However, by this time the MCU was already a worldwide phenomenon. to rush into production on a slate of DC films including Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel in 2013 which kicked off the official DCEU. Nevertheless, the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe prompted Warner Bros. had produced critically acclaimed superhero films including Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy. Long before Disney’s acquisition of Marvel, Warner Bros. However, despite the success, the intense rivalry spells danger for the future. With each studio continuously turning out multiple films a year, the superhero genre has transformed into a virtual printing press for Disney and Warner Bros. Though independent comics have been increasingly optioned and developed for film and television, Marvel’s MCU and DC Comics’ DCEU continue to dominate the space. This popular genre has existed since serials dominated local theaters in the 1940s, long before it was developed into Hollywood’s biggest moneymaker. Although DC enjoyed success with the Batman Begins reboot in 2005, Marvel topped everyone with their cinematic universe, beginning in 2008.The long war pitting the DCEU and the MCU against each other will result in the superhero genre being ruined for everyone. Since then, the proverbial shoe has been on the other foot. It wasn’t until X-Men in 2000 that Marvel started to turn their fortunes around, followed by Spider-Man in 2002.
MARVEL AND DC MOVIES MOVIE
Meanwhile, Marvel had embarrassments with the cheesy 1990 Captain America movie and a zero-budget 1994 Fantastic Four movie, which was never even released. While The Incredible Hulk lasted for five seasons, The Amazing Spider-Man only managed two.ĭC continued to top Marvel on the big screen with the phenomenal success of Batman in 1989.
MARVEL AND DC MOVIES TV
Meanwhile, Marvel only seemed to be able to get TV shows with Spider-Man and the Hulk off the ground. The first major superhero movie was the 1978 Superman directed by Richard Donner, which was a massive hit, grossing what would be $517 million in today’s money. The ironic thing about that was for a long time, DC characters ruled the movie screen, while Marvel characters couldn’t get a movie to save their lives. It’s no secret that Warner Bros/DC seriously envies the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
MARVEL AND DC MOVIES FULL
After the ultimate mash-up of the Justice League and The Avengers in 20, the crossovers stopped.īy that time, superhero movies were in full swing, with the success of the X-Men and Spider-Man franchises, and the comic book illustrators must have gotten tired after drawing all those characters together. Hulk and other combinations like the X-Men and the Teen Titans. This was followed up by a sequel, along with Batman Vs. So just as the movies fought off TV in the ’50s with innovations like widescreen and 3D, the comic publishers thought a crossover would be a great gimmick to boost sales. After peak sales in the 1960s, comic books had started to decline, no thanks to arcade games and other distractions. According to Nerdist, Marvel, which had not been around nearly as long as DC, referred to their rival as “the Distinguished Competition.” For a long time, DC had Batman and Superman and Marvel had Spider-Man and the X-Men, and never the heroes shall meet.Īt least not until 1976, when Spider-Man and Superman got into a fight.