The Monsterverse rarely gets any play in the cinematic universe conversation. Marvel is still the central star of the show, with DC’s second attempt stepping up as the main competitor.Godzillaleads the only franchise to successfully follow the Marvel model. It took its sweet time, pumping out fewer films with fewer main characters over the past ten years. The MCU is six years older than the Monsterverse, and it moved much faster throughout. Looking at Marvel and its fallen foes might help the Monsterverse through its next decade.
In truth, theGodzilla movies reached the cinematic universeconcept long before Marvel got to it. Toho didn’t take the idea quite as seriously as Disney did. Instead, they pumped out giant monster movies with a selection of talented directors. They would then toss their creations into the ring with Godzilla, tying them so closely to their flagship character that many would forget their solo work. The Monsterverse took a look at that concept and chose to favor something more akin to Marvel’s work.
The Monsterverse is thriving
Kaiju fans can’t stop winning. This year’sGodzilla x Kong: The New Empireis the most profitable film about Godzilla or King Kong ever made. When it hit the screen in March, it was the second-highest-grossing film of 2024. It has since shifted down the list, landing in fifth place after two kids' movies and the latest Marvel offering shoved it down. There’s reason to believe thatGodzilla vs. Kongmight have made a similarly massive pile of cash if it had been able to launch without the pandemic weighing it down. Critics weren’t especially kind toGodzilla x Kong, but audiences loved it. It represents the perfect comparison point toGodzilla Minus One. Finally, Godzilla fans can see the beautiful, sweeping, epic side of the character and his goofy, silly, action-packed outings in the same few months.Godzilla vs. Kongwas the Monsterverse’s answer toThe Avengers.Godzilla x Kongis somehow alsoThe Avengersin this metaphor. In any case, the franchise is riding high at the moment. Not everyone else is so lucky.
Most Cinematic Universes are struggling
Taking a cross-section of the cinematic universe concept is an unfruitful exercise. More than a few examples died before they could reasonably claim to have lived. Sony’s Spider-Man Universe is technically still breathing, but it’s the laughingstock of the industry, and every entry faces diminishing returns. Several smaller versions exist, often in foreign markets, like India’sLokeshCinematic Universe and Russia’sBubbleCinematic Universe.Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey, last year’s worst horror movie, is supposed to launch several similar garbage fires. That leaves DC, which is currently in a sort of DCU ICU with Dr. James Gunn working desperately to save its life, and Marvel. The MCU has the current second-highest-grossing film of 2024 inDeadpool & Wolverine, yetit still seems pretty desperate. The Monsterverse is over the hump that has killed several competitors and is racing toward the horizon of its biggest enemies. What can it take from its older rivals?
Marvel Shows That Invention is Everything
The slow downfall of the Marvel Cinematic Universe largely owes to a single problem. The franchise is collapsing in on itself as it loses faith in new ideas and retreats to its familiar fan favorites. The new poster boy for thisconcept is Robert Downey Jr., who returns to the franchise in a new role to draw fans who have lost interest. Marvel was at its best when a cadre of creative filmmakers could combine the best elements of the source material with countless cinematic points of inspiration to make something interesting. The Monsterverse must maintain the same level of invention. If it repeats itself in the next outing, it takes a step closer to getting old. Keep new ideas in the bloodstream or risk becoming a mess like Marvel.
DC Shows That Giving Up Must Always Be An Option
TheDCEU was a nightmarish disasterthat should be taught in film school classes. It tied several of the worst superhero movies of all time together into a bleak, dark, and unpleasant mess. The few beams of light that managed to pierce Zack Snyder’s iron grip and arrive in theaters as a good film didn’t justify the rest of the project. Finally, after looking atThe Flash, cooler heads prevailed, and the franchise pushed the reset button. The next DC movies will be blissfully free of the DCEU’s lead weight around their necks. Things are going well in the Monsterverse, but that isn’t guaranteed for the future. If things get bad and the Monsterverse winds up tied in a few too many knots, Legendary needs to be ready to start over.
Every Failed Cinematic Universe Teaches the Same Lesson
The Dark Universe,Vin Diesel’sBloodshotthing, Sony’sRobin Hooduniverse, and the rest of the attempts that died at the first hurdle fell apart for the same reason. They saw the money Marvel made when they reachedThe Avengersand tripped over themselves, sprinting toward that goal. The Monsterverse has been pretty good at this so far. They set out with reasonable goals, accomplished them, and kept moving with only the next film in mind. It’s more like a film series than a cinematic universe right now, but that could change. They just have to keep their focus where it belongs, rather than looking ahead and rushing towardEndgame.
The Monsterverse works right now, but it might not work forever. It’s hard to imagine people having the kinds of conversations they have about the MCU right now about the Monsterverse in a few years.Godzilla and Kong are twoof the most recognizable characters in pop-culture history, and they’re currently in their most profitable form. It’s safe to say that kaiju fans have a good few years ahead of them, as long as the Monsterverse keeps an eye on its competition.
