(Last updated Aug. 14, 2024. Originally published June 12, 2016.)
I like to ruminate on comic book movies a bit.
This probably reads fairly silly to some of the deeper thinkers out there, but it is what it is I suppose. I’m not going to make a convincing enough argument in this space that anyone should ascribe a whole ton of deep meaning to these kinds of movies, but for whatever’s it worth, they generally make me think a bit. It’s probably fair to say that some blockbusters are dumber than others, and for some, the style of fare that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) churns out (and at 2-3 movies a year, it is by now accurate to call it a churn) just doesn’t do it for them. It’s clearly turned into a significant money maker for the mouse, and the time commitment to consume them all, let alone the repetitive nature of the films are all good reasons to stay away.
Respect.
That said, I enjoy them a great deal. I appreciate escapism for its own sake, as mentioned above I can take away some decent life lessons and social commentary from them, and perhaps most importantly, they are movies I can bond with my family over. When my son Nate tells me he wants to watch “Thor,” and I can watch it with him, that is an experience I treasure.
I thought I would re-rank these films in the interest of sparking a little debate OR encouraging people to check a couple of them out if they haven’t. Some of this stuff I would recommend above the rest, and I guess that is the point more than anything. Also, this is sort of fun.
I started this by ranking the movies in the MCU (that ranking is at the bottom), but for shits and giggles, I’m including my placement and thoughts on the rest of most mainstream comic book movies too … but I only include them if I’ve watched them and if they fit that criteria: a comic book that was adapted into a film that got a fairly wide release in theaters. No comic-booky things that had different roots (Sorry, “The Incredibles”!). No movies I haven’t seen (that’s hardly fair). No Roger Corman. Them’s just my rules.
Also, since it takes too much brain power, I’m not separating this list by super hero vs. non-super hero flicks, though that increases the chances I forgot something. I will update this list as I watch new films or if I feel like a re-rank. And though I mostly feel fortunate for having missed any omissions, this is the reality: Not everything is going to be on there. Feel free to offer suggestions/disagreements as you see fit. Recent additions are in green.
On this edition, I noticed (and you may agree) that there is a significant decline around No. 100 or so. There are more and more movies that I would classify as being “watchable.” I think we can safely say the bar has been raised in recent years.
Anyway, let’s get to it.
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HOT GARBAGE
171. Son of the Mask –I couldn’t get through 20 minutes of this sewage.
170. Kick-Ass 2 (2013) – Rape jokes are sooooo funny.
169. Catwoman (2004) – A movie about a female superhero has to involve cosmetics, right? Good, glad that’s settled.
168. The Spirit (2008) — There’s no way to do justice to how bad it is, honestly, so why try?
167. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014) – As putrid as one might expect with literally nothing to recommend it.
166. Judge Dredd (1995) – A good friend of mine, who shall remain nameless, saw this atrocity and wanted me to go see it with him. He offered to pay my way if I didn’t like it. It is absurd to me, upon looking back, that not only didn’t I collect upon his debt, but also that any person in the history of humankind would actively attempt to watch this film twice.
165. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) – I probably hate this film to an irrational degree. I imagine this is how many people feel about Episode I … I never should have built it up, and that is my own damn fault.
164. Supergirl (1984) – Having re-watched this recently, I am impressed with my initial ranking, which was 100% spot on. It’s a glorious train wreck.
163. Superman III (1983) – There’s enough really weird shit here to warrant a watch if you enjoy torturing yourself. Or simply stay for the musical number during the opening credits. Yes, that happened. (Side note: This movie gave me some pretty potent nightmares as a kid thanks to that scene where a lady got eaten by a computer and became a robot. I don’t think I came out from under my covers for about a month. Good times.)
162. Suicide Squad (2016) — What’s weird about this movie is despite all of its numerous failings (and there are many), it took me some time to decide whether I out-and-out hated it or not. I’m pleased to report the final verdict: This movie is ass sweat.
161. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016) — It’s a slight improvement on its predecessor, paying better homage to the ’80s cartoon and relying less on gross-out humor.
160. Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007) — Woo boy, let’s just keep moving, shall we?
159. Fantastic Four (2015) — At the absolute minimum, they did something different with the genre, embracing horror and grafting that onto the story. But what they did with basically every character — ranging from not giving some pretty talented actors anything to do to just plain getting the characters wrong — is not good at all.
158. Sucker Punch (2011) — I know it has its fans, but I found it problematic at best.
157. Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987) – Nuclear Man! Mark Pillow! Superman gets sick! Whiny kid badgers Superman into ridding the world of nukes! Jon Cryer! The cheese is everywhere.
156. Morbius (2022) — It’s Morbin’ time!
155. Green Lantern (2011) – There’s this scene where the hero goes through training to be a superhero, except for no rational reason at all, they train him not to fly into a star, meaning at some critical point he’s going to have to avoid flying into a star. Sure enough… (Sigh.)
154. Jonah Hex (2010) — What a catastrophe. This whole enterprise is like amateur hour, which is weird considering the cast, but these things happen.
153. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991) – Um, I sort of liked “Super Shredder” as a general concept at the time. Beyond that…
152. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007) – Jessica Alba was given more to do … making this an inherently weaker film than its predecessor.
151. The Shadow (1994) — A product of its time, when movie studios hadn’t figured the genre out yet. Interesting watch on that basis, I suppose.
150. Red 2 (2013) — This didn’t need to be made.
149. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003) – It’s just sort of there. Sean Connery can’t even save it.
148. Cowboys and Aliens (2011) — It doesn’t work, even though I really, really wanted it to. It probably needed a couple of more script revisions.
147. Red Sonja (1985) — It’s been a minute, so to be fair, I should probably revisit. But I don’t recall thinking much of it, even as a kid.
146. Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2022) – As with the first film, the internal/external dialogue between Eddie and the Symbiote makes for a point in the film’s favor. But there’s simply nothing here that hadn’t been done before in the first film, except unfortunately for all of the Carnage stuff, which is played way too goofily to be anything other than a stupid, aggravating addition.
145. The Phantom (1996) — It’s not a complete tire fire, but it’s not very good either.
144. Ghost Rider (2007) – Nick Cage going fully mental, and the movie still somehow doesn’t work. Disappointing.
143. Alien vs. Predator (2004) — I mean, it’s got Aliens and a Predator in it, so you’ve got that going for you, which is nice.
142. Hulk (2003) – It kind of works as an origin story still since they thankfully didn’t do that again in the MCU movie a few short years later. Still….
141. Fantastic Four (2005) – I sort of liked the final showdown with Dr. Doom?
140. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) – This movie does not work. I wanted it to. Decent ideas, poor direction.
139. Men in Black 2 (2002) – The law of diminishing returns is in full effect here.
138. Howard the Duck (1986) – At least it’s weird. It’s like a better version of Green Lantern actually. (That’s damn sad.)
137. Bulletproof Monk (2003) — I like the actors, and it’s all pretty harmless, but it doesn’t do anything particularly well, either.
136. Hellboy (2019) — It… Stops… And… Starts… And… Veers… About… Suddenly. The actors do some fun stuff and the effects are there, but yeesh, figure out some sort of narrative or pacing, guys.
135. Dick Tracy (1990) — I’m not sure if this should be on the list, but it IS a “comic” property and it came on the heels of Batman ’89’s success, so it feels like I should include it. Then again, I’m not sure anyone would miss it if it wasn’t here. It’s flippin’ gorgeous, but oy with everything else.
134. Batman Forever (1995) – Tommy Lee Jones is a pretty great actor, yes? Watch his performance here. I still can’t figure it out. (Side note: During the 1990s, the best we could hope for within the genre were things like “Dick Tracy” and “Batman Forever.” This was a dark period.)
