Oscar-winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao has spoken out in defence of superhero and comic-book cinema, cautioning audiences and critics against dismissing major blockbuster genres simply because they are not traditional high art. Speaking at the Venice Film Festival, the director behind Nomadland and Marvel Studios’ Eternals addressed the ongoing discourse surrounding mainstream franchise filmmaking and its artistic merit within the broader cinematic landscape.

Zhao emphasised the value of popular myth-making and accessible storytelling, arguing that cinematic value should not be judged solely by prestigious or highbrow standards. “It’s important to not write off stories because we don’t consider them high art,” Zhao remarked, pointing out that comic-book adaptations often serve as contemporary folklore, reaching massive global audiences and connecting with people on a deeply visceral, emotional level.

The director’s comments come following her own experience straddling the worlds of indie arthouse cinema and grand-scale franchise filmmaking. After making history as the second woman to win the Academy Award for Best Director for Nomadland, Zhao ventured into the Marvel Cinematic Universe to direct 2021’s Eternals.

While her transition to big-budget comic-book cinema drew varied reactions, Zhao maintained that mainstream blockbusters carry their own unique purpose and power, urging the industry and cinephiles alike to approach diverse forms of storytelling with open-minded curiosity.