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However, the pandemic disrupted this ecosystem. Streaming services surged in popularity, shifting viewers from theaters to home screens. Major IPs began to falter in quality; sequels, remakes, and spin-offs increasingly failed to captivate audiences, leading to a growing disinterest in the theatrical experience.
Today, even blockbuster openings are sparse, with films like the latest MCU entry attracting only a handful of viewers on opening day. The Marvels, for example, had an abysmally low turnout, signaling a significant change in audience engagement. Why? Because viewers are tired of what Hollywood has been serving up—uninspired, overpriced "blockbusters" that seem more interested in franchise continuity than storytelling.