by Shawn Goretsky (8th)
Thunderbolts: $382.4 million
Fantastic Four: $520 million
Captain America: Brave New World: $415.1 million
These were supposed to be some of the biggest superhero movies of the last few years — yet they all underperformed. Even Superman 2025, which wasn’t technically a flop, earned just $550 million, far below expectations for a film of its scale. The burning question remains: why aren’t superhero movies doing as well as they once did?
The DC Divide
For DC, the issue comes down to a fractured fanbase. Half of DC’s audience still supports Zack Snyder’s vision of the DC Universe, while the other half wanted a fresh start. When James Gunn took over, many Snyder loyalists weren’t happy — some even boycotted his projects. Until Gunn’s new DCU becomes firmly established, this division is likely to drag down box office numbers.
That said, signs of recovery are emerging. With Superman 2025 and the success of Peacemaker, more fans seem to be warming up to Gunn’s direction. Over time, DC may rebuild momentum and stabilize profits as its universe takes shape.
Marvel’s Struggles
Marvel faces a completely different problem. Avengers: Endgame was a cultural juggernaut, shattering box office records. But then came COVID-19, followed by a string of underwhelming projects — including The Marvels and She-Hulk — that damaged fan trust. Many audiences now assume the average Marvel release will disappoint, and the box office reflects that.
Looking ahead, Marvel has its sights set on Avengers: Doomsday, a $1 billion mega-event. But here’s the concern: the only film slated before Doomsday is Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and early buzz suggests it may outperform Marvel’s crossover event. If Doomsday fails at the box office, Marvel’s options will be extremely limited — and none of them are ideal.
What Comes Next?
Marvel’s first option is a full reboot of the MCU. The upside is a clean slate with fresh takes on beloved characters. The downside? Fans may resent seeing their favorite heroes recast, and Marvel would be forced to disregard more than a decade of continuity.
The second option is far more drastic: kill off nearly every major character in Doomsday and rebuild the universe from scratch. This would give Marvel an emotional reset and freedom to tell new stories. However, it risks alienating fans who aren’t ready to say goodbye to characters they’ve grown attached to, while leaving newcomers with unfamiliar heroes who may take years to gain traction. Unfortunately, Marvel doesn’t have years to spare.
The Bottom Line
Superhero movies have lost much of the cultural momentum they once held. COVID slowed the industry, fan trust has eroded, and both Marvel and DC are struggling to unify audiences. Whether through reboots, bold storytelling choices, or a complete rethink of the genre, the superhero blockbuster needs to evolve — or risk fading from the spotlight altogether.