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11 of the best time travel movies to watch on streaming

From hard sci-fi to buds in hot tubs

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Thirty years after their last time travel adventure, Bill and Ted are back in their most excellent journey yet. Bill and Ted Face the Music , starring Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter in their iconic slacker-metalhead roles, is out in theaters and on VOD now.

As a genre, time-travel movies can encompass a lot of different styles. Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure is a silly, fluffy time-jumping adventure, which stands in stark juxtaposition to the hard sci-fi 12 Monkeys or the melancholy, contemplative About Time . What they all have in common is time travel as a major plot point, whether the creators do their best to explain the science or just kind of hand wave. (A time travel movie is different from a time loop movie, though, which is why you won’t find Groundhog Day , Happy Death Day , or Palm Springs — all excellent films — on this list.)

Below, we’ve rounded up 11 of our favorite time travel narratives you can watch on streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max right now. Party on, dudes.

If you can stomach a narrative about a viral pandemic knocking out most of humanity, Terry Gilliam’s 12 Monkeys is a compelling adaptation of Chris Marker’s legendary short film, La Jetée (which you can stream on Criterion Channel ). The feature remake is mostly notable for its incredible performances — Bruce Willis! Christopher Plummer! An Oscar nomination for Brad Pitt! Willis stars as James Cole, one of the pandemic’s survivors, who’s sent back to 1996 to track down the origins of virus. He overshoots and ends up in 1990, where he’s involuntarily committed to a mental institution. Pitt plays his fellow inmate who, Cole discovers back in the future, may or may not be responsible for the virus.

As far as time travel movies go, 12 Monkeys is firmly in the grim, twist-y, hard sci-fi camp. If that’s your thing, it’s an excellent watch.

12 Monkeys is streaming on HBO Max .

All of the marketing around About Time made it seem like a fun, fluffy rom-com in which Domhnall Gleeson uses his magical time traveling abilities to woo Rachel McAdams. But master of the British rom-com, Richard Curtis ( Love Actually , Bridget Jones’ Diary , Knotting Hill , Four Weddings and a Funeral ), makes About Time a lot deeper. I won’t spoil the twist that throws a wrench into the time travel mechanics, but I’ll just say that it’s more about the anxieties of parenthood than getting a fairy tale ending.

About Time is streaming on Netflix .

Avengers: Endgame

Avengers: Endgame satisfyingly wraps up its core characters arcs and made room for the next chapter while also balancing humor, emotional weight, and huge choreographed set pieces. It also features a surprisingly well executed time travel storyline! If you haven’t seen this one since last summer, dive back into its mind-bending middle act.

Avengers: Endgame is streaming on Disney Plus .

Back to the Future trilogy

The story of Marty McFly’s (Michael J. Fox) travels through time in a souped-up DeLorean, aided by his friend Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd), is a classic for good reason. The first movie, in which Marty has to make sure his parents fall in love lest he be erased from existence, is always a hit, but it’s especially fun to revisit Back to the Future Part II just to see what people in 1989 thought 2015 would look like.

Back to the Future , Back to the Future Part II, and Back to the Future Part III are streaming on Netflix .

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure was one of those movies that, if you grew up in the ’90s or early 2000s, you’d catch in bits and pieces because it aired constantly on cable. The format was perfect for that kind of disjointed viewing, since it mostly consists of silly scenes in which Bill and Ted get into historical hijinks strung together to form a tiny thread of narrative. But what Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure lacks in plot, it makes up for in heart. The core ethos of Bill and Ted is “Be excellent to each other,” a philosophy that the boys consistently embody. It’s just nice, okay ?

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure is streaming on Starz .

Hot Tub Time Machine

If you’re the type of person who hears a title like Hot Tub Time Machine and thinks, “Ugh, that sounds stupid,” Hot Tub Time Machine is probably not for you. But if you’re the type of person who hears a title like Hot Tub Time Machine and thinks, “Hell yeah, that sounds stupid,” you’re gonna have a good time.

Hot Tub Time Machine is streaming on Hulu with Live TV .

If you only know Rian Johnson from Star Wars: The Last Jedi and/or Knives Out , it’s worth going back through his filmography before he helmed one of the biggest franchises in the world. Looper , his last film before The Last Jedi, stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis as two different versions of the same man, a time-traveling assassin, known as a “looper,” named Joe. It’s both a compelling time travel narrative and a slick action movie with neat visual effects. In the wise words of Elijah Wood, long live Rian Johnson .

Looper is streaming on FuboTV .

Safety Not Guaranteed

Before he helmed the Jurassic World franchise, gave us the fascinating flop that is The Book of Henry , and was booted from Star Wars: Episode 9, Colin Trevorrow directed Safety Not Guaranteed. The indie comedy stars Mark Duplass as Kenneth, a paranoid, lonely guy who places a classified ad looking for a partner to join him on a time travel mission. He finds that partner in Darius (Aubrey Plaza) who, unbeknownst to him, is a newspaper intern working on a story about him. Duplass excels at playing these kind of weirdos who live on the border between sad and creepy, and it’s an energy that works well with Plaza’s disaffected schtick. Whether or not Kenneth actually built a working time machine is simultaneously the key to the story and also not really the point, and Trevorrow leaves us hanging until the very end.

Safety Not Guaranteed is streaming on Netflix .

Years before directing his breakout English-language feature Colossal with Anne Hathaway, Spanish filmmaker Nacho Vigalondo made this thriller about a man who uses a short-span time travel device to discover the identity of a masked attacker. Small-scale and twisty, Timecrimes revels in disorientation and has the dark comedic edge that has come to devine Vigalondo’s films. A whodunnit for the seasoned time-travel movie-watcher.

