2025 was an eventful year when it comes to superhero cinema. However, this year was not like the ones before; this time around, the superheroes on screen had an effect on people that only comic books had been able to achieve so far. Last year, most superheroes left behind massive multiversal battles and darker themes, opting instead for bright, colorful adventures and doing what they were always meant to do. So, in this piece, we will look back at the year 2025 and celebrate the moments when superheroes decided to go light on being ‘super’ and heavy on being ‘heroes’ in their movies.
Last Year, Superheroes Did More than Just Save the World
When it comes to movies from Marvel and DC, till now, a majority of movies bring us a story where all the heroes do is save the world from a massive threat, which is usually on a multiversal level. Now, while these flicks are an insane watch and extremely entertaining, recently, these heroes have started to lose the effect they were supposed to have on people.
If we go back in time a bit, the biggest example of this effect comes during the Great Depression, when Superman made his debut in 1938 with Action Comics #1. During a point in time when all hope was lost for the American people, Superman’s debut in a comic book sent down a wave of hope among people, especially children. Even though a fictional character, he became the symbol of hope and to date lives with that image.
2025 brought back that very effect to our screens. Superman flew into our screens, reminding the world that giving others hope and being kind is the real punk rock. The Fantastic Four reminded us that no matter how weird or unusual it is, we should hold on to our family and love them unconditionally, and finally, we come to the Thunderbolts. This movie was not just a superhero flick, but one of the best movies on mental health I have come across.
The way Thunderbolts addresses loneliness, trauma, and their effects on the human mind is truly commendable. All said and done, these movies appealed to more than just the thrill-seeking side of the audience, but also connected with them on a much deeper level.
Why Is This New Dynamic of Superhero Cinema Important?
Now, while it is wonderful that we get to see these superheroes give out the messages they were always supposed to give out in these movies released in 2025, it is way more important than one would think it is in today’s world. With the way things are going today, most people suffer from one or another form of mental distress. Be it social media or any other form that constantly reminds us that whatever we do, someone is doing better than us, which, for some people, invalidates their own self.
All in all, the world has become a massive competition, and we as people seek refuge in fiction, be it comic books, novels, or movies. With the dynamic of what has now been termed “Hopecore”, we have seen a significant boost in people encouraging kindness, compassion, and inherent goodness among all. This trend resurfaced with Thunderbolts, and has seen a significant boost after the release of Superman, and was then followed further by The Fantastic Four.
So, this shift in dynamic was important because while most people understand that being good is the way to go, sometimes, we need a reminder to continue bringing positivity into the world, and no one can do it better than the superheroes we’ve loved and adored for all this time.
It Appears That ‘Hopecore’ Is Here to Stay
While 2025 has been a bright and colorful year for superhero movies, it looks like 2026 is going to carry forward the trend that this year has started. 2026 is lined up with some pretty interesting releases. June 26, 2026, will bring us Supergirl, and looking at the trailer we have for the movie, it’s safe to say that even though Supergirl is way more unhinged, the themes will drive the audience in the same direction as Superman did.
Other than that, we have Spider-Man: Brand New Day lined up for a July 31, 2026, release, and as of now, all we have are scattered details and set images, but by the looks of it, we are once again headed back to the basics of Spider-Man. So, with all that in place, it’s pretty clear that the shift in dynamic from dark and gritty to colorful and hopeful was much needed, and I wish that it is here to stay for quite some time.
