Marvel and DC’s upcoming movies in 2024 all share one thing in common, and this shared trait might accidentally cause a new type of superhero fatigue.

Marvel, DC, and even Sony seem to be trying a new tactic to battle superhero fatigue, but they may accidentally create a new kind of fatigue in the process. The term “superhero fatigue” has hung over the genre for years, but recently it has started to seriously impact box office numbers. Recently, The Marvels had a disappointing box office performance, as did several DC films like Shazam! Fury of the Gods and Blue Beetle. Sony’s Madame Web kicked off 2024 with one of the worst superhero box offices in recent memory, making superhero fatigue finally seem like a real threat.

2024’s superhero movie slate seems perfectly positioned to combat this, offering some very different kinds of superhero movies. While a change of pace may be just what the genre needs, Marvel, DC, and Sony have all seemingly moved in the same direction to accomplish it. This means that they are now risking creating a new type of fatigue in their attempts at some counter programming.

Marvel & DC’s R-Rated Movie Schedule Explained

Three R-Rated Superhero Films Will Be Released In 2024

The next three superhero movies to be released in 2024 will all be R-rated. This includes the MCU’s first foray into R territory with Deadpool & Wolverine, DC’s Joker sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux, and Sony’s Kraven the Hunter. DC will also be releasing Creature Commandos later in the year, which has been described as being a “hard R.” While these are far from the first R-rated superhero movies, it is unique to see so many coming out uninterrupted. R-rated superhero movies tend to be more rare occasions and are often spaced out between typical PG-13 MCU entries.

Previously, R-rated superhero movies have presented an opportunity for a nice tonal shift away from the sometimes squeaky-clean feel of superhero movies. Deadpool, for instance, was perfectly positioned to lampoon the superhero genre when it first came out. Joker, on the other hand, was an attempt to make a more serious dramatic film using a popular DC character as the lead. These movies stood out in a crowd of more sanitized superhero fare, which is what made them so appealing. However, this recent batch of R-rated superhero movies may not be so lucky.

How Marvel & DC’s Superhero Movie History Makes This Risk More Likely

Edgy Superhero Movies Have Caused Their Own Fatigue In The Past

While the MCU may have started the idea of a shared superhero universe, there are plenty of superhero movies that predate it. Back before Marvel movies were colorful action movies that were safe for a wide range of audiences, there were some edgier R-rated superhero movies that were actually more of the norm. Movies like Blade and the 2004 version of The Punisher both starred leather-clad antiheroes who employed violent methods in their crusades. There were also movies like The Crow based on independent comics that fell into this category.

Though many of these movies succeeded, audiences did eventually tire of the dark and edgy R-rated superhero movies. The Punisher saw a very small return at the box office, and the later Blade films were given a poor reception from critics. Though not rated R, the edgier Daredevil movie was far less successful than Sam Raimi’s first Spider-Man movie, which seemed to be transitioning audiences’ interest away from darker superhero media.

How Marvel & DC’s R-Rated Release Schedule Can Prevent Mature Movie Superhero Fatigue

Deadpool & Wolverine, Joker: Folie À Deux, And Kraven The Hunter Are All Very Different Movies

One major advantage 2024’s upcoming R-rated superhero movies have over the edgier movies of the ’90s and early 2000s is their variety. These movies are not simply a return to the gun-wielding antihero but unique projects, even when compared to one another. Deadpool & Wolverine already looks to be a raunchy comedy in the same vein as the previous Deadpool movies. Joker: Folie À Deux is a jukebox musical, which is a first for a superhero movie from a major company like DC. Kraven the Hunter seems like it will be a bit more serious than the other two.

This means that, while these movies are all rated R, they won’t feel like watching the same movie three times in a row. This will hopefully help prevent any potential fatigue audiences might feel towards R-rated superhero content. While some of these movies may fail on an individual basis, it seems less likely that audiences will become disenchanted with the general concept of R-rated superhero movies, with these all being so different. Hopefully, Marvel, DC, and Sony can start to garner more interest in superhero movies thanks to these unique upcoming entries.