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In the weeks leading up to the premiere of Eternals, things were not looking good regarding the success of the latest installment into Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The reviews poured in for Eternals, and many of them were negative. However, thanks to a report regarding pre-order ticket sales, Marvel’s film might turn out to be a triumph after all.

Marvel's 'Eternals' star Angelina Jolie wears a black strapless dress. Jolie poses in front of a poster for 'Eternals' that lays beneath a view of Rome.
Angelina Jolie | Photo by Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Images

Multiple critics gave ‘Eternals’ negative reviews

Once Marvel Studios lifted the review embargo for Eternals, chaos reigned, and the negative reviews spread. As of this writing, the Marvel film’s Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes is at 53% based on 197 critic reviews. That is the lowest rating of any MCU film, and it’s the only one to have the “Rotten” badge.

Critics praised Eternals for its breathtaking visuals and outstanding performances, but many dinged the film for its exposition. As many know, the movie introduces 10 new characters to the MCU. It also covers different time periods, from 5,000 B.C. to the present day.

As Showbiz Cheat Sheet’s Jeff Nelson pointed out in his review, Eternals had a lot of story to cover. Most of the negative reviews agree that the scope of Eternals is its downfall. Many critics believe that a potential sequel will likely be better. But despite this knowledge, fans are still flocking to the theaters to see the new movie.

Fandango reports that ‘Eternals’ is outselling ‘Shang-Chi’ in pre-order ticket sales

Per ComicBook.com, Fandango announced that Eternals is outperforming Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in pre-order ticket sales despite its negative reviews. Shang-Chi is currently the highest-grossing Marvel film in 2021, having made $423.9 million at the box office.

According to a press release from Fandango, Eternals is the second-best-selling film on the service in 2021. Black Widow is the only movie ahead of it. Fandango managing editor Erik Davis said “Eternals is a haunting, soulful and spectacular epic, the kind that only Chloé Zhao can deliver and that demands to be seen on the big screen.”

He continued, “It offers a new MCU mythology that makes it feel separate from every Marvel movie that has come before it. And it takes the brand in a refreshing new direction.”

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‘Eternals’ comes to theaters on Nov. 5

Because Eternals is a Marvel film, it will undoubtedly be a box office success despite its negative reviews. And because Eternals premieres on Nov. 5 exclusively in theaters, the fans will finally get a say in the quality of the film. Perhaps the fans will be the MCU movie’s saving grace.

The synopsis for Marvel’s newest film reads, “Marvel Studios’ Eternals features an exciting new team of superheroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, ancient aliens who have been living on Earth in secret for thousands of years. Following the events of Avengers: Endgame, an unexpected tragedy forces them out of the shadows to reunite against mankind’s most ancient enemy, the Deviants.”

Eternals stars Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lia McHugh, Lauren Ridloff, Brian Tyree Henry, Barry Keoghan, Don Lee, Salma Hayek, and Angelina Jolie as the Eternals. Oscar-Award winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao directed the film.

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