Over the past 10 years, 8 different Marvel movies grossed over 1 billion dollars. While this seems like an enormous achievement, it is very easy to see why they proved to be so successful when analyzed further. Marvel is able to create lasting connections between their audience and their films so easily because of their use of characters and plot threads that go between various movies.
As the attached diagram shows, the key trait of the Marvel movies that make them so popular is their interconnectedness. Characters' journeys do not just take place in their own standalone series. Instead, major plot and character developments can occur in any movie from the studio. Ultimately, this draws audiences in through a variety of ways. When a viewer becomes attached to one character, they cannot get the full experience with that character by solely watching their standalone movies. Instead, they must watch other movies that the character appears in, which may require them to watch even more movies to get sufficient context. Marvel has such a wide array of characters and movies that it is easy for anyone to find at least one character they enjoy or relate to. Because of that investment in a "gateway character," audiences are essentially forced to watch nearly every other movie made by Marvel Studios in order to receive the true payoff of that investment in their character.
Character arcs that develop across a series of movies are nothing new, but what sets Marvel movies apart is the fact that these character arcs require watching multiple series to fully understand. In a way, Marvel's secret to success is creating as many relatable characters as possible, and subsequently splitting their character arcs across as many movies as possible. The widespread success of these movies is making this business strategy increasingly enticing for competitors, too. For instance, DC's attempt at making their own series of superhero movies to rival Marvel's was never very successful until audiences found characters they enjoyed. After movies like Wonder Woman and Aquaman showed that audiences were finally starting to connect with some of DC's characters, DC responded by immediately announcing sequels and spinoffs starring those same characters.
Ultimately, Marvel's practice of splitting up character changes across many installments feels somewhat anti-consumer, because they are trying to spread their content across as many movies as possible, therefore making audiences spend more money. Though other companies are currently trying to emulate this business model, it has not become fully widespread throughout the industry, which is good. Nevertheless, it is somewhat alarming to see people accept money-making techniques like this so readily.
As the attached diagram shows, the key trait of the Marvel movies that make them so popular is their interconnectedness. Characters' journeys do not just take place in their own standalone series. Instead, major plot and character developments can occur in any movie from the studio. Ultimately, this draws audiences in through a variety of ways. When a viewer becomes attached to one character, they cannot get the full experience with that character by solely watching their standalone movies. Instead, they must watch other movies that the character appears in, which may require them to watch even more movies to get sufficient context. Marvel has such a wide array of characters and movies that it is easy for anyone to find at least one character they enjoy or relate to. Because of that investment in a "gateway character," audiences are essentially forced to watch nearly every other movie made by Marvel Studios in order to receive the true payoff of that investment in their character.
Character arcs that develop across a series of movies are nothing new, but what sets Marvel movies apart is the fact that these character arcs require watching multiple series to fully understand. In a way, Marvel's secret to success is creating as many relatable characters as possible, and subsequently splitting their character arcs across as many movies as possible. The widespread success of these movies is making this business strategy increasingly enticing for competitors, too. For instance, DC's attempt at making their own series of superhero movies to rival Marvel's was never very successful until audiences found characters they enjoyed. After movies like Wonder Woman and Aquaman showed that audiences were finally starting to connect with some of DC's characters, DC responded by immediately announcing sequels and spinoffs starring those same characters.
Ultimately, Marvel's practice of splitting up character changes across many installments feels somewhat anti-consumer, because they are trying to spread their content across as many movies as possible, therefore making audiences spend more money. Though other companies are currently trying to emulate this business model, it has not become fully widespread throughout the industry, which is good. Nevertheless, it is somewhat alarming to see people accept money-making techniques like this so readily.
I agree although its not surprising that a big business cooperation like disney would go after money. In missrepresenation a previous CEO of Disney said that the whole point of what they were doing was to make money. It's hard to combat this since Disney is involved with so many different sources of media however you can try to stop other people before they become too invested in it . With DC you could always not go watch the spinoffs. Like with captain marvel I didn't see her movie but I still watched and enjoyed endgame because although they do want to spread characters across movies the main movies are the most popular so they don't put that much into the side character movies to the point where you can't understand their actions in the main movie. As long as you are ok with not knowing all the details of the characters you can still support the main movies without falling into the trap of the sub-movies.
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