Timecrimes is streaming for free on Tubi TV with ads.

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Prices taken at time of publishing.

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You need to watch the most unique time-travel epic ASAP

This Marvel movie doesn’t need any more recognition, but its handling of time travel is frankly remarkable.

The most startling thing about Avengers: Endgame isn’t its victorious finale but its touching portrait of defeat.

Still one of the highest-grossing movies of all time three years later — at $2.798 billion, it is second behind James Cameron’s Avatar — Avengers: Endgame is surprisingly thoughtful and intimate at times, no matter how inconceivably massive the action is. Trying to bill the movie as a moving drama to Oscar voters was frankly hilarious, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have merit as one.

This has been a weird preamble to discuss the movie’s most out-there science fiction element: Time travel. Endgame is not just a crazy superhero crossover but a time-travel odyssey. Marvel’s ensemble of heroes — some entirely in CG — disperse throughout Marvel’s canonical history to pluck out some extra Infinity Stones to fix what they’ve broken. But one could argue that the movie’s willingness to travel back in its own time as a metaphor for self-examination makes Endgame one of the most truthful and authentically human movies in the entire Marvel canon.

For Inverse’s special issue on time travel, Avengers: Endgame is perhaps the best sci-fi movie in the time travel canon you can revisit right now on Disney+.

THE RULES OF TIME TRAVEL is an Inverse special issue exploring the evolution of science fiction's most imaginative sub-genre. From Marty McFly to Avengers: Endgame .

Avengers: Endgame is a big, unwieldy movie, even without the time travel. But somehow, the time travel element is maybe the best and most thought-out part.

Directors Joe and Anthony Russo and screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely begin Endgame with a simple question: Where did we go wrong?

Picking up from the previous Avengers film, the heroes make a desperate final play to move on Thanos (Josh Brolin). But when they find him, he’s not the imposing warlord they know him to be. He’s living like the Dexter finale, alone on a farm, making stew from ingredients he grows. Thanos has also destroyed the Infinity Stones. He achieved his mission and ensured no one else could use the stones. Thor (Chris Hemsworth) beheads Thanos in a hasty moment, an act that will haunt him for at least the next five years.

The Avengers spend the next half-decade wallowing and dealing with the fallout in their individual ways. It isn’t until a rat serendipitously brings back Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) that the Avengers discover the quantum realm, and an impossible solution — traveling in time — to undo the destruction Thanos left behind.

The brilliance of Endgame isn’t merely using time travel as a means for the Marvel Cinematic Universe to high-five itself and revisit memorable corners. Nor is it how it allowed the Avengers to probe themselves, both in their wins as a superhero team and losses as individual people. Instead, it’s how Endgame interpreted time travel that makes it distinct.

Endgame was a victory lap through memory lane for the MCU, but its trip was thoughtful and careful, not braggadocious.

In subverting expectations established by literally every other sci-fi movie ever made — observe Rhodey (Don Cheadle) count them all — Endgame asks the audience to accept it on its own terms, not the preconceived notions of how this genre is supposed to work.

“If you travel to the past,” a breathless Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) explains, having synergized his big brain into the Hulk’s big green bod, “that past becomes your future. And your former present becomes the past. Which can’t now be changed by your new future.”

It’s a clumsy explanation, but apparently, the science checks out.

Sean Carroll, Research Professor of Physics at the California Institute of Technology, author of the nonfiction science books Something Deeply Hidden and From Eternity to Here , and host of the science podcast Mindscape , was one of several consultants for Avengers: Endgame . I spoke to him recently for a story about the multiverse , but along the way, Endgame came up, and Carroll jokingly took full responsibility for the movie’s understanding of time travel.

“So you’re saying Back to the Future is just bullshit?”

“I don’t claim too much credit,” Caroll told Inverse , acknowledging Marvel Studios had other experts to weigh in on the scripts, “but what we talked about is how time travel works.”

He continues: “If you go to the past and mess around with it, what are the effects? The law I tried to push was its simplest and most coherent. If you can go to the past and do things, you're not actually changing the past. Whatever you did back there in the past happened already, even though you don't know because it's in the past.”

Carroll said he “very strongly argued against the Back to the Future kind of time travel,” which famously popularized an idea of time travel via disappearing in a photograph. “That just makes no logical sense whatsoever,” Carroll says.

So, even in a world where there are talking raccoons and gamma radiation results in swole green biceps, Carroll insisted on grounding something in some scientific logic. “If you watch Endgame and they’re talking about time travel, and Paul Rudd says, ‘So you’re saying Back to the Future is just bullshit?’ That was my fault.”

Avengers: Endgame is a juggernaut movie, but it’s arguably underrated in the realm of time travel movies.

Avengers: Endgame is one of the biggest movies of all time, with a climax so inconceivably huge that I still can’t believe it was ever done all these years later. That the movie still works as a movie about coping with failure is all the more astonishing. I cannot say enough good things about the first hour of Endgame , which is endlessly rewatchable and maybe the first time the MCU’s dull gray and brown color palettes are actually appropriate.

But Endgame doesn’t get nearly enough praise as a time travel movie, one that’s willing to play by its own rules as informed by some actual science. That might not make it as influential as Back to the Future. But in charting its own way, Marvel decides its own future, rather than relying on what was done in the past.

Avengers: Endgame is now streaming on Disney+.

