With great power comes great responsibility: A content analysis of masculinity themes in superhero movies.

Abstract

This content analysis examined the frequency of messages regarding masculinity in a sample of 30 worldwide top-grossing superhero films and explored whether superheroes and villains significantly differed by type or frequency of masculinity messages they exhibited. Results demonstrated a high number of masculinity themes present in the overall sample. The most common masculinity themes reported for the superheroes were physically strong, violence, and athletic, while the most common masculinity themes reported for the villain characters were violence and physically strong. Superheroes were significantly more likely to be depicted as strong, athletic, asserting and preserving masculinity, discussing appearance, and risk-taking compared to villains. No significant differences in violence, objectifying women, or playboy behavior between the superhero and villain characters were found. Findings warrant additional scrutiny and consideration by researchers and interested stakeholders. Public Significance StatementThis content analysis found that superhero films, which serve as important communicators of masculinity ideals, portray superheroes as engaging in risk-taking behavior, discussing their appearance, and asserting and preserving masculinity more so than villains. Additionally, our findings that there were no significant differences in the frequency of superheroes versus villains engaging in violence, objectifying women, or being a playboy are concerning. Superhero films serve as gender socializing agents; therefore, we recommend continued exploration of the messages regarding masculinity and the impacts of such messages in these films.

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