The release of Captain America: Brave New World has stirred a notable comparison in the MCU fanbase, especially considering its Rotten Tomatoes audience score, which now mirrors that of The Marvels. Despite the higher-than-expected $206 million box office performance of The Marvels, Captain America: Brave New World (2025) is following a similar trajectory in terms of critical reception, sparking discussions about audience vs. critic reviews and box office success.
A Shaky Start for the MCU’s Latest Chapter
Captain America: Brave New World marks a pivotal moment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), introducing Sam Wilson (played by Anthony Mackie) as the new Captain America. Unlike previous Captain America films starring Chris Evans, this installment ventures into new territory with Mackie’s character taking center stage. While the film’s budget sits at a solid $180 million, there are concerns about whether it can break even, given its mixed reception.
As of February 20, 2025, the film holds an audience score of 80% on Rotten Tomatoes — an intriguing fact, as it mirrors The Marvels, which was considered one of the MCU’s box office disappointments despite earning a similar rating. This highlights the divide between critical reviews and audience reception, especially as both films underperformed compared to other MCU titles.
Audience vs. Critic Reactions: A Surprising Parallel
At first glance, the audience reception for Captain America: Brave New World seems relatively strong. However, a closer look reveals a fascinating trend. Despite its favorable audience score, the film’s critic score is significantly lower, currently sitting at 49%. By comparison, The Marvels has a 62% critic score and the same 80% audience score.
While Captain America: Brave New World earned $192 million over its opening weekend, it still falls short of the Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) opening, which amassed a $227 million opening but also received a mixed reception with a 81% audience score. The box office performance of both Captain America: Brave New World and The Marvels has led to speculation that audience reviews and box office earnings don’t always correlate, especially when we consider how both films’ initial performances were overshadowed by past MCU hits.
Why Rotten Tomatoes Scores Matter for Superhero Movies
The disparity between Captain America: Brave New World‘s critic and audience scores underlines a broader trend in recent superhero films. Historically, the Popcornmeter (audience score) often outpaces the Tomatometer (critic score) — and Marvel films like Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021) and Venom (2018) serve as perfect examples of this trend.
In fact, Venom: Let There Be Carnage scored a 40% Tomatometer but received an 80% audience score, showcasing a massive gap between how critics and general viewers perceive certain films. The same can be said for Captain America: Brave New World and The Marvels, which both exhibit this disconnect between professional critics and the wider moviegoing audience.
The Box Office Battle: Why Some MCU Films Underperform
The primary question remains: Why are Captain America: Brave New World and The Marvels not achieving the same box office heights as previous MCU hits? Many factors contribute to this. Timing plays a crucial role, as superhero fatigue and shifting audience expectations influence how movies are received. Additionally, the ongoing delays in the MCU’s Multiverse Saga, combined with the growing amount of superhero content flooding the market, may impact general interest.
Despite its lower-than-expected box office haul, Captain America: Brave New World still boasts a much higher Popcornmeter than some of its MCU predecessors. Films like Thor: The Dark World and Iron Man 2 hold lower audience scores, but this demonstrates how divisive certain entries in the MCU can be.
Understanding Rotten Tomatoes: Why the Popcornmeter vs. Tomatometer Matters
Rotten Tomatoes’ split between the critic-driven Tomatometer and the audience-based Popcornmeter helps to provide a more nuanced view of a film’s reception. It gives viewers the ability to discern how critics and regular moviegoers felt about a movie and offers a more comprehensive overview of the film’s overall reception.
The MCU, with its ever-expanding roster of characters, stories, and themes, is no stranger to mixed reactions. Captain America: Brave New World‘s performance serves as a reminder that even within the same franchise, audience preferences can vary drastically.
The Final Verdict: Is Captain America: Brave New World a Success?
In conclusion, Captain America: Brave New World has received mixed reactions, but it should not be considered a failure. Its Rotten Tomatoes audience score aligns with that of The Marvels, another MCU film that faced box office struggles despite positive fan reactions. While its critics’ score is lower, Captain America: Brave New World remains an essential part of the MCU’s Phase 5, introducing Sam Wilson as the new face of Captain America.
As for the future of the MCU, these contrasting reviews and performances illustrate the complexity of modern superhero films. It’s clear that audience reactions and box office earnings are not always a clear indication of a film’s quality or cultural impact.
