Content Warning: This article contains depictions and discussions of violence
In the modern age of Hollywood, superhero movies make up a large part of media and as such, the box office. As it stands, most of the big hit movies end up being rated PG-13 or PG. However, in recent years, movies like Logan and Deadpool have done well in the R-rated category. And it's raised the questions: is it more beneficial for superhero movies to be R-rated?
Now, not all movies will qualify for this, but there are some that fans, mainly ones on Reddit, that feel the directors and writers should have cut loose and dived deep into the blood, language, and more with a rated R experience.
Venom
Not everything should be R-rated but there are times when it could benefit the story and characters. When it was announced that 2018's Venom would be R, some fans were skeptical and, after its release, still hoping for an R-rating.
An unknown user stated their distaste, going on to say that the movie's story and tone could have been better utilized if the rating was more severe. Harsher language and bloodier imagery could have leveled out the tone of the movie, making it a good dark comedy with plenty of mature content.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
When a movie is considered to be one of the worst ever made, its chances of revival or success are limited. For the disastrous X-Men Origins: Wolverine, this is more than true, although ambigousresult believes that making the movie R would have been more beneficial.
Ambiguous states how much they despise Origins and state that the "PG-13 rating didn't help the movie out." Perhaps if there had been more R-rated, Wolverine and Sabertooth's fight sequences could have been filled with blood and viscera, which could have redeemed the movie in some way.
The Wolverine
While just about every fan can admit that X-Men Origins was a failure, many agree that The Wolverine, its sequel, was an improvement. Some even hope, as described in a thread started by ArchDucky, that the actual movie had been R-rated.
ArchDucky explains that there was an extended cut of the movie released, filled with more blood and language. Through the thread, many fans of the movie state that the extended cut should have been the actual final cut and that The Wolverine, like the superior Logan, should have been R all the way.
Ghost Rider
Nicholas Cage and Ghost Rider. It's a combination that should have been gold and instead, was a dumpster fire. Yet, it managed to garner a sequel that was equally disappointing. But could there have been a way to redeem it? According to users like Spidey10, they believe that the 2007 flick and its sequel could have if it had been R-rated.
Both of the movies, Spidey says, were watered down and cheesy takes on the firey anti-hero. If they had instead been given R ratings, they could have been the supernatural thrill rides that fans had been searching for and jumpstarted Marvel's popularity far sooner than the MCU.
Suicide Squad
Thanks to the success of Zach Snyder's Justice League cut, fans and directors alike have been pushing for director cuts of their movies. David Ayer, director of 2016's Suicide Squad, has been pushing hard to get his cut released and some fans may even agree with him.
Mynameis4826 has stated that an R or unrated version of Suicide Squad might lift the movie to new heights. Citing the success of Deadpool, Myname reasons that a mature rating could help Suicide Squad, as the movie needed a boost in some form (something the upcoming sequel took note of).
Man Of Steel
There have always been interesting arguments for and against R-ratings. User earhere brings it up in a post they made, detailing how it's fascinating how some movies like Man Of Steel showcase insane amounts of violence but aren't rated R.
By those standards, perhaps Man Of Steel and movies like it should have been. As the DCEU is heading in a much more mature direction, Man Of Steel could have been the starting point for it all, showing off Superman's darker side before the rest of the universe followed suit.
Venom: Let There Be Carnage
Despite most of the movies on this list have been out for a while, there are some that are on the way. However, fans are already deciding if they should be R or not, like Venom: Let There Be Carnage.
CinemaSans speaks at length about R-rated superheroes movies and how someone like Carnage needs to be R-rated in order to work. Stating that Cletus is a brutal psychopath who revels in his crimes, chances are, he may be poorly written. And given that the first Venom was PG-13, they may be right. Only time will tell...
Blade
Now, user OvOxO225 isn't talking about the Wesley Snipes Blade trilogy that was R-rated for better or worse. No, the user is instead stating disappointment over the upcoming MCU version of Blade that will reportedly be PG-13.
OVOxO225 states that to make Blade Pg-13 would be "meh," stating that due to Blade being the first successful superhero trilogy, Blade and the MCU as a whole need the R-rating to stay creative with the kills and the mature element. Whether the user is right or wrong is still to be debated, but maybe the upcoming Blade reboot could benefit from an R-rating.
Bloodshot
As renowned as they are, Marvel and DC aren't the only superhero movies out there. Bloodshot, a movie centered around Valient comics character, ended up being a disappointing ride - despite the comic's brutal tone. As such, fans blamed the PG-13 rating even before the movie came out.
When MiserableSnow announced that the movie would be PG-13, a thread of fans stating their dislike for the rating began. Given the comics' bloody, brutal nature, the R-rating would have been a better choice rather than trying to be a family-friendly movie for all ages.
Hancock
Over the years, superhero adaptations have populated the cinemas and yet, among them, some original ones, like Hancock, have emerged. While fans enjoyed Will Smith playing a disgruntled and different kind of hero, fans always felt like the studio pushed the Pg-13 rating.
In a thread started by an Unknown user, several fans state that if the movie had been more cohesive or leaned into the R rating rather than be watered down, the movie could have overcome the third act problems and been a fun ride from start to finish.