Some spoilers to follow, mainly for post-credit scenes and Loki

“Welcome to the circus”

The films of Phase 4 have been mostly focused on introducing new heroes. Black Widow, although following Natasha’s adventures in the lead up to Avengers: Infinity War, showcased Florence Pugh’s Yelena, as well as Red Guardian. Yelena is set up for a confrontation with Hawkeye in the post-credits scene. Reaction to the character is very positive, so she could be the lead in any potential sequel.

Elsewhere, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings showcased the martial arts master going up against the Mandarin. Arguably one of the best solo outings in the MCU, the film showcased new characters, as well as expanding and improving upon the Ten Rings. The controversial twist in Iron Man 3 is woven in as part of the villain’s story. Although largely standalone, cameos from Wong, Abomination and Bruce Banner helped fold Shang-Chi into the wider universe.

Eternals, while being divisive, expanded on the cosmic side of the MCU. A sequel seems likely to be set in space, as the characters search for more Eternals. Which opens up many possibilities for the future – Eros meeting Star-Lord and Adam Warlock perhaps? It also introduced Dane Whitman, who claimed the Ebony Blade to become the Black Knight. Blade, the half-human vampire hunter, also has a brief voice cameo.

A Visionary New Age of Television

Phase 4 is unique in that it now features TV shows. While there have been several other TV projects set in the MCU, the links have been vague at best. The Disney+ series though, are as big as the films. Delving into the aftermath of Avenger: Endgame, they have followed familiar characters who were supporting players in previous films. WandaVision is a mysterious, decade hopping sitcom, featuring the Scarlet Witch and the seemingly resurrected Vision. The globe-trotting The Falcon and The Winter Soldier explores the legacy of the now-retired Captain America. Hawkeye introduces Kate Bishop to the universe, while also giving the original archer his time in the spotlight.

While many of these have been mostly standalone, there are hints of an arc. In Loki, the god of mischief works with the Time Variance Authority to preserve the timeline. However, the finale introduced He Who Remains, who keeps the various timelines in check. With his death, things instantly start to change, with Loki returning to a very different TVA. The multiverses are starting to collapse. What If…? explores various multiverses, with changes to the existing MCU timeline having ripple effects, although it is unclear if this will tie in, as the show is animated.

The Multiverse of Madness

Phase 4 seems to be heading in a multiverse direction. With What If…? offering a simple but effective starter course in what exactly the multiverse is. Loki encountered “Variants” of himself, Loki’s from other universes during his series. These included Sylvie, Kid Loki, the classic Loki and an alligator. This sets up the possibility for multiple versions of the same character to exist. Spider-Man is set to encounter various villains (and maybe other Spider-Men) from the multiverse in Spider-Man: No Way Home. From the trailer, it looks like Doctor Strange is partly responsible for the multiverse trouble, which is likely going to be explored in Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness.

Scarlet Witch has been confirmed to have a substantial role in the sequel, which will likely follow the events of WandaVision. Strange seems to be emerging as a potential leader for the new Avengers team, whatever that ends up looking like. It’s possible that the sequel could end up being like Captain America: Civil War, having a large impact despite being a solo film. Or Strange could end the multiverse plotline, perhaps leading the world open to a greater threat…

While the MCU might not have headed straight into another 10-year arc after Endgame, it isn’t resting either. Phase 4 isn’t even halfway through yet, so it’s almost impossible to tell where it’s going. Returning favourites like Ant-Man, Thor and the Guardians of the Galaxy will likely have their own stories to continue, as well as introduce new characters. Kang the Conqueror, a variant of He Who Remains is set to debut in Ant-Man: Quantummania. The Guardians are set to face Adam Warlock. As well as all-new heroes like Blade, Moon Knight, She-Hulk, and the Fantastic Four making their debut in the MCU. Phase 4 is doing exactly what it should be.

Also Read: Has The Marvel Cinematic Universe Reached Its Peak?

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10. Chinese Doctors ($197,143,218/£142,009,160)

Despite only seeing a major release in China, Australia, and New Zealand this tale of a group of doctors working together in Wuhan to combat Covid-19 has become an unlikely hit at the box office.

9. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It ($201,965,074/£145,472,413)

The latest instalment in the popular Conjuring franchise, based on the real-life trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, was the first main series entry not directed by James Wan. Instead, it was directed by The Curse of La Llorona’s Michael Chaves. And although not as highly regarded as the other main Conjuring movies it definitely encouraged horror fans to return to the cinema.

8. Cruella ($222,184,131/£160,035,897)

Released simultaneously on Disney+ and in theatres this origin story for everyone’s favourite dog skinning maniac managed to outperform Disney’s previous live-action reinterpretation of an animated classic, Mulan (2020). But it remains one of Disney’s lowest-performing live-action adaptations of an animated movie.

7. Free Guy ($242,943,984/£175,030,208)

Free Guy follows a videogame NPC (Non-Playable Character) called Guy as he slowly becomes self-aware and breaks out of his predetermined path. Currently, Free Guy is one of the highest-grossing original IPs of the year.

6. A Quiet Place Part II ($297,372,261/£214,243,332)

While not quite as successful as the original, A Quiet Place 2, which takes the Abbot’s into the wider world outside their home, still performed admirably after a long release delay. And is currently the year’s highest-grossing horror film.

5. Black Widow ($372,376,568/£268,328,969)

Marvel’s highest-grossing film this year follows Black Widow as she goes off-grid and confronts her dark past. But its release has been mired in controversy. The film’s star Scarlett Johansson announced she would be suing Disney (Marvel’s owners) over Black Widow’s simultaneous streaming release. This is because it allegedly breached Johansson’s contract, which said the film would be released theatrically with her salary being tied to its box office earnings.

