There are a variety of reasons why superhero movies become successful. Sometimes it’s because they have a great story. Sometimes the cast seems so perfect that they can win people over. Nowadays, the main way to become successful is to have a cinematic universe following your franchise. That’s the other word that helps: franchise.

But, can a non-franchise superhero movie compete in the saturated market of today? With what’s popular on streaming, the answer isn’t as clear as it seems. Let’s explore.

Exploring the NCU (Non-Cinematic Universe)

     This is That Productions

Some of the NCU movies that have been more of the sleeper-hit variety have been of the gritty, violent school of cinema. These are films such as Super, Watchmen, and Brightburn which were all loosely based on graphic novels. People that know about comics, often talk about how these movies were more faithful to how superheroes would behave in the real world. They aren’t thrilled with the DCU/MCU movies because they see them as the whitewashed/sanitized versions of their favorite childhood characters. It should be noted that James Gunn, the new DCU overlord, wrote and even directed some of these NCU movies.

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But what happens when someone else wants to elbow in on the action? Do they even stand a chance in today’s saturated market? There have been some successes, like the original Hellboy, Hancock, and Unbreakable. These were valiant attempts at different types of movies. The freak, the reluctant hero, and the Everyman. But people seem to want the sanitized version of superheroes on their big screens. They like when their kids can buy the toys and they themselves can cosplay as Steve Rogers and Black Widow at conventions.

Streaming To Success

     Prime Video

Many streaming services have seen the trend toward superheroes and comics in general as a great investment. They see the built-in audiences and desire their undying loyalty. However, these streamers also realize that many of these beloved or interesting characters need more than ninety minutes. That is why they pull out all the stops to give them TV shows.

This trend began before Disney purchased Marvel and moved their heroes to Disney+. In fact, the Netflix Daredevil and Jessica Jones series were brutally honest depictions of the characters. They were hailed by fans for their unflinching portrayals. The same was said about The Punisher and Luke Cage series as well (Iron Fist, not so much).

There have been a variety of other series that have made it through a few seasons. Not every one was based on a comic, but they added to the offbeat, stranger, and sometimes more grounded version of the hero. Misfits, Alphas, Raising Dion, and the just recently canceled The Nevers all have a place in the hearts of those who like their stories strange and their characters interesting.

But now, independent comics are being bought up left and right. The biggest comic hit right now is The Boys, which has been running for three seasons on Prime Video. It was a comic series that featured so much violence, sex, and unlikable characters that it was deemed unfilmable. However, the show’s third season brought in 919 million minutes of viewing and is projected to stay on this same track going into its fourth season. The people have spoken up and have agreed that they may like Spider-Man around the kids, but after bedtime, they want Homelander and Stormfront.

Another popular series is The Umbrella Academy on Netflix. Never to be outdone, the original streaming service set its sights on this graphic novel, written by Gerard Way of the band My Chemical Romance, and did not shy away from its adult themes and mentally unstable characters and landscapes. Though not as charged as The Boys, The Umbrella Academy has proven its own staying power, lasting three seasons with a fourth and final season on the way. Also, no longer loathe to appear outside of cinemas, big-name stars are signing up for what they’ve realized can be a superhero life outside the DCU/MCU. The Boys scored Karl Urban while The Umbrella Academy nabbed Elliot Page.

The Battle Continues

Entertainment goes through phases. Much like the cowboy and spaceship phases that have come before them, superheroes will eventually become another remembered renaissance for those who adored it. It will also find its fair share of those shouting “good riddance” and moving on to whatever comes next. When that happens, we will see the occasional superhero, but studios will have to pick the ones they see as exciting for people to watch. In typical Hollywood style, they may just head to the reboot desk, but you never know what ideas creative people are thinking up even as we speak.

While many people seem to think that Marvel and Kevin Feige may be stumbling since Phase 3, and the DCU is still attempting to live up to James Gunn’s full potential, there are plenty of NCU properties just waiting to be snatched up. In the end, it is not a matter of superheroes going away anytime soon, it’s just a matter of who gets to the juiciest properties first.