After Martin Scorsese Criticizes Superhero Films, Original Spider-Man Director Offers an Unexpected Perspective

Let’s talk directors with opinions—because two of the biggest names in movies, Martin Scorsese and Sam Raimi, have wildly different takes on superhero films. One sees them as empty spectacle, the other is annoyed he’s not making more. Hollywood loves a clash, but this one’s practically generational whiplash.

Scorsese: Superheroes Aren’t 'Cinema,' They're Roller Coasters

Longtime directors don’t always agree on what qualifies as 'true cinema,' but Martin Scorsese didn’t just shoot his shot—he launched a whole debate. If you somehow missed it, here’s the gist: Scorsese once compared superhero movies to theme parks, basically saying they’re all flash, very little substance. A lot of fans heard that and went ballistic, but Scorsese’s criticism wasn’t coming from a place of random hater energy—he’s famously passionate about new perspectives and human drama, and he thinks the big-budget comic book parade is, well, a distraction.

Here’s his quote to Empire, just to see how blunt the guy got:

'I don’t see them. I tried, you know? But that’s not cinema. Honestly, the closest I can think of them, as well-made as they are, with actors doing the best they can under the circumstances, is theme parks. It isn’t the cinema of human beings trying to convey emotional, psychological experiences to another human being.'

If you’re thinking, 'wow, that’s spicy,' you’re not alone. The Marvel and DC crowd immediately fired back—pointing out how modern superhero films can pack a punch when it comes to heart, humor, and all kinds of emotional baggage (see WandaVision or Moon Knight for Marvel’s decades-in-the-making attempt to tackle actual mental health stories).

But Scorsese’s larger point is that he’s after stories that dig deep into what it means to be human, while a lot of caped crusader movies keep things safe behind CGI and one-liners. Whether you buy that or not probably depends on your tolerance for guys in capes—or your need to see someone cry before the credits roll.

Sam Raimi: Spider-Man’s Dad Wants Back In

Meanwhile, over on Reddit, Sam Raimi—the madman behind the early 2000s Spider-Man movies, and recently Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness—got asked what he doesn’t like about superhero flicks. His answer? He wishes people would just hire him for more of them.

• Raimi’s actual words: When asked for a critique, his response was 'That they don’t offer me more of them!'
• He’s still absolutely game to helm another, and honestly, he seems a little antsy waiting for the call.
• Last time out, he gave Marvel one of their trippier hits—Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness—bringing his signature horror touch (and, let’s be real, a lot of weird energy) to what could have been just another sequel.

No official word on whether Raimi’s getting another superhero gig anytime soon. But if Marvel’s clever, they’ll get him back before fans start pretending to multiverse-hop into a dimension where he’s already directing again. People still want a little more weird in their blockbusters, and that’s what Raimi does best.

Why Does Any of This Matter?

It’s not just a generational divide. How we define 'cinema'—and what we choose to make or watch—shapes the kind of movies that get funded, promoted, and remembered. Scorsese wants more soul, less spectacle. Raimi just wants in on the party again. Studios, as usual, will go with whatever pays the bills—and right now, that’s still men and women in masks.

The debate isn’t going anywhere soon. So if you want serious human drama, there’s plenty out there (and probably more if Scorsese ever lands that funding he’s always chasing). If you want wild visuals and reality-bending plot twists, don’t be surprised if Raimi is sitting in the director’s chair before long.