Summary

TheMarvel Cinematic Universehas come to define mod comic Bible movies , but it still leans hard on a number of superhero clichés . Superhero stories have enjoyed many decades of pop civilisation succeeder , and a act of tropes have been build within the genre that live to this day . Themovies of the MCUadapt some of Marvel ’s most darling characters and their stories to the big screen , but in doing so , they often perpetuate a number of superhero stereotypes . As a franchise that cover to define the genre , the MCU relies heavily on its economic consumption of superhero clichés .

As the MCU has established itself a normal that has made it the most successful and profitable film dealership of all time , it ’s only lucid that it keep to tap into the same ideas . However , from the beginning of theMCU ’s flick timeline , the franchise has adapt the report of the comics which are responsible for the birth of many vernacular superhero tropes . These tale or ocular elements usually connect straight to the moral simplicity and duality of superhero history , but some have become more specifically part of the superhero movie writing style . With that in mind , here are 10 of the biggest superhero clichés the MCU still utilize .

10Cities Keep Getting Destroyed

The Avengers (2012), Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), Etc.

One of the most common superhero picture clichés is thata metropolitan area becomes collateral harm in an heroic superpowered showdown , and it ’s an thought that the MCU has tap into many times . From Phase 1’sIron Man , The Incredible Hulk , andThe Avengers , to Phase 2 ’s destruction in Sokovia , all the fashion through toBlack Panther : Wakanda Forever , which visit Namor and his Talokan U. S. Army attempt and destroy much of Wakanda ’s Golden City . It ’s a cliché that runs through the affection of the movie andTV shows of the MCU , offering monolithic action spectacles with each new instance .

9The Inspirational Third-Act Moment

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), Etc.

Though a big excited boost during the third act is n’t specific to superhero moving picture , it ’s a trope that ’s found all too usually in the genre . With such high - bet history , the MCU often involve to amp up its drama , which is regularly achieved through a late - stage moment of hopelessness and desperation for the heroes . This is almost always offset byan inspirational human action of gallantry or sacrifice , or occasionally a poignant language that uplifts the crestfallen characters . Perhaps the MCU ’s best examples of the cliché are in Quicksilver ’s ritual killing inAvengers : Age of Ultronor Yondu ’s inGuardians of the Galaxy Vol . 2 .

8A Massive Battle That The Hero Only Briefly Takes Part In

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)

As superhero movies commonly depict potentially world - terminate conflicts , it ’s only consistent that some outcome in immense , turgid - weighing machine battles . However , some , such as that in the ending ofBlack Panther : Wakanda constantly , only in reality reap the hero ’s attention for a few abbreviated moments , withtheprotagonist alternatively ignore the plight of the unfortunate masses so as to face off with their nemesis(often in a separate location ) . It ’s a plebeian superhero movie cliché , and the MCU perpetuate it as much as any other franchise .

7Origin Stories About The Hero Overcoming Their Past

Ant-Man (2015), Captain Marvel (2019), Moon Knight (2022)

do a hero feel relatable to the audience in spite of their noteworthy ability is n’t always an light undertaking , but the MCU use one of the old superhero clichés there is . When introducing heroes , their stories almost always associate to past injury or misdeed , essay to master their yesteryear to become the strongest interlingual rendition of themselves . Almost every MCU hero can be square aside with this particular cliché , because it ’s such a well - establish way of helping the audience connect with protagonists wield Supreme Being - similar powers .

6The Reluctant Mentor Learns To Appreciate Their Sidekick

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Hawkeye (2021), Etc.

With the MCU beginning to move on from its original mold of Cuban sandwich , the enfranchisement has begin introducing new characters to interchange them . In many character , these characters act as sidekicks to the franchise ’s original heroes , being mentor by their predecessor before maltreat into their heroic shoe . A common figure regarding this relationship isthe reluctant old sub begrudgingly embracing the vernal hero sandwich , with the MCU doing so using the the likes of of Iron Man and Spider - Man , Hank Pym and Scott Lang , and Hawkeye and Kate Bishop . The grouchy wise man with the nitty-gritty of gold is a standard superhero cliché , and the MCU uses it absolutely .

