Marvel’s 2024 R-Rated Movies: A Tale of Two Completely Different Worlds!

by

In 2024, out of Marvel’s four primary films, two (either from the Marvel Cinematic Universe or not) were rated R and distinctly different from each other. This was unusual for the Marvel Cinematic Universe as it typically had a more packed year. Unlike the Marvel movies of 2025, which include “Captain America: Brave New World,” “Thunderbolts,” and “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” 2024 only saw one film from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, while the other three were from Sony’s Spider-Man Universe.

Remarkably, two films that came out in 2024 played significant roles in future Marvel productions due to a shared characteristic. These films stood apart from the norm for Marvel as they carried an R-rating, a less common occurrence compared to mature franchises like DC. Despite their rating similarities, these Marvel movies showcased distinct differences, demonstrating the breadth of the franchise. Intriguingly, even in 2025, I’m still taken aback by their differences and the crucial roles they played, regardless of their shared age rating.

2024’s 2 R-Rated Marvel Movies Were Both Major Releases

Both Movies Had The Potential To Usher In A New Age

In 2024, the Marvel lineup included four films: “Madame Web,” “Deadpool and Wolverine” (jointly), “Venom: The Final Dance,” and “Kraven the Hunter.” Interestingly, both “Deadpool and Wolverine” and “Kraven the Hunter” were R-rated, an unexpected choice given their significant roles within their franchises. For instance, “Kraven the Hunter” was the final confirmed movie in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. Therefore, the success of “Kraven the Hunter,” both critically and commercially, could have significantly altered the fate of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe.

Initially, Deadpool & Wolverine significantly contributed to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) by delving into the idea of the multiverse. Later, Spider-Man: No Way Home and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness followed suit, but Deadpool & Wolverine connected this concept to Loki’s Time Variance Authority (TVA), thereby merging the X-Men film series timeline from Fox with the MCU. Consequently, these movies held substantial importance for both the MCU and the Marvel Studios Universe (SSU).

Kraven The Hunter And Deadpool & Wolverine Couldn’t Be Any More Different On Many Levels

In contrast to the two, Deadpool and Wolverine, both integral to their respective franchises and rated R, stand in stark contrast to Kraven the Hunter. The latter is marked by a somber demeanor, sparing with humor, and presenting a more intense narrative for its lead character, in stark contrast to the comedic undertone of Deadpool and Wolverine. While the duo employed violence as one aspect among others, Kraven the Hunter’s R-rating was primarily attributed to its graphic depictions of violence and gore. In terms of language, Deadpool and Wolverine featured a higher volume of profanity and adult humor, unlike Kraven the Hunter. Thematically, Deadpool and Wolverine were an expansive multiverse adventure, while Kraven the Hunter was a more modest origin story.

No Way Home in 2021. Conversely, Kraven the Hunter struggled commercially, with earnings of just $62 million worldwide, indicating a stark contrast between the two.

Kraven The Hunter And Deadpool & Wolverine Combine To Make Marvel’s R-Rated Movie Future Look Way More Interesting

The Future Of R-Rated Marvel Movies Is Uncertain

Returning to the characters like Kraven the Hunter and Deadpool & Wolverine, who play significant roles in Marvel, it was also crucial to assess whether R-rated Marvel films could thrive in the future. Particularly intriguing is that these movies received very different responses, not only critically but also commercially. If both had underperformed and been met with negative reviews, R-rated Marvel movies might have become extinct. Conversely, if Kraven the Hunter had mirrored Deadpool & Wolverine’s success, more R-rated Marvel films might have been greenlit for production.

As a movie critic, I’ve seen the contrast between the success of ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ and the failure of ‘Kraven the Hunter’, both R-rated Marvel movies. This suggests that the future of R-rated MCU films isn’t a straightforward path to success. After all, ‘Kraven the Hunter’ demonstrated that an R-rating doesn’t automatically guarantee box office triumph. However, the potential of this rating was undeniably showcased in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’, with their unique blend of action and humor.

In light of these findings, I predict that future R-rated MCU films will only be produced if there’s a compelling reason to do so. This could be for characters like Blade, who are inherently violent, or for characters like Deadpool, who thrive on profane comedy. The key takeaway is that the success of these movies will depend on how well they leverage the R-rating to serve their unique storytelling needs.

Read More

2025-05-27 14:08