Has ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ already lost the VFX battle to ‘Ramayana’?

Marvel Studios dropped the first trailer for ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, but instead of universal praise, the film has landed at the center of an unexpected debate. While fans were excited to see Robert Downey Jr.'s return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Doctor Doom, much of the online conversation changed to the trailer's visual effects.

Across X and other social media platforms, viewers criticised the CGI, with some calling it "unfinished" and "surprisingly unpolished" for one of Marvel's biggest releases.

Several fans argued that the lighting, green-screen work, and overall visual quality felt weaker than what audiences saw in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and ‘Endgame’.

Others even compared parts of the trailer to a decade-old video game cinematic, questioning whether the studio had rushed the project.

The criticism took a more surprising turn in India, where fans began comparing the trailer to Nitesh Tiwari's upcoming ‘Ramayana’.

Although only a first-look glimpse and leaked promotional footage have surfaced so far, many viewers claimed the Indian epic looked richer, more cinematic, and visually polished than Marvel's latest blockbuster.

Posts declaring that "Ramayana looks better than Doomsday" quickly gained traction, with some users even joking that a leaked low-resolution clip of Ramayana appeared more impressive than Marvel's official 4K trailer.

The comparisons mark a notable shift in perception, especially considering Hollywood has long been viewed as the benchmark for large-scale visual effects.

Not everyone agrees with the criticism, however. Some fans defended Marvel, pointing out that trailers often feature unfinished VFX and continue to be refined before release. With ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ still months away from its December 18 release, many believe the final film could look significantly different.

Whether the backlash reflects genuine concern or simply sky-high expectations, for the first time in years, a major Hollywood superhero film is being compared to an Indian epic on the basis of its visuals alone. And if the online reaction is any indication, ‘Ramayana’ has already won the battle before either film has reached theatres.