When it comes to the superhero movie genre, there is no shortage of movies to choose from. With so many options, it can be difficult to decide which superhero movie to see. For superhero fans looking for the perfect summer blockbuster or an inspiring movie night, here is a guide to the must-watch superhero movies.
One of the most popular superhero movies of all time is Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, starring Christian Bale as Batman. The Dark Knight is an origin story of the crime fighter from Gotham City, and features an iconic performance from the late Heath Ledger as the Joker. The movie showcases a powerful and intelligent hero who must take down a criminal mastermind in order to save the city.
Marvel’s Black Panther is an iconic superhero movie about a king of a fictional African nation, Wakanda. The movie is praised for its compelling storyline and action sequences along with its diverse cast, which includes Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o and Michael B. Jordan. Black Panther showcases a powerful and determined hero who is willing to stand up for what is right in order to protect his people and the wider world.
The Avengers is also a must watch Marvel movie. Directed by Joss Whedon, the movie brings together Earth’s mightiest heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and other power-packed superheroes in an epic battle to save the world. The Avengers presents an ensemble star-cast and spectacular action with a great narrative filled with humor.
Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man is widely considered one of the best superhero movies. The movie stars Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker, a high school student who is bitten by a radioactive spider and granted superhuman powers as he embarks on a journey to realize his destiny as the webslinging superhero. Spider-Man is a classic superhero story, showcasing the complicated and often conflicting emotions of Parker as he learns to become a hero and cope with his newfound power and responsibilities.
The Incredibles is a must watch superhero movie for all ages. The movie follows the story of Bob Parr, a regular dad who discovers he and his family have superhuman abilities. The Incredibles is filled with thrilling action scenes, humor and insights into the dynamics of family life. It also showcases real-life dilemmas and how to overcome them. By the end of the movie, Bob has learned to work together with his family to save the day.
Finally, Ryan Coogler’s Creed is a powerful addition to the superhero movie genre. The movie stars Michael B. Jordan as Adonis Johnson Creed, the son of legendary boxer Apollo Creed. Adonis is determined to become a professional boxer and follow in his father’s footsteps. Creed is filled with iconic fight scenes and focuses on themes of family, determination and legacy. The movie is a great example of superhero movies that are focused on character development and the human experience.
Female Superhero Movies
In recent years, female superheroes have become increasingly popular and there are now a number of female-led superhero movies. Wonder Woman is a must-watch in this genre and has been credited with paving the way for other female-led superhero movies. Directed by Patty Jenkins, the movie follows the story of Diana Prince, a powerful Amazon warrior who is sent to the world of men to save it from destruction. Wonder Woman is an empowering and inspiring movie with a strong female protagonist and an emotional storyline.
Captain Marvel is another female-led superhero movie that should not be missed. The movie stars Brie Larson as Carol Danvers, an Air Force pilot with superhuman powers, who must battle an alien race to save the world. The movie has a powerful social message and highlights the importance of self-belief and female empowerment.
DC’s Birds of Prey is another must-watch female-led superhero movie. The movie follows the story of the female crime-fighting team led by Harley Quinn, played by Margot Robbie. The movie is filled with action, humor and unique visuals, and showcases strong and empowered female protagonists who team up to take down dangerous villains.
Finally, Marvel’s Jessica Jones is a must-watch for those who love female superhero movies with a twist. The series follows the story of Jessica Jones, a private investigator who has superhuman strength, who must battle an evil villain. The series is praised for its compelling story line and strong female characters, and is a great example of female superhero stories that are filled with suspense and drama.
Alien Superhero Movies
Alien superhero movies are another must-watch for those looking for an out-of-this-world experience. Guardians of the Galaxy is highly recommended in this genre. Helmed by James Gunn, the movie follows the story of a band of misfit superheroes who must come together to save the universe from an evil force. The movie has an exciting storyline and amazing special effects, showcasing a unique set of alien superheroes and their battle with the villain.
Marvel’s Thor is another must-watch alien superhero movie. The movie stars Chris Hemsworth as the god of thunder, Thor, who is sent to Earth to stop the evil forces of Loki. The movie showcases an epic battle between good and evil, and is filled with spectacular action and eye-catching visuals. Thor is an inspiring movie which showcases the power of determination and courage.
DC’s Man of Steel is also a must-watch in this genre, starring Henry Cavill as the alien superhero, Superman. The movie follows the story of Superman as he discovers his extraordinary powers and battles to save the world from the villainous General Zod. Man of Steel is filled with spectacular special effects and a great back story, making it a must-watch for those seeking a thrilling alien superhero movie experience.
