As summer draws to a close, major studios have announced upcoming release dates for their future superhero blockbusters.

For many, many summers to come.

The Hollywood Reporter reports that in 2016:

“In order to avoid a direct confrontation with Captain America 3, Zack Snyder’s Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice is moving up from May 6, 2016, to March 25, the beginning of Easter weekend.”

And:

“New dates announced by Warners are Aug. 8, 2016; June 23, 2017; Nov. 17, 2017; March 23, 2018; July 27, 2018; April 5, 2019; June 14, 2019; April 3, 2020; and June 19, 2020. The batch of films is likely to include multiple Justice League titles and a Wonder Woman spinoff.”

The Independent says:

“The first few films in that plan are a mix of sequels such as Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), and new titles including Ant-Man (also 2015). Those mapped out beyond 2017 are yet to be identified – but that hasn’t stopped Marvel and its rivals jockeying for future release dates.”

Even Wikipedia lists upcoming films.

My take: as exciting as these films might be, I’m disheartened that they’re laying claim to so much financing and so many theatre weeks. Do people really want to watch so much escapist fare?