Introduction
Superhero movies have been big business for decades and have become increasingly popular over the past few years. From Marvel’s vast range of films to the DC extended universe, these movies have become some of the highest grossing films of all time. The list of superhero movies is expansive and ever growing, so here is a list of all superhero movies in order.
Marvel Movies
The biggest current champions in the box office are Marvel’s uniquely crafted series of superhero films. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) started in 2008 with the release of Iron Man and has since spawned dozens of films and spinoffs, connected both narratively and spatially. The following is a list of all Marvel films:
- Iron Man (2008)
- The Incredible Hulk (2008)
- Iron Man 2 (2010)
- Thor (2011)
- Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
- The Avengers (2012)
- Iron Man 3 (2013)
- Thor: The Dark World (2013)
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
- Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
- Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
- Ant-Man (2015)
- Captain America: Civil War (2016)
- Doctor Strange (2016)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
- Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
- Black Panther (2018)
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
- Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
- Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
DC Movies
The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) is the shared universe centered on a series of superhero films, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures and based on characters that appear in American comic books by DC Comics. The following is a list of all DC films:
- Man of Steel (2013)
- Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
- Suicide Squad (2016)
- Wonder Woman (2017)
- Justice League (2017)
- Aquaman (2018)
- Shazam! (2019)
- Joker (2019)
- Birds of Prey (2020)
- Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
Other Movies
In addition to the Marvel and DC cinematic universes there are several other series of superhero films. The following is a list of all other superhero movies in order:
- The Incredibles (2004)
- The Dark Knight (2008)
- Kick-Ass (2010)
- X-Men: First Class (2011)
- Chronicle (2012)
- The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
- The Wolverine (2013)
- Big Hero 6 (2014)
- Deadpool (2016)
- Logan (2017)
- Venom (2018)
Reception
Superhero movies have been met with mixed reception from fans and critics alike. Many people find the stories to be thrilling and exciting, with great visual effects and fights scenes. On the other hand, some people find these movies repetitive and formulaic. Experts say that while superhero movies have become increasingly popular in recent years, there is a danger that people may tire of them if the studios don’t make sure to keep them fresh and interesting.
Influence
These movies have a large impact on popular culture, with people dressing up as superheroes and making fan art. Additionally, these movies have a fond place in the hearts of many people as they often provide an escape from the real world and take them on a thrilling story-driven ride. The long-running nature of superhero franchises also give people more of a connection to the characters, making it feel like it’s their own personal story that is being told.
Popularity
According to recent studies, the superhero genre is the most popular genre of movie, with movies like Marvel’s The Avengers and Avengers: Endgame each grossing over two billion dollars at the box office. It is easy to see why; these movies are full of exciting action and contain lovable characters with compelling story arcs.
Awards
While many superhero movies have been met with criticism for being too “formulaic”, some movies have gone on to be critically acclaimed and win awards. Black Panther, for example, won three Academy Awards in 2019, one for Best Original Music Score, one for Best Costume Design, and one for Best Production Design. Additionally, The Dark Knight won two Academy Awards in 2008, one for Best Supporting Actor and one for Best Sound Editing.
Future
It is safe to say that the popularity of superhero movies is only going to continue to rise in the future, with studios like Marvel, DC, and Fox producing multiple movies each year. As technology continues to improve, the special effects and fight scenes in these movies will only become more impressive. It is certain that the future of superhero movies will be exciting and filled with great stories.
Science Fiction and Fantasy
It is important to note that superhero movies are not just limited to fantasy or science fiction genres. In recent years, there have been a number of superhero movies based on real people, such as the recent Wonder Woman and Doctor Strange movies. The next step in the evolution of superhero movies is to bring these characters to life in even more ambitious ways, such as with virtual reality or augmented reality technology.
Digital Platforms
In addition to being released in theaters, superhero movies are being increasingly released on digital platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime. This makes these movies more accessible to people all around the world, and allows them to watch the movies from the comfort of their own home. Digital platforms also mean that these movies can be released quicker and more frequently.
Conclusion
The list of superhero movies is ever growing and the genre is increasing in popularity every year. With more movies being released in theaters and on digital platforms, the future of superhero movies looks brighter every day. Whether you’re a fan of Marvel or DC, there is something here for everyone. So grab your popcorn and get ready for the ride!