• Superheroes
• Marvel Universe

Sort by Popularity - Most Popular Movies and TV Shows tagged with keyword "time-travel"

• Movies or TV
• IMDb Rating
• In Theaters
• Release Year

1. Star Trek: Discovery (2017–2024)

TV-14 | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Drama

Ten years before Kirk, Spock, and the Enterprise, the USS Discovery discovers new worlds and lifeforms as one Starfleet officer learns to understand all things alien.

Stars: Sonequa Martin-Green , Doug Jones , Anthony Rapp , Mary Wiseman

Votes: 134,196

2. Supernatural (2005–2020)

TV-14 | 44 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror

Two brothers follow their father's footsteps as hunters, fighting evil supernatural beings of many kinds, including monsters, demons, and gods that roam the earth.

Stars: Jared Padalecki , Jensen Ackles , Jim Beaver , Misha Collins

Votes: 482,455

3. Interstellar (2014)

PG-13 | 169 min | Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi

When Earth becomes uninhabitable in the future, a farmer and ex-NASA pilot, Joseph Cooper, is tasked to pilot a spacecraft, along with a team of researchers, to find a new planet for humans.

Director: Christopher Nolan | Stars: Matthew McConaughey , Anne Hathaway , Jessica Chastain , Mackenzie Foy

Votes: 2,095,470 | Gross: $188.02M

4. Lost (2004–2010)

TV-14 | 5,445 min | Adventure, Drama, Fantasy

The survivors of a plane crash are forced to work together in order to survive on a seemingly deserted tropical island.

Stars: Jorge Garcia , Josh Holloway , Yunjin Kim , Evangeline Lilly

Votes: 594,358

5. Doctor Who (2005–2022)

TV-PG | 45 min | Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi

The further adventures in time and space of the alien adventurer known as the Doctor and his companions from planet Earth.

Stars: Jodie Whittaker , Peter Capaldi , Pearl Mackie , Matt Smith

Votes: 246,256

6. Dark (2017–2020)

TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

A family saga with a supernatural twist, set in a German town where the disappearance of two young children exposes the relationships among four families.

Stars: Louis Hofmann , Karoline Eichhorn , Lisa Vicari , Maja Schöne

Votes: 443,066

7. Outlander (2014– )

TV-MA | 60 min | Drama, Fantasy, Romance

Claire Beauchamp Randall, a nurse in World War II, mysteriously goes back in time to Scotland in 1743. There, she meets a dashing Highland warrior and gets drawn into an epic rebellion.

Stars: Caitríona Balfe , Sam Heughan , Sophie Skelton , Richard Rankin

Votes: 178,853

8. The Time Travelers (1964)

Approved | 84 min | Sci-Fi

In 1964, a group of scientists create a portal that takes them to a barren, mutant inhabited, Earth in the year 2071.

Director: Ib Melchior | Stars: Preston Foster , Philip Carey , Merry Anders , John Hoyt

Votes: 3,176

9. The Greatest Hits (2024)

PG-13 | 94 min | Drama, Music, Romance

A love story centering on the connection between music and memory and how they transport us, sometimes literally.

Director: Ned Benson | Stars: Lucy Boynton , Justin H. Min , David Corenswet , Austin Crute

Votes: 1,808

10. X-Men: The Animated Series (1992–1997)

TV-Y7 | 23 min | Animation, Action, Adventure

A team of mutant superheroes fight for justice and human acceptance in the Marvel Comics universe.

Stars: Cedric Smith , Cal Dodd , Lenore Zann , George Buza

Votes: 48,668

11. The Flash (2014–2023)

TV-PG | 43 min | Action, Adventure, Drama

After being struck by lightning, Barry Allen wakes up from his coma to discover he's been given the power of super speed, becoming the Flash, and fighting crime in Central City.

Stars: Grant Gustin , Candice Patton , Danielle Panabaker , Carlos Valdes

Votes: 368,017

12. Arrival (II) (2016)

PG-13 | 116 min | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi

A linguist works with the military to communicate with alien lifeforms after twelve mysterious spacecraft appear around the world.

Director: Denis Villeneuve | Stars: Amy Adams , Jeremy Renner , Forest Whitaker , Michael Stuhlbarg

Votes: 769,501 | Gross: $100.55M

13. Heroes (II) (2006–2010)

TV-14 | 45 min | Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Common people discover that they have super powers. Their lives intertwine as a devastating event must be prevented.

Stars: Jack Coleman , Hayden Panettiere , Milo Ventimiglia , Masi Oka

Votes: 251,464

14. Planet of the Apes (2001)

PG-13 | 120 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

In 2029, an Air Force astronaut crash-lands on a mysterious planet where evolved, talking apes dominate a race of primitive humans.

Director: Tim Burton | Stars: Mark Wahlberg , Helena Bonham Carter , Tim Roth , Michael Clarke Duncan

Votes: 228,800 | Gross: $180.01M

15. The Umbrella Academy (2019–2024)

TV-14 | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy

A family of former child heroes, now grown apart, must reunite to continue to protect the world.

Stars: Aidan Gallagher , Elliot Page , Tom Hopper , David Castañeda

Votes: 274,838

16. Stargate SG-1 (1997–2007)

TV-14 | 44 min | Action, Adventure, Drama

A secret military team, SG-1, is formed to explore other planets through the recently discovered Stargates.

Stars: Richard Dean Anderson , Michael Shanks , Amanda Tapping , Christopher Judge

Votes: 101,275

17. Avengers: Endgame (2019)

PG-13 | 181 min | Action, Adventure, Drama

After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War (2018), the universe is in ruins. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers assemble once more in order to reverse Thanos' actions and restore balance to the universe.

