But the fact that the genre is dominant shouldn't really make much difference to you. Yes, Avengers: Endgame earned more money than many small countries have in GDP. Yes, 2 of the biggest movies in the theater right now are Marvel Comic book movies.
Well, it makes a difference for two reasons:
1. I feel left out ...
I know it probably doesn't mean much, but I'd have to say you shouldn't FEEL left out. Unless all your friends go to super-hero movies, and hang out at Comicon, you don't need to join in to the love of super-heroes to avoid feeling left-out.
and my choices are drastically reduced
They are reduced, but as I said before, you still have plenty of alternatives in the theater and on streaming.
2. I wonder why this kind of utter escapism prevails and feel alienated in a different way
For the same reason people like the escapism of Star Wars, or the Fast and Furious movies, or even the James Bond movies.... many people are naturally drawn to that type of entertainment.
I think it's fairly common knowledge that other genres are dying because Superhero films are date night films.
I am not really sure that Super Hero movies are 'killing' other genres.
You are seeing a shift in theater-going habits... better technology in home theaters, technology like streaming and DVDs means that the theatrical life of some movies is curtailed. If your local Megaplex wasn't showing a movie with guys dressed in spandex punching each other, I doubt you'd see more serious dramas or comedies in the theatre. Instead, you'd see other types of bug, huge dumb blockbusters (like Transformers 23: Optimus gets a prostate exam). Or, the theater would just close up because, well, why go to the theater to see "Seth Rogen makes jokes" when you can stream it on Netflix at home?
Overall, I just find the movies fun (Well, many of them anyways), and I haven't yet outgrown the idea that movies CAN be straight-up entertainment. They aren't the only type of movie I watch (I can appreciate a good drama, or comedy, or a non-super hero sci-fi or action movie), but I still like them.
Ok - toss me one then - something on Prime or Netflix ok ?
That's actually getting kind of hard to do.
Many of the best super-hero movies are from Marvel. Others are from Fox. But Disney has bought both of those, and many of the titles have been pulled from Netflix and Prime, to be shown only on Disney+.
There were also the DC movies (like Man of Steel and Superman v Batman) that might be available on Netflix, but many people find the DC movies to be a bit... lackluster.
Then of course there is the issue I have mentioned in previous postings: Many Super Hero movies have tie-ins to other super hero films, which can make it confusing for anyone who simply want to "jump in".
If you really want to give comic book movies another try, I might recommend "Iron Man". It was one of the first movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (so you wouldn't have had to have seen others in the franchise). And, it had many elements that I like about the genre... decent special effects/action, mix of humor and drama. (Unfortunately it is no longer on Netflix. Although you may be able to catch it on the regular TV.) Another alternative would be Guardians of the Galaxy (another Marvel movie which is more of a space adventure. It does rely a lot more on humor, for what its worth.)
Or you can try movies in the X-men franchise (starting from the original X-men movie), but the quality of those films was all over the place.
Of course the greatest Super Hero of all (and the greatest Super hero to ever grace the big screen) was Orgazmo. But good luck finding it on any streaming service.
Edited to add:
I almost forgot... once set of decent super hero moves that is available on Netflix is the Batman trilogy series by Christopher Nolan (with Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman). They are a lot more serious than (for example) the Marvel movies... the director took a lot more grounded approach to them. (He's still a vigilante dressed in a bat costume and has fantastic gadgets, but there's no 'super hero flying', very little humor, etc.) The first 2 movies were good... Batman Begins, and The Dark Knight (the Dark Night has over 90% critical acclaim on Rotten Tomatoes, and won multiple Oscars.) The third movie (Dark Knight Rises) was, in my opinion, much less good.
If you want to make another attempt at Super Heroes, MAYBE Batman Begins/Dark Knight might work for you. Just don't get your hopes up.
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