With theMCUbeing the most successful cinematic franchise in history, the superhero genre has never been so huge as it is now - but it stands on the shoulders of a compendium of early pioneers that all superhero fans should watch. The building blocks that makethe best superhero movieswere established long beforeIron Manrevolutionized the genre. In fact, some of the best examples of superhero movies don’t star Marvel or DC characters whatsoever.
Fans of the genre will be intimately familiar with thetypical characteristics of a superhero movie. They tend to star a protagonist with extraordinary abilities, hinge on themes like heroism and self-discovery, and deliver spectacle in spades as they borrow from other prevalent genres like sci-fi, fantasy, and action. The movies that excel at conveying these elements span decades, but some ofthe best examples of superhero movieswere released when the genre was in its infancy.
10Robocop Is A Paragon Of Justice
Released In July 1987
RoboCopis an early superhero origin movie, as it depicts Alex Murphy’s transformation into the titular cyborg after being brutally murdered. The movie embraces the cyberpunk subgenre, depicting a dystopian USA ravaged by corporate greed while embracing satirical elements and an unabashed R-rating. RoboCop is an original character, with cybernetic enhancements that transform him into a tour de force whose morality and humanity clash with his corporate programming, making him a distinctly moral figure who eventually strives to uphold justice in its most virtuous sense.
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It’s here whereRoboCop’s influence on the genre can be seen. At its core,RoboCopis a tale of morality and using superhuman gifts to uplift humanity and its values.RoboCopwas influenced by2000 AD’s Judge Dredd, a character whose self-titled adaptation in 2012 was also lavished with praise. There are also parallels to be drawn between it and Iron Man, as both characters are substantially enhanced through technology.
9Blade Rescued Marvel’s Movie Prospects
Released In August 1998
In 1998,Bladewas hot on the heels of 1997’sBatman & Robin, managing to uphold the superhero genre whenDC’s first Batman franchisefumbled.Bladeis a vampire movie that just so happens to be adapting a Marvel characterand one whose initial obscurity and subsequent rise to fame mirrors that of the MCU’s Iron Man. It tells the story of the titular daywalker, a unique human-vampire hybrid whose vampire powers come with none of the typical drawbacks, and his bloody origins as a vampire hunter.
Fondness for Blade stems largely from its visual style, action sequences, and Wesley Snipes' depiction of the once-obscure character.
LikeRoboCop,Bladeis an R-rated exploration of the superhero trope.Bladehas received middling-to-positive reviews despite its legendary status among genre aficionados. Fondness forBladestems largely from its visual style, action sequences, and Wesley Snipes' depiction of the once-obscure character. Before movies likeX-Menwould establish the stereotypical mold for modern superhero movies,Bladewas an early look at what a no-holds-barred adult-themed adaptation could look like, which is what makes Blade’scameo appearance inDeadpool & Wolverineso befitting.
8Spider-Man 2 Set The Example For Superhero Sequels
Released In June 2004
Spider-Man 2is thehighest-rated of Sam Raimi’s iconic Spider-Man trilogy, and for good reason. AfterSpider-Mandetailed the now-done-to-death origin story for the titular superhero,Spider-Man 2was dedicated to exploring the ramifications of his newfound powers.This is Peter Parker at his most relatableas he navigates the typical struggles of young adulthood and the incredible stresses that great power brings. Otto Octavius assumes the villainous role, sparking an interesting dynamic as one villain with whom Peter Parker has a deep personal relationship.
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While many superhero movie franchises can often struggle to deliver a satisfying sequel (a curse from which even Spider-Man couldn’t escape withSpider-Man 3),Spider-Man 2remains the foremost example of a superhero sequel done right. Otto Octavius is one of the earliest and most enduring examples of the sympathetic villain whose influence was honored in the MCU’sSpider-Man: No Way Homefor good reason. Despite being released in 2004,Spider-Man 2’s action sequences and CGI still hold up as a paragon of how spectacular scenes can be rendered on the big screen.
