Almost a year after the premiere of “Avengers: Endgame” on April 26, 2019, a viral clip capturing the audience's wild reaction to Captain America wielding Thor’s hammer and the blipped-away heroes returning during the “Portals” sequence resurfaced on social media. This moment served as a reminder of the communal experience that moviegoers were missing due to the ongoing pandemic.
In the movie, five years had passed since Thanos' victory in “Infinity War,” mirroring the five years that have now passed since “Endgame” dominated the box office. Marvel Studios had meticulously built towards this epic conclusion over more than a decade. However, the movie industry, Marvel, and audiences are still grappling with the aftermath of the pandemic, the rise of streaming services, the departure of iconic characters, and market saturation.
