Because of audiences that thought Last Jedi was good.

Because of the popcorn munchers who line up at every Transformers or Resident Evil sequels.

Because of all those people are looking for is a linear and simple movie formula. Even Marvel movies are just pop corn flick these days.

To appreciate Blade Runner 2049, you have to be not only at a certain intellectual level, you also have to have the ability to appreciate various forms of art. A high percentage of the general public don’t have that kind of brain, nor can they sit through a 3 hour movie when ADHD kicks in.

This movie, is a master piece for a nitch crowd. It’s gonna be one of those all time cult films only a handful of thoughtful people can appreciate.

Look at it this way, there’s two kinds of people that play MMO games. Ones that play to have fun, another that treat it like their 2nd life. There’s also two kinds of movie goers, ones that go to have “fun” and eat popcorn. The other kind of looking for a mind stimulation, where the movie actually make your brain work.