Part 8/10:
Perhaps the most telling aspect of this situation is how it reflects the overall health of the Marvel brand. The weaker opening and the necessity for Guardians to hold its ground indicate a degree of audience fatigue. Marvel movies no longer automatically draw the crowds they once did—in many cases, audiences seem more selective or hesitant to commit to new MCU films without proven staying power.
Despite Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 arguably being one of Marvel's better recent efforts, the film's performance underscores how challenging it has become for MCU movies to achieve previous blockbuster levels without early hype and strong word of mouth.