Directors: Anthony Russo , Joe Russo | Stars: Robert Downey Jr. , Chris Evans , Mark Ruffalo , Chris Hemsworth

Votes: 1,263,652 | Gross: $858.37M

18. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993–1999)

TV-PG | 45 min | Action, Adventure, Drama

In the vicinity of the liberated planet of Bajor, the Federation space station Deep Space Nine guards the opening of a stable wormhole to the far side of the galaxy.

Stars: Avery Brooks , Rene Auberjonois , Cirroc Lofton , Alexander Siddig

Votes: 70,687

19. Star Trek: Voyager (1995–2001)

TV-PG | 44 min | Action, Adventure, Drama

Pulled to the far side of the galaxy, where the Federation is seventy-five years away at maximum warp speed, a Starfleet ship must cooperate with Maquis rebels to find a way home.

Stars: Kate Mulgrew , Robert Beltran , Roxann Dawson , Robert Duncan McNeill

Votes: 77,220

20. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016)

PG-13 | 127 min | Adventure, Drama, Family

When Jacob (Asa Butterfield) discovers clues to a mystery that stretches across time, he finds Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. But the danger deepens after he gets to know the residents and learns about their special powers.

Director: Tim Burton | Stars: Eva Green , Asa Butterfield , Samuel L. Jackson , Judi Dench

Votes: 188,120 | Gross: $87.24M

21. Fringe (2008–2013)

TV-14 | 46 min | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi

An F.B.I. agent is forced to work with an institutionalized scientist and his son in order to rationalize a brewing storm of unexplained phenomena.

Stars: Anna Torv , Joshua Jackson , John Noble , Jasika Nicole

Votes: 257,290

22. Bodies (2023)

TV-MA | 57 min | Crime, Drama, History

Four detectives, living in different eras -1890, 1941, 2023 and 2053 - find the body of the same murder victim in Whitechapel. They soon come to realize their investigations have them central to a conspiracy spanning over 150 years.

Stars: Amaka Okafor , Kyle Soller , Shira Haas , Jacob Fortune-Lloyd

Votes: 53,157

23. The Flash (I) (2023)

PG-13 | 144 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy

Barry Allen uses his super speed to change the past, but his attempt to save his family creates a world without super heroes, forcing him to race for his life in order to save the future.

Director: Andy Muschietti | Stars: Ezra Miller , Michael Keaton , Sasha Calle , Michael Shannon

Votes: 209,553

24. Manifest (2018–2023)

TV-14 | 43 min | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi

When a commercial airliner suddenly reappears after being missing for five years, those aboard must reintegrate into society.

Stars: Melissa Roxburgh , Josh Dallas , J.R. Ramirez , Luna Blaise

Votes: 91,122

25. Back to the Future (1985)

PG | 116 min | Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi

Marty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown.

Director: Robert Zemeckis | Stars: Michael J. Fox , Christopher Lloyd , Lea Thompson , Crispin Glover

Votes: 1,305,232 | Gross: $210.61M

26. The Terminator (1984)

R | 107 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

A human soldier is sent from 2029 to 1984 to stop an almost indestructible cyborg killing machine, sent from the same year, which has been programmed to execute a young woman whose unborn son is the key to humanity's future salvation.

Director: James Cameron | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger , Linda Hamilton , Michael Biehn , Paul Winfield

Votes: 923,187 | Gross: $38.40M

27. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

R | 137 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

A cyborg, identical to the one who failed to kill Sarah Connor, must now protect her ten year old son John from an even more advanced and powerful cyborg.

Director: James Cameron | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger , Linda Hamilton , Edward Furlong , Robert Patrick

Votes: 1,172,788 | Gross: $204.84M

28. The Twilight Zone (1959–1964)

TV-PG | 51 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror

Ordinary people find themselves in extraordinarily astounding situations, which they each try to solve in a remarkable manner.

Stars: Rod Serling , Robert McCord , Jay Overholts , James Turley

Votes: 92,996

29. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)

PG-13 | 154 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Archaeologist Indiana Jones races against time to retrieve a legendary artifact that can change the course of history.

Director: James Mangold | Stars: Harrison Ford , Phoebe Waller-Bridge , Antonio Banderas , Karen Allen

Votes: 197,609

30. Loki (2021–2023)

TV-14 | 586 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy

The mercurial villain Loki resumes his role as the God of Mischief in a new series that takes place after the events of “Avengers: Endgame.”

Stars: Tom Hiddleston , Owen Wilson , Sophia Di Martino , Wunmi Mosaku

Votes: 410,699

31. Star Trek: Picard (2020–2023)

TV-MA | 46 min | Action, Adventure, Drama

Follow-up series to Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) and Star Trek: Nemesis (2002) that centers on Jean-Luc Picard in the next chapter of his life.

Stars: Patrick Stewart , Michelle Hurd , Jeri Ryan , Alison Pill

Votes: 94,578

32. Donnie Darko (2001)

R | 113 min | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi

After narrowly escaping a bizarre accident, a troubled teenager is plagued by visions of a man in a large rabbit suit who manipulates him to commit a series of crimes.

Director: Richard Kelly | Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal , Jena Malone , Mary McDonnell , Holmes Osborne

Votes: 849,300 | Gross: $1.48M

33. Futurama (1999– )

TV-14 | 22 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Philip J. Fry, a pizza delivery boy, is accidentally frozen in 1999 and thawed out on New Year's Eve 2999.

Stars: Billy West , John DiMaggio , Katey Sagal , Tress MacNeille

Votes: 260,656

34. Idiocracy (2006)

R | 84 min | Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi

Corporal Joe Bauers, a decidedly average American, is selected for a top-secret hibernation program but is forgotten and left to awaken to a future so incredibly moronic that he's easily the most intelligent person alive.