Finally, Star Trek is a great choice for fans of alien superhero movies. Directed by J.J. Abrams, the movie follows the adventures of a crew of interstellar explorers as they battle a powerful alien race in order to save the universe. Star Trek has stunning visual effects and a great narrative, combining science fiction and action with a great storyline.
Villain-Centric Superhero Movies
For fans looking for a twist on the traditional superhero movie genre, villain-centric superhero movies are a great choice. One of the best in this genre is DC’s Joker, starring Joaquin Phoenix as the iconic character. The movie follows the story of Arthur Fleck, a troubled and desperate man who turns to crime in order to survive in the corrupt world of Gotham City. Joker is filled with intense performances and an emotive storyline, making it a must-watch for those looking for a unique take on the superhero movie genre.
Another great villain-centric superhero movie is Marvel’s Venom, starring Tom Hardy as the eponymous anti-hero. The movie follows the story of journalist Eddie Brock who, through a series of events, merges with an alien symbiote and gains superhuman powers. Venom is an exciting and wild ride that showcases the complex character of the anti-hero, who must grapple with his newfound power and morality.
Fox’s Deadpool is also a must-watch in this genre, starring Ryan Reynolds as a wisecracking anti-hero. The movie follows the story of Wade Wilson, an ex-mercenary who is left disfigured after a secret experiment. Through the course of the movie, Wilson discovers his mutant abilities, learns to embrace them and uses them to take down the villain, Ajax. Deadpool is a great example of an unconventional superhero movie, filled with dark humor and spectacular action sequences.
Animated Superhero Movies
Animated superhero movies are a great choice for superhero fans who are looking for lighthearted entertainment. One of the most popular in this genre is The Incredibles, which follows the story of a family of superheroes as they battle a new villain. The movie is praised for its unique visuals and themes of family and courage. It is an entertaining movie that appeals to all ages, so it is a great choice for family movie night.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is another must-watch animated superhero movie. The movie follows the story of Miles Morales, a Brooklyn teenager who discovers he has superhuman powers and must team up with alternate-universe Spider-people in order to save the universe. The movie has stunning animation, a great soundtrack and a compelling storyline, making it a great watch for superhero fans of any age.
DC’s The LEGO Batman Movie is also a great choice for those looking for an animated superhero experience. The movie follows the story of Bruce Wayne as he tries to stop The Joker’s latest plans for world domination, with the help of the LEGO Batman. The movie is filled with humor and action, showcasing an iconic hero as he battles a dastardly villain.
Finally, Marvel’s Big Hero 6 is a must-watch for those looking for a family friendly animated superhero movie. The movie follows the story of robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada, who teams up with a group of tech-savvy heroes to stop a mysterious villain. Big Hero 6 is praised for its presentation of complex themes of family, friendship and heroism. It is an exciting movie that appeals to all ages.
Superhero Movies with a Social Message
For fans looking for superhero movies with an important message, Black Panther is the perfect choice. It is a compelling movie that showcases a powerful and determined hero and features a diverse cast. The movie follows the story of T’Challa, a king of the fictional African nation of Wakanda, who must protect his people from evil forces. Black Panther is praised for its focus on identity and belonging, making it a powerful and inspiring movie.
Spider-Man: Homecoming is also a great superhero movie with a social message. The movie follows the story of Peter Parker, a high school student who discovers he has superhuman powers. Peter must grapple with his newfound power while trying to balance his everyday life as a student. Homecoming is a great example of a superhero movie that is thoughtful and entertaining, and showcases a complex hero who must learn to abide by societal norms despite his extraordinary abilities.
Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War is also a must-watch for fans looking for a deeper meaning in their superhero movies. The movie follows the story of Captain America, who is forced to take sides in a political debate that could destroy the Avengers. Civil War is an exciting and intense movie that focuses on themes of loyalty, morality and responsibility. The movie is filled with exhilarating fight scenes, while also showcasing a hero who must make difficult decisions in order to save the world.
DC’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is another great superhero movie to watch. This movie pits Superman against Batman in a battle that leads to a common enemy. The movie is praised for its exploration of morality and good vs evil, along with its stellar cast and amazing action sequences. Dawn of Justice is an inspiring and thought provoking movie, reminding viewers of the power of justice and courage.