What Superhero Movies Are Coming Out This Year?
The superhero movie genre has evolved from its humble beginnings to become one of the most profitable and widely enjoyed movie genres in the world. With Marvel and DC comics dominating the box office, this year’s crop of superhero movies promises to be no different. From highly anticipated sequels and spin-offs to original stories and creative subdivisions, there is something for everyone in this year’s lineup of superhero movies.
Arguably the most eagerly awaited movie of the year is Avengers: Endgame. The latest instalment in the groundbreaking Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) marks the grand finale of a story that has been building up over a 10-year period. With many of the Avengers’ narratives coming to an end, great excitement surrounds the MCU’s magnum opus though its success or failure remains to be seen.
The MCU is also due to release two highly anticipated sequels this year. Spider-Man: Far From Home follows on from 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming, a movie that drew in huge numbers at the box office. It promises to have a similar blend of action, humour and heart that made Homecoming so enjoyable. Captain Marvel, another Marvel sequel, follows the 1990s-set story of Carol Danvers and the origins of the titular hero. With Hollywood’s first female-led superhero movie, Captain Marvel has a lot to live up to.
DC comics also has an exciting lineup of movies in the works. Shazam! is likely to be the first of the group to reach cinemas, with a unique blend of slapstick humour and thrilling action. The movie is already drawing comparisons to Tom Hanks’ 1988 classic, Big. Joker follows as a dark adaptation of Bruce Wayne’s iconic villain. The movie is set for release in October and is directed by the acclaimed filmmaker, Todd Phillips.
Another noteworthy release is the X-Men: Dark Phoenix. Scheduled to arrive in cinemas in November, the movie is set to follow the story of Jean Grey, one of the longest running characters in the franchise. With new director Simon Kinberg at the helm, X-Men: Dark Phoenix promises to be one of the year’s most fascinating superhero offerings.
Outside of the big league, animated superhero movies also feature prominently this year. The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part follows the exploits of Emmet, Wyldstyle and the other Lego figures, while Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation expands on the franchise’s vampire characters. Two other movies are also scheduled for release in 2019, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World.
The superhero movie genre has gone from strength to strength in recent years. This trend looks set to continue as 2019 promises an exciting collection of sequels, spin-offs and original stories.
What Else to Expect From This Year’s Superhero Movie Lineup?
Whether it be sequels to successful prequels, original stories created solely for the big screen or reimaginings of characters from comic books, this year’s superhero movie lineup has it all. From long-anticipated instalments to major sequels, 2019 looks set to be a year of great fun and spectacle.
Marvel has scheduled a couple of shockers this year, including Avengers: Endgame and Captain Marvel. The two releases will bring together some of the world’s most beloved superheroes in an unprecedented team-up, with both movies expected to be major box office successes.
DC Comics is, meanwhile, gearing up for a fight with their very own collection of movies. After the success of Wonder Woman in 2017, DC will look to continue their new-found momentum with further releases such as Shazam! and Joker.
Smaller sub-genres are also worth keeping an eye on. The female-led superhero movie, Captain Marvel, and the animated superhero movie, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, are both likely to bring a unique twist to the Marvel and DC stories. Both movies also have strong female protagonists, and thus promise to counter the often male-dominated superhero movie landscape.
Finally, there is the X-Men franchise. With a long and storied career, X-Men: Dark Phoenix is likely to be one of the most anticipated superhero movies of the year and could confirm the popularity of the original iteration of the series.
The Comparison Of Box Office Records
Marvel’s domination of the world’s box offices is well documented, and 2019 looks set to be no different. Although superhero movies have been on the rise for some time now, Marvel’s success in recent years has been nothing short of extraordinary.
This can mainly be attributed to the way Marvel has managed to turn the genre into a cinematic universe. By creating a universe of interconnected stories, Marvel has successfully engaged their peers, drawing in both loyal fans and newcomers alike. It is this combined with the appeal of their various heroes that has made the Marvel cinematic universe such a success.
DC Comics also has a strong movie presence with Wonder Woman, Justice League and Suicide Squad. Despite this, however, DC’s box office returns have failed to match what Marvel has achieved.
The success of the DC movies, however, cannot be dismissed. Wonder Woman was a huge success, and Suicide Squad was a hit despite its critical reception. With Joker set for release this year and a number of other DC movies on the way, even greater success could be on the horizon.
The Growing Influence Of Superhero Movies
It’s no secret that superhero movies have become increasingly influential in recent years. Not only have they pushed boundaries with respect to cinematic standards, but they have done so while playing an important role in our modern culture.
One of the main reasons for the success of the superhero genre is its ability to tackle current issues in a realistic and entertaining manner. Movies such as Wonder Woman, Black Panther and Logan have not only made compelling stories, but have also addressed important themes such as racism, sexism and mental illness.
Superhero movies have also made huge leaps when it comes to representation. Women, people of colour and LGBTQ+ characters have all been prominent in the genre, with some characters even becoming icons for these communities.
Superhero movies have become more than just sources of entertainment, but have instead become important sources of commentary on some of the world’s most important issues. It is this progressive approach that has seen Marvel and DC’s superhero films achieve the popularity they have enjoyed in recent years.
Which Superhero Movie Will Be The Biggest Hit This Year?
With all of the exciting superhero movies set to be released this year, fans of the genre will be hard pressed to choose their favorite. As with any movie genre, however, only one can reign supreme.
It’s difficult to anticipate which superhero movie will be this year’s box office success, as Marvel and DC have both prepared a promising collection of movies to compete for audiences’ hearts. Analysis suggests that Avengers: Endgame will be the greatest success, however, as it is the “grand finale” of the MCU and the culmination of Marvel’s 10-year saga.
Outside of the Marvel and DC duo, other superhero movies such as X-Men: Dark Phoenix and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse also have a good chance of commercial success. However, until the movies hit the big screen, no one will know which superhero movie will emerge as the biggest hit.
Conclusion
This year’s lineup of superhero movies promises to be one of the best ever. Marvel, DC and other franchises are offering a variety of new stories, sequels and spin-offs that are sure to enthrall fans worldwide. As to which movie will be this year’s top grosser remains to be seen, though the competition looks set to be fierce.