Director: Mike Judge | Stars: Luke Wilson , Maya Rudolph , Dax Shepard , Terry Crews

Votes: 181,837 | Gross: $0.44M

35. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

G | 149 min | Adventure, Sci-Fi

After uncovering a mysterious artifact buried beneath the Lunar surface, a spacecraft is sent to Jupiter to find its origins: a spacecraft manned by two men and the supercomputer HAL 9000.

Director: Stanley Kubrick | Stars: Keir Dullea , Gary Lockwood , William Sylvester , Daniel Richter

Votes: 718,699 | Gross: $56.95M

36. Tenet (2020)

PG-13 | 150 min | Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Armed with only the word "Tenet," and fighting for the survival of the entire world, CIA operative, The Protagonist, journeys through a twilight world of international espionage on a global mission that unfolds beyond real time.

Director: Christopher Nolan | Stars: John David Washington , Robert Pattinson , Elizabeth Debicki , Juhan Ulfsak

Votes: 591,632 | Gross: $58.46M

37. The Lazarus Project (2022–2023)

TV-MA | 45 min | Action, Drama, Fantasy

Is a top secret organization dedicated to preventing mass extinction events and with the ability to make time go backwards.

Stars: Paapa Essiedu , Anjli Mohindra , Rudi Dharmalingam , Caroline Quentin

Votes: 8,198

38. Deadpool 2 (2018)

R | 119 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy

Foul-mouthed mutant mercenary Wade Wilson (a.k.a. Deadpool) assembles a team of fellow mutant rogues to protect a young boy with abilities from the brutal, time-traveling cyborg Cable.

Director: David Leitch | Stars: Ryan Reynolds , Josh Brolin , Morena Baccarin , Julian Dennison

Votes: 644,463 | Gross: $324.59M

39. Legion (2017–2019)

TV-MA | 1,316 min | Action, Drama, Sci-Fi

David Haller is a troubled young man diagnosed as schizophrenic, but after a strange encounter he discovers special powers that will change his life forever.

Stars: Dan Stevens , Rachel Keller , Aubrey Plaza , Bill Irwin

Votes: 97,099

40. The Man in the High Castle (2015–2019)

TV-MA | 60 min | Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller

In a dystopian America dominated by Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan, a young woman discovers a mysterious film that may hold the key to toppling the totalitarian regimes.

Stars: Alexa Davalos , Luke Kleintank , Rufus Sewell , Rupert Evans

Votes: 110,806

41. Jumanji (1995)

PG | 104 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family

When two kids find and play a magical board game, they release a man trapped in it for decades - and a host of dangers that can only be stopped by finishing the game.

Director: Joe Johnston | Stars: Robin Williams , Kirsten Dunst , Bonnie Hunt , Jonathan Hyde

Votes: 376,401 | Gross: $100.48M

42. Star Trek (2009)

PG-13 | 127 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

The brash James T. Kirk tries to live up to his father's legacy with Mr. Spock keeping him in check as a vengeful Romulan from the future creates black holes to destroy the Federation one planet at a time.

Director: J.J. Abrams | Stars: Chris Pine , Zachary Quinto , Simon Pegg , Leonard Nimoy

Votes: 620,001 | Gross: $257.73M

43. Planet of the Apes (1968)

G | 112 min | Adventure, Sci-Fi

An astronaut crew crash-lands on a planet where highly intelligent non-human ape species are dominant and humans are enslaved.

Director: Franklin J. Schaffner | Stars: Charlton Heston , Roddy McDowall , Kim Hunter , Maurice Evans

Votes: 192,857 | Gross: $33.40M

44. Doctor Who (1963–1989)

TV-PG | 25 min | Adventure, Drama, Family

The adventures in time and space of the Doctor, a Time Lord who changes appearance and personality by regenerating when near death, and is joined by companions in battles against aliens and other megalomaniacs.

Stars: William Hartnell , Patrick Troughton , Jon Pertwee , Tom Baker

Votes: 39,494

45. Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

PG-13 | 113 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

A soldier fighting aliens gets to relive the same day over and over again, the day restarting every time he dies.

Director: Doug Liman | Stars: Tom Cruise , Emily Blunt , Bill Paxton , Brendan Gleeson

Votes: 735,903 | Gross: $100.21M

46. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017)

PG-13 | 119 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy

Four teenagers are sucked into a magical video game, and the only way they can escape is to work together to finish the game.

Director: Jake Kasdan | Stars: Dwayne Johnson , Karen Gillan , Kevin Hart , Jack Black

Votes: 442,481 | Gross: $404.52M

47. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

PG | 142 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy

Harry Potter, Ron and Hermione return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for their third year of study, where they delve into the mystery surrounding an escaped prisoner who poses a dangerous threat to the young wizard.

Director: Alfonso Cuarón | Stars: Daniel Radcliffe , Emma Watson , Rupert Grint , Richard Griffiths

Votes: 690,877 | Gross: $249.36M

48. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

PG | 117 min | Animation, Action, Adventure

Teen Miles Morales becomes the Spider-Man of his universe and must join with five spider-powered individuals from other dimensions to stop a threat for all realities.

Directors: Bob Persichetti , Peter Ramsey , Rodney Rothman | Stars: Shameik Moore , Jake Johnson , Hailee Steinfeld , Mahershala Ali

Votes: 670,146 | Gross: $190.24M

49. Your Name. (2016)

PG | 106 min | Animation, Drama, Fantasy

Two teenagers share a profound, magical connection upon discovering they are swapping bodies. Things manage to become even more complicated when the boy and girl decide to meet in person.

