“Why are there so many superhero movies?”

“What’s with all the comic book stuff?”

“When is Hollywood going to move on from comics?”

These questions seem to come up a lot from movie-goers, primarily the Norms (i.e., non-geeks). So let me say this first: I enjoy super hero movies and don’t think there are too many of them. Now that that’s out of the way, let me explain.

You’re probably saying, “Sure, you’re a geek, of course you like these movies! Of course there can never be too many for you!” That’s not it, well not entirely. Think about it – movie companies exist to make movies that make money. If movies are not well made and don’t attract an audience, they don’t make money. And over the past few years, companies like Marvel and Warner Brothers are finally creating great super hero movies. Combine that with “the age of the geek” and it’s obvious why these movies keep getting produced.

In 2014, 10 wide-release movies were based on comics or graphic novels (six of them actual super hero films). Of these 10, eight were among the top-grossing 100 films and five of those were in the top 10 (all super hero), including the number one spot (Guardians of the Galaxy, in case you don’t remember). Now just think about that for a second – 10 comic book movies in 2014. That’s out of a couple hundred movies released that year… less than 5%. So looking at numbers, there really weren’t that many. But as you can see by what grossed highest (i.e., made the most money and got the largest audiences), the comic movies topped the list which means you heard about them more often, saw more ads for them.

And then there’s merchandise. Even the Norms want super hero stuff and the most popular is inspired by the movies, which is why you see even more of it. Toys, clothes, posters, games… anywhere you can imagine a super hero, it’s there! That’s why it seems like these movies are so much more prevalent than they really are. Would you rather have a t-shirt with Ben Affleck’s “Gone Girl” character on it (who’s name I can’t even recall and I only saw the movie last month) or one with Rocket Raccoon? That’s the point – general, mainstream movies, whether comedies, dramas or action, don’t get the same play with merchandise that comic book and super hero flicks do. It’s not that there are a lot of these movies around, there’s just a lot of stuff!

Over the next five years there are already 25 superhero movies confirmed for production. That number will only go up based on the success of some and interest in other properties. And because geek culture is becoming more acceptable to the Norms, you’re going to hear a lot about these movies. Mainstream media has caught on to the big conventions and knows that major announcements happen with San Diego Comic Con, Star Wars Celebration, D23 and others. And there’s no argument to make here – 25 out of the hundreds of movies coming out over the next few years is not much. But those 25 movies will be big news and attract a lot of attention.

We can’t help it if we’re now “the cool kids” and the Norms are feeling a little left out.

~ D.