Spider-Man: Brand New Way? What makes a superhero movie click
The superhero genre isn’t dying, but audiences are spoilt for choice. Spider-Man shows how to snag them.
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Audiences in China had not seen a Spider-Man film in cinemas since 2019, which is one factor behind the demand for the latest instalment.
PHOTO: EPA
Douglas Montgomery
What a difference a few months makes. When Supergirl bombed at theatres, it only strengthened the belief that the superhero genre was in decline. Then along comes Spider-Man and turns the narrative on its head.
The truth is that several major superhero releases have underperformed in recent years. Momentum weakened post-Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame, and streaming expansion created a flood of superhero content that tested audience patience.
