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Superman and Fantastic Four Couldn’t Save the Superhero Genre

August 25, 2025 ·

Marvin Montanaro

Photos of Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps and David Corenswet as Superman in Superman - YouTube, Marvel Entertainment, DC

For years, Hollywood insisted the superhero genre was too big to fail. Marvel and DC might stumble here or there, but whenever the chips were down, a tentpole reboot would swoop in and restore audience faith. That was the expectation for 2025, when James Gunn’s new Superman and Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps arrived to great industry fanfare.

These were the movies that were supposed to stop the bleeding, unite audiences, and reignite box office firepower.

Instead, they proved the exact opposite: even the biggest names in comic book history can’t save a genre audiences are walking away from.

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Author: Marvin Montanaro

Marvin Montanaro is the Editor-in-Chief of That Park Place and a seasoned entertainment journalist with nearly two decades of experience across multiple digital media outlets and print publications. He joined That Park Place in 2024, bringing with him a passion for theme parks, pop culture, and film commentary. Based in Orlando, Florida, Marvin regularly visits Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, offering firsthand reporting and analysis from the parks. He’s also the creative force behind The M4 Empire YouTube channel, bringing a critical eye toward the world of pop culture. Montanaro’s insights are rooted in years of real-world reporting and editorial leadership. He can be reached via email at mmontanaro@thatparkplace.com SOCIAL MEDIA: X: http://x.com/marvinmontanaro Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marvinmontanaro Facebook: https://facebook.com/marvinmontanaro YouTube: http://YouTube.com/TheM4Empire Email: mmontanaro@thatparkplace.com