133. Spider-Man 3 (2007) – Woof. Seriously, this mishmash of poorly executed ideas ruined Spider-Man for me for a decade.
132. X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) — The triumphant return of Quicksilver as well as the younger versions of Cyclops, Jean etc. are fun. Everything else isn’t.
131. Men in Black: International (2019) — This is right around the baseline of the rankings where I would be completely fine never seeing any of these movies ever again. This one’s right on that border. I just can’t come up with a good reason to want to watch it again.
130. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023) – It plays like everyone knows how silly the material is, yet not in a fun or clever way. The actors by and large are in more of a “yeah, we know this sucks, but at least we’re getting a paycheck” mode, miming ridiculous plot points and dialogue that makes me want to punch Arthur’s baby. To be fair, we shouldn’t blame the actors entirely here. Patrick Wilson gives it an honest go (he probably has the most to work with), and it isn’t Amber Heard’s fault, for instance, that she’s given fewer lines or less to do than Dolph Lundgren or the talking crab guy. That decision alone – deliberately fridging Arthur’s love interest into tradwife homemaker – shows a crassness that wasn’t a problem the first time around. Disappointing.
129. Blade: Trinity (2004) — The general consensus on this film is “Well, I liked Ryan Reynolds in it.” Saying anything more would involve being mean, methinks.
128. The King’s Man (2021) – I have an idea. Let’s take all of the kinetic, unbridled joy from a surprise hit and wring that joy out slowly but surely through subsequent, inevitable, death-march sequels. I wish there were something vivacious to recommend here, but instead we have a middling, boring, paint-by-numbers struggle bus of a prequel.
127. Elektra (2005) – I was really expecting this to be exceptionally terrible and it’s much more benign than that. The performances are mostly fine (though Zod REALLY throws me for a loop), the story works alright, and it doesn’t do that comic book movie thing where they try to do too much. What’s off-putting about it is the tone is all wrong at varying points, as it goes for epic/important notes (particularly with the score) when the story beats … aren’t really that? It’s a lady trying to save a girl, and vice versa. We don’t need you treating it like the world is ending with a big bombastic score.
126. Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (2014) — Eva Green is certainly a point in its favor. I don’t know that it has much else, though.
125. Punisher: War Zone (2008) — The novelty here is the increasingly creative/bizarre ways people are murdered during the course of its run time. It earns points for that.
124. Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011) — Okay, so right upfront, let’s admit that this is definitely a bad film and a dumpster fire. The plot is genuinely nonsensical at its worst, half-baked at best. At varying points, I had to ask what the heck was going on. But oh man, the effects, action and Nic Cage’s performance are sufficiently batty enough to be entertaining on their own merits (if you’re willing to suffer through the rest of it).
123. The New Mutants (2020) — Development hell doomed this project from the start, and the Fox-Disney merger put the nail in the casket. It’s goofy and fails at being serious at varying points (never a good thing), but what’s interesting about it is they went completely off the rails in the third act, probably because the movie was latch-key by that point. “Hey, no one’s watching, let’s go nuts.” I give it some credit for that.
122. The Punisher (1989) – Dolph Lundgren stars, and this thing makes me cackle. Look, there’s no way to sell this as anything other than a bad movie and a guilty pleasure. But nostalgia can rule the day for us all.
121. Batman & Robin (1997) — It’s like a thought experiment gone wrong. This thing is seriously amazing. Imagine Adam West-era cornball Batman except merged with a 90s sensibility, but done completely incompetently. It’s as bad as they say, but it does have that whole “so bad it’s almost good” thing going for it. And that opening is AMAZING.
MEH
120. Daredevil (2003) – Almost okay, but mostly boring.
119. The Punisher (2004) – It feels like an actual movie (unlike the other two Punisher movies), but it’s still completely meh.
118. Dark Phoenix (2019) — It’s definitely not high art or anything, but you could do much worse (contrary to what its disastrous box office would lead you to believe).
117. Joker (2019) — I’ll say this: for all of its problems, it’s certainly unique. In the way that A Clockwork Orange presented loathsome acts and people to us through an unfiltered lens, this film shows us similar vile behavior and character, but through the lens of a completely unreliable narrator. So the viewer ends up not knowing what’s real and what isn’t. The cinematography and leading acting performance are phenomenal, but the weaknesses are stark, beginning with its inability to say anything deep or meaningful about the subject matter. More problematically for some, it takes massive liberties with a previously established universe and characters. Sure, that’s the nature of this stuff, but the traces of what we started with are barely recognizable. The worst part of it all for me was just how predictable it all was. You may want to experience it for yourself, but I can’t recommend it above the movies ahead of it on this list.
116. Casper (1995) — It’s a little bizarre, as the title character is kind of a creeper, and then you’ve got the whole subplot of people planning to die to try to open a vault, which seemed a little excessive to me. Some pretty neat special effects work is going on here and the mansion is vividly realized, so there’s some stuff to like, but it’s a strange one.
115. DC League of Super Pets (2022) – Animated flicks aimed at families have, at least over the past couple of decades, done a much better job than this of making sure there’s enough in there for parents to keep them from wanting to run for the hills or claw their eyeballs out of their heads. To be entirely clear, this movie is FINE, and I chuckled a time or two, but I just don’t think there’s much reason for your average adult to want to engage with this.
114. Black Adam (2022) – The titular character is one of the biggest wastes we’ve ever seen, as Dwayne Johnson suppresses every ounce of charisma and humor he has in favor of a joyless performance that frankly baffles and disappoints. The supporting cast is enjoyable, in particular Pierce Brosnan’s Doctor Fate, but they can’t save this frustratingly dull and nonsensical story.
113. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (1993) — The foam suits have strangely degraded and the scope of the story is oddly small, but I had been led to believe it was completely unwatchable, and no, not even close.
112. Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017) — I’ve warmed to it some after hating it on first watch, but it still pales in comparison to its predecessor.
111. I, Frankenstein (2014) — It’s kind of fun at times and not really offensive in anyway, other than the concept being completely hokey.
110. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) – There’s a distinction to be drawn between creative choices you, as a viewer, simply don’t expect or appreciate, and creative choices that are objectively poor ones. I think the movie presented is intended to be a wild ride, an Alice in Wonderland-esque tapestry of weird happenings initiated by bizarre creatures … which potentially is a story worth telling! But the call to dump these particular characters into that story and then the tortured execution of forcing them along a particular narrative path didn’t work at basically any level. Logic breaks down and characters behave against their own interests, just so that we can get from Point A to Point B. That isn’t something the audience needs to abide. Take the L and move on, I suppose.
109. 300 (2006) — It’s just not for me, though I acknowledge some people like it and it has its own sense of style, which is good.
108. Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) – It’s long, it’s dour, it’s unfunny, and some of the imagery is just plain bizarre (why all the lingering shots of horses?). It gets points for its portrayal of the lady folk, as Louis Lane is sympathetic and Wonder Woman is just plain enjoyable.
107. Constantine (2005) — It’s a competent movie, but I guess my biggest complaint is how little fun it has in telling its story. (This must be the dour zone.)
106. Justice League (2017) — Given how badly this movie did relative to expectations at the box office, and further given the DC geekdom’s harsh reaction to it, I was absolutely prepared for a pile of monkey diapers here, and it’s better than that. Yes, some of the lines are groan worthy, the villain is a yawner, and there’s a genuine absence of theme, style or plot. But it blows stuff up real good and the actual team of heroes are genuinely fun to watch. Sometimes that’s all you need.
105. Spawn (1997) – I love the clown. John Leguizamo, you can be in my movie anytime.
104. Venom (2018) — The internal dialogue between Eddie Brock and Venom is pretty damn hilarious and carries the film, but this movie also falls into some pretty bad traps for this genre from an earlier time. Kind of a retro comic book movie in that respect?
