Common Recipe for a Superhero Hit

Superhero films – there’s something about this genre of movies that keeps us coming back. From Superman to Antman, at any given time during the year there’s (probably) a hero filled blockbuster showing at your local theater. Stories with comic book roots, and already dedicated fan bases seem to take over the big screen yearly with A list casts. These widely successful adaptations and reboots appeal to more than the average fanboy – Avengers Infinity Wars grossed over 1.9 billion at the box office. But why are these movies megahits? Some could argue that they follow a common formula when producing these films in order to keep audiences interested in new releases – Marvel we’re looking at you. Here are 4 things you’ll probably notice the next time you watch your favorite comic come to life.

The Lengthy Action Scenes

Okay this one seems like a no brainer, but the reason movie tickets sell is that people are in search of entertainment. Nothing keeps your eyes glued to the screen like a 20 minute battle scene between the hero and villain. The final fight sequence in which a battle takes place to save the city (or in some cases the world) always seems to leave audiences on the edge of their seats with innovative special effects. The Incredible Hulk is notorious for its lengthy fight sequences, which seem to make up the backbone of the film. In Infinity Wars, the final fight sequence took up over twenty-five pages of the script. A well choreographed action scene allows the audience to be engaged, and allows them to root for the hero to win.

Star Studded Cast

While most people don’t mind seeing an unknown actor take on the role of their favorite hero -Tom Holland being cast as Spiderman in the reboot, casting big names allows for more publicity and appeal. Your girlfriend probably was more willing to see Green Lantern because Ryan Reynolds was the leading man. When Scarlett Johansson was cast as Black Widow a successful press junket flowed suit.

Superhero Inspiration

Stan Lee is a creative genius for his original comics, creating over 360 original superheroes and villains for his comics. This study on pest based superheroes shows that over 144 characters have origins from either reptiles, arachnids, or other common creatures we would consider nuisances.

Big City Setting

Ever seen a superhero movie based in a small rural town? Large cities allow for a fast paced setting, with a higher risk for the civilians at risk. New York City is one of the most popular “real world” hero settings. Other popular locations include San Francisco, London, and Los Angeles. These metropolises serve as the perfect background to large scale battle sequences, and engage the audience by featuring certain landmarks that the audience members will recognize.