Why the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a revelation in blending films and Comics

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is something truly unique in the film industry. Crossovers, cameos, and franchises are nothing new in entertainment. However, the way Marvel has done it is somewhat different from anything this world has seen before.

The Simpsons have had an episode with Family Guy, popular Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network shows regularly interact (Jimmy Neutron and The Fairly Odd Parents), and movies sometimes reference different universes or films. So the question remains, what sets the MCU apart and how have they managed to do it so well?

Marvel’s Cinematic Universe was and has always been built around this idea that other comic movies didn’t use to do. There is a bigger picture, a grand scheme, and there is more to everything.

Previously, superhero movies centered around one character, one main arc, or the main cast of characters that had to fight a villain or disaster. However, instead of looking at these projects as one-off movies or trilogies, Marvel decided to build a massive franchise that brings together several main characters.

Look at the past Spiderman, Superman, and Batman movies. Each of these films centered around one character, one universe, and audiences connected to these characters individually. The previous Avengers and Justice League movies of 2000-2009 focused on the groups as a whole, pointing attention to working as a team, but audiences didn’t necessarily connect to each specific member, they rooted for the success of the team as a whole.

The MCU combines these two aspects by creating an ever-expanding universe, watchers can appreciate both the individual characters and the team’s success. By slowly introducing each player and bringing them together in a grand launch, Marvel recreated the feeling of reading a comic in a way movies have never done in the past.

So has Marvel’s unique approach paid off? In short, yes. The movies have consistently been box office hits with Avengers: Endgame racking in almost $2.8 billion in the box office and Spiderman: No Way Home hitting $1.5 billion after just one month out. I think it’s pretty safe to say that these movies are here to stay, and with Phase 4 just starting, we may see some very interesting moves in the MCU.

Source: MovieWeb, The Numbers