In 2021, the hunger for the arrival of something new and a fresh cinematic experience waited in the shadows until things returned to some semblance of normalcy. The MCU turned out tremendously in 2021 withSpider-Man: No Way Homeand other projects, evident through the incredible numbers it generated in box office revenue.
Spider-Man: No Way Homewas the most anticipated film of the year by far, fueled by speculations and rumors that some would say exceeded expectations and more. Reviews have been positive for the web-slinging heroes' newest adventure, but numbers speak even louder about the film’s dramatic impact this year. The MCU and Sony film sits among the Top 10 for the highest-grossing films of all time in North America, earning $611 million within box offices so far, passing the mark set byIncredibles 2in 2018. The film may soon enter the Top 10 list worldwide, as it achieved a truly unthinkable feat this year, becoming the first $1 billion film since 2019. The pandemic hasn’t evoparted from society, but the buzz that was generated motivated many to take the risk for the theatrical experience alone. The film has surpassed numbers done by the Academy Awardsnominated filmBlack Panther, with time still to climb even higher on the charts.
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The superhero genre matters and accumulates a tremendous amount of theatrical attention from audiences spanning across generations. It’s no coincidence that Fandango’s list of the Top 10 Most Anticipated 2022 Movies includes six rooted within the genre that some prominent directors believe to be a false representation of true cinema. There is momentum behind the speeding locomotive, which only briefly disappeared when the pandemic sidelined it temporarily.Spider-Man: No Way Homehas been a success, accounting for 12% of the 2021 domestic box office total, per The Wrap, but it isn’t the only MCU film that has made an impact. The year also saw the release of the MCU’sBlack Widow,Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,Eternals, and Sony’s non-MCU filmVenom: Let There Be Carnage. Combined withSpider-Man: No Way Home, these films make up 30% of the domestic box office revenue for 2021.
The release ofAvengers: Infinity WayandBlack Pantherin 2018 made up 18% of the domestic box office revenue, further highlighting the fantastic year the MCU was able to engineer. Not every film received the same level of praise thatSpider-Man: No Way Homeaccumulated, but they still attracted audiences to the theater while the hesitation to be within large venues is still relatively high for most individuals. Aside from the MCU, the only film to make any compelling impact at the box office would be Universal and Illumination’sSing 2,which brought in $87.9 million at the domestic box office. Many films suffered due to duel releases through theaters and streaming services, which the MCU has pretty much stayed away from besides theduel release ofBlack Widowearlier in the year.
2021 was a rejuvenating and profitable year for the MCU, which points to even brighter skies ahead in the new year. There’s plenty to look forward to from the studio, butBlack Panther: Wakanda Foreverseems to be one audiences are looking forward to the most. While the MCU has a vast array of dishes on the 2022 cinematic menu, other narratives have generated excitement as well, such asMatt Reeves’The Batman. Superhero films look to dominate the new year’s cinematic landscape, which means their box office revenue percentage make-up may possibly be even higher than the 2021 numbers. Time will tell if that assumption will manifest into reality, but one can anticipate an even bigger turnout from audiences once these films officially land within theaters.
A year without the vast majority of the genre in 2020 proved that audiences desire stories that provide an enriching and community-felt experience. The passion and feverSpider-Man: No Way Homeignited was astounding, so much so that many are pushing for the film to receive that elusive Best Picture nomination at the Academy Awards. It’s unclear what the future will hold in 2022, but audiences are sure in for a treat.
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