There’s no denying it. Superhero movies are now a film staple, especially since Marvel entered the fray over 20 years ago. There are a ton of superhero flicks out there but I’m narrowing it down. Here are the five best superhero movies.
Black Panther (Available on Disney+)
You can’t talk about superheroes without talking about a film that made an impact on, and off, the screen. Chadwick Boseman brought to life a Black superhero that little kids across the globe could cling to. The representation, Ryan Coogler’s fantastic writing/directing and a show-stopping performance from Michael B. Jordan made this film one of the best comic book movies to date.
Christopher Nolan’s Batman Trilogy (available on Netflix/HBO Max)
When you look back at Nolan’s Batman trilogy, you can see how he set the tone for the future of comic book movies. The late ’80s / early ’90s Batman films felt very cartoonish. Nolan stripped back the cape and brought Bruce Wayne down to earth. The most memorable thing from the franchise was Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker. He left behind one of the most incredible performances of all time. The entire structure of this trilogy is something that I miss dearly because Christopher Nolan took one of the best superheroes and made one of the greatest trilogies of all time.
Avengers: Endgame (available on Disney+)
April 26, 2019, will go down as one of the most iconic days in film history. The Russo brothers sent viewers down an emotional rollercoaster for the culmination of this 21 film saga. As I sat in a jam-packed theater, I laughed, cried and cheered, especially knowing this journey was coming to a close. This was one of the most memorable theater experiences I’ve ever had.
Logan (available to rent or buy)
The idea of getting an R-rated superhero movie was something I wasn’t sure we’d get to see. If you know anything about the Wolverine character, he is very visceral and doesn’t care much about anything. The action was ruthless, the story was heartfelt and Hugh Jackman and Dafne Keen’s acting put the movie over-the-top. Logan is different from the rest of the franchise. There’s no need to watch any other film to prepare for this. Simply turn it on and enjoy.
Joker (HBO Max)
Before this film was released, the big question on everyone’s mind was, “Will Joaquin Phoenix live up to Ledger?” He made the character his own and there’s no doubt he did an impeccable job. There are so many factors that made this a great movie, aside from Phoenix’s performance. Hildur Guðnadótti’s poetic score brought up so many emotions throughout. Todd Phillips’s polarizing version of the Joker had audiences feeling empathy for the Joker while we’re simultaneously repulsed by his actions. From top to bottom, this execution was perfect.
What’s your favorite superhero film? Let me know in the comments below.
