Marvel
Marvel has arguably been the most successful superhero movie franchise in history. From Robert Downey Jr.’s iconic stint as Iron Man to the 21 films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel has received huge criticism for its innovations in the superhero movie genre. One of their most successful films was the 2014 release of Guardians of the Galaxy. This film featured a cast of classic Marvel characters, from Star-Lord to Rocket Raccoon, and presented them in a light-hearted, comedic way.
Marvel also introduced its own cinematic universe in 2012 with the movie The Avengers. This movie featured a team of superheroes including Iron Man, Captain America, and Hulk, as they fought the evil Loki. While it was a box office smash, it marked a turning point of sorts in the superhero movie. It opened up new possibilities for large-scale crossover films featuring multiple superhero teams coming together to save the world.
Aside from their large-scale movies, Marvel has also created smaller-scale television shows. Their Netflix-exclusive series Daredevil was a particular success and was praised for its darker, more mature tone. Similarly, Marvel’s 2019 Avengers: Endgame was one of the highest-grossing films of all time and went on to become one of the biggest cinematic successes of all time.
DC
DC is another iconic comic book company and the rival of the Marvel Universe. Over the years, it has seen major successes and failures with its superhero films. One of its most successful made has been the Dark Knight Trilogy starring Christian Bale as Batman. These films explored the darker world of Gotham City and paved the way for a new, more realistic take on superhero films.
More recently, DC has explored different tones and genres with its films. Wonder Woman, released in 2017, was a different take on the typical superhero story. Instead of dark and gritty, Wonder Woman was a more positive and optimistic story about a superhero fighting for the good of humanity. Similarly, Joker was a film more interested in exploring the psychological torment of its primary antagonist rather than superheroism.
DC has also released a range of television shows as well as films. Their most recent and successful show, The Flash, has been praised for its visuals and its upbeat plot. This show has gone on to be one of the most popular superhero shows in the world, and is a testament to DC’s wide reach.
Other Franchises
Aside from Marvel and DC, there are a number of other comic book companies that have made major contributions to the superhero movie genre. Independent companies such as Dark Horse, IDW and Image Comics have produced a number of successful superhero films and television shows.
One of the most successful indies has been the Kick-Ass franchise. These films featured a ragtag team of teenage crimefighters and their attempts to take down the baddies of the world. Another indie has been the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise. This franchise has made its mark with the live-action film series and the more recent iteration of the show.
Other franchises have enjoyed success as well, such as X-Men and Spider-Man. Both franchises have explored a range of different tones and styles, from the more serious X-Men films to the more light-hearted Spider-Man: Homecoming. The success of these franchises has shown that there is room for more than just Marvel and DC in the world of superhero movies.
Genre Evolution
Over the years, the superhero genre has evolved and shifted to encompass a wide range of genres. From the dark and serious Dark Knight Trilogy to the more upbeat The Flash, superhero movies have explored a variety of different tones and genres in order to cater to a wider audience.
It has also opened up the possibility for more mature and considered storytelling. While some superhero films remain light-hearted and action-packed, others have started to explore more serious topics such as mental health and personal identity. This has allowed superhero movies to explore these topics in an interesting and engaging way.
The superhero genre has also become more inclusive in recent years. With the success of Wonder Woman and Black Panther, superhero films have started to embrace diverse characters and stories from a variety of backgrounds and cultures.
Behind the Scenes
Behind the scenes, the superhero movie genre has also seen a number of changes. VFX technology has advanced to the point where studios no longer need to rely on low-budget special effects or stuntmen to achieve their desired effects.
The actors have also become more involved in the development of the superhero movies. Many of today’s actors are experienced in fight choreography and are actively involved with coming up with their own stunts and fight scenes.
The writing process for superhero movies has also had to evolve in recent years. With the rise of social media, writers are now more aware of audience expectations and are often forced to write scenes to cater to these expectations. This process has led to writers being much more conscious of their writing process and trying to create something original.
Criticism and Reception
Superhero movies have seen a mix of responses from critics and audiences. Some movies have been praised for their innovative take on superhero stories, while others have been criticized for their cookie-cutter approach.
However, one thing that most critics tend to agree on is that superhero movies are no longer just for children or teenagers. With the diverse range of stories and genres now being explored, superhero movies have become a popular form of entertainment for adults of all ages and backgrounds.
At the end of the day, superhero movies are still relatively new and there is still much room for growth and exploration. While some of the recent superhero films may have been criticized for their formulaic approach, there is still hope for the genre. As it continues to grow and mature, the superhero movie genre can still bring us many great stories yet to come.