Director: Makoto Shinkai | Stars: Ryunosuke Kamiki , Mone Kamishiraishi , Ryo Narita , Aoi Yûki

Votes: 319,271 | Gross: $5.02M

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

PG-13 | 132 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

The X-Men send Wolverine to the past in a desperate effort to change history and prevent an event that results in doom for both humans and mutants.

Director: Bryan Singer | Stars: Patrick Stewart , Ian McKellen , Hugh Jackman , James McAvoy

Votes: 744,563 | Gross: $233.92M

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10 Best time-travelling superheroes of all time

Get confused in time with these best time-travelling superheroes ever

Time travel is having something of a moment in current superhero media, and that's not just because Avengers: Endgame  used time travel as a key plot device. But none of that would be possible without the help of the best time-travelling superheroes of all time.

So what better time than now to look at the best time-travelling superheroes ever?

10. Waverider

The almost-forgotten hero from the alternate timeline of DC Comics ' 1991 event Armageddon 2001, Matthew Ryder escaped a dystopian dictator and certain death by traveling into the past with the ability to "read" potential futures of people just by touching them.

Unfortunately, while he prevented his future from happening, he did so by accidentally causing the creation of his dictator nemesis a decade early, setting in motion events that led to the Zero Hour crossover years later.

In recent years, Waverider has returned in spirit as the namesake of Rip Hunter's time ship in DC's Legends of Tomorrow - a unique live-action transition, to say the least.

9. Iron Lad

The Young Avengers' first leader sought to balance the scales for things that he'd do later in life - time travel can get weird, when it comes to cause and effect, remember - by adopting the guise of Iron Lad before he grew up to become the villainous Kang the Conqueror.

As Iron Lad, he managed to lead the team's short-lived first incarnation before fate - or the time-traveling equivalent - asserted itself, taking him to his destiny as one of the Avengers' most famous, and most deadly, foes. His career may not have been the longest, but his aim was true…

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8. Deathlok

The original Deathlok was Luther Manning, a man from the post-apocalyptic future world of 1990 - well, he was created in 1974 — who traveled back to the present to find himself teaming up with the Thing and Nick Fury (after earlier clashes, of course) to try and undo the world from which he came.

Since most of us will recall that 1990 was not the year society collapsed into dystopian ruin, we'll have to assume he succeeded.

Good job Deathlok!

7. Guardians of the Galaxy

No, not the current team, but the original 1969 lineup which decided to try and save the world of the 31st century by travelling back to our time and recruiting some more heroes to the cause.

Along the way, they had numerous chances to accidentally screw up things, but always managed to avoid it - even when that meant avoiding spilling the beans to Vance Astrovik, the future New Warrior known as Justice, that one of their members was… Well, an alternate version of himself. All that and they defeated the Badoon invasion that was the reason behind their formation.

Members of this version of the team even appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, with writer/director James Gunn pointing to the potential of future film stories featuring the characters.

One of the two most time-travel-y X-Men, Lucas Bishop didn't really intend to be a time traveler; instead, it was more a matter of doing his job as one of the XSE (Xavier's Security Enforcers) and following a bad guy through a time portal.

Like Rachel Summers, he watched as the future he'd arrived from became more and more likely, but unlike Rachel, he decided to do something about it… Namely, try and kill Hope, even if that meant traveling through time again and hunting down Cable to make sure it happened (actions that got him on our time-traveling villains list, as well). He failed, of course, and realigned himself with the X-Men once again.

5. Green Lantern

What's that? You don't tend to think of Green Lantern as a time-traveler? Clearly, you've never heard of Pol Manning, Earth's Greatest Hero in the year 5700 — better known, perhaps, as Hal Jordan. The surreal existence of Manning is one of the stranger pieces of Green Lantern lore: When in need of a hero to save the world, the governments of the Earth of 5700 would simply kidnap Jordan from his own time, wipe his memory and give him the temporary (fictional) identity of Manning before returning him to his rightful time, place and mindset.

Sure, Jordan may not have been in control of - or even fully aware of - his time traveling double life, but that doesn't mean that he didn't serve as a Time Cop as well as a Space Cop when the situation demanded it.

4. The Flash

With the creation of the wonderfully-named Cosmic Treadmill, The Flash mythos gained a whole new dimension as the speedy superhero was suddenly given the ability to travel through time, meaning that his adventures could take place any when as well as any where.

Of course, it was only a matter of time before this ability would end up being exploited in the wrong way, leading to a butterfly effect mix up that created Flashpoint and the New 52, but for that brief period before everything went wrong, the Flash could be relied upon to clean up messes all through time.

Time travel has even played a significant role as a plot element in CW's The Flash too.

3. Superboy

For a teen who'd grow up to become the world's greatest superhero, it's almost disappointing to discover that it took three time-traveling teens from the 30th (later, 31st) century to introduce Clark Kent to the mysteries of the timestream.

Once the Legion of Super-Heroes entered his life, Superboy became a regular passenger on the cross-time express, either by Time Bubble or under his own steam but somehow always managing to stay away from any knowledge of his future self's actions, which may end up being his most impressive feat, considering just what Superman ended up accomplishing during his long career.

Now, the current Superboy, Jon Kent, looks to be the latest inheritor of the mantle to adventure alongside the Legion of Super-Heroes.

To try and get into the reasoning behind Cable and his various time-travel escapades would be both exhausting and confusing, so let's just leave it at this: At no point during his entire decades-long career as the X-Men family's favorite techno-organic enforcer has he managed to entirely undo the time stream by needlessly slaughtering another superhero, even with the amount of heavy artillery he carries around at all times.

