There was a time when Marvel could do no wrong at the box office — every release seemed destined for a massive haul. Even the Zack Snyder-led DC universe managed its share of billion-dollar juggernauts. That era is gone. Troubling signs are pointing towards the tide clearly turning.
The phrase “superhero fatigue” has become the default explanation among box office analysts, shorthand for the lack of audience excitement around the genre. It’s been repeated endlessly in the post-pandemic landscape, and for good reason.
Now, that phrase feels more relevant than ever. The streak is broken. For the first time in 14 years, and not counting 2020, where most theaters obligatorily shut down, the comic book movie machine has slowed down in a firm and meaningful way.
2025 is the first year since 2011 in which not a single superhero blockbuster crossed the $700M global threshold. “Captain America: Brave New World” ($415M), “Thunderbolts” ($382M), “Fantastic Four” ($473M), and “Superman” ($600M) all failed to get there.
The numbers are startling when put in perspective. For over a decade, Marvel and DC projects practically guaranteed sky-high grosses. Even when warning signs emerged in the early 2020s, titles like “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” ($955M) and “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” ($845M) still leapt past the mark with ease.
Not anymore. Whether it’s Marvel or DC, the results simply aren’t adding up. The long-predicted superhero bubble looks to finally be shrinking. Crowds that once rushed to every cape-led event are now far harder to lure, especially on the international side.
Of course, the spin machines are working overtime. James Gunn and Warner Bros. have insisted “Superman” was a major hit, while Disney CEO Bob Iger called “Thunderbolts” a success just days into its run. However, the bottom line remains: none of these films reached the $700M benchmark.
What happens next is anyone’s guess. Maybe the genre rebounds in 2026, or maybe the slide continues. All eyes will be on Marvel’s costly “Avengers: Doomsday” and DC’s next chapter, “Supergirl.” The safest bet may be Sony’s “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” — though even the webslinger could be facing audience fatigue.
As expected, Snyder's latest is being torn apart by TIFF attendees. No mercy given. The film, which had its world premiere this evening, is being called by some one of the worst movies to ever premiere at the festival.