2022 is going to be the biggest year for both Marvel and DC. Initially, we were going to get a 4 vs. 4 match-up at the theatres. But then The Marvels got pushed to 2023. Still, Marvel and DC are going to go blow for blow throughout the year. Even Sony is going to aid the MCU with their two Spider-Verse movies. The Marvel vs DC battle is cut out perfectly for 2022.
Yes, we all know that DC manages to pull off one smashing hit every now and then. But overall, Marvel has been ahead of DC ever since forever. This could change now. It is safe to say that DC stands the best chance to actually win against Marvel in 2022. But that’s easier said than done. Things have begun very strongly with Superman & Lois season 2, and Peacemaker. But let’s look at the movie side of things and see how every battle could go out.
The Batman vs. Morbius & Moon Knight (Batman Wins)
This is where things are going to begin. March 4 is when DC is going to draw first blood. WB will be looking at The Batman as their ticket to return to the Billion Dollar Club. Matt Reeves has cooked up a noir-based storyline that captures the true essence of Batman (who is a smart detective, a brawler, and does not kill!). People would surely want to see that.
On Marvel’s side of things, Moon Knight is going to begin the proceedings on March 30. Moon Knight is obviously much more than a Batman knockoff. But, the similarities between the two just can’t be ignored. Although, it would be hard to see who’d actually win between MK and Batsy since one is a series and the other is a film. So, we’d like to introduce another contender to the battle, i.e. Morbius.
Jared Leto’s Morbius comes out on April 1, which is less than a month after The Batman. While Bruce Wayne only embodies a Bat persona, Michael Morbius actually becomes a Bat up to a certain extent. After all, he is a Vampire who has a Bat Radar along with several other Bat-like abilities. And guess what, it seems that he can actually control a swarm of bats in the SPUMC. So, his battle against Batman makes a lot of sense.
But Morbius obviously isn’t as popular as Venom. It may surprise us, but I don’t think that it will actually break the bank like The Batman. Moon Knight is also looking dark and amazing. But Matt Reeves has created something special, and this round should definitely go to The Batman.
The Flash vs. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (Strange Wins)
DC and Marvel movies can’t get any similar to each other than these two! I know we’ve seen some similarities in the past, with BvS and Civil War pitting heroes against each other, Aquaman & Black Panther pitting half brothers for the throne, and so on. But The Flash and Doctor Strange 2 will take similarities to the next level! I kid you not!!!
First of all, both of them are heavy Multiverse movies that will bring in new characters from different universes (Supergirl, the Illuminati, and other surprises). They’ll also bring characters from past DC and Marvel movies respectively (Keaton’s Batman, maybe Deadpool, or Fox’s first Fantastic Four). Ben Affleck’s Batman, who is a mentor/team-mate of Barry will likely die. And the same goes for Strange’s former mentor and current team-mate, Wong.
Even though Wanda is the main villain in MoM, both Doctor Strange 2 and The Flash will introduce us to evil variants of the title characters. We’ve already met a dark Doctor Strange variant in the trailer, and The Flash’s teaser also showed us another Barry Allen, who is presumed to be none other than Reverse-Flash. So, both title characters will fight evil versions of themselves from other universes.
By now, you may have heard that The Flash will give the DCEU a soft reboot. Keaton’s Batman and Sasha Calle’s Supergirl will become permanent in the DCEU while Batfleck and Super Cavill are to be written out. On the side of MCU, Doctor Strange 2 will also give us a soft reboot as it is believed that Wanda will lead us to the existence of mutants with her reality warping powers (“Let there be Mutants”).
Still among these two, I’d say that people are more hyped about Doctor Strange 2 as it is coming right after No Way Home. On top of that, The Flash has to tackle upset SnyderVerse fans, and it doesn’t help it that the film is coming out on November 4, which is just 1 week prior to Black Panther 2. So, Multiverse of Madness should win since it isn’t even taking on any heavy competition on May 6.
Thor: Love and Thunder vs. Black Adam (Thor Wins)
July is cut out for a thunderous battle! Love and Thunder arrives on July 8 and it is bringing in so many characters (Guardians, Valkyrie, Korg, Lady Sif, Zeus, Gorr, the two Thors, and some other surprises). On top of that, Thor will be at his strongest, proving to be a true God in every sense. Black Adam has its own ensemble cast to match Thor 4 with the likes of Doctor Fate, Cyclone, Atom Smasher, and Hawkman going alongside The Rock’s champion on July 29. So, things do seem neck and neck.
But even with Johnson’s massive star power Black Adam is only beginning his theatrical journey. Thor on the other hand is an established brand and people absolutely love him. For now, he has more to offer us than Black Adam. It could end up between 800-$1 billion easily, if not more. Black Adam on the other hand might be between 600-$800 million at best if the movie is actually good. Let’s see if it surprises the world by beating Thor 4.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever vs. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (A Tie)
Like their first films, Black Panther 2 and Aquaman 2 also have a great tussle at their hands. Namor is coming in Wakanda Forever. So, this time, we’ll actually see Marvel fighting with their own Atlantis against DC’s underwater nation. But Aquaman actually has the advantage as Black Panther 2 doesn’t have T’Challa leading the charge due to the tragic loss of Chadwick Boseman. People may not want to see Shuri taking the lead alone on November 11.
Even if M’Baku, Shuri, Okoye, and Nakia are all co-leads with the support of Namor, they’re still not as big as Momoa’s Aquaman. But that being said, Aquaman 2 has its own share of problems. They’d have to do better than Marvel’s version of Atlantis while battling another underwater-centric movie that’s actually releasing on the same day (Avatar 2). People aren’t fans of Amber Heard either.
So, I’d say that Aquaman 2 does have the potential to defeat Black Panther 2, but it can’t do that by releasing alongside Avatar 2. Until it moves from December 16, I’m going to call this battle a draw keeping everything in mind. But then BP also has Doctor Doom and Riri Williams. So it could win too! Let’s see.
DC League of Super-Pets vs. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Part One (Spider-Verse Wins)
Yes, WB is also battling on the animated front in the same year. Super Pets doesn’t seem like a huge film on paper. But it has the biggest names voicing the DC’s Super Pets with The Rock playing Krypto the Super-Dog, Kevin Hart playing Ace the Bat-Hound, and John Krasinski voicing Superman. Then there’s Keanu Reeves, who’d probably voice the villain. So, we shouldn’t underestimate this film. But it is coming out 2 weeks after MoM, on May 20. And it will compete with other big Summer movies as well. So, can it win against an established IP like the Spider-Verse at the Box Office?
People are really hyped for Across the Spider-Verse Part One. Into the Spider-Verse was brilliant, and this one’s the first of a two-part finale event that features Spider-Man (2099) as well. And people are really into the Web Slinger these days. So, I believe it could draw in a bigger crowd, especially because its October 7 release date doesn’t have any heavy competition either.
All in all, Marvel will still win the year with MCU shows like Ms. Marvel and She-Hulk also coming on Disney+ along with the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. But DC will fight hard this time! And you’ve got to give it up for WB as it plans to battle two major Studios with its DC movies.
Do you think DC can surprise us by winning against Marvel? Or will history still repeat itself in the Marvel vs DC clash 2022? Tell us your stance in the comments.
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