When it comes to superhero action films, Marvel is easily at the top of the food chain. As one of the highest-grossing movie franchises of all time, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has done a brilliant job casting pitch-perfect actors, combining beautiful CGI with stunt work, and immersing us in incredible worlds. Now that Disney officially owns the X-Men franchise and the MCU is well into Phase 4, we’re living in a heyday of high-quality superhero movies. The momentum doesn’t seem to be slowing down, and fans are excited to see what the MCU has in store for the future.
Of course, action isn’t the only thing Marvel gets right. Among the many thrilling feature films are gritty detective shows, animated TV series, and mind-boggling sitcom parodies. The MCU has limitless potential, and now is the time for the company to dive headfirst into more film sub-genres. In fact, the creators are already testing the waters: Captain America: The Winter Soldier was a solid political thriller, and the Tom Holland Spider-Man films were crafted in the spirit of teenage comedies and coming-of-age stories. There’s talk of Doctor Who in the Multiverse of Madness being the MCU’s first horror movie, and there’s no telling what’s in store for Stephen and Wanda. If you’ve ever been curious to see your favorite characters in a new light, here’s our take on movie sub-genres that would keep the MCU fresh and intriguing.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
5 Horror, For The Franchise’s Darkest Tales
Columbia Pictures
The world of Marvel is loaded with creepy characters and mortifying monsters alike. From gooey parasites that consume hosts to Lovecraftian beasts and twisted trap makers à la Jigsaw, the comics are rife with source material that would terrify audiences in theaters. Since the franchise is allegedly making way for darker, supernatural entries like Ghost Rider, why not shake things up and put them in settings befitting their gritty backstories? The Brood could fall to and infest the Earth while the X-Men fight to keep humanity alive, or Man-Wolf could breathe some much-needed life into the werewolf trope.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
4 Musical, Because We Already Know It Works
Via: Marvel Studios
If you didn’t already know, superhero musicals are a thing, and they’re more popular than you might expect! The superhero sub-category of musicals has been seen throughout off-Broadway history, most notably with shows like Brooklynite and Toxic. Over time, supers have gained footing on the official Broadway scene. From Starmites in the 1980s to Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark in 2011, these shows string together incredible heroic stunts with intricate stories and songs. The formula works, but there’s still plenty of room for growth. If any media giant is capable of finally giving us a superhero musical worthy of a Tony, it’s Marvel (looking at you, Rogers: The Musical).
3 Buddy Comedy, For All The Pair-Ups You Didn’t Know You Needed
20th Century Fox
Everyone loves a good buddy comedy, and the harrowing subject matter of Marvel Comics certainly benefits from a healthy dose of humor. MCU installments typically blend serious themes with hilarious moments, but we haven’t seen a single exclusive comedy film yet. What’s more, Marvel could take it a step further and give us pairings and team-ups for the ultimate buddy comedy. When Deadpool makes his official MCU debut, why not give him one-on-one time with Cable or Domino in some sort of crazy misadventure? What about the plethora of diverse X-Men characters to explore? Nobody’s asking Marvel to diminish the rich history of its alumni by slapping together a low-budget gag fest. We’d just love to see a superhero movie that’s packed with laughs while still paying respect to the lore.
2 Romance, Because Marvel Knows How to Tell a Love Story
Marvel Studios
Wanda and Vision, Tony and Pepper, Peter Parker and MJ, Yukio and Negasonic Teenage Warhead… the list goes on. Marvel has always known how to tell beautiful (if often tragic) love stories, and there is limitless potential for romance films. They could take a more serious route for dramatic relationships like Stephen Strange and Christine Palmer, or they could give us the sugary wholesomeness we crave from Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter. Imagine the adorable antics if Miles Morales and Spider-Gwen had more time together, or if Storm and T’Challa would’ve been able to get married on-screen. The world could always use more love, especially when it comes to our favorite supers.
1 High Fantasy, to Bring Even More Characters Into the Mix
Newcomers to the MCU are probably familiar with modern-day characters, but there’s an entire cast of superheroes and villains from Medieval times and Ancient Greece. In fact, the Marvel Universe as we know it is heavily steeped in the affairs of otherworldly deities, and the comics go into great detail on their impact on humanity as it evolved. Let’s take a dive into Merlyn’s Omniverse and see how he helped shape King Arthur’s Round Table. Or: Let’s get an origin story of Gaea, Chthon and the other gods who filled Earth with life. Plenty of Marvel characters would do beautifully in the fantasy genre, and it would be a great way to introduce some of the technology and events that led our favorite modern characters to where they are.
