Tom Hanks comments on declining interest in comic book movies

Tom Hanks recently shared his perspective on the current state of comic book movies during an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast.

Reflecting on the genre's 20-year run,Hanks remarked that moviegoers may be shifting away from VFX-laden spectacles in favor of stories with more meaningful content. “We’ve had 20 years to explore that kind of thing, and now we’re in an evolution... The point of this movie is what?” he said, emphasizing that audiences now look beyond visual effects to the story and theme.

Hanks, who has neither met with Marvel's Kevin Feige nor DC’s James Gunn about joining the superhero franchises, has no issues with comic book films. However, he observed that the genre’s appeal may be declining as audiences seek greater substance. “The industry often says if this works it will work again. But the audience is way ahead of it,” he noted, adding that people are now asking, “What’s next? It’s not just eye-popping stuff. It’s, what’s the story?”

He recalled early adaptations like Captain America and Spider-Man in the 1970s and ’80s, which lacked the technology to bring comic book characters to life in the way today’s VFX can. Even though advancements have since enabled realistic portrayals, Hanks feels it’s important that films offer more than spectacle. “We are now enjoying the luxury of riches...but what is the story, and what is it going to be saying about us?” he asked.

The genre has faced mixed box office results recently, with hits like Deadpool & Wolverine and flops like Shazam: Fury of the Gods and The Flash. Hanks’s insights reflect the evolving expectations of audiences who, he believes, now prioritize storytelling over mere visual appeal.