Despite releasing merely one film in 2024, Marvel managed to maintain a substantial impact in that year.
It's challenging to envision Marvel Studios as a challenger. The billion-dollar entity has pulled off the extraordinary over the last two decades, releasing countless movies and shows that share a universe, leading to some of the most substantial and triumphant films in cinema history. Yet, over the past few years, Marvel appeared slightly fragile. It seemed like the project was on the brink of collapse. That all changed in 2024, and it occurred primarily in the shadows.
In 2024, Marvel only produced one film: Deadpool & Wolverine. It may now be seen as a significant success, but at first, the film was considered a gamble. Despite its renowned characters, Deadpool and Wolverine's association with the R-rated rating terrified Disney due to its family-friendly image. Yet, the risk paid off. The violent, humorous superhero flick surpassed numerous box office records, eventually becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film in history. Take a moment to consider that. Consider all the R-rated films you've watched throughout your life. Deadpool & Wolverine has surpassed them all.
This was a significant victory for the studio following several years that fell far below its 2008-2019 expectations. This era, dubbed the Infinity Saga, witnessed near-universal acclaim and box office success for Marvel's productions, revolutionizing Hollywood as we knew it. However, the years that followed saw just as many triumphs as disappointments. For every triumphant Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, there was a less-than-impressive Thor: Love and Thunder. For every smash-hit WandaVision or Loki, there was a flop like Secret Invasion or Moon Knight. This culminated in 2023 with lukewarm reviews and returns for Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania and The Marvels. However, these shortcomings were offset by the success of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Unfortunately, its director, James Gunn, was already working on projects for the opposition just a stone's throw away. So, it wasn't a complete victory.
These missteps prompted a reevaluation, resulting in Deadpool & Wolverine being Marvel's sole release in 2024. As we previously mentioned, this was a success. The TV side also saw victories. Marvel Animation debuted the highly anticipated X-Men ’97, which immediately became a sensation, and later, Agatha All Along followed suit, pleasing both fans and critics.
This was significant because it was not part of the original plan. In 2022, Marvel Studios' president, Kevin Feige, presented the slate for the next few years at San Diego Comic-Con. Agatha was included, along with a few films from previous years, but the cohesive direction of the years leading up to Avengers: Endgame was absent. What was this all leading up to? We had no idea. And there was no mention of Deadpool, Wolverine, or the X-Men's eventual 2024 saviors.
Some uncertainty persisted in 2024 as creatives like Michael Waldon and Destin Daniel Cretton departed from their upcoming Avengers projects. Echo didn't quite hit its mark, and films like Thunderbolts and Captain America 4 were delayed and Blade postponed indefinitely. A lot was riding on Marvel's return to Hall H on July 27 that year, and that's when everything turned around.
By the time San Diego Comic-Con 2024 rolled around, Marvel had rebounded and then some. We finally got to see footage from 2025's The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which was barely in production. The Russo Brothers, directors of several of Marvel's most successful films to date, were set to direct two more Avengers movies: Doomsday and the much-anticipated Secret Wars. Then, the highly anticipated cherry on top, the first major role of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Robert Downey Jr., was set to return as its next significant villain: Dr. Doom. Later in the year, plans for a fourth Spider-Man with Tom Holland served to strengthen Marvel's position.
Finally, there was a clear direction. Finally, we got to see events unfold as we had hoped. And though it felt somewhat like a return to the past, at least some hope was restored. The return of Downey and the Russos, Spider-Man, the promise of the untapped Fantastic Four, plus the success of Deadpool & Wolverine—which set up numerous new opportunities due to cameos from characters like Gambit, Blade, and Elektra—all worked together to make 2024 a triumphant year for Marvel. After a few years of stumbling, the studio once again found its footing, just in time. As Marvel prepares for several major projects in 2025 and beyond, its old rival, James Gunn, is launching his own DC Universe in direct opposition. Let the games commence.
After the success of Deadpool & Wolverine, Io9 praised Marvel for embracing technology to break box office records with an R-rated superhero film. In the future, we can expect more boundary-pushing movies from Marvel as they continue to innovate in cinema.
The shift in direction for Marvel Studios was also evident in their TV side, with the highly anticipated X-Men show, X-Men ’97, and Agatha Harkness's solo series, Agatha All Along. Technological advancements in animation and storytelling have allowed Marvel to capture the hearts of fans and critics alike, setting the stage for even more exciting productions in the coming years.
