Only if you want to be a part of that social group. To be a member of any social group, you need to partake of that group's social activities and cultural heritage. Choosing not to see hugely popular films is not the wrong decision, but then you don't get to complain about how the social group you want to associate with has cultural touchstones you refuse to engage with. That's your choice. These films are fun and clever, and have withstood the test of time. That right there makes them a valuable key to the baseline experiences of a certain social group; they have this shared experience, and it holds up and is still enjoyable decades later. I also am resistant to some aspects of popular culture - especially movies - and have never seen Goonies or Titanic or Twilight or any Avengers film, to name a few. So I understand the desire to avoid falling to crass consumerism, and the pablum that is today's superhero movie franchises. But I also know that will leave me out of some conversations. I won't get some memes. I have no idea who Thanos is, or what the stones he wants, can do. Ok. So what? That's your choice. Enjoy it. Or don't. It's yours to do with as you please. "...there is a societally norming effect of people consuming and valuing similar media, and the lack of exposure to such creates distance/tension."
"...that just leaves me feeling cold and isolated because it doesn't evoke anything in me while meaning so much to most everyone else."