echo Superhero films can be a hit or a miss. In 2022, 7 out of the top 10 most in-demand blockbuster films were superhero movies. However, by 2023, many superhero films underperformed, failing to meet the expectations of critics and audiences alike. This raises the question: ‘Why do some superhero films succeed much better than others? What is the formula behind a good superhero movie?’ As we ponder this, it is important to take into consideration the many factors and characteristics of a superhero film. These factors not only define the quality and delivery of the film but also determine its connection with viewers.
Marvel’s upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps
- Building Strong Characters and Their Stories
Successful superhero films often thrive on compelling and well-developed characters, whether they are protagonists, antagonists, or supporting figures. A strong character arc, complete with personal struggles, growth, and flaws, makes these individuals more relatable to audiences and enhances overall audience connection. When heroes face obstacles beyond just battling villains (such as internal conflicts, moral dilemmas, life crises or personal hardships), it adds depth to their stories and makes them feel more human.
Heroes like Spider-Man give audiences a sense of relatability because he is not just a crime-fighting hero but also a regular teenager navigating the challenges of school, friendships, and responsibility. His struggles with balancing his dual life (think Hannah Montana), dealing with loss, and making difficult choices make him a compelling and emotionally grounded character, easily capturing the audience’s attention and enhancing both relatability and likability.
Tom Holland as Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker in The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
By giving characters (especially villains) conflicting morals, insistent motivation and compelling backstories, audiences feel more attached. A well-written antagonist is not simply evil for the sake of being evil; rather, they often have motivations that, while sometimes misguided, can be understood or even sympathised with. This complexity makes them more engaging, as viewers are drawn into their internal struggles and unpredictable choices.
A prime example of this is Loki from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As the God of Mischief, Loki constantly keeps audiences on edge, leaving them questioning whose side he is truly on. His fluctuating loyalties, desire for power, and deep-seated need for acceptance make him a fascinating character who transcends the typical villain archetype. His complicated storyline that often shapes him as misunderstood often finds audiences even rooting for the villain, or well, anti-hero.
Tom Hiddleston as Loki Laufeyson in The Avengers (2012)
This form of character depth extends beyond just Loki. Villains like The Joker from Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight serve as a perfect (and rather iconic) example of how a well-crafted antagonist can elevate a superhero film. Unlike traditional villains with clear motivations, The Joker thrives on chaos, challenging the very aspect of order, morals and ethics. His unpredictable nature and twisted mindset force Batman into moral dilemmas, making their conflict much more than just a physical fight; it becomes a psychological one.
The Joker and Batman in The Dark Knight (2008)
- A Strong Emotional Core
Additionally, a strong emotional core is one of the largest and crucial contributors to a successful superhero film. A film without emotion is a film without impact. Emotional depth to a story and its characters makes a film feel more personal, which is precisely what audiences yearn for and feel drawn to. When viewers can connect with the characters’ struggles, aspirations, and relationships, the film leaves a lasting impression rather than being just another action-packed spectacle. Superhero films like Aquaman highlight themes of heritage, family, acceptance, and self-search. Arthur Curry’s journey is not just about becoming the rightful ruler of Atlantis but also about reconciling his dual identity as both human and Atlantean. His internal struggle and emotional conflicts make his character arc compelling, giving audiences more to engage with beyond the film’s stunning visuals.
Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry in Aquaman (2018)
Superhero films that lack an emotional core have performed badly and provided a less impactful experience to audiences, with Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice being an obvious example. The conflict between Batman and Superman lacked the necessary depth to make their rivalry decently compelling, and the film’s overreliance on action left little to no room for meaningful (and very necessary) character development. The film’s lack of emotional depth and overuse of action gave no room for the viewers to resonate or connect with the film’s protagonists, leading to a less memorable and emotionally resonant experience.
Promotional poster for Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
- World-Building Done Right
Moreover, world-building could make or break a superhero film, directly impacting both its success and failure. When done right, it not only enhances the visual spectacle of a superhero film but also provides depth to the story, allowing audiences to feel fully immersed in the film’s setting, timeline and universe. A prime example of exceptional (and practically perfect) world-building is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. The film masterfully explores the concept of the multiverse, with each dimension featuring its own distinct animation style, history, and unique characters, with interesting backstories. By crafting visually diverse and unique worlds that feel alive and rich with detail, the film successfully draws audiences into the film’s storytelling while showcasing an innovative and unique approach to different types of animation and styles. The individuality and detailing of each universe enhance the film’s themes of identity and self-discovery faced by Miles Morales, making world-building a central part of the narrative rather than just an aesthetic choice.
Gwen Stacy and Miles Morales in Spider-Man: Across The Spider Verse
Miguel O’Hara in Spider-Man: Across The Spider Verse
Similarly, Black Panther serves as a valuable example of immersive world-building. The fictional nation of Wakanda is brought to life with stunning detail, featuring its own culture, traditions, advanced technology, and rich history. This deep level of world-building not only enhances the film’s visual appeal but also strengthens its themes of heritage, identity, and leadership. The same can be said for the film’s sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which builds a plot surrounding the fictional underwater nation of Talokan, with nods to the underrepresented Mayan culture and traditions. Films like these not only enable world-building but also promote diversity and representation in the real world.
Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa in Black Panther (2018)
Tenoch Huerta as Namor in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
Unfortunately, world-building can also be done inefficiently, weakening a film’s overall impact. Suicide Squad serves as a prime example of this. While the film introduced a variety of intriguing characters (and there’s no denying that the actors’ performances were done really well), it failed to develop an immersive world. The setting felt underexplored, with vague or inconsistent details about its dystopian landscape, government agencies, and supernatural elements. Additionally, the film’s villains were underdeveloped, lacking the depth and backstory needed to make them compelling threats. As a result, the world felt hollow, leaving audiences disconnected from the stakes of the story.
