Franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the soon-to-premiere DCU have radically popularized the superhero movie over the last decade, and some alarming misconceptions have arisen about the genre that warrant being addressed. Even if the occasional superhero movie of the past used to be a blockbuster hit, like 1989’s Batman by Tim Burton, there’s no arguing that comic book films truly took off around the end of the early 2000s. Genre-defining installments like Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight or Marvel Studios’ first hit Iron Man took superhero franchises to new heights in 2008, flaring the popularity of the medium.
As the popularity of superhero films increased, producers were sure to take notice, resulting in more prevalence for the genre in both pop culture and the box office. Now that the concept has been so popular for so long, audiences and critics alike have becoming increasingly critical of the place of comic book movies in modern cinema, resulting in some misconceptions from hardline critics who know superhero movies by reputation more so than by personal experience. In the wake of superhero movies’ waning monetary success, it’s more important than ever to clear up these misunderstandings.
10 Superhero Movies Are Made Solely For Kids
Comic books themselves have grown up alongside their fans
One easy assumption to make about comic book movies and their source material is that they’re solely for kids, appealing to the easy brand recognition of familiar faces like Spider-Man and The Flash to impress younger minds. This assertion couldn’t be further from the truth, as most modern-day comics to come out of both Marvel and DC are decidedly not family-friendly. The recent success of rated-R superhero movies like Deadpool only proves this point. Even if superheroes may be integrated into children’s media, the majority of stories featuring these characters are nothing if not mature.
9 Superhero Movies Are Repetitive
Yet the genre has fused with a wide variety of others
One frequent talking point vocal detractors of superhero movies are quick to rely on is their similarity, with many of them following origin stories that hit the same beats over and over again. While many first-time solo films may have to tread familiar ground when establishing a new character, calling the superhero genre similar is an ill-informed claim. From moody Westerns like Jonah Hex to fun-loving space opera adventures like Guardians of the Galaxy, superhero movies can encompass an incredibly wide breadth of genres, tones, and story beats, making for a more diverse genre than most other film categories.
8 Superhero Movies Are Just Mindless Action Movies
Action may be a big draw, but it’s far from the only thing the genre has to offer
Another misconception about superhero movies is their over-reliance on action scenes to keep audiences invested. While the many amazing action scenes of the superhero genre are certainly a huge part of the appeal, getting away with fantastic uses of powers and creative setpieces that other genres can’t usually compete with, they’re far from the only thing keeping fans returning to theaters. From the unmatched comedic delivery in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad to the emotional impact of Loki‘s character arc, some of the best moments in superhero movies have no fighting at all.
7 Superhero Movies Can’t Have Deeper Themes
The genre can be so much more than a simple external conflict
An easy target for criticism of the superhero genre as a whole is the superficial themes many comic book movies tend to have, with some relying mostly on a shallow external conflict to keep audiences invested. While it’s true that there are superhero movies out there that don’t make more than a surface-level attempt at digging deeper, more often than not, superhero movies have complex themes hidden in plain sight. One of the greatest examples of a superhero movie with true depth is The Dark Knight, in which Batman struggles to navigate a metaphorical battle of humanity’s inherent flaws.
6 Superhero Movies Can’t Have Good Performances
Academy Awards have suggested otherwise
The performances of superhero movies have often come under fire for being underwhelming, with big-name actors being criticized for chasing a check in a heavily greenscreened set. However, superhero movies have resulted in some incredible performances, with Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker recently winning an Oscar for Best Actor. Not only that, but Heath Ledger’s career-defining performance as the same character was also one of the most iconic wins in Academy Award history, proving that superhero movies can harbor some jaw-dropping acting abilities.
5 Superhero Movies Are Just A Fad
Repeated interest has proven that comic book movies are here to stay
Due to being a relatively recently-conceived genre, superhero movies have sometimes been compared to a passing fad, with vocal detractors assuring fans that their time in the spotlight is coming to a close. Box office trends even seem to be supporting this, with the DCEU coming to an end and the Marvel Cinematic Universe releasing some of their worst financial failures yet in 2023. However, interest in superhero stories is clearly here to stay, with the trailer for Deadpool & Wolverine becoming the most-viewed trailer ever.
4 Superhero Movies Only Exist To Set Up Sequels
Even within cinematic universes, the films still focus on telling standalone stories
It’s no secret that superhero movies thrive on sequels, perhaps even more so than similar genres like horror and martial arts movies that also rely on establishing long-running series. Pioneering the concept of the cinematic universe, superhero movies have taken things even further, with nearly every consecutive entry setting up something else. That being said, there are still plenty of superhero movies with no sequels to speak of, proving that the genre isn’t only focused on setting up the next big blockbuster.
3 Marvel And DC Are The Only Game In Town
There’s much more comic book inspiration out there than the big two
Marvel and DC are by far the biggest names in comics, hosting the most familiar characters, like Batman and Spider-Man. Of course, it makes sense that the most well-known superhero movies would source their stories from these two iconic media giants, with entire franchises like the MCU and DCU revolving around their characters. However, there are plenty of excellent, lesser-known superhero films that take their inspiration from other comic names, like Guillermo del Toro’s Hellboy duology or 1997’s Spawn.
2 Superhero Movies Have Bad Cinematography
In fact, many superhero films have more color than other action series
The filmmaking techniques of superhero movies sometimes get an unfairly bad rap, especially when it comes to cinematography. Some vocal critics have accused the likes of Zack Snyder’s Justice League or the Marvel Cinematic Universe as being devoid of color, boring, or flatly-lit. It’s important to remember that even the least visually impressive superhero films are still rife with colorful sets and costume design that pop off the screen, whereas the best of them, like Matt Reeves’ The Batman, present visual marvels that can stand with the best of visual prestige cinema.
1 Superhero Movies Rely On Star Power
The genre has made many careers in Hollywood
It’s easy to assume that superhero movies rely on big names in Hollywood to enrapture audiences, particularly when it comes to the less-familiar characters. In fact, the genre has re-invigorated just as many careers as it has leaned on to draw in audiences, taking big risks on former stars like Robert Downey Jr. or even making household names out of relative unknowns like Tom Hiddleston and David Corenswet. If it wasn’t for superhero giants like the MCU, plenty of names in acting wouldn’t be nearly as prevalent as they are.
