Brunch, Blockbusters, and Bonding: The Multi-Generational Power of Nostalgia in Marvel’s "Thunderbolts*"

I love movies! I also want to share my love of movies and my movie experiences with my kids. Just this past week I took my youngest son to see Marvel’s Thunderbolts* at our local Alamo Drafthouse. I simply expected to have a nice afternoon of shoot-em-up action. (Don’t worry…no spoilers here!)
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While "Thunderbolts*" has plenty of action, it isn’t just a superhero spectacle. It is a nostalgia-fueled experience that bridges and bonds different generations.

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Before the film even started, Alamo Drafthouse set the mood with a pre-show packed with retro Wheaties commercials (a clever nod to the movie’s bonus scene that you need to stick around for after the credits) and an 80s music video that sets the tone for the group (and you can lip-sync while the credits roll). For me, it was a blast from the past; For my son, it was a quirky slice of pop culture he loves but has only heard about.

There was also a moment of generational translation that was needed. When the pre-show flashed “We Stan Sebastian Stan,” my son had to explain that “Stan” means being obsessed with someone (thanks, Eminem). It was a perfect reminder that nostalgia means different things to different people, and that’s exactly why it works so well in experiential marketing

Today’s audiences are not one-size-fits-all. They are multi-generational, each with their own memories, references, and cultural touchstones. Sometimes those memories carry vastly different meanings for different generations. When brands like Marvel and Alamo Drafthouse create experiences that blend the old and the new, they invite everyone - Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z - to share in the fun together. This, in turn, sparks mult-generational conversations and bonding moments.

Experiential marketing, when thoughtfully designed, becomes a bridge: it sparks conversations, creates laughter, and even prompts a little learning between generations sitting side-by-side.

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But to truly connect to your customers, you need to know who’s in your audience, what resonates with them, and the meanings attached to the touch points. That’s where Intelligentics’ market research comes in.

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By understanding your customer base -- who they are, what they love, what they remember, and what excites them -- you can tailor experiences that feel personal, authentic, and relevant. In turn, this makes your marketing more effective and drives more interest and business your way.

Intelligentics creates custom research solutions, both qualitative (think focus groups) and quantitative (think surveys) to help client brands of all shapes and sizes dig deep into customer insights. This ensures your next campaign doesn’t just look backward for nostalgia’s sake but will actually communicate to your target audience and bring different generations together in a way that feels meaningful and memorable.

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Bottom Line:

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Whether you’re sharing a laugh over a cereal box or decoding internet slang with your kid, the magic happens when brands create experiences that unite generations. With the right research solution from Intelligentics and a dash of nostalgia, your marketing can do more than sell tickets. It can spark real connections for people.