Fact Finder - Movies

In 2008, the release of 'Iron Man' launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), a project that would become the highest-grossing film franchise in history. Before this, superhero movies were mostly standalone series like 'Batman' or 'Spider-Man.' Producer Kevin Feige pioneered the 'interconnected universe' model, where characters appeared in each other's films, culminating in massive 'crossover' events like 'The Avengers.' By 2019, 'Avengers: Endgame' became (briefly) the highest-grossing film of all time, earning over $2.79 billion. The MCU's success fundamentally changed Hollywood's strategy, shifting the focus from original stories to 'Intellectual Property' (IP) and long-term cinematic universes. As of 2025, the franchise has produced over 30 films and dozens of TV shows, generating more than $30 billion in total box office revenue.