Magic in the Digital Age: Why We're Obsessed with Urban Fantasy Sci-Fi

Arthur C. Clarke famously stated that any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. In the past, the concept of a wristwatch, let alone one with a digital screen powered by the sun, would have seemed like magic. When Clarke formulated his Three Laws in 1962, the first digital wristwatch was still eight years away.

Thus, it’s reasonable to assume that in the 1960s, a digital wristwatch might have been considered magical due to its advanced technology. Blinking numbers on a screen are commonplace today, but back then, it likely seemed like witchcraft.

The Rise of Sci-Fi and Fantasy

In previous decades, science fiction was primarily relegated to pulp magazines. However, its popularity has exploded, making it one of the biggest and most lucrative genres today. While fantasy arguably remains king, the gap between the two has narrowed significantly.

Sci-fi’s journey from pulp magazines to mainstream acceptance is a testament to our fascination with speculative storytelling. The genre’s inventions and futuristic gadgets, often rooted in real-world devices and amplified by imagination, have captivated audiences. From Star Trek-inspired communicators to interstellar travel, human-like robots, levitating cars, and space stations, sci-fi has pushed the boundaries of our imagination.

Fantasy has also evolved. From high fantasy epics featuring wizards and knights in imaginary kingdoms to urban fantasy where magic intertwines with modern society, the genre has diversified.

The Convergence of Urban Fantasy and Sci-Fi

Today, urban fantasy and modern sci-fi stand on relatively equal footing. This has led to a proliferation of genre mashups, combining elements of both. The “magic” Clarke observed in the 1960s might be considered sci-fi today, while fantasy has embraced the purely magical, supernatural, paranormal, mythical, and even extraterrestrial.

The Avengers: A Case Study in Genre Mashup

A prime example of this successful genre blend is Marvel’s The Avengers. While superhero movies might not be as dominant now as they once were, The Avengers played a pivotal role in popularizing the genre mashup. It seamlessly integrated sci-fi elements (Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, Hawkeye, Black Widow) with fantasy elements (Thor, Loki, a space portal, a powerful magical artifact), all set against the urban backdrop of New York City.

The Avengers earned over $1.5 billion worldwide, becoming the third highest-grossing film at the time of its release in 2012. Before this, large-scale crossovers like Alien vs. Predator (2004) were relatively rare. The Avengers‘ success inspired other studios and ushered in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), a sprawling franchise of over 30 films that has consistently intertwined urban fantasy and sci-fi.

While urban fantasy sci-fi as a standalone genre might not yet match the popularity of its parent genres, it has a dedicated and growing audience. The level of enthusiasm might vary depending on the franchise, but the overall passion for the genre is undeniable. The enduring impact of The Avengers and the continued development of the MCU demonstrate the excitement surrounding this genre mashup and its potential for the future.

If there’s another genre you can mix into urban fantasy sci-fi, what would it be? Can you name some superhero films that are strictly sci-fi? We’d love to hear from you.

Other Things You Might Want to Know

Outside the conventional superhero films, what films exemplify urban fantasy sci-fi genre mashup?

Some relatively recent examples include Bright (2017), Blade Runner 2049 (2017), Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017), Alita: Battle Angel (2019), and Onward (2020).

How many “Avengers” films are there so far?

There are four Avengers films in the MCU: The Avengers (2012), Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019).