5Death Is Rarely Permanent

Thor: The Dark World (2013), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Etc.

In the dangerous field of bomber work , expiry is an occupational hazard . However , much as in Marvel Comics , theMCU is take with decease fakeouts , where characters appear to be killed only to shockingly return curtly after . One of the most common perpetrator of this cliché is Loki , the Asgardian prankster god , but other part have also been used to the same end . Star - Lord , Vision , Bucky Barnes , and Nick Fury have all been " killed " only to yield to lifethrough various narration means . It ’s a superhero cliché for a reasonableness , and it ’s something that the MCU certainly does n’t shy aside from .

4The (Secondary) Villain Having A Change Of Heart

Thor: The Dark World (2013), Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023), Etc.

Though superhero story are commonly categorized as relatively simple iterations of goodness versus evil , there are always characters with more complex moral depth . In fact , throughout the account of the franchise , antagonists have been turning good after realise the error of their ways . It ’s rarely the major villain , but secondary antagonist who surveil this cliché - Loki , Nebula , Wanda Maximoff , MODOK , Adam Warlock , Ms Marvel ’s Kamran , and many more all fit the visibility . It ’s made readable thatnot all antagonists are incapable of redemption in the MCU , play like a shot into one of the most common tropes in the genre .

3The Villain Is Accidentally Created By The Hero

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), Etc.

Another common superhero cliché that the MCU often run into attend superheroes creating their own villains . This almost always occurs whenthe hero act with the good of intentions , only for it to go cockeyed and create or help a dangerous villain . Most of the proficient MCU exercise stem from Iron Man , such as Ultron or Whiplash , but Spider - Man is another culprit , gift Mysterio the EDITH glaze over and accidentally muster multiple villains from other world inSpider - Man : No Way domicile . It ’s perhaps not the most common trope in the MCU , but it ’s a cliché that the franchise often subtly employ .

2Post-Credits Scenes

Almost All MCU Movies

Though post - credits scene are not specifically a superhero cliché , the MCU popularise the idea to the point thatthe mid - credits cut is now synonymous with superhero cinema . Iron Manbegan the tendency , with Nick Fury appear to tease the cosmos of other heroes within the wide universe . In the years since , the MCU has made reprise function of the mind , often hinting at future projects or localize up sequel within the enfranchisement . As a effect , it has become something of a cliché , and it ’s one that the MCU continue to employ in almost all of its undertaking .

1Parallels Between The Hero & Villain

The Incredible Hulk (2008), Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), Black Panther (2018), Etc.

One of the most vulgar clichés in the superhero genre is thatthe hero and baddie are drab reflections of one another . This is an idea that the MCU can not seem to leave behind behind , with countless examples of the cliché appearing throughout the enfranchisement . Captain America and the Red Skull , Hulk and Abomination , Black Panther and Killmonger , Iron Man and Iron Monger - all of these MCU pairings share a near - indistinguishable set of powers , with the only crucial difference being their personal qualities . It ’s a superhero cliché as former as time , and it ’s one that theMarvel Cinematic Universehas used to dandy effect .

General Dreykov talking to Natasha in Black Widow

Spider-Man in the MCU and Jean Grey in Marvel Comics

Gorr at the Altar of Eternity in Thor Love and Thunder

Chris Evans as Captain America pointing in The Avengers and Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man walking away from an explosion in Iron Man

Yondu (Michael Rooker) looking upset in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Wakanda Forever final battle between Wakandans and the Talokanil

Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop and Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton aiming bows in Hawkeye

A slose-up of Tom Hiddleston as Loki in Thor: Ragnarok

Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) and Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) creating Ultron in Avengers Age of Ultron

Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury meeting Tony Stark in Iron Man’s post-credits scene

Chris Evans as Captain America and Hugo Weaving as the Red Skull in Captain America: The First Avenger

Marvel Cinematic Universe