Meaning
What does Reality is Often Disappointing mean?
Reality is often disappointing refers to a memorable quote from Avengers: Infinity War, said by Thanos.
Online, it is used as a reaction image macro, for expressing the apathy of existence.
It is also related to the Reality can be whatever I want meme, which originates from the same scene.
via MEME
Origin
What's the origin of Reality is Often Disappointing?
Avengers: Infinity War premiered on April 23rd, 2018, in the United States.
In one of the scenes, Gamora is deceived by Thanos (played by Zoe Saldana and Josh Brolin respectively) thanks to the Infinity Stones.
It is here, the purple anti-hero utters the line “Reality is often disappointing” followed by Now, reality can be whatever I want.
Spread & Usage
How did Reality is Often Disappointing spread?
“Reality is often disappointing” would start appearing on iFunny memes in February 2019.
By April 2019, the release of Endgame, the meme would be rampant on Reddit’s r/thanosdidnothingwrong sub, as well as YouTube, 9GAG, iFunny, Facebook and FunnyJunk.

External resources
- Reddit – r/thanosdidnothingwrong