The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has become awash with superheroes since Iron Man hit the big-screen almost a decade ago. The series has spawned an astonishing 22 films over the years and with at least six more to come, the MCU is proving popular with audiences of all generations. One of the most successful and beloved franchises within the MCU is that of the Avengers, which comprises many of the more popular superhero movies within the universe. But just how many actual Avengers films are there?
As it stands, there have been 11 Avengers films released, with two more to come. The first, titled The Avengers, was released in 2012. It featured Iron Man, The Hulk, Thor, Black Widow and Hawkeye, together with a host of other Marvel characters. It is arguably the most successful of all the Avengers films, grossing over 1.5 billion dollars and becoming the third highest grossing movie of all time. The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War, Doctor Strange, Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, Ant-Man and The Wasp, and Captain Marvel make up the other ten films.
While the first Avengers film started off the franchise, it was the second Avengers film, Age of Ultron, which redefined it. It was the first to introduce a villainous main character in Ultron, and it was the first to introduce Scarlet Witch, Vision, Hawkeye and Quicksilver. It also marked a darker turn for the series, with a shift in tone that saw some of the films move away from their traditionally light-hearted fare and become more edgy and action packed.
Accolades
In addition to its commercial success, the Avengers films have achieved considerable critical acclaim. The first Avengers film won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, and both Infinity War and Endgame have been nominated for a number of awards. The films have also been incredibly popular with audiences, with the films collectively grossing over 7 billion dollars worldwide, making them the highest grossing superhero films of all time.
The success of the Avengers films has seen other superheroes spin-off into their own individual films, such as Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and Guardians of the Galaxy. This has allowed for more focus on these characters, expanding their stories and developing them further. While this may not have been possible without The Avengers as a starting point, it does demonstrate the success of the franchise and its potential to continue expanding.
Future of the Franchise
The future of the Avengers franchise is a topic of much debate, with the future of the MCU itself uncertain after Avengers: Endgame. The final installment of the series saw the superheroes assemble for one final battle and the conclusion of a story-arc stretching back to the beginning of the MCU. It is unclear whether any further Avengers films will be released, or whether the characters will move on to new projects, but what is certain is that the legacy of the Avengers will live on.
With the future of the franchise uncertain, it’s difficult to predict exactly how many more Avengers films will be released. However, considering the success of the franchise so far, it’s likely that the heroes of the MCU will continue to assemble for some time yet.
Characters
As the franchise has progressed, so too has the roster of characters, both heroes and villains. While Iron Man, Captain America and Thor have been the core of the Avengers since the beginning, other characters have been introduced over the years. Black Widow, Hawkeye, Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, Vision, Doctor Strange, Black Panther, Ant-Man and The Wasp, and Captain Marvel have all become key members of the team, each offering their own unique skills and abilities.
In addition to the core team, a number of supporting characters have been introduced throughout the franchise. These include Nick Fury, Maria Hill, A.I.M., Wakanda, Heimdall, the Children of Thanos, and many more. Each of these characters has helped shape the franchise, providing a unique and fresh perspective to the events of the films.
Background of the Franchise
The Avenger franchise began as a comics series back in 1963, with the release of The Avengers #1. It was written by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, and told the story of a team of superheroes who band together to fight evil. Since then, the comics have become a best-selling series, and the characters have made their way into popular culture.
The Avengers films are based on this original comics series, but with added scenes and characters to bring the story alive in a cinematic setting. This has allowed the characters to be explored in more depth and detail, while still retaining the core elements of the comics. The films have become the highest grossing comic book films of all time, proving the success of the franchise.
Culture Phenomenon
The Avengers films have become a cultural phenomenon, with merchandise, fan merchandise, art and more being made to celebrate the characters and their stories. In addition, the franchise has spawned a number of spin-off films and series, such as Guardians of the Galaxy, The Defenders and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. This has enabled fans to explore the characters in even greater depth, and has enabled the franchise to expand further into a variety of different stories and genres.
The success of the Avengers films has been due to a number of factors, but perhaps the most important has been the fans. Fans have been invested in the characters since the original comics, and have been eagerly awaiting each new installment of the films. This has enabled the films to become the success they are today, and it is this dedicated fan base that has helped to make the franchise the cultural phenomenon it is today.
Influence on Superhero Films
The success of the Avengers films has paved the way for a new wave of superhero films. Many of these films have gone on to become hugely successful, often taking influence from the films of the MCU. The increased popularity of superhero films has seen them become less camp and more serious, while also introducing new themes, such as morality and philosophy, which were not as prevalent before. This has helped to expand the scope of superhero films, allowing them to become a viable genre rather than a niche one.
The success of the Avengers films has also seen the establishment of the MCU itself, a shared universe of connected films, TV shows and comics which often overlap and share characters. This has enabled the universe to become even more popular and has seen it become the go-to source of entertainment for many fans.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there have been 11 Avengers films released, with two more set to be released in the near future. The original film kickstarted the MCU and set the tone for the subsequent films. It has been incredibly successful, both critically and commercially, and has become a cultural phenomenon. It has also influenced the superhero genre as a whole, paving the way for other superhero films, TV shows and comics. For these reasons and more, the Avengers films will continue to be enjoyed for many years to come.
