Top 10 Uplifting Superhero Movies
#10: “Shazam!” (2019)
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We all wanted to be superheroes when we were kids. After all, there’s probably nothing cooler than being able to fly, move at super speed, or lift buses with just a finger. But having superpowers was just a dream — for Billy Batson, it was a reality. When this kid says the word “Shazam”, he turns into an adult who possesses superpowers. “Shazam!” is one of the DCEU’s bright spots. It’s filled with action, fun comedy, and plenty of heart. It's also meaningful with its themes of finding acceptance and family, which makes the movie even more endearing. The positive messages and charismatic characters make this a must-see.
#9: “Big Hero 6” (2014)
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When a young tech whiz named Hiro decides to fight a villain responsible for the death of his older brother, he’s aided by Baymax, his brother’s robotic health-care provider. Eventually it’s not long until he and several others form a full-on superhero team. “Big Hero 6” is charming, compelling, and very emotional when it needs to be. But the core of the movie is about the friendship between Hiro and Baymax. While it doesn’t sugarcoat some of the more mature themes of loss and death, it makes sure to emphasize that things can and will get better. And that’s a message that’s pretty hard to not be in favor of.
#8: “The Lego Batman Movie” (2017)
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We expected “The Lego Batman Movie” to be a fun viewing experience, but we never thought that it would be quite SO awesome. This spinoff of “The Lego Movie” follows Lego Batman as he battles against not only Joker but a multiverse worth of bad guys across multiple franchises. It’s a movie that’s very fun for all ages, and delivers plenty of comedy and action. It also touches upon the dynamic between Batman and Joker in an oddly wholesome way. Because whether we’d like to admit or not, the two give each other purpose. Best frenemies forever?
#7: “The Avengers” (2012)
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Bring a group of heroes together fo an ambitious crossover? For comic book fans, this idea of seeing superheroes uniting on the big screen once felt like a fantasy. But in 2012, “The Avengers” happened. In this iconic movie, the Earth’s coolest heroes team up to fight Loki and an incoming alien army. It’s a team-up of epic proportions that tied back to previously established movies and plotlines, paved the way for (many) future installments, and won all of our hearts. We can’t say enough just how awe-inspiring it was to see Chris Evans’ Captain America standing alongside Robert Downey Jr’s Iron Man and Chris Hemsworth’s Thor. Whether you’re sick or not of the MCU, no one can deny how special this movie is.
#6: “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” (2023)
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“Mutant Mayhem” oozes high-level excitement. This animated outing featuring the iconic ninja turtles involves them stepping into the limelight to battle an army of mysterious mutants. This movie’s got stylish animation, amazing action, and compelling characters to keep you hooked at all times. And since the turtles were voiced by teenage actors, we get to really feel their chaotic energy unfold in an organic way that might not have quite come across in previous iterations. If you want to see the turtles getting into all kinds of hijinks, then “Mutant Mayhem” is a must watch.
#5: “Sky High” (2005)
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This cult classic centers around Will Stronghold, the son of a famous superhero power couple, who eventually develops powers of his own. And where do young would-be superheroes go to get a quality education? Sky High! The movie’s got it all, including elaborate action sequences, quirky characters, a star-studded cast, and an engaging plot. While it’s a deconstruction of superheroes, the film’s made with an amount of love and respect for the superhero genre overall. If you’re interested in something that’s not from DC or Marvel but is sure to provide you with a good time then look no further than “Sky High”!
#4: “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (2018)
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Alright, let’s do this one more time: “Into the Spider-Verse” is a stunning and heartfelt masterpiece. It introduces Miles Morales (a fan-favorite from the comics) and launches him into the front of the pop cultural zeitgeist. The film contains a plethora of different spider-characters who’ve also now become fan faves. And similarly to “Spider-Man: Homecoming”, Miles has to learn how to become Spider-Man with the help of a mentor. In this case it’s Peter B. Parker. The movie dives into threats to the multiverse, but doesn’t let it bog down the story or characters. And the mantra of anyone being able to wear the mask is a wonderfully inclusive message for viewers. “Into the Spider-Verse” is, at its core, a love letter to Spider-Man.
#3: “Guardians of the Galaxy” (2014)
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Who knew a group of rejected criminals and convicts would become one of Marvel’s most beloved teams? In 2014, “Guardians of the Galaxy” introduced audiences to Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket Raccoon, and Groot. These once C-list comic characters soon became household names, and we can see why. This movie is all about tugging at the heartstrings. It's got emotional moments involving Star-Lord and his late mother, but also plenty of hilarious and provocative moments that’ll make you laugh. And a common theme of the movie (and its sequels) is about finding your own family. This one may be a part of the MCU, but it still feels fairly self-contained. “Guardians” is an intimate story that just gets better with every viewing.
#2: “The Incredibles” (2004)
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If Marvel has the Fantastic Four as their “first family,” Pixar kinda has the Incredibles as theirs. When former superheroes Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl are forced to retire their costumes, they take up regular suburban lives and start a family. But circumstances return them to the world of superheroics. While this movie sometimes elves into some surprisingly dark happenings, that doesn’t derail its overall good vibes. It’s got an upbeat tone, eccentric characters, a stylish aesthetic and an important message about always sticking by your family. “The Incredibles” is, well, an incredible superhero movie. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Megamind” (2010)
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“Thor: Ragnarok” (2017)
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“The Rocketeer” (1991)
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“Ant-Man” (2015)
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#1: “Superman” (1978)
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Oh, we’ll believe a man can fly, all right. There’s something particularly special about Richard Donner’s “Superman”. It wasn’t just one of the earliest live-action superhero movies, it remains also one of the most inspirational. Superman is meant to be a beacon of hope and integrity, and Christopher Reeve’s portrayal exemplifies that. And the movie’s full of iconic moments like Clark transforming into Superman, rescuing Lois Lane, and even turning back time. Even the main architect of the MCU, Kevin Feige, considers “Superman” a perfect superhero movie, and his team watches it every time prior to starting a new MCU film. It’s no surprise that this optimistic and uplifting movie’s legacy is still being felt today.
