The data Hollywood doesn't want to see just landed: Gen Z is done with superheroes. A new survey shows teens are actively rejecting cape-and-cowl narratives in favor of what researchers call "connected masculinity"—stories about emotionally available men navigating real relationships and vulnerability.
This isn't just about box office fatigue; it's about a generational shift in what young audiences find compelling. While Marvel and DC have spent the last 15 years training audiences to expect interconnected universes and world-ending stakes, the kids who should be their next cash cow are tuning out.
The Deadline survey reveals teens want to see masculinity redefined onscreen—less invulnerable armor, more emotional honesty. Think The Bear, not The Avengers. This explains why recent Marvel releases have underperformed: The Marvels bombed, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania fizzled, and even Deadpool & Wolverine's success relied heavily on nostalgia rather than forward momentum.
The "connected masculinity" angle is particularly interesting. Gen Z isn't rejecting male heroes—they're rejecting the emotional stunting that's been default for decades. They want protagonists who can throw a punch and have a conversation about feelings. Revolutionary, apparently.
For studios, this is a five-alarm fire. The MCU was built on the assumption that each generation of kids would fall in love with superheroes the way their predecessors did. But Gen Z grew up watching Iron Man as toddlers and Endgame as tweens. They've seen the whole cycle, and they're not impressed by the reboot.
The irony? Marvel tried to evolve with projects exploring trauma and identity, but they buried those themes under CGI spectacle and quippy dialogue. Turns out you can't have your emotional depth and blow up a city too—at least not if you want Gen Z to care.
