Unveiling the Real Reasons Behind Secret Invasion's Dismal Episode Ratings

The premiere of Secret Invasion, although highly anticipated, had disappointing viewership figures for Marvel Studios. The show, which was set to be released in early 2023, finally premiered on June 21, 2023, as the first Disney+ series in the MCU's Phase 5. Starring Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, the former Director of SHIELD, Secret Invasion explores the emergence of a rebellious faction of shape-shifting Skrulls on Earth. With only 994,000 viewers in its first five days, the show has the second-lowest viewership rates among Marvel Studios' Disney+ series, surpassing only Ms. Marvel's 775,000 viewers. Despite being one of Marvel Studios' most innovative projects, the reasons behind Secret Invasion's low viewership figures are multi-faceted.

10 Secret Invasion Is A Slow Burn

Instead of delving into the extensive storyline presented in Marvel Comics' 2008 Secret Invasion series, Marvel Studios has opted for a more down-to-earth and realistic approach. As a result, Secret Invasion becomes a gradual and methodical series, which may not cater to the preferences of all viewers. Unlike past Marvel Studios projects that would plunge headfirst into the action, especially Disney+ series that typically consist of only six episodes like Secret Invasion, the espionage and spy-thriller themes call for a contrasting approach. Nevertheless, this may result in some viewers feeling disengaged from the series right from the start.

9 Viewers May Have Lost Interest After Disappointing Marvel Projects

In recent years, specifically following the advent of the Multiverse Saga in the MCU, a number of MCU endeavors have faced criticism for their inability to capture the enchantment of the franchise, unlike the previous entries in the Infinity Saga. While one can argue that some have been overly critical of Marvel Studios' recent projects, certain ventures such as Black Widow, Thor: Love & Thunder, and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania have been seen as disappointments. Consequently, this may have caused a decline in interest among viewers for new and upcoming projects. It is possible that individuals who would typically have eagerly watched Secret Invasion are now delaying viewing it out of concern that it may turn out to be another lackluster addition to the MCU.

8 Secret Invasion Wasn't Strongly Marketed Until Recently

7 Secret Invasion's AI Controversy May Have Put Viewers Off

Despite the announcement in December 2020, there was little news about the Phase 5 series until just before its release in June 2023. Secret Invasion might have gone unnoticed by many viewers due to its quieter marketing campaign compared to previous Marvel Studios projects. Although the marketing for Secret Invasion started off slowly, Marvel Studios implemented innovative and creative strategies leading up to the release of episode 1. These included showcasing posters depicting humans and Skrulls living together, featuring Skrulls in real-world news reports, and hinting at the possibility that anyone could be a Skrull through a series of social media updates. However, these efforts may have come too late.

The revelation that Secret Invasion utilized artificial intelligence for its title credits sequence caused a stir of controversy. Many initially assumed that the use of AI displaced hard-working artists responsible for designing and animating the sequence, potentially dissuading viewers from watching. However, these reports have been debunked. It was later revealed that Secret Invasion's AI served as a tool to enhance the artists' work, contributing to the eerie and unsettling atmosphere that aligns with the series' themes.

6 Audiences May Be Waiting To Binge-Watch Secret Invasion

Much like previous MCU series, Secret Invasion follows the tradition of releasing new episodes weekly. While this may have been the norm in the past, nowadays many people prefer binge-watching, which requires the entire series to be available. As Secret Invasion's finale is set to air on July 26, 2023, some viewers may choose to wait and watch the series all at once, savoring each moment without the week-to-week wait. Recognizing this, Marvel Studios has scheduled Phase 5's Echo to be released in its entirety on November 29, 2023.

5 Marvel Studios' Disney+ Projects Haven't Always Been The Best Quality

Marvel Studios had a strong start with their long-form stories for Disney+ with WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Loki. These series introduced the small-screen MCU to big-screen audiences and impressed with their brilliant storylines and high-quality production. However, the subsequent releases have not maintained this level of success. Moon Knight, which was expected to be dark and sinister, failed to deliver on that promise. Ms. Marvel faced unfair criticism after its premiere, leading to negative reviews. Many also found fault in the CGI quality of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. As a result, some viewers have become indifferent to the Disney+ series and are instead eagerly anticipating Marvel Studios' next major film.

4 No Avengers In Secret Invasion Is Hard To Sell To Viewers

Whereas Marvel Comics' Secret Invasion storyline boasted a crossover with the majority of Marvel's existing heroes, Marvel Studios' Secret Invasion takes a much more minimalist approach, showcasing only Nick Fury as the central figure in the battle against the Skrull rebellion. Given the immense popularity of the Avengers in any MCU project, the absence of these beloved superheroes certainly poses a challenge when it comes to attracting a large audience for Secret Invasion. The very essence of the MCU revolves around the desire of viewers to witness thrilling superhero action on their screens, and thus, without the presence of any superheroes whatsoever, Secret Invasion might not rank high on the list of must-watch shows.

3 Marvel Studios' May Have Already Spoiled Secret Invasion's Storyline

The outcome of Secret Invasion may have been spoiled by Marvel Studios with the release of the trailer for The Marvels. The movie, set to come out in November 2023, features Samuel L. Jackson reprising his role as Nick Fury aboard the SABER Space Station, indicating that Fury survives the events of Secret Invasion. This revelation has raised concerns about Secret Invasion's impact on the MCU, especially considering the numerous upcoming projects that will be minimally affected by the storyline. While it's possible that The Marvels takes place before Secret Invasion, this factor could still contribute to the underwhelming viewership figures of the latter.

2 Secret Invasion Is Less Family-Friendly Than Other MCU Shows

Marvel Studios has always prided itself on creating content that is suitable for the whole family, ensuring that viewers of all ages can enjoy their stories. However, the Multiverse Saga in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) takes a darker turn, and Secret Invasion pushes the boundaries even further. Secret Invasion is intense, emotionally charged, and more violent than previous projects, which may discourage younger audiences and their parents from watching. The fact that Secret Invasion is rated 16+ on Disney+ only adds to this concern. This issue may become more widespread with the upcoming release of Deadpool 3 in May 2024, which is expected to have an R-rating, as well as other adult-oriented projects like Blade and Daredevil: Born Again.

1 Viewers May Be Suffering Burnout After So Many Superhero Projects

During the Infinity Saga of the MCU, Marvel Studios limited their releases to a maximum of three projects per year. However, with the advent of the Multiverse Saga and the introduction of Disney+ shows, there has been a significant shift in Marvel Studios' content strategy. In 2021, they launched five series and four feature films. This number reduced to three series and three feature films in 2022. The abundance of new content from Marvel Studios might be leading to "superhero fatigue." This factor could potentially contribute to the lower viewership of Secret Invasion. Nevertheless, only time will reveal if this trend continues throughout the release of future Secret Invasion episodes.

New episodes of Secret Invasion release every Wednesday on Disney+.