those who needed the advice, if they feel—in their heart—they aren’t fond of them anymore, it’s okay to move forward. Live the way you want to live life, and enjoy whatever movie series or franchise you want, even a cinematic universe.

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Richard Renaud

Richard Renaud is a student currently on his second and last year of Professional Writing at Algonquin College. His activities are walking, watching TV and movies, as well as hanging out with family and friends. If you do see him, don’t be afraid to say “Hi”. Unlike the picture, he has [sadly] never been to space.