103. Mystery Men (1999) – It’s fun in concept and has a great cast with some chuckle moments, but man, some of these jokes are DATED.
102. Kick-Ass (2010) — The presence of an ass-kicking little girl is played for an appropriate amount of laughs, while the absurdity of the violence works decently. This was definitely Matthew Vaughn warming up for Kingsman: The Secret Service.
101. Madame Webb (2024) – Gosh, I almost liked it. I think super-hero fatigue has rotted people’s brains, because this movie would be held in its proper, middling regard, if it had come out like five years ago. Instead, everyone went to town trashing the thing and lowered my expectations to the point that I had a pretty good time with it. At the very least, it’s doing things with the premise (re: trying to predict/prevent the future) that are fun and interesting. Pop some popcorn and turn off your brain and you’ll do okay with this one.
100. The Rocketeer (1991) — The nurtured sense of nostalgia and world building is fun, and I kind of like that it is corny. I’ll further admit to laughing every time our hero crashed into something (which was often).
99. V for Vendetta (2005) — Hugo Weaving is always a good start, and it’s got its moments for sure. I just wasn’t blown away.
98. Man of Steel (2013) – How does this film play so lifelessly? It’s a mystery to me, especially when one considers the rousing score. I think I like it a little more than Batman v. Superman or Justice League, but not by much.
97. Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (2020) — There’s something to be said for filling a movie with female characters and giving them relevant things to do, and for that alone this movie nearly earns a passing grade. And it may grow on me over time. But it’s problematic for a couple of reasons, firstly due to its total embrace of cartoonish violence for its own sake, a lesson I don’t think I or anyone else needs right now. Secondly, it’s completely forced as an ensemble piece … this is merely a Harley movie, not a Birds of Prey movie. (It ultimately tries to do too much.) If you want feminism in your super hero movies, I’d check out Captain Marvel, Atomic Blonde, or Tank Girl instead.
96. Justice League (The Snyder Cut) (2021) — I’m not gonna give most re-cuts their own entry on this list, because let’s be honest, the movie in question rarely changes much. I’ve made a rare exception here, partly because the event-worthiness of this particular change is so high, but also because the edits are significant. This version treats most of the principles much better, and that is appreciated. It has become the best of Zach Snyder’s Justice “trilogy” (almost by default), but the length (four hours) is such an absurd barrier I can’t put it any higher than this.
95. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993) — There are people out there who LOVED the Batman animated series that this movie was spawned from, but I was more lukewarm on it … meaning I was more lukewarm on this movie as well.
94. Teen Titans Go! To the Movies (2018) — It’s essentially just a longer version of a typical television episode, but it’s undeniably funny, clever, and charming. It’s something to watch with the kids, who’ll probably love it.
93. The Mask (1994) – It’s pretty silly, but it features Jim Carey at the top of his comedic game, so there’s that.
92. Wanted (2008) – I look at this movie as being a precursor to Kingsman: The Secret Service in a lot of ways. Violent, silly, fun … when it works. That’s the rub: it doesn’t always work.
91. The Suicide Squad (2021) — Fair warning: if you don’t like gore and violence or comic book movies in general, you may not want any part of this. And I get it. But whereas its precursor did so many other things wrong, this one succeeds at a lot (we can apparently “credit” studio interference for the first movie). I like the character interactions and themes present here, which point at what childhood trauma can do to people, and perhaps more importantly, what we, as people struggling with coming to terms with those traumas, can do to break the cycle. It also doesn’t candy coat the ethical nightmare of forcing others to do our dirty work. I’m not in a rush to watch it again, but it works.
90. TMNT (2007) — There’s nothing really wrong with this animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles story, especially since it covers some new ground with a new story. You could do worse.
89. Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) — It’s got a heck of an interesting concept to differentiate itself from so many other super hero flicks, and you have to appreciate that … along with its craftsmanship. Many of the action beats are truly fun, and I enjoyed most of the performances. The problem is it gets a little long-winded, causing the viewer to glance at their watch. I found myself pining for action during the talky bits and longing for character development during the elongated fighting sequences. A tighter edit would have done it wonders.
88. The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) – It remains unnecessary as the first “Spider-Man” did most of this already and has more to recommend it (like Willem Dafoe going bonkers), but it’s a well constructed movie that does a lot well.
87. Weird Science (1985) — Did you know this was based on a comic? The roots are pretty obscure, but there you go. If we’re including this movie, as juvenile as it is, it has to rank pretty high because it’s just so damn hilarious at times. Yeah, go back and you’ll cringe at a ton of it, but that’s the essence of John Hughes, yes?
86. Superman Returns (2006) – This general range of movies I wouldn’t fault anyone for checking out, and indeed, I’m very close to recommending all of them. Reasons I like this one: it takes story-telling risks, it has beautiful art direction, the pacing and special effects are pretty good, and the humor works well. Plus it’s nostalgic as all get out.
85. The Wolverine (2013) – It loses all of its steam, but it’s fun and unique for a while.
84. The Incredible Hulk (2008) – It has the good sense to let “Hulk Smash,” but it’s still among the weakest of the MCU.
83. Blade (1998) – It’s perfectly fine.
82. Blade 2 (2002) – It’s a little better than perfectly fine.
WORTH THE EFFORT
81. Thor: The Dark World (2013) — This is a very good popcorn movie, and there’s really nothing wrong with that, despite the angst/desire for some deep meaning in modern superhero fare. Sure, the villain is paper-thin (perhaps the worst in the MCU), we still don’t know what to do with Jane Foster, and it’s an undeniable step down from the first Thor. But I really enjoy the wacky gravity fields and how they are incorporated in the final battle, and the events in this movie pay off handsomely in later Marvel flicks. Plus Loki; you can’t go wrong with Loki.
80. The Flash (2023) – The lead actor is quite a problematic person, and in addition to an oddly timed devotion to a particular take on the DC universe which audiences have by now roundly rejected, that’s probably as good a reason as any as to why this movie tanked at the box office. On its own merits, divorced from all of the above baggage, it’s actually a fun movie. Yeah, some of the time travel stuff gets a little long in the tooth and is convoluted, but if you choose to just roll with that stuff without thinking about it too strenuously, you’ll be rewarded with a ton of fan service, some really decent action, and a consistent level of humor/tone that doesn’t tend to veer off course. If you’re the sort who can separate art from life, you’ll probably enjoy this.
79. Batman Returns (1992) — You will be entertained. That’s really the bottom line. It doesn’t have a lot to say about much of anything, really, but it is a heck of a roller coaster. It’s also super dark. The 1989 Batman movie didn’t exactly suggest that this was the direction Tim Burton would want to take with part 2, and I have no doubt it left the studio (and many, many parents) squeamish. But let’s be honest here: This is Tim Burton at his most Tim Burton-esque (for good and bad). It’s dark and it’s kooky … as it should be.
78. Ironman 2 (2010) — A blatant attempt to capitalize on the success of the first Ironman while simultaneously (and awkwardly) laying the groundwork for future films, Ironman 2 is a series of concessions. But gosh darn it, the movie still does a lot of things right. In particular, Tony’s battles with the bottle and his own mortality play out in a self-destructive cycle that is deeply relatable. We get a nice play on that whole “the sins of the father” motif, the action sequences are really fun, and Sam Rockwell’s Justin Hammer ends up being one of the most entertaining characters in the history of the MCU.
77. Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023) — It suffers from typical sequel bloat, going through the motions of trying to tell a bigger, more expensively shot story, when the hook – of these actors playing grown-up versions of children navigating the impossible task of trying to be superheroes – is still as appealing as it was the first time around and should have sufficed a second time. It’s more entertaining than it perhaps could have been, and the conceit is again mined well for both laughs and emotional resonance, but yeah, it’s clearly a step down from our first outing.
76. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) — This movie marked the beginning of a slight downward trend in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it’s in the middle of the pack among Spider-Man movies. BUT those are indeed high bars to clear. There’s honestly quite a lot to appreciate about it, from the acting performances to the story, to the action, to the plot revelations in the stingers … it’s ultimately a decent enough way to spend a couple of hours. It just doesn’t fall into “can’t miss” territory for me. Beyond Mysterio and some of the action beats, we’ve seen most of this before.
75. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) — I’ve softened my stance on this one, so much so that I can now recommend giving it your time. Full disclosure: It’s more of a spectacle movie than anything else, and you’ll undoubtedly suffer to get as much out of it if you haven’t been keeping up on the overall story in the other Marvel movies and shows, but the action set pieces are cool and the story is easy enough to follow. I can think of worse ways to spend a couple of hours.
74. Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014) — Since re-watching it recently, it’s really stayed with me. The action sequences are some of the best ever filmed (yes), it’s an emotional film, true to many of its comic roots, and you really can’t take issue with most of the performances here. The problem, as is so often the case in comic book movies, is they tried to do too much. Acknowledge that weakness and you can still enjoy the film for what it does well. And if you do, you’ll be rewarded in another film later on (and that’s all I’ll say about that).
73. Josie and the Pussycats (2001) — It’s a little rough around the edges, but there’s enough here to recommend. In particular, it’s got some really funny bits and a great sense of humor about itself and pop culture at large. Some of the gags fall flat, and I’m not sure it says anything of any genuine value (Being a mindless drone is bad, I guess?), but it’s mostly a fun time and you’ll more than likely love Alan Cumming’s turn as a moustache-twirling villain. And let’s be honest, even two decades later it’s rare to see a woman-fronted film like this.
72. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) — I was worried for this one ever since it started encountering production problems, but I do have to hand it to Ryan Coogler for crafting a coherent story with some pretty powerful messaging. I really enjoyed a lot here. What ultimately handcuffed them here was a slavish devotion to that Marvel habit of stuffing cameos in at the expense of the story — which, why would Coogler have to do that since the man could presumably have said no? — and a few other creative choices that were odd/weird. But again, props to them for a smart story (and an expertly realized antagonist); that will give Wakanda Forever a longer shelf life, ultimately.
71. The Dark Knight Rises (2012) – I appreciate ambition, and the ambition here was admirable. Christopher Nolan attempts to tell the following stories — Bruce Wayne getting older/broken, how our past comes back to haunt all of us, class warfare (particular in regards to the wealthy ignoring the needs of their communities), the “what if” of taking an entire city hostage, how desperation can lead to victory, and we even delve into Batman’s relationship dynamics with several of his most important cohorts (Robin, Catwoman, Alfred, etc.) — in ONE movie. It’s a bit of a slog to get through ultimately, but the quieter moments still mostly work, I appreciate pretty much all of the performances here, and Batman’s eventual redemption is satisfying.
70. Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) — This general range of movies is just good entertainment that doesn’t quite rise to the level of something a person should actively seek out come hell or high water. Now, if you’re a fan of the genre, there’s not too much to complain about here. It’s less tight and the humor hits worse than it does in “Ragnarok,” but you’re comparing to an all-timer when you do that. This is a fun (and silly) adventure that still manages to pull at the heart strings. Did I relate to this movie on a personal level? Yes, absolutely. But I think there’s a ton here to relate to even if you haven’t been involved in a cancer fight for the past year.
69. Men in Black 3 (2012) — A vast improvement on part 2, which really seemed like a terrible-minded cash grab. This one, by comparison, feels like more of a love letter to the first movie and a genuine effort to respect the source material. I like pretty much all of the performances in this one, particularly Josh Brolin as a young Tommy Lee Jones, which they mine for an appropriate amount of humor. And the story has some heart to it. It’s not world-changing, but it IS entertaining — funny how putting some extra effort in tends to accomplish that.
68. The Losers (2010) — It’s got an irreverent sort of sense of itself, which is welcome when so many of these movies have the problem of taking themselves way too seriously. It’s competent about how it puts together its story as well as its action scenes and dialogue, and I love its (repeated!) use of “Don’t Stop Believing,” but the biggest point in its favor might be seeing all of these actors crushing it in a time before they’d truly made it big. It’s like a really fun time warp and worth a watch for that alone.
67. The Lego Batman Movie (2017) — This movie was a sort-of spin-off of The Lego Movie, where the character of Batman (somewhat inexplicably) played a major role. So they gave that version of Batman his own movie, and somehow, someway, it works. The Easter Eggs and nods to the other iterations of the character are unrelenting and really gratifying for longtime fans, but this movie honestly works for anyone. It’s really, really funny, it’s a movie you can watch with the kids, and it even has a good message. What more could you want?
66. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) — Most of us have probably rolled our eyes at the foam suits at some point. But I still enjoy watching it today, and I can’t apologize for that. In terms of actual merits, it would have been easy for it to be a simple cash grab, but instead the people involved did their best to make something better than that. It’s undeniably lovingly crafted and is ultimately an entertaining watch because of that, silly as it might be. And thematically, it isn’t bankrupt either — I like what it says about success and failure, expectations and family. It’s firmly in the recommend category.
65. Tank Girl (1995) — The camp factor is high, so you’ll probably either love or hate its vibe. I think as a time capsule film it’s important though, as this movie was super feminist and ahead of its time. I liked the touch of including the comic panels during transitions, even though it seems a little try-hard today, and while many of the performances are so over-the-top they flirt with taking you out of the movie entirely, again that ends up looking like a creative choice rather than a mistake. Watch it both for what it tries to do and what it ends up accomplishing.
64. Sin City (2005) — Filmmakers, especially in the early going of the comic book movie craze, have struggled with the concept of converting what they see on the comic book page into a fully realized, three-dimensional world. Sin City was a fascinating experiment in that the directors went with a serialized storytelling format — this movie is like a collection of short stories, similar to a movie like Pulp Fiction — and a unique visual style — hello highly stylized black and white! — to create something wholly new. The result is that it “feels” like a comic book come to life. I appreciate Sin City for its style and format quite a bit and recommend a watch for those factors alone.
63. Batman (1966) — If you haven’t gone back and sampled any of the cheese-filled goodness of the 1960’s Batman series, you owe it to yourself to give it a go. This movie, which sprung from the loins of that series, attempts to ratchet up the hijinks and overall stakes, and well, it’s kind of sort of successful at that? Maybe? It’s got a hell of a lot of weird shit in it, and at minimum, the movie is certainly a good representation of the series (even though it gets a little long). It’s sweet, delicious camp. And I love it for that.
62. The Marvels (2023) —I’m disappointed more people didn’t give this movie a fair go, as some combination of incel anger, super hero fatigue, and a lack of marketing tanked its box office. I think it’s got as solid a case for your time as most any other comic book movie, with a strong ensemble cast, well-choreographed action, and a fun, adventurous tone. I also think the conceit of the heroes unwillingly swapping powers is truly clever, partly as a reservoir for comedy, but also as a way to keep the outcome of the struggle in doubt and as a mechanism for developing Carol’s character. There are some weak bits, but it’s certainly more good than bad.
61. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) — From the opening moments, something feels not quite right about it. I mean, story-wise, it’s excellent, and the actors do a great job, the creepy tone matches the villain, and you have awesome action/effects and all of that. I like it well enough, and I truly believe there’s a great movie hiding inside of it. (What’s interesting is going back and watching it now … lots of lines have added meaning in the wake of Infinity War/Endgame.) But ultimately, there are weaknesses in editing/storytelling here I can’t overlook, and it’s absolutely an odd duck in the series. I think it’s pretty clearly the worst of the Avengers movies (yet still undeniably entertaining).
