Superhero fatigue is a term thrown around a lot these days, as the abundance of superhero movies and TV shows have left many people claiming that they're tired of the genre. While this may be true of some, it isn’t the problem it’s made out to be, at least not yet, and there are no signs of it becoming an issue in the near future.
The truth of the matter is while perhaps people may be tired of the ever-growing superhero genre, a majority who claim to have the syndrome will still show up to the theater to see the latest superhero movie, or tune in to the latest iteration of continuation of superhero shows. This is because, while superheroes are being utilized more and more, for the most part, their adaptations are quality projects that avoid the trap of stagnation. And as long as they continue to do that, superhero fatigue will remain more of a myth than a reality.
One perfect example of why superhero fatigue isn’t a problem is the MCU, which shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon. One of the reasons the franchise has been so successful is its ability to not only produce quality movies but also build upon each film. Even if fans claim to be tired of superhero films, they show up for every release because the films are engaging. They leave the audience wanting more and hypothesizing what may happen between films. If superhero fatigue was genuinely a widespread problem, Avengers: Endgame wouldn’t have been the incredible box office success it was.
Another great example is the success and triumph that was the HBO adaption of Watchmen. The choice to not be a remake or redo of the movie, which didn’t have the best reception, but to be a continuation of the comics was an incredible choice. Following a story that deals with the fallout of the comic storyline, and a new character who doesn’t appear in the comics, Angela Abar (Regina King), was an excellent choice. Its originality and fearlessness left viewers wanting more, even though the possibility of a second season is unlikely. Fatigue didn’t stop viewers from tuning in because of the amazing execution and fresh feel.
The same can be said for The Boys, a unique take on the superhero genre where superheroes are the bad guys. Once again the originality of the subject matter is what made the show popular, and what kept viewers tuning in. It wasn’t just another superhero TV show, it was a fresh series that, yes, added to a long list of superhero adaptations, but also added something new.
It should also be touched on that not every superhero film or show has received acclaim or box office success. But the reason for this isn’t fatigue but poor execution and failure to engage audiences. However, the superhero failures don’t stop viewers from showing up to better films and tuning in to better TV shows. What's become clear over the years is that quality is key to keeping superhero fatigue at bay.
With any movie, superhero or otherwise, fans want to see something well executed. In addition, when it comes to franchises, fans don’t want to see the same plot used over and over again. They want to be left wanting more, and for the most part the superhero genre is succeeding at that. Watchmen, the MCU and The Boys are just a few examples that prove the inaccuracy of superhero fatigue as a real problem or widespread syndrome.
Of course, there are exceptions to this argument, and some may grow tired of seeing superhero shows and movies, but it definitely isn’t the problem it can be made out to be. If the last few years of superhero content have proven anything, it's that as long as the ever-growing genre continues to keep things fresh, there's no telling how far it can go.