Prime Video’s The Boys Is Aging Better Than Expected

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Most fantasy and sci-fi shows don’t last very long, often ending after just two seasons and leaving fans without closure. However, The Boys has been a notable exception, delivering four excellent seasons and with a fifth and final season already planned.

The Boys is a remarkably creative and bold science fiction series for the 21st century, consistently improving with its sharp and critical look at a world full of flawed and corrupt superheroes. It arrived at a time when audiences were growing tired of superhero content – there was just too much of it, and quality was suffering – and it successfully revitalized the genre.

The Boys Fixed the Superhero Fatigue Problem

Look, as a movie critic, I’ve been watching the Marvel Cinematic Universe closely, and honestly, things have been slipping. After Disney bought everything, we just got too much content, and it feels like they’re prioritizing churning things out over making them good. Too many projects feel like the same story with different faces. It’s not just the predictable writing, but also the reliance on endless CGI. And let’s be real, keeping up with all the Disney+ series felt like homework – it really took the fun out of it and led to a lot of viewers tuning out.

I’ve noticed a real dip in how Marvel movies are doing at the box office since Endgame. The recent performance of The Marvels really highlighted this – it only made a little over $206 million worldwide, but it cost around $270 million to make. It’s honestly the lowest-grossing film in the whole MCU so far, and it’s a little concerning as a fan.

While most Marvel movies follow a certain formula, a few have broken the mold. Spider-Man: No Way Home earned almost $2 billion, mostly because fans loved it. The movie brought back villains and actors – Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield – from older Spider-Man films not part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which created a lot of excitement. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 also did well by exploring more serious and grown-up themes than previous Marvel movies.

However, these films are rare successes, not the norm. They aren’t enough to support a long-running franchise, particularly as the superhero genre evolves. Recent films released after Endgame haven’t performed as well, raising worries about the future.

Premiering in 2019, The Boys came along at a time when superhero content was becoming overwhelming. By then, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) was releasing four to six movies annually, and many of them, including some titles, weren’t well-received by audiences. As the MCU continued, it experienced more setbacks than wins, and increased the amount of content it was producing for both film and television.

Similar to many superhero shows and movies, this series takes inspiration from its original source material. However, the creators deliberately chose not to follow it exactly. Eric Kripke, the showrunner, had the creative liberty to change significant storylines and character developments, resulting in a grittier and more unconventional narrative.

This series stands out from typical superhero stories because it doesn’t have a clear line between heroes and villains. Instead, it uses satire to comment on prominent figures in American society – like celebrities and politicians – highlighting the ridiculousness and inconsistencies in their behavior. This approach is a departure from the usual good-versus-evil narratives common in the superhero genre.

The Boys flips the script on traditional superhero stories, using over-the-top characters to poke fun at the way Marvel movies adapt comics. It’s a realistic look at what life would really be like with superheroes, presenting a gritty and different world. Unlike the generally wholesome Marvel universe, The Boys offered something new that reignited excitement for the genre, breaking through the boredom caused by predictable superhero plots.

The Boys Has Gotten Better With Each Season

I have to admit, I was worried this show might just add to the feeling that we’re getting too many superhero stories. But honestly, it’s gotten better with each season! Yes, it’s known for being really violent and having mature content, but it’s not just there to be shocking. What really makes this show stand out is how it uses satire to tackle real-world problems and politics – something most superhero stuff just doesn’t do. It’s surprisingly thoughtful and that’s what keeps me watching.

The show has become more focused and insightful. It consistently addresses important political issues, like the influence of corporations, the effects of capitalism, American foreign policy, and systemic racism. Importantly, these themes feel even more relevant as the series progresses.

The first season tackled issues like celebrity culture and a lack of trust in the media, mirroring concerns from the late 2010s about superhero worship and corruption. The second season, released amidst widespread social justice movements, delved into the topics of white supremacy and the dangers of online extremism.

Season 3 delved into the growing distrust of politics, mirroring the strong divisions seen in 2022 after the 2020 election and the January 6th Capitol riot. The show also broadened its focus to examine how political polarization and the manipulation of public opinion were playing out during and after major world events, like elections and the increase in nationalistic movements.

With its sharp satire, The Boys is a notably political show on television today. Right from the start, the series portrays the superhero group ‘The Seven’ as being controlled by Vought, the main villain, which highlights the dangers of powerful corporations. The show mocks how big media companies use movies, interviews, and carefully planned events to shape what people think.

The show also delves into its characters. Homelander embodies American power, national pride, and the idea of empire, and he changes throughout the series. He’s a blend of celebrity, political influence, and raw power. Likewise, the other superheroes become more relatable as the show progresses, with characters like A-Train being driven by a desire for fame and The Deep desperately seeking approval, revealing their complex inner lives.

Unlike most superhero shows that have become predictable, The Boys consistently offers a unique and relevant take on the genre. Its success proves that audiences weren’t tired of superheroes themselves, but rather of the same old stories. By combining strong social and political themes with well-developed characters, the series has raised the bar for what superhero entertainment can be.

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2026-02-26 05:07