60. X-Men (2000) – The world building here was pretty impressive at the time; it really made me wonder more about each character’s history and back story. It followed the “Star Wars” lead in that way, dropping the audience into the middle of something that had pre-existed, and giving you a character(s) new to the proceedings to be introduced to things along with the audience. Smart. There are some really boss actors — like Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen — doing good stuff here. And it can be credited (blamed?) for kick-starting the modern superhero blockbuster, so that historical importance is another reason to watch.
59. The Eternals (2021) –– Fairly derided for some of its sillier bits and for being overstuffed with characters (which ends up giving all of them a little short shrift despite the long running time), it’s those characters and the way that they’re acted that bring a freshness to the proceedings. After watching 150 or so of these movies, I cannot abide a film that doesn’t take risks at this point, and The Eternals certainly does take risks. It ain’t perfect, but few movies are. And I can’t ignore its diversity, which is an important thing (and handled deftly/intelligently here). We all deserve the opportunity to see ourselves up there on that big, bright screen.
58. Black Widow (2021) — Long overdue before its eventual release in 2021, the biggest critique one might have for it beyond its lateness in arrival is the sheer volume of unrealistic action beats, which would surely result in more than a few broken bones, if not outright death. It makes up for that with clever callbacks to previous films and good character work that finally fills out Natasha’s character in a more satisfying way. At minimum, the film provides a more emotional experience than Marvel films tend to allow for (by their nature), so give it a whirl for that.
57. Spider-Man (2002) — It was influential, blazing onto the comic book movie scene in the early 2000’s and basically reinventing it. Though of course there has to be more to recommend it than just that. For me, the little touches make a big difference here, with memorable moments like the upside-down kiss and awesome supporting turns from actors like Willem Dafoe and J.K. Simmons. And it’s a solid telling of a modern myth. It’s kind of cheesy in spots, but the biggest thing working against this movie is all of the movies that came after it. Spider fatigue is real.
56. Aquaman (2018) — Coming in the wake (ha!) of films like Justice League, Aquaman was kind of a surprise hit at the time, but there are lots of reasons you can see why it was received positively. I know it can be silly at times, but I genuinely liked this movie, mainly for the stage presence of its star, Jason Momoa, as well as its colorful, whimsical attempts to go for broke. The human interactions here also mostly work, which is critical to its success. It floats about here and there (ha again!), especially within its political machinations, but all in all it’s a solid effort.
55. Thor (2011) — Flipping the modern super hero story on its ear — introducing a fully powered hero and taking away his abilities to cut into his hubris – was really pretty brilliant. We’ve had touches of that in other movies, sure, but I don’t think it’s ever been the main plot element of an origin story before. In the case of Thor, it makes sense to go this route given the character’s age and fantastical origins: We have to ground him. Also, what a marvelous bit of casting Chris Hemsworth has become, yes? His range and his character’s arc have been a joy to witness … and it all starts here. On another note, it would have been easy to flub the Asgard stuff, but they got that mostly right too (credit Kenneth Branagh’s Shakespearean roots). Also, Loki. All the Loki.
54. Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) – I’m pleased to report that the property has not worn out its welcome. This flick maintains the standard of quality established by the first two Deadpool movies, while ingeniously solving the “How do you undo the end of Logan?” riddle. The existential crisis the title character goes through feels like an earned outcome, the numerous cameos are welcome and read like a nostalgia trip for longtime fans of the genre, and the laughs come early and often. It’s a heck of a fine time at the movies, provided you go in with your expectations fully in line with “hey fun, another Deadpool movie”.
53. Hellboy (2004) – Some of us have tastes that run a tad more eclectic than the general populace. If you count yourself in that number, you might really enjoy Hellboy (the 2004 one, not the dull remake from 2019). It pulls from tales of the Nazi occult, an outsider’s mentality to comic book storytelling, and a visionary’s distinct aesthetic to create a highly strange brew. And yes, Hellboy is very weird, but it’s so much more. Some films just seem to tap into the sensation of joy and manage to mine it for magic. This is one of those movies.
52. Big Hero 6 (2014) — You could definitely make the case that any movie in this general area (including this one) deserves to be in the “essential viewing” category. This one doesn’t quite earn that designation from me, but its quality is evident. In terms of problems, Big Hero 6 feels kinda long, so I think you can knock it for pacing. But it’s a tremendous take on the traditional super hero story with a charming cast of characters, a beautiful animation style, and a couple of twists and turns you might not expect to see.
51. Ironman 3 (2013)— It has its critics, but let’s be realistic here: this movie is really, really fun. I very much enjoy the basic principle here, where we literally strip Tony of his armor and get at what makes him a hero. The accompanying themes of trauma, obsession, and Tony’s kicked-in paternal instincts are welcome, as are many of the action set-pieces (especially the free-fall rescue sequence). I even like the twist (which some people hate). The finale is kind of meh, and I understand the aversion to mega fire zombie Gwyneth, but Robert Downey Jr. is fabulous in this. That’s enough to make it supremely (re)watchable.
50. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023) – It doesn’t do very much new for the genre as a whole, but it does imbue these characters and their origin story with more heart and style than we’ve seen anywhere else on screen to date. It of course mines ALL of the nostalgia, but it does so expertly, giving parents and kids alike plenty to relate to. And speaking of that, the story – of parents and children trying to do right by one another and by themselves – is a story very much worth telling (and appreciated by this particular parent).
49. Dredd (2012) — Having heard good things about this movie for half a decade, I knew this one was one of the biggest omissions on my original list, and Dredd very quickly confirmed it on first watch. A tight story with simple stakes, it ratchets up the human drama and danger element by confining our heroes in an enclosed space and demanding they fight their way out to survive. It’s violent, but within the constructs of the story, it works. Heck, basically all of this works. Special shout out to Karl Urban, who somehow makes the title character compelling under that goofy helmet.
48. Blue Beetle (2023) — There are well over 150 movies on this list, so I think we’re okay to feature people from different cultures and backgrounds, yes? Blue Beetle does just that, giving us some really strong character work about a Mexican American family doing its best to make ends meet and stay united as a family in an increasingly hostile economic environment. The salience of that story should be relatable for most of us (those of us who aren’t billionaires, anyway), and the movie also manages to hit the superhero origin beats it needs to. It’s worthy of your time.
47. Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) — To me, a sequel needs to justify its existence by not only continuing what made the first movie special, but also by continuing the narrative of the main characters in a sensible way AND surpassing the original in terms of emotional weight, absurd action, or some combination thereof. I think Ant-Man and the Wasp did all of those things. It’s a funny caper/heist movie with good action, good story beats, and an easy-to-follow plot (you don’t have to have seen Pt. 1). I really like both Ant-Man movies.
46. Atomic Blonde (2017)— There’s something deeply satisfying about watching a woman kick some major ass. Due to its release date, it probably got overshadowed by Wonder Woman (justifiably so), but I would recommend a watch. It does an incredible job of world-building, transporting us back to the 1980’s, and it introduces us to some characters we don’t normally meet in these kinds of movies. And the climactic sequence of her trying to shepherd someone past the Berlin Wall and giving as good as she gets is worth the price of admission alone.
45. Red (2010)— It takes its inspiration from the comic of the same name, and though it certainly pulls some liberties, taken on its own merits, this movie is hilarious, stylish and fun. I do enjoy a film that has a sure sense of itself, a clear voice, and a sense of humor … and this movie has those things in spades. I also really enjoy when the cast is clearly enjoying itself and the audience gets taken along on a fun ride as a result (as is the case here). Helen Mirren and John Malkovich in particular are absolutely wonderful in this.
