Top 10 Superhero Movies of ALL TIME!!!
After so many years of great superhero movies, we're finally ready to rank and name the best of all time. WatchMojo presents the Top 10 Greatest Superhero Movies ever to appear on the silver screen! But what will take the top spot? The original Superman starring Christopher Reeve, Christopher Nolan's Batman Masterpiece The Dark Knight, or the new kid on the block Captain America: Civil War? Watch to find out!
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10: “X-2” (2003)
Top 20 Superhero Movies of ALL TIME
While the first X-Men Movie undoubtedly kicked off the modern super hero film era, X-2 Set the gold standard for the genre. After an attempt on the President's life, the X-Men must form an uneasy alliance with Magneto in order to track down the perpetrator – the mutant hating extremist named William Stryker. Whereas the first film introduced audiences to the powers of the X-Men, the sequel turns them into a team you want to root for. Peppered with moments of intense action and heartfelt emotion, the film takes viewers on a roller coaster of thrills before X-Men 3 completely ruined it for everyone.
#9: “The Incredibles” (2004)
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Pixar is known for family friendly affairs – and while The Incredibles is definitely fun for all ages, it proved that the mega successful company could tackle subjects and genres far removed from the traditional “kids movie” fare. When mounting public backlash forces superheroes into early retirement, but when the villainous Syndrome concocts a plan that threatens the world it’s up to a family of retired “supers” to save the day. The film possesses a level of self-awareness rarely seen in the genre up to that point. Part James Bond spy thriller, part Avengers-style crime-fighting epic; “The Incredibles” has a little something for everyone. Taking home the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, this superhero flick even made it onto Empire’s 500 Greatest Films of All Time.
#8: “Guardians of the Galaxy” (2014)
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The MCU had already proven that they could take seemingly unworkable comic book properties and turn them into smash hits with the likes of Thor – but nobody would have suspected that one of most obscure and disjointed jumble of characters from their backlog could result in one of the year’s biggest box office triumphs. Fantastic casting: check. Insanely entertaining fight scenes: check. A talking raccoon with a talking tree sidekick: double check. A visual treat that never misses an opportunity to crack a joke, this film was a massive hit with fans and critics alike. Feeling like a throwback to the campy superhero films of the '70s and '80s, it has just the right amount of modernity to connect with younger viewers. A barnburner that isn’t afraid to take chances, “Guardians” exemplifies the characteristics of what a superhero film should be.
#7: “Iron Man” (2008)
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Here’s where it all began, folks – film that took a b-list comic book character and turned him into a household name overnight is also the film that made the MCU the most powerful force at the box office today. A near death experience causes billionaire genius Tony Stark to shed his childish ways and become Iron Man; a superhero that uses a highly advanced weaponized suit to fight evil. In the role that he was born to play, Robert Downey Jr. brings exactly the right amount of sarcastic bravado necessary to convince audiences this is one hero worth the price of admission. Whether you were a fan of the comics or simply gave into the hype, one thing is certain: “Iron Man” is a whole lot of fun.
#6: “Batman” (1989)
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Tim Burton’s classic, grim take on the Dark knight was the perfect way to capture the revival that the once campy character had received during the 1980s. Considered a myth, Batman comes out of the shadows in order to stop the psychopathic criminal mastermind known as The Joker. The film received a fair amount of controversy during production, with many unconvinced by the casting of Michael Keaton as Batman. However, upon release it broke the opening weekend box office record. Nicholson’s maniacal performance, Keaton’s stoic reserve and Burton’s unique storytelling and imagry turned “Batman” into a certifiable classic. Gritty and entertaining, the caped crusader captured the world’s attention and spawned a number of sequels.
#5: “The Avengers” (2012)
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They said it couldn’t be done. The ambitions were too high. There were too many characters, too many films to have seen beforehand, there was simply not way this big of a project could ever work. They were wrong. Being one of the most anticipated superhero flicks in history isn’t easy, but “The Avengers” more than lives up to the task. Currently sitting at number five on the list of highest grossing films of all time, it is safe to say that that the formula worked. A benchmark in the superhero genre, this movie dared to dream a little bigger…and consequently knocked it out of the park.
#4: “Spider-Man 2” (2004)
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If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. After the success of “Spider-Man” only two years earlier, it came as no surprise to anyone when Sam Raimi returned to helm the sequel. This time around, Peter Parker must try to coexist with his super alter ego while battling Doctor Octopus - a scientist, who after a failed experiment is left insane and fused to a set of mechanical tentacles. Filled with the same frenetic action as the original and delving deeper into the complex character that is the New York City web slinger, this film nearly broke the box office when it was first released. Who can forget the scene of ‘Spidey’ holding back a train with nothing but a couple of webs and powerful face muscles? This film definitely deserves a spot in the pantheon of superhero flicks.
#3: “Captain America: Civil War” (2016)
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With all the hype around one of most notorious storylines in Marvel Comics, this film had some pretty big expectations to live up to. Luckily, the Russo brothers returned, brining the same level of action and humor that made their previous film a success. When the Avengers become divided; separated by the differing ideologies of Steve Rodgers and Tony Stark, audiences are given some of the best superhero action of all time. Earning near-universal praise, the film takes a mature approach to the superhero genre by broaching a number of complex subjects that hadn’t been addressed previously. Grossing over a billion worldwide, everybody and their grandmother seems to have enjoyed this superhero flick.
#2: “Superman” (1978)
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While RDJ may be inseperably linked to the Iron Man Character, long before he ever powered up his arc reactor there was another star who back THE face of a classic hero. The quintessential superhero film for years to come, Christopher Reeve’s portrayal of superman is not just a classic of the genre – it’s a classic of the cinematic medium. A brilliant balance of action and humor, this movie was beloved by audiences and critics alike. Nominated for three Academy Awards and pulling in a cool 300 million at the box office, the Man of Steel didn’t disappoint. The catalyst from which modern superhero films emerged, “Superman” sparked a trend that is still going strong today. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: “Batman Returns” (1992) “Superman 2” (1982) “The Crow” (1994)
#1: “The Dark Knight” (2008)
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Come on, you saw this one coming. Part gritty crime drama, part bombastic action film, part brilliant character study – The Dark Knight was truly a complete package and it takes the top spot for reasons too long to fit into one video. Having established himself amongst the city’s criminal underworld, Batman must now do battle for the soul of Gotham against the ultimate agent of chaos: Health Ledger’s iconic Joker. Unfolding in a flurry of brilliant action sequences, this film is more than just a great superhero movie: it is the superhero movie. Beloved by audiences and critics alike, the film was nominated for eight Academy Awards and topped the list of the highest grossing films of the year. Do you agree with our list? What do you think is the best super hero film ever? For more super powered Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
