In the past, Martin Scorsese has compared superhero movies to theme park rides and artificial intelligence, indicating that he believes they lack certain qualities. He’s also worried that they will lead to generations of moviegoers believing that they’re the only type of cinema out there. “The danger there is what it’s doing to our culture,” he told GQ. “Because there are going to be generations now that think movies are only those — that’s what movies are.”
But could the tides be turning in Scorsese’s favor?
“The Marvels” bombed at the box office, one of multiple superhero movies to underperform in 2023. “Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantamania” earned an underwhelming $476 million worldwide and received mixed reviews. Elsewhere, DC’s “The Flash” and “Blue Beetle” failed to live up to expectations for Warner Bros., proving it’s not just Marvel encountering bad luck.
Meanwhile, thought-provoking projects such as “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” dominated the box office during their theatrical runs. Does this mean that general audiences are tired of comic book adaptations and seeking other films? Or would they just like to see better superhero movies alongside more variety on the big screen?