44. Superman II (1980) – The first Superman flick was more influential and more awe-inducing. In fact, this movie was brilliantly set up in that one, which introduced our villains and their plot thread (the decision to do this was WAY ahead of its time). But here’s where this one really sings: it has those villains, antagonists capable of standing toe to toe with the Man of Steel. And finally, I will never NOT advocate for this movie, despite its warts, thanks to what may be the most brilliant three words of dialogue in the history of Hollywood: “Kneel before Zod!”
43. X2 (2003) – The first X-Men movie was highly influential in terms of resuscitating the big-budget comic book movie blockbuster … the pickings had been super slim for about a decade. But even for fans, the movie itself had some pretty significant problems. X2 came along on the heels of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man and upped the ante with a much better overall product. It doesn’t hold up quite as well as some people like to think it does, what with the general lack of spectacle and the ending cribbed directly from “Wrath of Khan.” But — and this is the important part — it’s still a really entertaining romp.
42. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) – I respect the ever-loving craftsmanship and artistry that went into this movie, and it’s a decided, 100% winner of a night out at the movies. I don’t think it’s on quite the same level as the first movie in terms of telling a tight story (it’s a tad long) with characters I find enjoyable to watch (the interpersonal dynamics have shifted with a new cast of supporting characters taking center stage this time around), but those truly are nits being picked. It’s a quality flick that deals with the topics of destiny, escalation, and friendship in a thoughtful way.
41. Deadpool 2 (2018)— Let’s be clear: the concept — established brilliantly in the first Deadpool — works exceedingly well. Let’s break the fourth wall and laugh at ourselves for awhile. Bonus points: this one is even funnier than the original and introduces several new characters to the story who are welcome additions. It’s not as tight a narrative, and it doesn’t break any new ground like the first one did, so I guess let’s ding it a few places, and call it a day. Fans of the first film will almost certainly enjoy it, though (even though a certain character gets unjustifiably fridged for much of the running time).
40. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) — This one continues to rise the more I watch. I respect so much of the effort that went into this movie, and to be sure it had a tough assignment. Not only is it supposed to cleanly tie up the three Tom Holland Spider-Man movies in a sensible way, but it also has to feature the requisite MCU tie-ins AND serve as a mega crossover event for every Spider-Man movie ever. It’s by far most successful at its first task, which was the most important one in front of it, so that’s good. But it also becomes bloated and a little too CGI-reliant in trying to complete those other goals. Still a very fine effort.
39. Ant-Man (2015)— It’s a great caper flick, which represents a fun departure from other MCU films and really sets it apart from most other comic book movies in general. It’s a little disposable I guess, and it’s best not to think too hard about some of the details, wherein some (most?) of the science breaks down (incidentally, they do a great job of poking fun at themselves about this in the sequel). But bottom line: Paul Rudd is great, as is his supporting cast. This is one of Marvel’s weirder and funnier efforts (and it has a big heart as well).
38. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)— This film just seemed to get the protagonist better than any of the other Spider-Man movies that came before it … which more than justifies the movie’s existence. He’s young. He needs to feel his way through this stuff. That’s what Spider-Man is! Add in a complicated villain, deep (and worthwhile) themes, a fun connection to the MCU, and some lovely touches around the edges (I had a couple of “holy crap” moments), and this flick basically has everything you could want. My only complaint is that maybe it’s a little too MCU-centric at times.
37. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) – One’s ultimate enjoyment of this story might boil down most simply to the answer to the oft-cited idiom: “Can there be too much of a good thing?” Personally, I can’t get enough of this group. GOTG3 is too long by a half beat, it wades into unpleasant territory more readily and obviously than its predecessors (buyer beware: some of this content, such as the animal abuse, is a non-starter for many), and it doesn’t really do anything “new” per se as the third entry in a series that is by now fairly predictable. What it does remarkably well is stay true to its characters, who are handled with the kind of grace and care series devotees will appreciate (everyone here is given proper growth and an ending of sorts), and tell a coherent story which ties in with the first two movies and the greater MCU wonderfully (this might be the best overall trilogy in the MCU filmography, at least in terms of telling one, complete story). Those two things – character and story – matter. They matter a great deal.
36. Captain America: Civil War (2016) – I like it a lot. It borrows a lot from “The Dark Knight,” in my opinion, though if you’re going to use any movie as a template, that’s sure a good starting point. I appreciate the stakes and the general sense of foreboding (probably some carryover from the previous Captain movie in that regard). And the scene in the airport is zany and hilarious and awesome all rolled into one. See the movie for that scene alone and you’ll probably still come away satisfied. I like what it says about vengeance and the fascinating “what if” posed by the existence of super heros in the first place: How would you regulate them? How indeed?
35. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) — This movie’s greatest sin is its predecessor is an all-time classic that’s also slightly more accessible … and therefore that movie is slightly more emotional as well. But Guardians 2 is still a very worthwhile watch and borders on being a classic within the genre. The stakes are high, the movie is very funny (though milage will vary), and there’s good character development. And you don’t have to have watched the first film to quickly grasp what’s going on. AND that emotional ending is crazy intense. It’s a damn fine film.
34. Shang-Chi (2021) — It breaks some fresh ground in grafting martial arts tropes into a super hero flick, and it does basically everything well. To be honest, I can’t come up with anything to complain about here. It’s not your boring, typical intro story. It doesn’t lean too heavily into the established MCU lore to lose newbies. It’s funnier than you might expect, and it pays loving homage to so many Asian films of the past (e.g. Jackie Chan’s stuff , Crouching Tiger, etc.) that you lose track at times of all of the references. A visually stunning, entertaining movie.
33. Doctor Strange (2016) – As origin stories go, it’s toward the top of the pack. Most of the more interesting thematic questions raised are only briefly addressed (at least they’re raised in the first place), but it’s an undeniably gorgeous movie to look at and the finale inverts things so cleverly the movie is worthwhile on that basis alone. It also has one of the best setups for a sequel ever (because it’s earned). It’s well worth a watch for being different from the pack and having a unique voice — just be prepared to want to smack the protagonist repeatedly.
32. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)– Tapping two separate casts to play younger and older versions of the same characters, this movie was smart (lucky?) enough to bring back all of the original actors from the original movies for scenes in a post-apocalyptic future. Those scenes are the most effective for long-time fans, though it’s a welcome sight to have Hugh Jackman (another original cast member) running around in the past with the younger crew. And that scene with Quicksilver is just brilliant. Can that one scene elevate this into must-watch territory? For this writer, almost.
31. The Batman (2022)— Every now and then, you encounter one of these movies that immediately lures you in, and it’s a little surprising when it still happens, given the sheer volume of these movies that exist. A film featuring this particular title protagonist, with Catwoman co-starring to boot … well, it has been done before. So why should you set aside the three hours or so necessary to navigate this particular offering? I’d say it has more to do with the story of Bruce Wayne’s complicity and duality than anything else (have we ever drilled down quite so far with this character’s neurosis?), but it’s also a beautifully shot film that dives into the character’s detective roots better than any other as well. Easily among the best movies involving the Bat.
ESSENTIAL VIEWING
30. Men in Black (1997) – What a wild left turn this movie was at release, latching onto the sillier aspects of the genre and reveling in them instead of trying to play everything so dang straight. The conceit of a whole, vast, exciting world hiding in plain sight is always a fun concept, and they do it absolute justice here. The sequels have been up and down in their execution, but the original without a doubt deserves a viewing. Will Smith when he was a star, Tommy Lee Jones doing proper Tommy Lee Jones things, and a clever script/concept. It all comes together super well.
29. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)— The action beats here are basically the best in the genre, and it does an incredible job of juggling more characters than any movie can realistically expect to feature. Can you rank a movie as being “essential” if said movie is borderline unwatchable if you haven’t already invested yourself in other films in the series? In the end, I’m including it in the “essential viewing” category … with the caveat that it requires homework to watch. I think people can still get something out of this one (stellar action, humor, etc.) regardless of their investment, but investing is tough (20-plus movies tough). Know that going in.
28. Ghost World (2001) — It was a breath of fresh air within the genre at release due to its subject matter, and unfortunately it remains so as most comic book movies are stuck on the concept of super heroes. At its heart, Ghost World is about a teenage girl finding empathy, but there are a LOT of interpretations one can decide on, particularly as it relates to the ending (which I won’t spoil here). It can be difficult to observe a lead character be unnecessarily cruel, but also instructive and valuable. I mean, were any of us much different as teenagers? Hopefully? Either way, it’s an extremely worthwhile journey.
27. Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008) – What I wrote about Hellboy, except even better. The characters (and actors) are so much more comfortable in their own skins here, which allows them to bounce more interesting situations off of one another. And as great as the mythology of a “secret world” was in the first film, it’s even more fascinating here. I’m incredibly depressed that we’re never going to see a completion to Guillermo del Toro’s beautiful world building and the promise of having “Red” eventually fulfill his destiny.
26. Deadpool (2016) – Yeah, I put it ahead of some pretty epic films, but in all honesty, it deserves that kind of praise … it really is that good. This is a hilarious movie with heart, and it’s pretty much a must-watch for comic book movie fans AND haters. Are you annoyed by the whole comic book movie trend? Do you find the whole enterprise stupid? Then this is the movie for you. It pokes fun at the whole genre, and it does it in a very R-rated way (making it an outlier among these films). But for fans, it’s enjoyable as well, with its fresh approach and its constant in-jokes. It breaks the fourth wall in all the best ways.
25. Ironman (2008) – This kick-started the MCU, and it still holds up as one of the best comic book movies of all time. It did a wonderful job of world-building, and moreover did it in a grounded, realistic way (similar to Nolan’s Batman trilogy in that manner). I also like how it takes the time to marvel at the things that it should (like a metal suit that can fly). Robert Downey Jr. was an inspired (necessary?) choice to play Tony Stark, and it’s amazing to think that this basically went into production without a working script. Jon Favreau deserves more credit, methinks.
24. The Crow (1994) — This is one of the first movies I think of when people use the term “cult classic.” It really developed a huge following and became an important movie to a lot of people … and a big chunk of Gen X in particular still loves it to this day. The low budget works for and against it at varying points, but it’s such a competently told story with an iconic soundtrack and tons of memorable imagery that it deserves a watch if you haven’t done so already. And as my better half has pointed out: Brandon Lee is phenomenal in this.
23. Watchmen (2009) – Ah, which Zach Snyder movie deserves inclusion in the must-watch category? You’ve gotta include something. For my money, this is his best. Let me start with the casting, which completely crushed it with choices like Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschack and Billy Crudup as Dr. Manhattan. The story and direction are compelling, and it just works for me. It doesn’t work for everyone. But to me, it’s a faithful adaptation, and that is really all that needs to be said if you’re at all familiar with the source material (widely considered the top graphic novel in existence). Let’s deconstruct the whole damn genre. It leaves you feeling disturbed … which is the point.
22. Avengers: Endgame (2019)— It’s an emotional conclusion to the interconnected 20-plus films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it delivers in all the best ways possible. If you haven’t been following along, you’re probably going to be utterly lost, and I just can’t recommend it unless you’re caught up (the emotional payoff just won’t work in quite the same way). But in the same way that an epic television series is wrapped in a satisfying way, this movie does the same (while teasing future plot lines). I love that it deals with the topics of grief and failure in a powerful way, and its payoff moments are cheer-out-loud worthy. Bonus: it’s kind of an Ant-Man movie given its heist elements. This is honestly fan service in the plainest sense, but it works on that level (in a way maybe no other movie has).
21. A History of Violence (2005)— Watch the quiet, tender moments early on in this movie on their own merits, and they’re lovely and worthwhile on their own, an intimate glimpse into a loving partnership. The masterful way in which we begin to pick away at this is awe-inspiring and genuinely upsetting. As the title implies, this is a story about what happens when a violent past comes back to haunt a person. But more than that, it asks what sacrifices and compromises people are willing to make to hold onto a sliver of a life they’ve carved out for themselves. Viggo Mortensen’s on-screen transformation is shaking in its completeness. This is true film brilliance, and it’s not higher simply because it’s so difficult a watch.
20. Captain Marvel (2019) — Within the MCU, it compares favorably to The Winter Soldier (lots of similarities if you think about it). It’s a little rough around the edges, but all of my complaints here are purely cosmetic, which given the importance of the themes and content is sort of amusing (and certainly not worth docking the film significantly for). Its use of nostalgia interwoven into our heroine’s attempts to recover her memories really worked for me, as did all of the actors’ performances (special shoutout to Ben Mendelsohn). I like where the story took us, culminating in one of the most culturally important moments in the history of comic book cinema.
19. Wonder Woman (2017)— There’s so much to admire about this movie and its importance not only to the genre, but also to the movie industry at large and in a larger way culturally. Little girls (hell, grown women) needed this movie. On its own merits, it’s a joy to watch for most of its running time. I particularly like how the male lead, now flipped into the “love interest” role isn’t diminished into being a spectator or damsel in distress. Everyone can contribute and stand up to atrocities (and they can do it with love in their hearts). I just wish they hadn’t gone full Zach Snyder with the cartoonish finale.
18. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) – It’s a beautiful piece of nostalgic cinema, regardless of one’s feelings on comic books. Chris Evans here is a revelation, standing toe-to-toe with such heavyweights as Hugo Weaving and Toby Jones. People forget this now, but it was honestly surprising at the time to see his work stand out like this. And this was the movie that convinced me the MCU was going to really, really work. A WWII movie with that guy with the shield? If they could pull this off, they could do anything. Well, they pulled it off.
17. Spider-Man 2 (2004) – I’m sure some will cry foul at this movie, considered by some to be the pinnacle of the genre, not being even higher on my list. Don’t get me wrong, this is a very good film. I struggle some with the Peter-Mary Jane romance, and I’m wishy-washy on Tobey Maguire in general, but there’s a ton here to love. The action is some of the best in any Spider-Man movie. Alfred Molina as Doc Oc is captivating, and the movie is definitely a classic within the superhero genre, but I do think there is at least one Spider-movie that is better…
16. Logan (2017) — After multiple viewings, I’ve come around on the thought of this being a modern classic. It’s a difficult watch, due to many reasons (overdone violence and language, intense themes), but you’re ultimately rewarded with some things you won’t see in other comic book fare. I can think of few better films that deal with aging and death, and these characters’ stories are told with meaning and care. Death is violent and rips away the people we care about with no regard for our feelings.
15. Batman (1989) – I was 12 when this movie came out, ergo it’s nearly impossible for me to distinguish quality from nostalgia. I mean, I think this movie holds up? Maybe? When I go back and watch it nowadays, I still enjoy it, so that’s something. Ultimately, I have to believe it’s worth ranking this high if only for the batshit crazy performances of Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson, the general impact (this was the definition of the superhero blockbuster for nearly a generation), and mother-effin’ Prince.
14. X-Men: First Class (2011) – I had to come to terms with the fact that this is actually the best X-Men movie, which almost pains me to admit given my regard for Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen. But the “soft reboot” from Matthew Vaughn reinvigorated the franchise, and it did it with style and grace. A 60’s, spy-thriller aesthetic permeates everything, which is fun and cool, but the biggest return to form came in the form of the writing, story, acting and direction. It’s weird, but those things tend to matter. If there’s one X-Men movie you need to watch, it’s this one.
13. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) — It’s well and truly unique within the genre, and I don’t really begrudge it what some would call a weakness: An unlikable lead. Me? I laughed — a LOT — at Scott’s constant self-centered afflictions, and since he is ultimately (somewhat?) redeemed, it doesn’t bother me too much. I love all the little touches that reference so much of my favorite pop culture, and most of the characters are genuinely hilarious/charming. My biggest critique is a lack of development for Ramona, who’s just sort of there.
12. Shazam! (2019) — I admire this movie a great deal, but it’s difficult to go into why without spoiling the film a bit. I do love the basic conceit of “kid becomes a superhero and hijinks ensue” and how all that is handled within the movie, but that’s only the surface level of what’s going on here. Some of the larger themes — about family, about the pursuit of power and about the relevance of myth — are what absolutely make this movie soar. And there’s a “fistpump” moment late in the movie that’s tough to top.
11. Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014) — I love, love, love this movie. The violence is played for laughs perfectly, while the overall style and actors’ performances are absolutely brilliant. Much like a couple of the other movies on this list, the soundtrack selection is immaculately chosen, making for some epic sequences … such as the one in church. Yeah, you know the one. Or if you prefer, the over-the-top civilian free-for-all’s inter-cut with the final fight of our protagonist. What a fabulously nutty movie. Fair warning though: this is a harder “R” than you might expect.
10. Thor: Ragnarok (2017) — I’m exceedingly thankful it even exists. It’s damn near a miracle someone signed off on the level of insanity on display here. Absolutely hilarious, featuring an amazing soundtrack and over-the-top action as well as wonderful drama and consequence for these characters we’ve invested ourselves in … it’s the ultimate fan service movie. The only caveat with this movie is just that: it’s fan service. But unlike some of the films lower on this list, I think this sucker works really well whether you’ve been following along or not. It’s super interesting visually, the story is pretty straightforward, the characters grow throughout, and like I said, it’s funny as hell. For all of that, it deserves its reputation as a modern classic within the genre.
9. Batman Begins (2005) – I didn’t watch it in the theaters thanks to “Batman Forever,” which actually kept me from watching “Batman & Robin” for like two decades. So it was shocking to me to say the least to see such a serious tone here when I eventually did watch. This film builds on the mythology of the title character and eschews the silly, boosting the proceedings considerably. By the end of the film, we’ve been thrilled, surprised, and teased … making it perhaps one of the most satisfying super hero films ever. It gets overshadowed by its direct sequel, and while I think it probably gets a lot of credit for “righting” the series, it probably doesn’t get enough love for being just plain great.
8. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) — Spoiler alert: It’s insane to me that so vivid, so uniquely designed, so inclusive, and so well-told a story is only the second-best example of those traits in a given calendar year (behind the brilliance of Black Panther), but here we are anyway. This movie is a landmark kind of film in terms of its animation techniques and its cultural relevance. It tugs at the heart strings too. End of the day: Get past the whole animated thing as a knock and watch this movie. You’ll be glad you did.
7. Black Panther (2018) — It’s hard to come up with reasons NOT to put this movie in the top 10, regardless of how crowded the genre is starting to become. Rarely has the “inverted hero” villain or the “the hero created him!” villain tropes worked so well as they do here (credit Michael B. Jordan, who is captivating), though it would be a disservice to overlook any of the actors’ performances here … or Ryan Coogler’s story/direction either. It exceeds its social worth — which is significant — by being an exceptional film. Bravo.
6. Road to Perdition (2002) — A Sam Mendes, Tom Hanks, Paul Newman crime-thriller set during the Great Depression … this is not exactly a superhero flick, but if we’ve gone down the road of going with graphic novels and comics in general, this movie HAS to be included. It’s pretty damn brilliant. I find myself considering/thinking back to many of the quieter moments often, and it’s shot magnificently. Plus, you get to see Daniel Craig play a sniveling weakling in his pre-Bond days. What’s better than that?
5. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) – This is what a tightly-constructed thriller with stakes looks like. The action is very well choreographed, and the big set pieces are often spectacular. The looming sense of danger is palpable (which is a genuine achievement in these type of movies where many of these characters often seem invincible), and I enjoy the little character moments a great deal. It’s thankfully not over-stuffed with characters, and that enables it to maintain its focus. One could easily make a case for this being the best comic book movie ever.
4. Superman (1978) – If you haven’t sat down and watched it in a minute, I recommend doing so. It holds up, and it remains a must-watch within the genre. Hell, it started the genre. The term “movie magic” gets thrown around a lot, and it’s a really hard thing to pin down, but this is the first movie that comes to mind for me when I hear that phrase. From the moment John Williams’ epic score opens the flick, we’re treated to a kind of bold storytelling that takes the source material seriously enough to make a lasting impact on its audience.
3. The Avengers (2012) – “The Avengers” is just so damn watchable. I’ve seen it more times than I can count, partly thanks to my kids, who love it, but also because whenever it’s on TV I stop to watch it. What’s even nuttier: I can still get goosebumps during the climactic battle. And while one might expect the story to suffer from having so many characters to juggle, this movie gets the balancing act right. You never feel like someone is getting the short end of the stick. In the same way that The First Avenger and Ironman paved the way for this movie, The Avengers paved the way for future team-up movies like Infinity War. I could devote a lot more to this, but the simplest way to sum it up is this: It’s just plain fun.
2. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) – This film gets me in the feels. Why? Well, it’s mostly the callback at the end. The path to victory isn’t “let me shoot them with my gun.” The self-sacrifice of one of the main characters, along with the message of love … like I said, it gets me in the feels. People talk about its humor, the music, and how it’s this grand space adventure in the tradition of “Star Wars,” and all of that is true. However, “take my hand” is what really does it for me in the final analysis. Now excuse me while I shake these goosebumps off my arms.
1. The Dark Knight (2008) – Flaws? It’s overlong. The end. It’s messy and flawed because like the rest of the Nolan Batman trilogy, it’s ambitious. The difference here, and what elevates this movie above everything else (at least for me), is the presence of Heath Ledger’s Joker. The sense of chaos is palpable throughout as a result, and it keeps the audience on the edge of their seats until the very end … there’s never a sure sense of where all this is headed, save a growing feeling of inevitable tragedy thanks to the Harvey Dent storyline. And that is paid off in a very real way: there are ultimately consequences and sacrifices, as there are in real life. This is the king of comic book fare until further notice.
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So the original point of this exercise was to rank the films of the MCU, the massive interconnected universe of Marvel movies that all tell one big story as they tell their smaller, individual stories. So here they are in order of how I would rank them (this is not in release order, which you might want to adhere to if you’re watching for the first time).
MCU: I only want the highlights
1. Guardians of the Galaxy
2. The Avengers
3. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
4. Black Panther
5. Thor: Ragnarok
6. Captain America: The First Avenger
7. Captain Marvel
8. Avengers: End Game
9. Ironman
10. Avengers: Infinity War
MCU: Okay, I’m enjoying these, give me more
11. Doctor Strange
12. Shang-Chi
13. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
14. Captain America: Civil War
15. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
16. Spider-Man: Homecoming
17. Ant-Man
18. Spider-Man: No Way Home
19. Ant-Man and the Wasp
20. Ironman 3
21. Deadpool & Wolverine (I guess you include this now … weird)
22. Thor
23. Black Widow
24. The Eternals
25. Avengers: Age of Ultron
26. The Marvels
27. Thor: Love and Thunder
28. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
MCU: Fine, let’s do everything
29. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
30. Spider-Man: Far From Home
31. Ironman 2
32. Thor: The Dark World
33. The Incredible Hulk
34. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania