The MCU has been a powerhouse of quality superhero films since 2008 and other studios have been struggling to find their footing in a similar capacity, most notably the Warner Bros. DCEU. Just this year, the MCU has expanded to television, and after two sensational hits, fans are clamoring for the remaining shows.
However, the movies are what got them to where they are today. Additionally, it will have been about two years since fans last saw an MCU film in theatres, so they may be a little biased with the recently successful shows still fresh in their minds.
10 Movies Are The Best: It’s Their Bread & Butter
With the overall success of the MCU, it’s hard to argue against the films in any significant sense. Even when fans don’t think they can possibly top the previous releases, they continue to shatter expectations. In addition, their release timing has been impeccable, only adding to the success.
With the Phase 4 slate of movies released, fans are already theorizing and making assumptions about how everything in Phase 4 will tie into the already established Infinity Saga films. Considering Marvel plans to introduce the X-Men and the Fantastic Four within the next few years, fans are ecstatic over the future of the films.
9 TV Is Better: The Wait Is More Tolerable
The hardest part about the MCU is the waiting. Fans typically have to wait three to four months between movies, but before the popularity rose to the level it’s at now, fans sometimes waited for years. However, with the series, the wait is but a mere week between episodes, giving fans six to nine straight weeks of content.
The wait between WandaVision and The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (TFATWS) was only two weeks. Since Black Widow was pushed, again, the wait between TFATWS and the next property is a bit longer. Though both periods are much shorter than the typical wait between films. With 2021 expected to release three to five additional Disney+ series, fans may get a Marvel release every week for the rest of the year.
8 Movies Are The Best: Tells A Complete Story In One Sitting
Some fans enjoy the movies so much because they don’t watch television. Shows can feel too spread out for one story depending on where the chips fall at the end of the finale. Most MCU series are expected to just be one season, so it seems superfluous to go to such great lengths for one season of a multimillion-dollar show.
The movies provide fans an opportunity to see one entire conflict resolved in a two to three-hour sitting rather than six hours spread over six to nine weeks. While the end-credits scenes do tend to tease future movies and conflicts, the main issues are typically wrapped up by the end of the film and the villain is handily dealt with, usually.
7 TV Is Better: Allows For Greater Amount Of Detail
Fans have loved the Disney+ rollout because it has given them a new perspective on characters that were previously thought of as sidekicks rather than true Avengers. However, after so much background and character development in their respective shows, Bucky, Sam, Wanda, and Vision have jumped into many fans’ top 5 favorite Avengers.
The shows also showcase events in a new light and provide fans with looks at new characters and new locations. Both series so far have helped illustrate more of society’s readjustment after the Blip. Additionally, TFATWS specifically shows snippets of Sokovia and Madripoor, a significant place in the MCU and a new one entirely.
6 Movies Are The Best: Highlights The Big-Time Heroes
The movies have done a great job of introducing the big heroes from the comics and turning them into fan favorites. The movies have also done a great job of turning lesser-known characters (by MCU fans at least) and turning them into stars in their own right, most notably with Ant-Man, Black Panther, and Dr. Strange.
The main heroes are what made the MCU what it is today, and the movies have done an excellent job of introducing them to the world. While the secondary characters are important, Marvel knows that most fans are more excited to see Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor than they are to see Happy Hogun, Howard Stark, or Heimdall (most fans at least).
5 TV Is Better: Puts The Focus On The Secondary Heroes
While the main heroes got the MCU to where it is, the secondary heroes may very well keep it going. Both WandaVision and TFATWS were wildly successful despite only having four total B-level heroes leading the charge. However, most of them have ascended to A-level heroes by the end of their series.
With Sam becoming the new Captain America and Wanda becoming more powerful than the Sorcerer Supreme, these previously secondary heroes have become full-fledged big-time heroes. With multiple other characters already rumored to be appearing in both shows and movies, Marvel certainly seems to be paving the way for the second wave of Avengers.
4 Movies Are The Best: Always Provides At Least One End-Credits Scene (Except For Endgame)
One of the greatest things about MCU movies is the highly anticipated end-credits scene at the end of every film. Some movies even go above and beyond providing two to five mid- and end-credits scenes for fans to enjoy. The only time an end-credits scene hasn’t been shown in an MCU film was at the conclusion of Endgame. Instead, they chose to play the hammering sound from Tony working on his first Iron Man suit in Afghanistan, as an homage to honor the dead hero.
The shows thus far have only provided one or two end-credits scenes per series, which is irritating for the normal movie-going MCU fan. Additionally, these scenes didn’t come until the last few episodes of each series, making the wait for post-credit content all the more insufferable.
3 TV Is Better: Gives Small Characters A Chance To Shine
In addition to expanding the roles of heroes like Sam and Wanda, the shows have done an excellent job of highlighting the background characters and/or non-superheroes. Despite being a franchise centered around people that could destroy the planet if they felt like it, the Disney+ shows have done a great job of making fans care about (and love) the normal humans.
Characters like Jimmy Woo, Darcy Lewis, and Sharon Carter were given a chance to enter a larger role in the MCU and after their performances, fans are certainly hoping to see more of them. With successes like these, Marvel is sure to bring in tons of other secondary heroes and minor characters for bigger character arcs in future MCU series.
2 Movies Are The Best: In-Property Plot-Twists Are Revealed & Explained Sooner (Usually)
After mind-boggling rabbit holes were introduced in the MCU shows, fans were thankful for the movies that typically reveal all of their tricks by the end (or use the end-credits scene to set up the next part). Between Mephisto never showing up and the Fietro fakeout, fans were very upset with WandaVision for taking them down those paths.
The movies frankly don’t have the time to tip-toe around, so they tend to reveal any lingering secrets or plot twists by the end of the movie to help keep things moving. Additionally, when a plot is twisted (or something is teased) in the movies, it usually comes to fruition and doesn’t just lead fans to a dead-end. While Mephisto could still show up, the Ralph Bohner debacle rubbed fans the wrong way.
1 TV Is Better: Gives Fans In-Depth Character Development
In addition to highlighting the secondary heroes and the background characters, the shows have done an excellent job of actually developing those characters. The shows have kept them true to who they are, but have allowed them to expand their character to show fans new sides and past experiences.
The development of these characters is what has given them new life in the MCU. With so many established heroes leaving the MCU, giving these secondary (and tertiary) characters new and exciting arcs will help them fill the shoes of the heroes that are gone while allowing the new, younger generation to take the places they were once in.
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