Spider-Man: Brand New Day can’t break superhero fatigue

Tom Holland’s newest film, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, reboots the Spider-Man series and the conversation around superhero fatigue.

Superhero fatigue is when audiences lose interest in superhero movies because quality has fallen. There’s so many projects coming out of the superhero genre that fans and critics become bored of the stories.

However, Holland’s movie performed highly with both critics and general audiences. On top of receiving endless praise from fans, the film reportedly made more than $2 billion in the global box office.

It’s safe to say that this newest Spider-Man sequel continues to be an incredible success. Yet, I don’t think Brand New Day will solve superhero fatigue anytime soon.  

The reason? YouTube and other video-sharing platforms are becoming people’s preferred entertainment.

Streaming content makes up nearly 50 per cent of the content Americans watch on TV, surpassing broadcast and cable, Nielsen reported. 

YouTube is the top contributor with a viewership of 13.8 per cent, beating the world’s biggest streaming services including Disney at 4.6 per cent, Prime Video at 4.2 per cent, and even Netflix at 7.9 per cent.

Because of the growing popularity of YouTube and other video-sharing platforms, it won’t be long before people get so bored that they’ll fully switch to videos and streaming content. If superhero movies don’t entertain people anymore, then the public masses will simply find something else that will.

As obvious as this consumer behaviour is, it’s also a reminder that YouTube and others like it are in a crucial position to become even greater entertainment powerhouses. 

Networks have started adapting to the growing changes in entertainment as people crave more short-form content rather than just movies and TV shows. 

NBCUniversal made a deal with YouTube to expand the video-sharing platform’s subscription package with Peacock’s movies, shows, and sports channels. Disney is collaborating with TikTok to add short-form videos featuring scenes and characters from its own programs and brands.  

YouTube seems to be holding all the cards. It’s the partner that everyone wants on their team for any hope of lasting in the industry.

Yes, Spider-Man: Brand New Day was successful, and yes, it proves superhero movies can still be a worthwhile theatrical experience, but that’s not always the case.

One can argue that Holland’s movie can break superhero fatigue. The Marvel Comics creator, Stan Lee, believed Spider-Man was relatable to people because he’s just a teenager with everyday problems and flaws. Spider-Man is a hero that audiences love.

As much as I appreciate this sentiment, the fatigue is here to stay because of YouTube’s growth.

At least we got to see Holland do everything a spider can this summer, so no complaints for this film at least.