12 Greatest Superhero Films Released Prior to the MCU

      Here are the 12 top superhero films released before the MCU transformed the genre.

      To clarify, the MCU, or Marvel Cinematic Universe, debuted in 2008 with Iron Man. Iron Man was released shortly before The Dark Knight, so The Dark Knight isn’t included here — although it is featured on the list of the greatest superhero films, including those from the MCU.

      Furthermore, all the films on this list were also released prior to the DC Extended Universe, which kicked off with Man of Steel in 2011.

      As a result, you won’t find Batman vs. Superman or any other Snyderverse films on this list of the Best Superhero Movies before the MCU. However, there’s plenty of Batman and Superman to enjoy, starting with…

      Batman (1989)

      Warner Bros. – Credit: C/O Warner Bros.

      In 1989, Tim Burton had a challenging task: Most general audiences recognized Batman from the campy ’60s TV series featuring Adam West, while comic book fans admired him as the gritty detective in Frank Miller’s seminal and highly influential works The Dark Knight Returns (1986) and Batman: Year One (1987).

      Burton, along with screenwriters Sam Hamm and Warren Skaaren, successfully blended the campy elements of the TV series (throwaway jokes, Jack Nicholson’s flamboyant Joker) with a profoundly sincere and deeply troubled Batman and Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton). Kim Basinger’s Vicki Vale acts as a sort of audience surrogate, acknowledging Gotham's oddities while keeping a sense of realism.

      The film also pays tribute to Batman’s 1939 origins with its elegantly modern Art Deco set design.

      Spider-Man 2 (2004)

      Sony

      With Spider-Man 2, director Sam Raimi built upon his original film, delivering a narrative centered around power, responsibility, and the commitment to give your all, no matter who you are or what abilities you possess or lack.

      The story is elevated by the palpable chemistry between Peter Parker/Spidey (Tobey Maguire) and Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), and Alfred Molina shines as the complex, power-obsessed Doc Ock. The subway scene where ordinary New Yorkers help save a hero is one of our all-time favorites in superhero cinema.

      X2: X-Men United (2003)

      20th Century Fox

      Upon its release, 2003’s X-Men 2 closely captured the essence of the X-Men at their peak in the 1980s, as comics writer Chris Claremont explored emotional themes through storylines that drew clear parallels between mutants and marginalized human beings.

      X-Men 2 embraces this metaphor right from its thrilling opening scene featuring Nightcrawler (Alan Cumming) infiltrating the Oval Office. Brian Cox delivers an chillingly perfect performance as Col. William Stryker, a very believable adversary to our favorite mutants.

      Superman (1978)

      Warner Bros.

      The film that set everything in motion. Its sincerity and complete reliance on practical effects — combined with superb performances and a touching love story between Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) and Superman — make it increasingly charming and uplifting with every passing year.

      Christopher Reeve remains our quintessential Superman, not only for his heroism but for his comedic talents — you sense that even when Luther (Gene Hackman) has him literally drowning in kryptonite, he's still too much of a gentleman to fully unleash his powers on his foe. He wore the simplest of superhero costumes, yet embodied the essence of a true superhero.

      Fun fact: Margot Kidder starred in both the top movie of 1978 — Superman — and the second top film, The Amityville Horror.

      Moreover, Superman may be the most romantic of all superhero films, perhaps only rivaled by…

      Superman II (1980)

      Warner Bros. – Credit: C/O

      The early ’80s brought significant changes for Generation X children — first, Han Solo was frozen in carbonite in The Empire Strikes Back, and then just months later, Superman lost his powers in Superman II. More accurately, he sacrificed his powers in pursuit of a normal life with Lois Lane (Margot Kidder).

      The concept of a superhero voluntarily relinquishing his abilities for love — and then giving up that love to save the world — was mind-blowing for young fans who simply wanted Superman to be all-powerful. Many lessons can be gleaned from Superman II.

      Additionally, hats off to writers Mario Puzo, David Newman, and Leslie Newman (who collaborated on both Superman and Superman II) for reintroducing General Zod (Terence Stamp) and his minions, initially minor characters in the first Superman, as the villains in the sequel. Was this planned from the start? Indeed! The two films were largely shot together. (Robert Benton contributed as a writer on the first Superman but not the second.)

      Batman Begins (2005)

      Warner Bros