2025 has been the best summer for superhero movies and shows in years. And though Superman and Fantastic Four, the two biggest releases of the year, didn't quite go mega-gangbusters at the box office, the reception to both films from fans and critics alike has been overwhelmingly positive.
While things like a return to practical sets and stunts and a focus on more closely resembling their comic book subject matter have been key aspects of the love for this summer's superhero movies, the real revolution of films and shows like Thunderbolts*, Fantastic Four, Superman, and Peacemaker is a rejection of cynicism and an embrace of compassion for ourselves and others.
