Marvel's Comedy Movies Roasted by Sitcom Star: Did They Really Ruin the Laughs?!
Did Marvel's entry into the film industry spell the end for comedy? Explore the impact of the MCU on the genre, examining whether their superhero success has overshadowed the art of making audiences laugh
Summary
Adam Devine believes that the rise of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and its blockbuster superhero movies has negatively impacted the theatrical comedy genre.
Devine asserts that modern audiences have developed a preference for large-scale, visually captivating movies when attending theaters, diminishing their willingness to expend funds on smaller, conventional comedy films. Moreover, apart from the dwindling profits of comedies at the box office, factors like exorbitant ticket prices and the burgeoning popularity of streaming platforms could also contribute to the downfall of modestly budgeted comedic productions in cinemas.
Adam Devine, known for his roles in Workaholics and Pitch Perfect, attributes the decline of theatrical comedies to the growing popularity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and its genre-defying blockbusters. Since its inception with Iron Man in 2008, the MCU has embraced a comedic element, which has become even more pronounced over time. While there are exceptions, such as Eternals and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, it is undeniable that Marvel Studios has reshaped the film industry by influencing audience preferences and their willingness to invest in theater experiences.
Nowadays, when you watch comedies, you may find yourself thinking, 'This isn't even a comedy.' Where are the jokes? Where are the humorous moments? Though there are still good shows, it has become difficult for movie comedies. My personal theory is that Marvel is to blame for this decline. It seems like superhero movies have overshadowed comedies as people now expect to see a big-budget production costing millions of dollars when they go to the theater. As a result, it's hard to justify spending the same amount of money to watch a small-scale comedy when you can get more value from a blockbuster worth $200 million.
Devine further elaborates on how this shift has impacted the release of comedy films.
Did Marvel Really Ruin Comedy?
Devine continued, stating that in the past, every studio released numerous comedies annually, resulting in approximately 45 comedies being showcased in theaters each year. Consequently, a new comedy would appear in cinemas every week or so. However, last year, there was a significant decline, with only about 6 or 7 comedies being released.
There is no denying that the MCU has completely transformed the landscape of big-budget comedy, leading to a decrease in the number of smaller, more traditional comedies being produced. However, the extent to which Marvel has actually "ruined" the genre remains a highly debated topic. According to data from The Numbers, a box office analysis site, there is evidence to support the notion that comedies are experiencing a decline in box office revenues. While they consistently contributed a significant portion of the total gross from the mid-1990s onwards (as per available data), there has been a steady decrease since approximately 2008, coinciding with the release of Iron Man.
Comedies in 2022 experienced a significant downturn, accounting for only 3.87% of total box office earnings, excluding MCU projects. However, there is hope for a resurgence. The phenomenal success of Barbie, surpassing the $1 billion mark, has propelled comedies to a 13.78% market share - the highest since 2013's 14.88%.
Individual comedies still hold the potential for success, despite the decline of theatrical comedies possibly being influenced by big-budget spectacles. However, this decline is more likely a symptom of other issues rather than the root cause. Concerns such as surging ticket prices and the availability of high-quality televisions and home theaters have contributed to the decrease in mid and low-budget comedy viewership in theaters. As streaming services have gained prominence, comedies have found a "safer" way to reach audiences by eliminating the need for intermediaries. Moreover, with the Marvel Cinematic Universe no longer enjoying the consistent critical acclaim it once did, traditional comedy may soon have a chance to regain its spotlight.
Source: This Past Weekend / The Numbers