7Hellboy Is A Virtuous Outsider
Released September 2004
Despite being adapted four times in the last two decades, Guillermo Del Toro’sHellboyremains the paradigmatic adaptation of the titular superhero from hell.Hellboyfeatures Ron Perlman’s standard-setting depiction of the eponymous character, presenting him as an established member of the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense.Hellboydelves into the occult and mythology, a rarely explored facet of the superhero genrewhile starring one of the most unique protagonists ever committed to live-action. Needless to say, all of these themes are a perfect match for Guillermo Del Toro’s iconic style.
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Hellboypioneers the concept of a powerful protagonist who struggles to reconcile his monstrous appearance with his inherent virtues, typifying the difficulties faced by many superheroes who strive to fit into societal standards. This struggle is exacerbated by his hellish origins, which causes him to file his horns to appear less demonic. It is also an early live-action depiction of a supernatural team, one of the most compelling tropes of the genre as exemplified by the likes of the X-Men, Fantastic Four, and the Suicide Squad.
6The Mask Is The Quintessential Superhero Comedy
Released August 1994
The Maskis a relatively loose adaptation of the Dark Horse Comics publication of the same name thatforegoes the horror elements of the source material to instead focus on a family-friendly brand of comedy. It stars Jim Carrey in one of his breakout roles as Stanley Ipkiss, a meek and troubled protagonist whose fortunes are changed by a mask that, when worn, transforms him into the eponymous Mask (AKA Big Head in the comic), a polar-opposite persona with the inexplicably cartoonish ability to warp reality. It is an exceptionally unique yet acclaimed example of an early superhero movie.
The Maskwas the most profitable superhero movie of all time until 2019’sJoker.
The Maskwould remain an outlier in its depiction of a true slapstick superhero were it not for Deadpool now occupying the same sphere. Nevertheless, the movie is still full of pathos as it delves into the struggle of dual identities and quite literally hiding behind a mask. In a trope that would also be explored by such modern movies asShazam!,Venom, andGreen Lantern,The Maskis an early example of the concept of a normal person transformed at will into a superhero by some external force, rather than one whose powers are innate.
5The Crow Is A Superhero Cult Classic
Released June 1994
Released in the same year asThe Mask, 1994’sThe Crowstrikes a distinctly darker tone that embraces supernatural horror and gothic themes. It tells a story of vengeance as the titular protagonist, rock musician Eric Draven, seeks retribution for the brutal murders of himself and his fiance.The Crowis unique in the superhero genre for being a cult classic, with its darker themes resonating with a specific audience that isn’t typically associated with superhero movie fandom. It garnered critical acclaim in part for the performance of star Brandon Lee, who tragically died during filming.
The 2024 remake ofThe Crowstarring Bill Skarsgard in the titular role suffered critically and financially.
There are very few examples ofsuperhero movies that emulate the distinctly gothic styleofThe Crow, making it one of the most distinctive movies in the genre. It flips many superhero tropes on their head by delving into themes of vengeance, a motive typically reserved for superhero movie villains.Its dark, character-driven narrative can be compared to 2019’sJoker,whose exploration of a tortured protagonist with a bloodthirsty vendetta became one of themost successful superhero moviesof all time.
4Batman: Mask of the Phantasm Set The Standard For Animated Superhero Movies
Released December 1993
Batman: Mask of the Phantasmis one of the earliest animated movies released by DC based on its iconic animation,Batman: The Animated Series.It remains a definitive adaptation of the Batman mythos, exploring the earlier days of Batman as the barely-established Caped Crusader of Gotham, his character-defining romances, and his deep-seated rivalry with the Joker. AlthoughDC’s animated moviesarguably enjoyed their heyday in the 2010s,Batman: Mask of the Phantasmremains one of the most highly-regarded animated superhero movies ever made.
