The Top 12 Superhero Films of All Time, Ranked

      As we look forward to Spider-Man: Brand New Day, let’s take a moment to reflect on the 12 finest superhero films ever made.

      Will Brand New Day, set to release on July 30, live up to expectations? We certainly hope so.

      If you have a different opinion on our selections, feel free to share in the comments. That’s what they’re there for, true believers.

      12 — Logan (2017)

      Hugh Jackman in Logan. Fox – Credit: C/O

      A boundary-pushing narrative of sacrifice, grief, and a solitary hero’s journey through centuries, striving to do more good than wrong.

      Director James Mangold definitively showcased that comic book films aren’t solely for children, crafting a metaphorical tale about aging gracefully.

      Mangold revisited the aging action hero theme in the recent Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, but honestly, we prefer Logan.

      11 — Blade (1998)

      New Line Cinema

      While Blade may not be flawless, it broadened the concept of what a superhero movie could encompass, drawing from one of Marvel's lesser-known characters: a vampire hunter donned in a leather jacket instead of a cape or tights. Blade paved the way for the idea that Marvel could achieve significant success with its lesser-known or overlooked characters, such as Ant-Man or the Guardians of the Galaxy, akin to its more recognized heroes.

      We also appreciate a superhero film that captivated us without relying heavily on CGI, which has marred many otherwise good superhero movies, like Wonder Woman.

      And of course, Wesley Snipes is fantastic in the leading role, delivering the iconic line, “Some mother—-er’s are always trying to ice skate uphill.”

      10. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

      Fox – Credit: 20th Century Fox

      This film is a relatively faithful adaptation of one of Christopher Claremont’s most renowned comic story arcs, though it centers on Logan (Hugh Jackman) instead of Kitty Pryde, ambitiously merging the X-Men films of the 2000s with their 2010s prequels.

      Long before movie metaverses made time travel or alternate realities feel tiresome, this X-Men installment presented a fresh and exciting perspective. The 1970s sequences are remarkably well-done, though it suffers from dull framing sections set in a bleak near-future where the CGI is lackluster.

      9. Deadpool (2016)

      Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) in Deadpool. Fox

      This is perhaps the most outright hilarious comic book movie ever produced, making it to the big screen largely due to Ryan Reynolds’ relentless belief that one of Marvel's quirkiest and least likely heroes could become one of its greatest.

      And yes, we’re looking forward to Hugh Jackman donning his claws once more for Deadpool 3.

      8. X2: X-Men United (2003)

      Fox

      2003's X-Men 2 significantly improves upon its predecessor from the very first scene: it kicks off with Nightcrawler (Alan Cumming) dramatically invading the Oval Office, maintaining a high pace throughout.

      The confrontation between Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and Lady Deathstryke (Kelly Hu) feels much more grounded and intense than the poor CGI battles that would plague numerous superhero films in the years that followed, and a pre-Succession Brian Cox is perfectly menacing as Colonel William Stryker, a highly believable antagonist to our favorite mutants.

      7. Spider-Man 2 (2004)

      Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man and Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson in Spider-Man 2. Sony

      Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) learns that with great power comes not only great responsibility but great sacrifice, as he understands that his role as Spider-Man puts the love of his life, Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), in danger.

      Doc Ock (Alfred Molina) stands out as one of the best Spider-Man villains, with one of the film's highlights being a magnificent sequence where New York City comes to Spider-Man's rescue for a change.

      It’s also the most romantic superhero flick — that is, until you reach the film in the No. 2 position on our list.

      6. Black Panther (2018)

      T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) and Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o) in Black Panther. Disney

      The world-building is exceptional and the performances are top-tier throughout. Michael B. Jordan delivers what may be the best villain in the MCU, while Chadwick Boseman offers a moving portrayal of a king caught between his duties to his people and the wider world in this Best Picture nominee from Ryan Coogler.

      It’s quite remarkable that both Black Panther and Infinity War debuted mere months apart — the two films clearly represent a pinnacle for the MCU.

      5. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

      Disney –