Cable was played by Josh Brolin in Deadpool 2, a movie that hinged on his time-traveling nature (and provided the fuel for an all-time-classic mid-credits stinger scene).

1. Booster Gold

Perhaps comic books' top time-traveling superhero, Booster Gold may have started off his superheroic career with one simple time jump, but since then, he's teamed with Rip Hunter - who may or may not have been Booster's son - to protect the timestream from unwanted changes, only to fall victim to the rewriting of all DCU history via the New 52, where he's traveled into the past to meet Jonah Hex, and later went back to the future as part of Justice League 3001.

Booster recently returned to the DC Universe as part of Heroes In Crisis - another story in which time travel played a role. He'll next appear in the era-spanning Legion of Super-Heroes: Millennium this September.

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The 10 Best Sci-Fi Superhero Movies, Ranked

Sci-fi and superheroes go together like peanut butter and jelly.

Over the last three decades, superhero movies have become among the most profitable and widely discussed among critics, fans, and general audiences. The formula can be somewhat easy to identify - somebody discovers new abilities, decides to use them for good, and fights against some villainous force to protect innocent people. The formula has become a brand at this point, yet within it lies the potential for experimentation, especially among other genres.

One such genre is where most superheroes originate from science fiction. Many heroes and villains have origins, settings, or abilities that come directly from a sci-fi source . Whether through aliens, time travel, or exploring the multiverse, sci-fi has done more for superheroes than perhaps all other genres . Whether they explore the wondrous possibilities of the greater universe and what can be done for humanity or reveal what those with more sinister intentions would do with the power they’ve been given, they fit well on the sci-fi spectrum.

10 'Brightburn' (2019)

Directed by david yarovesky.

It’s a story that sounds familiar. A spaceship carrying a baby lands in Kansas. A couple without children discovers him and decides to adopt him. They keep his true heritage a secret until he discovers it as a pre-teen when strange new abilities start to emerge. But instead of deciding to use his powers for good, he goes insane and kills all his friends and family. While not a DC film, Brightburn is a decidedly dark coming-of-age story that takes the premise of Superman and gives it a horror-focused twist.

The boy, here named Brandon ( Jackson A. Dunn ) goes from being an innocent, Clark-Kent type to being a rage-filled force of nature determined to fulfill his true purpose - ‘take the world’. His parents try everything they can to temper his behavior but begin to realize his rage is not going to be restrained through human means. While it attempted to begin a franchise that didn’t quite get off the ground , Brightburn is still an interesting experiment as a Superman-esque horror film .

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9 'Chronicle' (2012)

Directed by josh trank.

Andrew Detmer ( Dane DeHaan ) is facing serious problems. His mother ( Bo Petersen ) is dying of cancer, his father ( Michael Kelly ) is an abusive alcoholic, and he’s unpopular and bullied at school. Deciding to make a video diary, Andrew begins recording almost everything he does. But Andrew’s life changes when he, his cousin Matt ( Alex Russell ), and kind popular student Steve ( Michael B. Jordan ) discover a mysterious object hidden within the woods. When the footage cuts to a few days later, the three now have new abilities of strength, flight, and telekinesis.

At first, they do what any teenager would do with superpowers in this situation - play pranks and goof around until it goes a little too far. But Andrew’s powers begin to draw out his darkest instincts and develop a far more predatory point of view. Chronicle is an unusual combination - a found footage character study where teenage angst grows into super-villain destruction. It is a brutally grim film, showing the dangers of putting the powers of a hero into the wrong hands .

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8 'Sky High' (2005)

Directed by mike mitchell.

Ever wondered where future superheroes receive their education? The answer is Sky High - a school that floats hundreds of feet in the air to keep its location hidden from those with sinister intentions. Among its newest students is Will Stronghold ( Michael Angarano ), the son of legendary superheroes Jetstream ( Kelly Preston ) and The Commander ( Kurt Russell) . The only problem is that Will doesn’t seem to be born with any powers, so he gets placed with the rest of the school rejects, a.k.a. the sidekicks.

But when his abilities begin to emerge, Will must choose between remaining with his friends in the sidekick division or fitting in with the cool kids in the hero division. All the while, Royal Pain ( Patrick Warburton ), an evil, tech-themed villain from his parents’ past , has big plans for the superhero faculty and alumni of Sky High. With an offbeat sense of humor, a wonderfully creative premise, and likable characters , Sky High is an underrated Disney comedy that proudly wears its influences on its sleeve.

7 'Captain Marvel' (2019)

Directed by anna boden & ryan fleck.

In 1995, amnesiac warrior Vers ( Brie Larson ) is a member of the Starforce, an intergalactic ops squad tasked with fighting for an alien race called the Kree. While Vers is somewhat respected by her peers, her mentor Yon-Rogg ( Jude Law ) and her commander known as the Supreme Intelligence ( Annette Benning ) urge her to keep her strength and emotions in check. After a scuffle with the Skrulls, the Kree’s enemy race, Vers lands on Earth and discovers her mysterious past, the truth behind the Skrull-Kree war, and the true potential of her powers .

Another cosmic Marvel story, Captain Marvel is a fun time with engaging characters, cool visuals and a structure held together by a magnificent performance from Brie Larson . The sci-fi aspects are done in a different flavor than the Guardians of the Galaxy films, with a less pronounced sense of humor and a more allegorical story. But it never loses its sense of fun and has fun connections to the rest of the MCU’s timeline.

Captain Marvel

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6 'Blue Beetle' (2023)

Directed by angel manuel soto.