4. Godzilla vs. Kong ($467,863,133/£337,135,156)

The fourth entry in Legendary Pictures’ MonsterVerse managed a higher income than its prior entry, Godzilla: King of the Monsters. And it also marked the second time the classic movie monsters have fought. The first being in 1963’s King Kong Vs Godzilla.

3. Detective Chinatown 3 ($686,257,563/£494,506,906)

Chinese cinema continues its presence in the top 10 with the Detective Chinatown series’ highest-grossing entry so far. This time detectives Tang and Qin are involved in a battle with the strongest detectives across all of Asia to solve a case in Tokyo.

2. F9: The Fast Saga ($710,873,160/£512,244,536)

F9 follows Dom and his crew as they battle against a new threat. Dom’s estranged brother. F9 is the highest-grossing Hollywood movie so far this year and the highest-grossing Hollywood film since the Pandemic started.

1. Hi, Mom ($822,009,764/£592,327,906)

So far the highest-grossing movie of 2021 is not a huge blockbuster, instead, it’s a small movie about a young woman travelling through time, who befriends her own mother and tries to give her a better life. It’s exceptional taking also makes Hi, Mom the highest-grossing film ever made by a solo female director.

This concludes our look at the highest-grossing films at the 2021 box office so far. And while the receipts for the high scorers are not as high as those of 2019 they are still higher than those of 2020 and the films are an interesting mix. With 3 foreign language films (all produced in China), 3 films not based on pre-existing material, 2 horror films and only 3 Disney/Disney affiliated movies being included. It shows that cinemagoers are looking for different film experiences to sit alongside big blockbuster releases. Let’s hope for even more diversity when the year-end list comes.

Also Read: Did High-End TV Replace The Mid-Bidget Indie Film?

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As time has passed and superheroes have become more mainstream, more characters have entered the public consciousness, now Captain Marvel and Harley Quinn are mentioned alongside Wonder Woman and Catwoman. Those early films are very different from Marvel and DC’s output today (for better or worse, but that’s a different conversation), but female-led films have changed the most.

Female Spin-offs

Fittingly one of the first female superhero films, Supergirl was supposed to be introduced in Superman III but this was vetoed by the studio. The film was intended to focus on her attempts to rescue her famous cousin, but Christopher Reeve pulled out early into production, forcing the film to change course. The film was criticised for its poor special effects, and inconsistent characters, as well as the script.

Making her film debut in Batman Returns, the positive reception to Catwoman inspired a spin-off with Michelle Pfeiffer reprising her role, it remained in development hell for years before emerging as something very different. The final film removes most of the elements people are familiar with, from both the comic and Pfeiffer incarnations. Halle Berry’s version focuses on the fashion and cosmetic industry, rather than heists. The character is often sexualised in media, but rather than the usual catsuit the film offers some impractical, almost fetish-like garb. Catwoman seems more occupied with how its star looks than anything else, as showcased in this weird basketball scene. It is however notable for being the highest-grossing superhero film with a female lead until Wonder Woman.

Like Catwoman, Elektra also was a spin-off, this time from Daredevil. While not as highly regarded as Batman Returns, Daredevil still proved profitable enough to consider further entries (although the Director’s Cut is an improvement). Elektra kept the same star and set itself as a sequel to Daredevil, while the man himself didn’t appear, his mentor Stick did. Although the character felt closer to the source material, the film itself is incredibly rushed, as Garner was only available during hiatus from the show Alias. Ike Perlmutter, CEO of Marvel Entertainment (at the time) cited the film as an example that female superhero films weren’t profitable. Although he was eventually proven wrong, it would take more than a decade before another attempt…

Cinematic Universes

Beginning development way back in 1996, it’s odd to think that it took so long for arguably the most iconic female superhero to get her own live-action film. Ironically, Wonder Woman’s debut was in Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, where she was a highlight to many. As a result, her film acted as a prequel, being set in World War One where many of the franchise connections were not present. Wonder Woman, showcases her first interactions with man, as well as her relationship with Themyscira and Amazon warriors, with several nods to the hero’s history. It was met with positive reviews, some considering it the best among the DCEU.

Although Wonder Woman was released first, it didn’t take long for the MCU to catch up. After Ant-Man and The Wasp gave both heroes an equal role, (with Wasp arguably more competent) Captain Marvel introduced a new hero who was set up to be one of the most powerful Avengers and received a lot of negative reviews from people before it was even released. The review bombing didn’t stop it from going on to gross over $1 billion though.

In 2020, DC took things one step further with Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn). Introducing a whole team of female heroes, as they each encounter Harley Quinn after her break up with Joker. Margot Robbie, reprising her role as Quinn from Suicide Squad, also worked as a producer, wanting it to have a feminist message, with moments like Black Mask’s misogyny and the hair tie aimed at women. Despite glowing reviews, it wasn’t as big a hit as Warner Brothers hoped, but it did make its money back.

Just this year, the long-awaited (and delayed) Black Widow landed in cinemas. After more than a decade of being a supporting player, she finally steps into the spotlight. While some of the film feels like a course correct or even apology to those unhappy with her treatment in Avengers: Endgame, it playfully pokes fun at some of the tropes of the character that have in her other appearances and lets Black Widow be her own character, rather than serving the Avengers’ story.

The Future

We’ve come a long way and female superheroes are finally getting their dues. With Wonder Woman and Harley Quinn bound to show up again, Captain Marvel getting a team in The Marvels. Florence Pugh’s Yelena looks to be carrying on Black Widow’s legacy, and Leslie Grace has recently been cast as Batgirl. It might have taken longer than we would have liked, but the girls are proving they can hold their own.

Also Read: The Journey of Black Widow

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