When it comes to Star Wars vs Marvel, it's like opening Pandora’s Box. Hell will break loose, but this debate will never end…well, peacefully. And whoever dares to open the gate to the battle of which is better among the two enormous franchises is totally bad, right?
Thanks! We’re claiming the spot. Shall we begin the battle?
Marvel vs Star Wars - What’s The Difference?
The difference between both movie franchises lies in how these franchises delved into their marketing methods. First and foremost, Star Wars is the original movie franchise, whereas Marvel Comics story has inspired the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Simply put, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is still a baby at just ten years old compared to the more than four decades old Star Wars franchise. However, the MCU had already produced twice as many superhero movies as Star Wars.
If we included the 11 different TV series airing on Netflix, ABC, Fox, and FX of the MCU, it could be considered a multimedia hydra, now outweighing the SW canon.
They also differ from each other when it comes to their story and characters. Marvel Studios characters are based in the Cinematic Universe, while the Lucasfilm Star Wars characters are based only in canon like The Return of the Jedi and Revenge of the Sith.
A Closer Look At The Differences
Print (Comics & Books)
For those who still don’t know, both franchises are independent divisions wholly owned by Disney. The Marvel Star Wars comic series, composed of 107 issues, was the first-ever comic series created for the saga.
Furthermore, Marvel Studios owns the comic book license to make Star Wars comic books, so in this category, it is safe to claim that Marvel gets its first point.
In terms of comic books, Star Wars is only a part of Marvel. Unless Disney decided to revoke Marvel’s license, which we think isn’t possible now, it would remain the comic book series’s main licensee.
Film Adaptation
Here’s a strong statement to claim, “Star Wars has shaped cinema.” And every geek knows this fact. Lucasfilm elevated science fiction from the realm of drive-in camp to a mainstream art form in movies.
Even though the MCU had produced a plethora of movie series adaptations like the Thor: The Dark World, even surpassing the SW movies, we still think it’s more fitting to sing praises to the original movies.
But, how long would it take you to watch all Marvel films?
Star Wars movies were so prevalent that shortly after launching the first sequel trilogy, it paved the way for The Lord of the Rings, The Matrix, and the Indiana Jones movie series.
We all know how the original Star Wars trilogy movies changed how stories are told. Star Wars movies shaped the mainstream cultural landscape. Without Star Wars, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) story wouldn’t even exist.
So, in this category, Star Wars gets its first point.
But which is better, DC or Marvel?
Television
The Marvel vs Star Wars story is as tricky as the movie adaptation because Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars cannot completely go head to head if we consider the pre-Disney movie series.
Besides movies, MCU has also produced many TV shows like the classic Incredible Hulk series with Lou Ferrigno and X-Men Evolution, Agents of SHIELD, Agent Carter, Daredevil, and Runaways.
On the other hand, Star Wars also holds a trophy in the television division. Dave Filoni’s Clone Wars series made a huge success when it first came out on August 15, 2008. This series garnered a massive amount of rating success and even became one of Cartoon Network’s highest-rated shows during its initial run.
It had also been nominated for Daytime Emmy Awards and the Annie Awards, garnering a massive fan base. And yes, we should never forget that The Mandalorian, the first live-action television project of Lucasfilm, has also entered the pop-cultural zeitgeist. With this, Star Wars gets another point.
Get a good laugh with these hilarious Star Wars memes!
Theme Parks
Theme Parks make every geek’s heart flutter. You can check out the Avengers Campus at Disney California, which features a multiverse adventure. It is anchored by the nearby Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! attraction.
Unfortunately, due to the pre-existing licensing deals, this might only be your only chance to see your favorite Marvel superheroes in Florida—at a time that is yet to be announced. However, all plans for these highly-anticipated theme parks are to be fulfilled to set the record straight.
However, Star Wars had already established a theme park—the Galaxy’s Edge. It is a themed area inspired by the Star Wars franchise. It is located within Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, and Disneyland Park at the Disneyland Resort in California.
It features attractions like the “Rise of the Resistance,” which changed how most people view themed entertainment.
So, for now, Star Wars gets another win. When Avengers Campus finally opens, let’s wait to see if the table will take another turn.
Shop The Marvel Collection NowAlso Read: Disneyland vs Disney World
Video Games
We like to lay it flat out. The Star Wars games like Knights of the Old Republic, The Rogue One, The Return of the Jedi, Rogue Squadron, The Phantom Menace, and Battlefront are staples in the gaming canon.
However, Marvel Games, the publishing brand for video games based on Marvel properties and the video games division of Marvel Entertainment, has also produced various video games like the Infinity War and Spider-Man: Miles Morales. In this category, the result is a draw.
Also Read: Our Favorite Star Wars Room Ideas
Merchandise
Merchandise-wise, both mega franchises are head to head since they have produced tons of merchandise for their fans. However, we were impressed when we learned how widespread the Star Wars merchandise was.
It’s thrilling to discover that Force Friday truly exists. The event was a celebration of the movie release of Star Wars: Episode VII, The Force Awakens.
It features the release of the film’s best toy and action figure line, many new novels and some reference books that are part of the Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens initiative, and other Star Wars gifts and merchandise for fans like cosmetics. [1]
During the release of A New Hope, the hottest Christmas gift was a voucher for Star Wars toys that didn’t exist yet. On the other hand, Marvel Studios may have produced a fair share in the merchandise department, and Star Wars seems to be the champion in this category.
