The future trajectory of superhero films
In the world of superhero films, a few stand out as trailblazers, pushing the boundaries of creativity and imagination. One such film, according to Glen Weldon, the cohost of Pop Culture Happy Hour, is Pixar's The Incredibles (2004). Weldon considers it the best superhero movie of all time, praising its independence from any IP, its animation, and its themes of selflessness, empathy, and a drive to make the world a better place. The film is also celebrated for its ability to make viewers want to cheer.
Another film that has made a significant impact is Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 2 (2004). Despite being part of a franchise, it manages to maintain a unique identity, with vibrant colors, a lively cast, and action scenes that set it apart from typical superhero movies. A particular scene where Peter Parker confesses to Aunt May about his role in Uncle Ben's death is praised for its emotional range and subtlety.
The superhero genre has seen a shift from light-hearted films to darker, more brooding stories. This change is marked by the release of Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight (2008), with the late Heath Ledger's iconic portrayal of the Joker. However, Weldon and others argue that this darker tone has led to a curse, with many subsequent superhero movies following a similar path.
In the 2010s, Hollywood's approach to superhero movies often overlooked the appeal of comic book stories, favouring uniformly dark and edgy storylines. However, recent entries like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) and the upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Superman movies are breaking away from this trend, focusing on creativity, imagination, and risk-taking.
In The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Pedro Pascal portrays Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Joseph Quinn plays Johnny Storm/Human Torch, Ebon Moss-Bachrach plays Ben Grimm/The Thing, and Vanessa Kirby portrays Sue Storm/Invisible Woman. David Corenswet stars in the new Superman movie titled Superman.
Weldon believes that these new movies are a reset rather than a reboot for the Superman and Fantastic Four franchises. He, along with NPR's Marc Rivers, often participate in discussions about the current state and evolution of superhero movies, weighing in on the genre’s cultural and cinematic impact. Their commentary often includes mentions of culturally significant and influential superhero films such as The Dark Knight trilogy, Black Panther, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and various entries from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
These discussions provide insight into how these films have shaped or reflected trends in the superhero genre over recent decades, offering a fascinating look at the evolution of this popular genre. For more specific films named by Weldon and Rivers, one might refer to the NPR episode or transcript of "What's the state of the superhero movie? NPR staffers weigh in" (August 3, 2025).
In their discussions about the evolution of superhero movies, Weldon and Rivers often highlight the importance of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) considerations in the film industry. For instance, they might discuss how Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) and the upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Superman movies are innovative not only in their storytelling but also in their efforts to mitigate credit risk by investing in diverse and inclusive casts and crews.
Moreover, as entertainment enthusiasts, Weldon and Rivers sometimes delve into the role of superhero movies in social discourse, examining how movies such as Black Panther have significantly impacted the moviemaking landscape, breaking barriers and inspiring conversations about racial representation and inclusion.
