With 10 superhero movies being planned for 2022, it’s fair to say that since 2000, we’ve been in the age of the superhero film.
Whether it's DC or Marvel, comic-inspired movies are some of the more entertaining movies made.
Here are the 15 greatest comic movies of the 21st Century. And, of course, spoiler alert ahead.
Honorable Mentions:
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
V for Vendetta
Watchmen
Iron Man
Black Panther
15. X-Men: First Class (2011)
This 60s Cold War set prequel gives us a look at the team's creation and what leads to the eventual fallout between Magneto and Professor X.
The movie not only tells an exciting story with younger versions of the characters but also makes us sympathize with why Magneto eventually becomes the villain.
14. Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014)
In 2014, the MCU took us on a space adventure full of comedy and good tunes. The rag-tag group of heroes, led by Chris Pratt's Star-Lord, are tasked with preventing an infinity stone from landing into dangerous hands.
The success of Guardians was a surprise to many, as most people hadn't ever heard of the characters before the movie's release. Regardless, the movie and its characters have become some of the most iconic in the MCU since.
13. Kick-Ass (2010)
We've all fantasized about being a hero, and in Kick-Ass, we see teenager Dave Lizewski attempt to live out the fantasy.
The film is an action-comedy that is also a satirical take on superhero and comic culture, and although it's super cliché, it does show anyone can be a hero in their own way.
12. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
The movie equivalent of playing with all your action figures at the same time, Avengers: Endgame was not only an action blockbuster like we've never seen, but it was a cinematic event.
Endgame was the culmination of 10 years of the MCU. Not only did it conclude the saga of Iron-Man, Captain America, and the rest of the original Avengers, but it also started a new chapter for the surviving members.
11. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
This was the "Endgame" of Spider-Man movies.
No Way Home gave us an end to the MCU's first (and hopefully not last) Spider-Man trilogy, and we see Peter Parker make the ultimate sacrifice for the good of his loved ones.
This movie is every comic book fans' dream, as not only did we see the introduction of the multiverse, but we got all the fan service and cameos anyone could ask for.
10. Deadpool (2016)
To think that it took leaked test footage to go viral online to finally get FOX to let Ryan Reynolds get his Deadpool movie made is wild, but I'm glad it happened.
This raunchy R-rated flick is filled to the brim with gore and comedy while still maintaining a good story, even with the 4th wall breaks. Ryan Reynolds kills it and arguably gives the most comic accurate depiction of any comic character ever.
9. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
Before Endgame dabbled in time travel, the X-Men sent Wolverine back in time to save their world.
In this film, we follow Wolverine as he tries to prevent Mystique from making a mistake that would eventually lead to the persecution of all mutants. The movie was used as a way to reboot the franchise, but it still has one of the more thrilling stories of the X-Men universe.
It also has one the best scenes in any comic movie as we see Quicksilver speeding through a kitchen in slow motion stopping bullets.
8. The Batman (2022)
The Batman is the most recent movie on this list. The argument can be made that this is the best pure Batman film.
The movie keys in on how Batman really is the world's greatest detective when he's tasked with stopping The Riddler, who was reinvented as a zodiac-style serial killer. From its opening monologue to the car chase, this detective noir film is filled with action while keeping you on the edge of your seat.
7. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
At the time of its release, Avengers: Infinity War was by far the most-hyped movie to ever come out and is the 5th highest-grossing movie of all time.
We see all the heroes fight to prevent Thanos from getting all the infinity stones, and many wondered before its release if a movie containing so many central figures could work. It definitely did, and it made for one of the most exciting movies of recent times.
6. Spider-Man (2002)
For many Gen-Zers, this was likely the first superhero movie they ever saw, and what a movie it was.
We see a dorky Peter, played by Tobey Maguire, become one of the most iconic heroes to grace comics and the big screen.
We see him battle with the struggles of growing up while trying to make a difference, which makes him a relatable hero. Along with X-Men (2000), Sam Rami's Spider-Man set a new precedent for comic movies in the early 2000s.
5. Logan (2017)
Hugh Jackman played the character of Wolverine for 17 years, and although many were sad to see him go away from the legendary role, he left with a bang.
Logan follows an old Wolverine and Professor X as they try to protect a young mutant made with the DNA of Wolverine. The movie was not only an emotional drama but also finally allowed Jackman to turn into full berserker Wolverine because of its R-rating.
Throughout 20 years of X-Men films, this one is hands down the best solo Wolverine movie. It will pull at the heartstrings and maybe be a tearjerker for some.
4. Joker (2019)
As of recent, DC's attempts to build a cinematic universe have had their bumps, but one major bright spot has been its darker solo movies like The Batman and, of course, Joker. In Joaquin Phoenix's Oscar-winning performance, we see an entirely new spin on the character of the Joker.
We see a mentally unstable man's life slowly get worsened through his actions and those around him until he reaches his breaking point. The movie takes aspects from the source material and has multiple nods to the comics while also being an entirely new thing.
3. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
This Spider-Man movie moves the spotlight away from Peter Parker and puts it on Miles Morales.
We see the young Miles obtain his powers and learn to become a hero in his own right with help from multiple different Spider-heroes from across the multi-verse. The first on-screen appearance of Miles Morales was not only a critical and box office success, but it also took home the Oscar for Best Animated Film.
2. Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Spider-Man's appeal comes from being so relatable to the average guy, and Spider-Man 2 shows that.
Peter deals with the struggle of having to be a hero while also wanting to enjoy his own life. Almost 20 years after its release, the film has stood the test of time and, for many, is the quintessential Spider-Man film.
1. The Dark Knight (2008)
I think The Batman is my favorite interpretation of the character, and while it's a great Batman movie, The Dark Knight is a fantastic movie that tops my list.
It's an action thriller that doesn't feel like a comic movie. The Dark Knight follows Christian Bale's Batman as he tries to end the chaos Heath Ledger's Joker is creating across the city.
Ledger's Oscar-winning performance is one of many reasons that The Dark Knight is not only one of the greatest comic-inspired movies but one of the most iconic movies made in the 21st century.
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