Star Wars & Marvel Franchise History
The Star Wars franchise is an American epic space movie series and worldwide pop-culture phenomenon film franchise created by George Lucas. The saga began when the Star Wars original film, Episode IV: A New Hope, premiered in 1977.
However, Lucas sold his production company to Disney, relinquishing his franchise ownership on October 30, 2012.
On the other hand, Marvel Entertainment, formerly Marvel Enterprises and Toy Biz, Inc., is an American entertainment company founded in June 1998. It is a company based in New York City, formed when Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. and ToyBiz merged.
In 2009, The Walt Disney Company acquired Marvel Entertainment and became a limited liability company (LLC).
Also Read: When Did Disney Buy Marvel?
Consistency of Quality
Since Disney acquired the SW movie series franchise, quality consistency of quality has been a raging debate for die-hard fans. Since the acquisition, George Lucas was allowed to redraw the series. Some fans liked this new move. However, some boomers and Gen-X fans disapproved.
Critics also pointed out how the newly released movies were inconsistent with the movie series. Well, we can’t blame them. The original trilogy of the movie series and the Rogue One movie is hard to beat.
Although Marvel Studios Star Wars also received the same criticisms, the MCU pushed harder and released twice as many movies as the SW did. Out of the 19 movies they released, only a few were rated low by fans.
However, the critics are still outnumbered by solid fans who are happy with the MCU’s deviations. Overall, the cinematic universe’s consistency in quality is staggering and considered a natural progression of the SW first developed.
You may also want to check out these Star Wars decor ideas.
Pop Culture Impact of Marvel & Star Wars
The Star Wars films are undeniably the father of pop culture. It opened the gate of Hollywood to movies with the sci-fi genre using special effects and CGI technology. The release of 2001: A Space Odyssey movie in 1968 was never fully appreciated because it’s in a sci-fi genre.
When the original Star Wars Trilogy movie premiered, it became the highest-grossing movie ever at the time. Without the world of Jedi and the Dark Side, filmmakers might never have dreamed of pushing the boundaries of visual effects in cinema. And George Lucas became a true pioneering genius in film making.
On the other hand, Kevin Feige, Marvel’s studio head, brought the most famous comic books aspect, interweaving everything, from characters to stories into foremost event crossovers into the big screen.
This brave move officially birthed Marvel films’ shared cinematic universe, a concept that made the Marvel Studio bag tons of dollars, awards, and recognition in the film industry.
Therefore, Star Wars is still unbeatable. Was there a time that the original trilogy had been crushed in a battle?
Also Read: Disney vs Pixar
FAQS
Who would win in a fight, Marvel or Star Wars?
Marvel may win over Star Wars in a fight, but it could also be the other way around. This battle is like a circle. It won’t come to an end. Each win may depend on the character fighting inside the ring and who he is fighting to.
The characters belong to a different universe. The Star Wars Universe has gods, The Last Jedi, Rey, and Kylo Ren, Princess Leia, and Sith Lords like Darth Vader can control many things with just a thought.
Whereas the Marvel Universe has heroes with superpowers like Thor, Captain America, The Hulk, Iron Man, Agent Coulson, and Spiderman.
If Star Wars movies have Expanded Universe and Death Star, Marvel movies also have the Cinematic Universe and Multiverse. And the list would go on and on and on.
Does Marvel own star Wars?
No, Star Wars isn’t owned by Marvel because they are both wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Walt Disney Company.
However, both companies still owned some shares in the company as part of the deal, and they still have character franchises in entertainment, licensing, and publishing. Check out Star Wars vs Dune here.
Did Star Wars beat Endgame?
Not really. The Star Wars did beat Endgame if we compare the ticket pre-sales for these 2019 box-office movies. According to Atom Tickets, the Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker movie sold 45% more tickets in its first hour of pre-sales than Marvel’s Endgame movie.
However, Endgame movie made nearly $2.8 billion and currently holds the record for the highest international box office total ever, beating Star Wars’ gross sales.
Is Mandalorian Marvel?
It depends. If we are talking about the comic series, yes, the Mandalorian is Marvel. The Mandalorian is Marvel Comics publishes a comic series inspired by the Disney+ series The Mandalorian as part of The Mandalorian publishing program.
However, the live-action tv show The Mandalorian was developed by Disney and Lucasfilm, so it’s not part of Marvel movies.
Learn how to make a DIY Mandalorian armor here.
Star Wars or Marvel? Let’s Wrap It Up!
It’s truly challenging to choose between Marvel vs Star Wars because they both produce heroes and characters worthy to stan. In terms of movies, special effects, comic book series, TV shows, video games, and merchandise, one wins.
If you are into movies, comics, and video games, you would appreciate the Marvel franchise. The Marvel Universe and its heroes like Iron Man, the X-Men, and other famous superheroes are worth watching. If you stan the SW story franchise, you will be showered with box-office TV series, original movies, and merchandise, so your fan-chakra will jump with joy.
But in the end, everything would all boil down to the categories you weigh the most and questions you want to be answered when choosing between the two.
If you’re looking for toys and collectibles, check out our Star Wars merch here.
Shop The Star Wars Collection Now
1) https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Force_Friday
