A great superhero movie needs more than a crossover.
Why character, consequence and a distinctive point of view still matter most.
There is a special thrill in seeing two heroes share a screen for the first time. But recognition is an opening move. Once the cheers settle, a film still needs a reason for those characters to be in the same story.
The strongest comic book adaptations give their heroes a choice that costs something. A spectacular fight means more when we understand what somebody is trying to protect, and what they might lose by winning. That emotional logic can hold a sprawling universe together better than a trail of cameos.
Genre offers another way forward. A detective story can make a familiar city feel unfamiliar. Horror can turn extraordinary abilities into a source of dread. An adventure can make the vastness of space feel personal. Different tones give filmmakers room to find something specific inside a shared world.
For our money, the question is not how many characters appear. It is whether the central character is changed by what happens. That is what makes the credits feel like an ending, even when a sequel is already on the calendar.