Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness received the second-lowest Cinema Score grade for an MCU film. Directed by Sam Raimi, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness kickstarted the summer movie season and follows the adventures of Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) as he protects America Chavez (Xothli Gomez) across the multiverse from a threat who wants to steal her power. The film has been marketed as a major event, tying up storylines laid out in other MCU Phase 4 projects like WandaVision, Loki, and Spider-Man: No Way Home.
The film is also the latest entry in Phase 4, which has seen the Marvel Cinematic Universe expand into telling stories across film and television. The Phase has expanded the roles of supporting characters like Wanda Maximoff, Vision, Falcon, and the Winter Soldier while also exploring new origin stories for characters like Shang-Chi, the Eternals, and Moon Knight. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is the return of a fan-favorite hero and following the highly successfully Spider-Man: No Way Home, the film topped Fandango's most anticipated movies of the summer indicating many audiences were ready to rush out and see it.
According to CinemaScore, via The Direct, opening audiences gave Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness a B+ grade. This makes Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness one of only three MCU films not to receive an A letter grade. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness ties with Thor for a B+, and comes out above Eternals which scored a B letter grade and is still the lowest one for an MCU film.
It should be noted that what CinemaScore tracks is based on a series of questions from audiences on opening night and tends to be based on expectations and what these viewers bring into the theater, so much of it is based on the film's marketing. To that end, it could be an indicator that audiences who saw Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness had different expectations going in. It could be they were expecting more cameos like in Spider-Man: No Way Home, or were put off by the film's horror movie vibes which were not present in the trailer.
What this will mean for the film's box office will be interesting as the score does tend to track word of mouth. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will definitely win the opening weekend as it has already grossed more in one day than the first Doctor Strange film did in its opening weekend. It is also expected to take the top spot next week against Firestarter but the more muted response from audiences means word of mouth may not lead to repeat viewing and a sharp drop in the coming weeks. This means Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness may have more of a battle to be the movie of the summer, particularly as heavy hitters like Jurassic World: Dominion, Lightyear, and Minions: The Rise of Gru is set for later this year.
Source: The Direct
