Movie lovers are growing bored of big-screen superheroes and prefer classic heroes like Schwarzenegger and Stallone, new research suggests. Researchers for Freeview channel Great Action quizzed more than 2,000 film fans about their views on the action movies of today.
According to the nationwide study, some seven in ten Brits (71%) believe there are 'too many superhero films being released' – and it's Gen Z who are yawning the most. Britain's youngest generation of adults - aged 18 to 29 – have grown the most fatigued, with eight in ten (80%) feeling there are far too many.
Why fans are disillusioned
The study, commissioned by the Freeview channel network, Great Action highlights why so many appear disillusioned. Two in five (40%) say superhero 'stories feel too similar or predictable', while three in ten (30%) think the films 'rely too much on CGI and visual effects' over an engaging plot.
Another beef from movie buffs is that the genre often 'requires too much prior knowledge of other movies or series' (14%), or they are 'overly commercial or franchise-driven' (13%). Despite the new Spider-Man film 'Brand New Day' grossing over $2.5 billion worldwide, this new research suggests UK film fans feel on-screen heroes with super-human powers may have had their day, with more realistic portrayals being more adored by fans.
Classic heroes top the list
Research for Great Action – Freeview channel 42 – where the channel surveyed 2,000 film fans and asked them to pick their top three out of a list of legendary on-screen action stars. It found that Brits' favourite action heroes were more grounded in reality, with Sean Connery's James Bond as the nation's favourite, named by nearly four in 10 Brits (38%).
Connery is closely followed by Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones (37%) and Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator in third, with a third (34%). Schwarzenegger starred as the cyborg assassin in the franchise's first outing in 1984, famously warning “I'll be Back” – a promise he kept in Terminator II and a string of follow-up films.
Arnie's third outing as the unrelenting robot - Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines - will be shown at 9pm on October 12 on Great Action. Iconic action star Sylvester Stallone - most famous for his roles as Rocky and Rambo - is the seventh favourite hero, and will appear in the latest Rambo film 'Last Blood', which will be shown on Great Action on October 5 at 9 PM.
Authenticity and appeal
Additionally, Great Action's research found seven in 10 fans believe these icons of classic action movies are more authentic than the super-powered heroes of today (71%). And, six in ten (60%) Brits also even said that classic action heroes were 'more attractive' than those of today.
Of these film fans polled, many have also grown tired of the frequent narrative which always focuses on the 'good guy', as seven in 10 (70%) film fans agree the bad guys make better central characters. A new comic-book-inspired film based on the Batman DC villain 'Clayface' is due to premiere in cinemas on October 23, potentially giving hero-fatigued audiences a fresh perspective by putting the villain, rather than the hero, at centre stage.
Kate Gartland, Marketing Director at Great TV, said: “While superheroes may be dominating the box office, our study shows many Brits are looking for a more grounded hero on the telly. “At Great Action, we give action fans films with real-life grit and larger-than-life heroes – just a little closer to reality.”
Great Action also announced upcoming screenings: 'Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk' (starring Joe Alwyn as Billy Lynn), 'Posse from Hell' (1961, starring Audie Murphy as Banner Cole) on 25th October at 9 PM, and 'Pistol Whipped' (2008, starring Steven Seagal as Matt Conlin) on 28th October at 9 PM.
Brits' top 10 favourite action heroes: Sean Connery – James Bond film series (38%), Harrison Ford – Indiana Jones film series (37%), Arnold Schwarzenegger - The Terminator film series (34%), Bruce Willis – Die Hard film series (33%), Tom Cruise – Mission: Impossible film series (25%), Roger Moore – James Bond film series (24%), Sylvester Stallone – Rambo / Rocky film series (21%), Liam Neeson – Taken film series (20%), Daniel Craig – James Bond (20%), Jason Statham – Various action films (19%).
