Written By Elisa Moraes-Liu

Unless you’ve been adrift in space like Tony Stark at the beginning of the film, you’ve probably heard of “Avengers: Endgame.” The movie brought together dozens of characters and Easter eggs developed throughout the complex storylines of the prior 22 films. In the first weekend alone, the film grossed over one billion dollars in box office. This completely shattered records set by any film before for opening weekend. In second place for that record is another Marvel film, the “Avengers: Infinity War.”

Marvel movies have taken the world by storm. DC has been unable to produce anything even close to iconic films such as “Endgame,” “Infinity War” and “Black Panther.” The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has brought beloved characters such as Captain America, Iron Man, The Hulk and Thor to the big screen. The closest thing DC has to the Avengers is Suicide Squad or Justice League, and as much as we love Harley Quinn, these films cannot compare to the iconic Avengers franchise. Suicide Squad does not have a long-standing 22-film plotline like the Avengers that has kept the world watching for over a decade. DC’s films come and pass by with little attention paid to them.

This is not to say that DC does not have iconic characters of its own. Batman and Superman have been famous in pop culture throughout several decades. While these characters have been prominent in the comic universe, they are not as famous in the cinematic world. Batman hasn’t captivated the world the way Captain America has. Films such as “The Dark Knight” are standalone in the franchise and do not have connected storylines that capture our hearts, causing a rush to the box office when the next film comes out. There is no “Justice League: Endgame” in the making.

Marvel heroes beat DC ones because they have a human touch to them. Not only do the movies focus on fighting and missions of these heroes, but they also show us insights into their personal lives. We see characters like Bruce Banner struggle in everyday things, such as his relationship with Black Widow and the emotional toll of being The Hulk. This allows the characters to have a special place in our hearts, as we get to know them as humans as well as heroes.

Actors of the Marvel franchise are also a beloved part of the MCU. Marvel employs talented actors like Tom Holland, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson and Chris Hemsworth. These actors help make the movies even more special, as we get to see our favorite pop culture figures on the big screen. MCU makes it so we not only fall in love with these characters, but also love Chris Evans and Tom Holland along with them. DC, on the other hand, has actors such as Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck, who have not gained prominence through their work with DC films. Marvel films will only continue to grow in fame and prominence. The Disney-Fox merger has opened up a world of possibilities for the MCU, including ownership of the Fantastic Four and X-Men by the franchise. With many additions to their franchise coming, it is safe to say Marvel beats DC by a long shot.