Naw, the "mandatory viewing" is pretty much all prestige television and blockbuster movies. Marvel is just the brand you are particularly irritated with. It makes sense because most other forms of entertainment have become too fragmented to have a meaningfully shared experience with anyone. Music, games, sports, arts are so niche and idiosyncratic now that a water cooler conversation is hard. New blockbuster TV and movies are still mainstream and accessible enough to break the ice with someone.