The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a powerful force in Hollywood and although the MCU did not invent franchises in Hollywood, it is certainly one of the most well-known; but how does it compare to other famous franchises in movie history?
DC Cinematic Universe
The most obvious comparison may also be the most boring. DC has a long and illustrious cinematic history. From Superman in the 1970s to Batman at the turn of this century, there have been some awesome DC movies. Unfortunately, DC’s answer to the MCU has not been as inspired. With the exception of Wonder Woman, DC movies have been disappointing. The best reviews tend to be, “Not as bad as expected.” DC has the better-known superheroes and should be going toe to toe with Marvel. Instead, it is a passive bystander.
Winner: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Star Wars
The Star Wars franchise may be a better franchise to look at. Star Wars has a passionate fanbase and is a name that is familiar to even non-fans. It is a multimedia giant that has branched into television, video games, and books. Like Marvel, it is also under the Disney umbrella. The difference between the two is the MCU has not come close to hitting the lows the prequels reached. Episodes I-III left a sour taste with every fan that is barely being washed out by Episodes VII and VIII. (That being said, the latest two saga films and Rogue One have their detractors.) Despite the hatred towards the prequels and the polarizing effect of the most recent movies, Star Wars remains a beloved, if sometimes frustrating franchise. This will be an interesting question to revisit in a few years.
Winner: Star Wars
James Bond
For sheer volume, the James Bond franchise is the only one that can compare to the MCU. The MCU is about to release its eighteenth movie in a little over ten years. This is a staggering amount when you consider that there have been twenty-four James Bond movies since 1962. While the Bond films have recurring characters and callbacks to previous movies, there is not an overarching plot while the quality of the movies range from classic (Goldfinger) to not as classic (Moonraker). The MCU may not have memorable characters like Pussy Galore and Honey Ryder, but it has a stronger story and better overall quality.
Winner: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Hollywood loves franchises and there are many more that you can put the MCU up against. Whether it is Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, or Puppet Master the Marvel Cinematic Universe has earned its place as one of the greatest franchises in movie history.
Join the AIPT Patreon
Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:
- ❌ Remove all ads on the website
- 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
- 📗 Access to our monthly book club
- 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
- 💥 And more!
You must be logged in to post a comment.