There’s no ignoring the fact that comic-book and superhero movies are in a drastically different state now than they were five and ten years ago. The box office of the 2010s was completely dominated by comic-book movies, as the success ofthe Marvel Cinematic Universeensured that most superhero movie releases would gross $700-$800 million at the very least. At its peak, the MCU released five films that grossed a billion dollars in the span of just two years (2018 and 2019). However, inthe entirety of the 2020s so far, only one MCU movie has joined the billion dollar club – and that wasSpider-Man: No Way Home, which was a production of Sony Pictures, not Disney and Marvel Studios.
Not only have the box office receipts for comic-book movies been going down on a wide scale, the quality of films produced by Marvel,DCand any other studio in the space has been increasingly poor as well. It’s becoming increasingly clear that the peak of the modern superhero movie renaissance is now far behind us, and the future of the genre is not looking too bright. Here’s what we know:
2023 Continued a Downward Trend
The MCU used to be considered a bulletproof franchise, as every new entry would receive some level of critical acclaim in addition to a minimum of $600 million at the global box office (usually closer to $800 million+). But something has changed in the 2020s; Marvel now has multiple “rotten” scores on Rotten Tomatoes, with the first being 2021’sEternals.
Though Marvel Studios’ films were once consistently scoring in the ’90s on the review aggregating site, it’s now normal to see new releases settle in the 70s, 60s or even lower. Audiences have grown dissatisfied with the continuous release of new comic-book movies, from both Marvel, DC and more, as they are no longer the reliable entertainment they used to be.
This has led to numerous high-profile movies drastically underperforming at the box office. While the lackluster box office results of films likeEternals,The Suicide SquadandBlack Widowcould be at least partially attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, that is no longer an excuse in 2023. This last year was one of the worst years in decades for both Marvel and DC. The MCU released three features –Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, andThe Marvels– two of which failed to crack even $500 million worldwide and were considered some ofthe worst Marvel films in years. OnlyGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3managed to be successful, and that’s largely thanks to the creativity of writer/director James Gunn and the general good will built from his two previousGuardiansfilms.
The fact that Gunn has now become the creative head of DC Studios is no doubt concerning for Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios, though DC is also in pretty rough shape at the moment. As DC and WB prepare to reboot their superhero movie universe, they released the final four films of the previous DCEU in 2023; all of which crashed and burned.Shazam! Fury of the GodsandBlue Beetlewere both the two lowest-grossing films of the entire DCEU – bringing in about $130 million each – even despite solid reviews for the latter.
Meanwhile,The FlashandAquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which would both have been massive tentpole blockbuster successes just five years ago, were both also met with poor reviews and struggled to get off the ground at the box office. TheAquamansequel has become the highest-grossing DC film of 2023, even though it seems unlikely to cross $500 million worldwide and will conclude its run with (at most) half of the firstAquamanfilm’s gross.
Related:The 15 Best Superhero Movies and TV Series of 2023, Ranked
The 2024 Superhero Movie Release Schedule
In terms of overall quality, the only two great superhero blockbusters released in 2023 wereGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3and the animatedSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which was a sequel to 2018’sInto the Spider-Verse. Beyond those two, every new release in 2023 was generally thought to be somewhere between middling and terrible.
Thankfully, both DC and Marvel Studios are gearing up to let 2024 be a bit of a reset year. The MCU is taking a break from new theatrical releases, asits only film on the calendarisDeadpool 3on July 26, which builds more on the previous FoxX-Menfranchise than the existing MCU. Though there will be a handful of new MCU Disney+ series released, the MCU’s output as a whole will be far from the disappointing deluge that has been typical of these last few years.
Meanwhile, DC only has one feature set for 2024, and it has nothing to do with the previous DCEU nor the new DCU that Gunn is building. Instead, it’s a sequel to the 2019Jokerfilm, titledJoker: Folie à Deux. The film will attempt to build on the breakout success of the R-rated first film by introducing a new version of Harley Quinn played by Lady Gaga, while also reportedly incorporating numerous musical numbers into the story. Beyond that, DC only has a few television series set for release in 2024, most of which are animated (Creature Commandos,Harley Quinn,My Adventure with Superman,Kite Man: Hell Yeah!, etc.).
With only two films on the calendar from the two biggest superhero studios out there, it would seem that 2024 would be really light on new comic-book movies. However, Sony Pictures is hoping to take advantage of this major empty space with three new films from their Spider-Man-less movie universe ofSpider-Mancharacters.
The first isMadame Web, starring Dakota Johnson, in February, which will be followed byKraven the Hunterin August andVenom 3in November. Sony has a terrible track record with these kinds of films, likeVenom: Let There Be CarnageandMorbius, so there’s not much anticipation for this slate. It’s also worth noting that the third animatedSpider-Versefilm,Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, is still technically dated for a 2024 release, though that film’s delayed production makes it incredibly unlikely it will release this year.
Related:Why the MCU and DCU Breaks in 2024 Are Necessary
Will Things Turn Around in 2025?
With audiences having a chance to catch their breath a bit in 2024, both Marvel Studios and DC Studios are currently set to make a big return in 2025. Currently, the MCU has four feature films scheduled for release next year. The first isCaptain America: Brave New World, which will be the firstCaptain Americafilm to star Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson in the titular role.
Numerous cast members of the 2008Incredible Hulkfilm are also returning, in addition to the introduction of Harrison Ford’s Thaddeus Ross, who is rumored to become the Red Hulk in the story. Beyond that, the MCU will also release the highly-anticipated reboot ofFantastic Fourat the beginning of May, withThunderbolts(essentially Marvel’sSuicide Squad) in July andBlade, starring Mahershala Ali,set for November.
As for DC, there are currently two major films set for release in 2025. The first is the kickoff of the new DCU under James Gunn, asSuperman: Legacyflies into theaters in mid-June. Then, later that year, audiences will be treated toThe Batman Part II, a sequel to the 2022 reboot directed by Matt Reeves and starring Robert Pattinson, which willnot be a part of the new interconnected DCU. Looking beyond that, Sony’s 2025 plans are a bit of a mystery as of now. It seems likely thatSpider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Versewill release at some point that year, though it is also possible that a fourth live-actionSpider-Manflick starring Tom Holland could also make its way into theaters then as well.
If any year is going to revive interest in superhero movies on a broad scale, it’s going to be 2025. Every new project currently set for release that year has already generated a lot of interest. DC is returning with its two biggest characters – Superman and Batman – while Marvel is taking a lot of big swings with new properties and characters. A Sam Wilson-ledCaptain Americafilm could easily drum up a lot of excitement, while the new takes onFantastic FourandBladecould also gain a lot of heat.
Thunderboltsis a bit of a wild card, but the firstSuicide Squadwas a big success, and the film will feature many fan-favorite MCU characters, such as Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes and Florence Pugh’s Yelena Bolova. Then, if Sony does release at least oneSpider-Manfilm, that would round out the year with another massive draw. With a release schedule this stacked, if comic-book movies don’t make a comeback in 2025, then this current extended trend may definitively be at an end.
