Super Hero Fatigue? Not So Fast
While many are tired of seeing the same old superhero stories told over and over again, it is clear that a huge fan base is still there.
Welcome to MovieNewsPro for Monday, July 21st, 2025. Here's what you need to know.
🎬 Today's Take
As much as I like to complain about "superhero fatigue," the truth is that the latest installment (the Superman reboot) is doing quite well indeed.
The Warner Bros. blockbuster pulled in $57 million in its second weekend, bringing its 10-day domestic total to $235 million. The reviews are positive, the legs appear to be there, and it's hard to argue with the box office. Superman is a hit, and the film has been positioned as the key to relaunch the entire DC Universe.
Meanwhile, over the weekend, Marvel's Kevin Feige called media outlets together to promote Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, two films currently in production at the Disney unit. Add in the Spider-Man: Brand New Day film (set for 2026), and of course, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which opens in just a few days, and it is clear that this train is nowhere near slowing down.
While many are tired of seeing the same old superhero stories told over and over again, it is clear that a huge fan base is still there. Sure, it's pretty much the only thing on the menu, but people do have the option to order room service at home, via streaming services and VOD.
The popularity of platforms like Criterion and MUBI suggests that many arthouse and indie film lovers may simply be choosing to skip the whole superhero genre entirely. But as long as the public keeps supporting superheroes at the theater, this trend is sure to continue. Unless the audiences stop showing up, expect more of the same.
📈 Movie Stock Index
Market Close: Monday, July 21st, 2025
Total Value: $115,373.18
Today's Change: $32.62 (0.03%)
Total Gain/Loss (Since 05/12/25): $15,373.16 (15.37%)
An extremely flat day for the Movie Stock Index, ending up just $32.62 (0.03%). Starz (5.41%) and Alphabet (2.72%) were the top gainers and Cineverse and AMC were the biggest losers on the day. Alphabet is set to report earnings on Wednesday.
Disclaimer: The MovieNewsPro Stock Index is a virtual index - there are no actual funds invested. Sector index total value dollar amounts are based on an initial hypothetical investment of $100,000 on May 12th, 2025. MovieNewsPro and/or its publisher may own stock or have interest in the companies mentioned. We are not licensed investment advisors and our information should not be used as investment advice. Invest wisely.
🎥 Industry Intel
The publishing network turned burgeoning social media platform Substack just raised $100 million, on a valuation of $1.1 billion. The service has a significant film critic population. (New York Times)
Netflix has announced it used AI-powered visual effects to generate footage for The Eternaut, an Argentine sci-fi series. Ted Sarandos commented that “Using these tools, the creators were thrilled with the result. We were thrilled with the result. And more importantly, the audience was thrilled with the result." (Stagerunner)
Why did A24 buy an off-broadway theater in Manhattan's West Village neighborhood? Soon New York will find out. (New York Times)
The Writers Guild of America is calling for an investigation into the cancellation of Stephen Colbert's Late Show, accusing it of bribery at Paramount. (Variety)
📢 Hot Job Alert
Kino Lorber is looking for a new Director of Film Acquisitions in New York.
🏆 Upcoming Film Festivals
New York Asian Film Festival, US - July 11-27
Golden Apricot International Film Festival, Armenia - July 13-20
Fantasia International Film Festival, Canada - July 17-August 3
Jerusalem Film Festival, Israel - July 17-27
New Horizons International Film Festival, Poland - July 17-27
Waco Independent Film Festival, US - July 17-20
Burgas International Film Festival, Bulgaria - July 19-25
Malaysia International Film Festival, Malaysia - July 19-27
Cinema Rediscovered, UK - July 23-27
Comic-Con, US - July 24-27
Woods Hole Film Festival, US - July 26-August 2
BlackStar Film Festival, US - July 31-August 3
Martha’s Vineyard African-American Film Festival, US - August 1-9
Membrana Film Festival, UK - August 3
Locarno Film Festival, Switzerland - August 6-16
37ºSouth Market, Australia – August 7-10
HollyShorts Film Festival, US - August 7-17
Melbourne International Film Festival, Australia - August 7-24
Gramado Film Festival, Brazil - August 13-23
Edinburgh International Film Festival, UK - August 14-20
Sarajevo Film Festival, Bosnia & Herzegovina - August 15-22
Norwegian International Film Festival Haugesund, Norway - August 16-22
Sidewalk Film Festival, US - August 18-24
New Nordic Films, Norway - August 19-22
FrightFest, UK - August 21-25
Venice International Film Festival, Italy - August 27-September 6
📺 Watch This Tonight
Fight Club (1999)
Directed by David Fincher
On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero.
Follow Us On Social Media: Letterboxd | Bluesky | X | LinkedIn | Instagram
Disclaimer/Transparency
MovieNewsPro is a film industry news, trends and analysis monitoring service. All stories have been previously reported elsewhere and are not exclusive stories to MNP. All information is believed to be accurate at the time of reporting. MovieNewsPro uses a full array of technology to gather information, including machine learning, automation and artificial intelligence throughout its business monitoring, editing and reporting process.
