The results are in—superhero fatigue is no more. Justice has been restored. Or has it?
For what feels like an eternity now, superhero movies have dominated our screens and box office charts. With Marvel and DC leading the charge, it seems they have no intention of easing up on the gas pedal anytime soon.
But leading into this summer, many speculated whether it was time to move on—or at least dial it back—from the constant stream of caped crusaders and cosmic threats.
Then came Superman, directed by James Gunn (now co-CEO of DC Studios), and The Fantastic Four: The First Steps, helmed by Matt Shakman. Both films made a serious impression. Even the well-received Thunderbolts*—despite softer box office numbers—suggests the tide is turning. So what changed? How did we go from superhero burnout to suddenly eager for more?
The answer is simple: better stories. In an article by The Wrap, Gunn told GQ, “I don’t believe in superhero fatigue. I think there’s mediocre movie fatigue.” And judging by the success of Superman—which I saw and reviewed—he may be right. The film felt fresh, like a breath of much-needed air.
Full disclosure: I haven’t yet seen The Fantastic Four, but early reviews suggest what I’ve suspected all along—the tone and themes of past (even successful) superhero films needed to evolve. The template wasn’t the problem; it just needed tweaking.
How does the old saying go? “Don’t fix what isn’t broken.” In most cases—sure. But with passionate fans and an endless well of source material, change isn’t just welcome—it’s necessary. Superman proves that point.
Thunderbolts*, on the other hand, leaned too heavily on familiar tropes. That might be why moviegoers didn’t rush to the theaters. A lack in interest. Word of mouth can boost a film, but in this case, it didn’t. Could it be about star power?
The Fantastic Four stars Pedro Pascal (arguably one of Hollywood’s biggest names right now), alongside Vanessa Kirby (fresh off multiple blockbusters), Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear), and Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things).
For Superman, Gunn behind the camera—and a cast backed by a major, buzz-heavy marketing campaign—certainly helped. It feels like a perfect storm: hype, storytelling, casting, tone, and visuals all aligning.
Which brings us here: this summer’s success is no accident. Marvel and DC must keep delivering. Some projects, like The Batman Part II, will still lean into that darker, grittier territory. And they should. But Superman reminds us that not every hero needs to be a tortured symbol or a Christ figure. Sometimes, a good person trying to do the right thing is enough.
The Fantastic Four stands out too—thanks to its distinct production design and a tone unlike anything we’ve seen from Marvel in years.
These stories are cohesive, well-written, and—most importantly—audiences and critics are responding. Whether it’s the story, the tone, the cast, or just better execution overall, one thing is certain: superhero fatigue isn’t gone. But for now, we’ve found something to believe in again. Time will tell if the fatigue creeps back. For now, we wait.
What's Your Reaction?
