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Doctor Strange 2 Is Better On Disney+ Than In Theaters
Warning: This post contains MAJOR spoilers for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is now available on Disney+, which is a better way of watching Sam Raimi's MCU movie than at the theater. Doctor Strange 2 is one of the MCU's most ambitious movies yet, as Benedict Cumberbatch's hero travels across universes and meets variants of himself. Several Marvel characters feature in The Multiverse of Madness, including Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) who is on the hunt for the universe-hopping America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez).
Doctor Strange 2 was released in theaters on May 6 2022, before heading to Disney+ on June 22 2022. In addition to the movie's complicated, universe-trotting narrative, a lot of the world-building that has gone into Phase Four of the MCU is paid off or referenced in Doctor Strange 2. The motivation of Wanda is best understood after watching WandaVision, while Loki and Spider-Man: No Way Home explain and demonstrate the power of the multiverse. This means that other Marvel projects actually provide essential background for the movie – which wasn't necessarily obvious ahead of its cinematic debut.
While understanding this context is crucial to get the most out of the movie, this isn't the main reason why watching Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness on Disney+ will make the movie better. Perhaps the most important consideration is that the hype and expectations for the movie have adjusted. Before its release, The Multiverse of Madness was the subject of innumerable fan theories and excitement around which characters could appear. While it shouldn't be considered a failure, Doctor Strange 2 reviews were mixed with some viewers left underwhelmed by the convoluted storyline and treatment of some MCU heroes, including Vision, Wanda's partner, who disappointingly doesn't appear in the movie. Now that viewers have a better idea of what to expect from Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, they can enjoy it on Disney+ without feeling the pressure of hoping that the MCU's latest film is the franchise's best.
While expectation management will certainly help the movie, the nature of a streaming service undeniably helps aspects of the viewing experience. Unlike in the cinema, audiences can take advantage of pausing Doctor Strange 2 on Disney+. The movie is stacked full of Easter eggs, including callbacks to WandaVision, the live-action debuts of characters from What If...?, and cameos from long-wished-for MCU cast members like John Krasinski as Mr. Fantastic. For MCU historians and casual fans alike, being able to hit pause on The Multiverse of Madness will improve the re-watching experience because they will be able to pick up on small details and hidden references that they would have missed in the theater.
The price of Disney+ compared to a movie ticket also means that there is less pressure on Doctor Strange 2 when watched on the streaming service. Disney+ costs $7.99 per month in the US, while an average single cinema ticket costs upwards of $12, so streaming could help the movie find a larger audience, as families of casual viewers of the MCU may have opted to wait for the film's Disney+ release. Doctor Strange 2 performed well at the theater box office, but adjusted expectations, rewatch value, and cost will make Disney+ a better platform to watch the movie.
