The Superhero Movie Bubble Finally Burst (and the 2025 Box Office Proves It)

by

Superhero movies are no longer the guaranteed box office hits they once were, as recent earnings clearly show. While both Marvel and DC released several new films this year – including *Captain America: Brave New World*, *Thunderbolts*, *Fantastic Four: First Steps*, and James Gunn’s *Superman* – these movies haven’t been as successful or profitable as big-budget films in other genres.

What kinds of movies are generating the most excitement these days? Looking at current trends, anime and horror films are becoming the biggest draws.

Anime Is Having A Milestone Year At The Box Office

The movie *Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle* is having a remarkably successful run in theaters and IMAX. Since its release in July, it’s earned over $600 million worldwide. Its debut in the US and UK in mid-September was especially impressive, bringing in $70 million in the US alone and significantly boosting the film’s overall earnings.

While *Superman* earned more money domestically on its opening weekend ($125 million), *Infinity Castle* is a long (2 hours and 35 minutes) and mature (R-rated) animated film. More importantly, it’s made more money worldwide this year than any other superhero movie from DC or Marvel. This suggests that audiences might be losing interest in superhero blockbusters and looking for something different. Box office numbers, especially among younger viewers, are showing an even bigger change in what people want to see.

Anime & Video Game Movies Are the New Family-Friendly Hits

Throughout the 2010s, Disney aimed to build on its success with young girls – particularly through the Disney Princess franchise – and transform into a brand that appealed to the whole family. The idea was to create a universe of popular characters and stories (like Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar) that would generate huge profits through films, TV shows, and more. However, as of 2025, this strategy appears to be faltering. While anime, specifically *Demon Slayer*, outperformed superhero movies at the summer box office, it was the audience for anime – primarily young men and adults – that highlighted a shift in what’s popular.

Netflix has been steadily increasing its investment in anime. When Sony Pictures Animation decided against a theatrical release for its anime-inspired action musical, *KPop: Demon Hunters*, Netflix quickly acquired it. The film became a huge summer hit in 2025, staying at the top of streaming charts for weeks. *KPop*’s success extended beyond streaming, as its soundtrack broke records and dominated the Billboard charts for weeks.

I’m absolutely fascinated by what *Demon Hunters* has achieved! It’s incredible – it actually went from being a streaming success to a theatrical one, something I haven’t seen from Marvel or DC yet. *KPop* did really well in its limited release, bringing in $19 million, which is a big deal because it shows people are willing to *pay* to see something they’re already watching at home. And *Demon Slayer*? People were happily sitting through a nearly three-hour movie (and paying IMAX prices for it!) even though it was just part one of the story – they’re clearly hooked and ready for the sequels! It looks like the whole *Infinity Castle* trilogy could easily cross a billion dollars at the box office, and honestly, that’s amazing!

Video game adaptations are becoming increasingly popular at the box office. In 2023, *The Super Mario Bros. Movie* earned $1.3 billion, and this year, *The Minecraft Movie* nearly reached $1 billion ($957.8 million). Sony’s *Sonic the Hedgehog* films have collectively grossed over $1 billion, with another movie planned for 2027. Before the end of 2025, Warner Bros. will release *Mortal Kombat II*, hoping for a big hit, and Universal will follow with the highly anticipated sequel, *Five Nights at Freddy’s 2*.

Beyond the recent successes, major studios are investing heavily in video game movies. Nintendo is developing both a *Legend of Zelda* film and a sequel to the *Super Mario* movie, while Paramount’s *Street Fighter* reboot is already generating a lot of buzz. Even smaller companies are recognizing the potential of video game adaptations, with projects like *Return to Silent Hill* leaning into the style of independent horror films. Hollywood is clearly noticing where the money is going and is eager to capitalize on this trend. After 2025, gaming and anime appear poised to become the dominant forms of entertainment for younger audiences, raising the question of whether Marvel and DC can still connect with these generations.

Superheroes Can Still Reclaim The Box Office (And Soon)

James Gunn’s *Superman* film proved that superheroes still resonate with young audiences. While it didn’t earn more at the box office than *Demon Slayers*, *Superman* successfully reintroduced the character to a younger generation after years of being primarily aimed at adults – a shift partly due to the previous DC films directed by Zack Snyder. The movie’s strong merchandise sales and its launch of a new DC Universe franchise for DC Studios are also significant achievements, potentially offering a strong competitor to Marvel Studios.

DC Studios is taking a risk by creating a wider range of content, including shows and movies for adults (like *Peacemaker* and the upcoming *The Batman II*, *Clayface*, and *Lanterns* series) alongside big, family-friendly blockbusters such as a new *Superman* movie. This strategy aims to capture the same audience that anime is attracting. Successfully launching a strong DC movie series could both win back longtime fans and draw in new viewers. Marvel is also currently trying to achieve this same goal of reconnecting with its audience.

Starting in 2026-2027, Marvel will try to regain its momentum with two big films, *Avengers: Doomsday* and *Avengers: Secret Wars*. These movies aim to address some of the issues the franchise has faced in recent years as part of the “Multiverse Saga” and pave the way for a fresh start in Phase Seven. While *Doomsday* and *Secret Wars* are expected to be box office successes, they’ll likely resonate most with long-time Marvel fans. Unless the filmmakers add a storyline geared towards younger audiences—which is a possibility—it will be up to future Marvel projects to attract a new generation of viewers.

Superheroes still have a chance to remain popular if Marvel and DC can appeal to a wider audience in the coming years. However, even if they succeed, they likely won’t dominate the box office like they once did. Just like with any movie trend, superhero films won’t disappear completely, but the days of guaranteed blockbuster profits are over, and competition for viewers’ money is increasing.

https://comicbook.com/anime/news/demon-slayer-infinity-castle-is-taking-over-the-world-anime-is-getting-harder-to-deny/embed/#

Read More

2025-10-13 02:43