Lineup of Charcaters in Suicide Squad (2016)
Jared Leto and Margot Robbie as The Joker and Harley Quinn
It is also important to note that excessive world-building could be a major problem for superhero films, especially in recent years. While expanding a cinematic universe can be exciting, rushing the process or overcomplicating narratives can lead to a decline in quality and audience engagement. Sometimes, it is better to focus on developing a strong, contained story rather than expanding universes too quickly. Over the past few years, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has faced backlash for its overproduced and lacklustre films. Too many timelines, stories and characters can overwhelm fans, especially if they are not well thought out. Producers should always prioritise making good content in lesser amounts than horrible content in increased amounts, as it will simply drive the fans away. Films like Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, Thor: Love and Thunder, and Madame Web are prime examples of rushing the process and overproducing, and have gained widespread criticism from fans and film critics alike.
Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
- Balancing Humour and Emotion
Heroes do not always have to be serious. After all, some of the most memorable heroes are the funny ones. In superhero films, it is preferable to have a balance of humour and emotional depth. Adding humour to these films provides light-hearted and memorable moments for the audiences, and gives the characters more personality. While some heroes are taken very seriously, such as Batman, others can be taken lightly, while still making just as big of an impact. The Deadpool films rely heavily on humour and irreverence, but that does not make Deadpool’s story any less impactful or appealing. In fact, this very dynamic was tested in Deadpool & Wolverine, whereby they paired Wolverine, a serious and sombre character, with the trilogy’s titular, witty hero. To no surprise, fans reacted positively, proving that when done right, humour can truly make a film special.
Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman as Deadpool and Wolverine
Robert Pattinson as The Batman or ‘Vengeance’
- Computer-Generated Imagery (or well.. CGI)
While there are many factors contributing to successful superhero films, it is equally important to recognise the common mistakes that lead to lacklustre ones. One of the most frequent missteps made by producers is the poor execution of visual effects, which can significantly impact the audience’s immersion and enjoyment. An over-reliance on CGI or its improper use often results in artificial-looking scenes that fail to captivate viewers. When CGI is rushed, unrealistic, or poorly integrated with practical effects, it can make a film feel cheap and uninspired rather than grand and visually stunning, ruining its overall aesthetic.
Bruce Banner in the Hulkbuster suit (admittedly, horrid CGI)
A prime example of this issue is Black Widow, a film that received significant backlash for its subpar visual effects. Despite Marvel’s strong reputation for delivering high-quality stunts and seamless CGI integration, Black Widow fell short, with critics and fans alike pointing out its unrealistic, tacky, and seemingly rushed effects. Several action sequences, particularly the mid-air fight scenes, were criticised for defying the basic laws of physics, making them difficult to take seriously. Instead of heightening the intensity of the film, these poorly executed effects took fans out of the immersive (and realistic) experience.
One of the more criticised CGI scenes in Black Widow (2021)
Admittedly, in many cases, the fault does not entirely lie with the visual effects team. More often than not, the real issue stems from tight production schedules and unrealistic deadlines set by studios. Many of Marvel’s recent films that received backlash for underwhelming CGI were victims of rushed post-production, leaving editors with little time to refine the film’s visual effects. When studios prioritise distributing content quickly over maintaining quality, the end result is often unfinished and unrefined CGI that ruins the overall cinematic experience.
With this in mind, studios should reconsider their approach to filmmaking and shift their focus from quantity to quality. Instead of overproducing films at an unrealistic pace and overworking their crew, production companies should invest more time and energy into crafting fewer but higher-quality films. By allowing visual effects artists, editors, and stunt coordinators the necessary time to perfect their work, studios can ensure that their films not only meet audience expectations but also uphold the industry’s standards for excellence. Film is a form of art; instead of covering a canvas with repetitive brushstrokes of the same shade, studios should focus on painting unique details that make each film stand out as a masterpiece on its own.
Scarlett Johansson and Florence Pugh as Natasha Romanoff and Yelena Belova
- Pacing and Plotting!
Pacing and plot are essential when it comes to any film. However, many superhero films seem to be lacking in this department. Some superhero films tend to have inconsistent pacing, where they rush important scenes that truly contribute to the plot, while dragging on irrelevant scenes, usually the action ones. Films like Eternals have fallen victim to this issue, as it dragged in certain parts, while rushing through important ones.
Some superhero films also have messy plotlines that may leave audiences feeling confused or overwhelmed. The Amazing Spider-Man 2, while it has lovable characters and has its fair share of emotionally relevant scenes, had an overstuffed plot, filled with too many narratives in one film. Peter Parker had to face three different villains in this film, while facing his relationship problems and the subplot of his parents, causing a lack of clarity in the film’s focus. While all this seemed to be done well in Spider-Man: No Way Home, it fell short for The Amazing Spider-Man 2.
In Conclusion…
We can conclude that in the ever-expanding world of superhero films, success stems far beyond flashy fight sequences and appealing costumes. What truly makes a superhero film stand the test of time is its ability to resonate with viewers on a deeper level. Audiences should not just witness the hero’s struggles; they should feel them. A well-crafted superhero film goes beyond explosions and high-stakes battles; it delves into themes of perseverance, sacrifice, and humanity, allowing viewers to connect with the characters beyond their superhuman abilities.
At the end of the day, a great superhero film does not just deliver hard-hitting action; it makes you feel. It reminds us why we love these stories in the first place, not just for their spectacle, but for the heart that beats beneath our heroes’ masks!
I’m gonna put some dirt in your eye.
Written By: Ashley Anne Danker
Edited by: Tisyha