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is a perfect example of why Hamill’s take on the Joker is one of the best.
While discussions continue to rage about whichdepiction of the Joker is the best in live-action movies, Mark Hamill is criminally overlooked by virtue of his rendition being animated.Batman: Mask of the Phantasmis a perfect example of why Hamill’s take on the Joker is one of the best.The fact thatBatman: Mask of the Phantasmis animated, meanwhile, belies its expert navigation of adult themes, something which would come to typify DC’s celebrated animated movies years later.
3X-Men Kicked Off The Modern Superhero Genre
Released August 2000
Just two years afterBladereinstated confidence in Marvel movies,X-Mentook a more family-friendly approach to Marvel’s most iconic characters and arguably sparked the modern era of the superhero blockbuster. While the titular team’s origins wouldn’t be depicted for another 11 years withX-Men: First Class,X-Menexpertly navigates a team chock-full of unique and interesting characters, treading the fine line between being grounded and harnessing the team’s inherently fantastical features. It was critically acclaimed upon release and sparked a franchise whose decades-spanning legacy was recently honored inDeadpool & Wolverine.
the success of 1999’sThe Matrixinspired the notoriously comic-inaccurate black leathers in X-Men, a prime example of how the movie opted to make the inherently ostentatious team more grounded.
Despite taking some creative liberties designed to broaden its appeal to cinemagoers,X-Mendoes not shy away from the team’s most defining characteristicsand leans into the X-Men’s central motifs of discrimination. The wise moves taken by those involved inX-Menare almost singlehandedly responsible for popularizing the genre and springboarding the gargantuan phenomenon it has now become. Now that the X-Men have returned to Marvel ownership, the team’s cinematic story looks set to continue as the genre’s most enduring and influential.
2Batman Proved That Superhero Movies Can Be Blockbusters
Released August 1989
Batmanisn’t the first live-action Batman movie ever made, but it set a new standard for the caped crusader and the genre as a whole. Directed by the visionary Tim Burton,Batmanleaned into the gothic themes most often ascribed to the character in DC Comics while transforming the typical flagship superhero into a more nuanced protagonist.Batmanisn’t so much an origin story for the titular hero as it is for his arch-nemesis,Joker, with whom Tim Burton takes some creative liberties that pay off in spades.
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Earning over $400 million worldwide,Batmanset a new precedent for superhero movies as exceptionally profitable endeavors. Despite stopping short of embracing distinctly more adult themes of such movies asThe Crow,it also showed how the genre can lean into darker elements, solidifying PG-13 as the sweet spot for superhero movie age ratings. Performances by Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson, meanwhile, remain definitive examples of their respective characters.Batman’s gothic tones can be seen replicated in almost every subsequent adaptation of the iconic character while maintaining a certain brevity that now typifies the modern MCU.
1Superman: The Movie Is The Definitive Early Superhero Movie
Released December 1978
WhereasBlademay have changed Marvel’s cinematic fortunes in 1998, 1978’sSupermanis lauded as doing the same for the superhero genre as a whole.The cultural impact ofSupermanis hard to overstateafter it brought the comic book page to life with a faithful depiction of Superman’s origins and most defining characteristics. Until that point,Supermanwas the most expensive movie ever made, with a $300 million global box office that, likeBatman, proved that the genre had staying power in Hollywood.
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Supermanis arguably the most definitive early superhero movie that current fans of the genre need to watch.Supermandefined what a superhero movie should be, turning a live-action protagonist into a spectacle beyond belief and proving how well characters once confined to comic book panels could work on the big screen with the clever use of special effects. While the DCU and MCU continue to push boundaries with what the genre can achieve, both franchises haveSupermanto thank for paving the way.
Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a multimedia superhero franchise that began in 2008 with Paramount’s Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr. The franchise quickly grew in popularity, with Disney eventually buying out Marvel Entertainment in 2009. The MCU consists of dozens of movies and TV shows, most notably Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision, and Loki.