After graduating from Gotham Law, Jaime Reyes ( Xolo Mariduena ) has returned to his hometown of Palmera City. Desperate to get a job and save his family home, he decides to meet with Jenny Kord ( Bruna Marqezine ), the niece of Kord Industries’ CEO Victoria ( Susan Sarandon ). But instead of a job, Jaime is given a burger box containing a robotic scarab that fuses with him and grants him superpowers . Jaime soon discovers the scarab ( Becky G ) is an alien super weapon that has chosen Jaime as its host - and Victoria will use any means necessary to get it back for her own sinister plans.

While most of the film’s set-up is somewhat typical of modern superhero flare, Blue Beetle still forms its own identity, largely through its down-to-earth setting, engaging performances and especially with its themes of family, power, and fighting for the right reasons . The sci-fi elements bring a unique visual aesthetic, complete with one of the coolest and most powerful suits in comic book movie history.

Blue Beetle

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5 'Thor: Ragnarök' (2017)

Directed by taika waititi.

While the Thor movies that came before and after this one had divisive reactions from fans, Thor: Ragnarök is the best film focused on the god of thunder. After searching for the Infinity Stones, Thor ( Chris Hemsworth ) has, to be perfectly blunt, a pretty bad day. He discovers Loki ( Tom Hiddleston ) is still alive and has been on the throne of Asgard impersonating his father, Odin ( Anthony Hopkins ). They find the real Odin on Earth, where he peacefully dies with his sons by his side.

To top it all off, Odin’s secret daughter Hela ( Cate Blanchett ) escapes from her prison and destroys Thor's hammer Mjölnir, inadvertently sending Thor and Loki to a wasteland planet known as Sakaar. Thor is forced to battle the Hulk ( Mark Ruffalo ) in gladiatorial combat, then forms a plan with the latter and new ally Valkyrie ( Tessa Thompson ) to escape and save the people of Asgard from Hela's rule. Director Taika Waititi helms Thor: Ragnarök as a heavily 80s-inspired sci-fi comedy that doesn’t completely strip Thor of his trauma and tragedy but takes itself far less seriously than the serious, fantasy-based Thor films that came before it .

Thor: Ragnarok

4 'guardians of the galaxy' (2014), directed by james gunn.

Five intergalactic criminals meet in prison - earth abductee turned space pirate Peter Quill ( Chris Pratt ), runaway assassin Gamora ( Zoe Saldana ), angry yet dimwitted warrior Drax the Destroyer ( Dave Bautista ), talking raccoon bounty hunters Rocket ( Bradley Cooper ) & Groot ( Vin Diesel ), a tree with a limited vocabulary. Despite their intense differences, these scoundrels may become the only hope for the rest of the galaxy when they come into possession of an orb with the power to destroy entire planets.

Helmed by James Gunn , Guardians of the Galaxy was the film that brought Marvel’s unapologetically wacky and outlandish sci-fi elements kicking and screaming into the mostly grounded MCU . Despite its over-the-top characters, silly sense of humor, and a soundtrack composed mostly of songs from the 60s and 70s, it still manages to take itself somewhat seriously. Despite the characters and situations being fairly high-concept, the emotions and journeys undertaken are very real and serious .

Guardians of the Galaxy

3 'robocop' (1987), directed by paul verhoeven.

While RoboCop is considered to be more of a sci-fi action film than a superhero film, the title character goes through a journey that follows the quintisential superhero origin . In a near-dystopian Detroit, police officer Alex Murphy ( Peter Weller ) is brutally wounded and dismembered in a shootout. The mega-corporation Omni Consumer Products recovers his body and transforms him into RoboCop, an officer with enhanced strength, combat, and firepower. But while his body is upgraded in almost every way, Murphy’s mind is erased, with only fragments beginning to clue him in on the person he was, and what somebody on the OCP board has programmed him to do.

RoboCop is a sci-fi classic with biting social commentary , charming (if dated) special effects, and philosophical themes about the nature of humanity and machines. It may not usually be regarded as a superhero movie, but it still tells the story of a man who is given great power to become more than what his creators intended him to be.

2 'Flash Gordon' (1980)

Directed by mike hodges.

By the start of the 80s, Star Wars and Superman had become instant classics, so it made sense for producer Dino De Laurentiis to make a film based on one of their biggest inspirations, Flash Gordon . On the planet Mongo, the evil emperor Ming the Merciless ( Max von Sydow ) has found the perfect cure for his boredom - the destruction of planet Earth. As Ming sets natural disasters upon the planet, mad scientist Dr. Hans Zarkov ( Topol ) heads into space to investigate. His two unwitting companions are travel agent Dale Arden ( Melody Anderson ) and New York Jets quarterback Flash Gordon ( Sam J. Jones ).

As they explore new worlds, meet new enemies and allies, and see the extent of Ming’s terror, Flash soon discovers he may be the one to save every one of us. With breathtaking visuals, a campy sense of humor, and a soundtrack written by Queen , Flash Gordon is a camp classic that doesn't take itself too seriously, but provides sci-fi and superhero action in almost every scene.

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1 'Superman: The Movie' (1978)

Directed by richard donner.

While considered in its day to be a sci-fi epic, Superman: The Movie has become the blueprint for the superhero genre as we know it today . On the planet Krypton, scientist Jor-El ( Marlon Brando ) realizes the planet is doomed to destruction. Unable to do anything but save his infant son Kal-El, he sends him on a spaceship to Earth. There, he is discovered and raised by Jonathan ( Glenn Ford ) and Martha Kent ( Phyllis Thaxter ), who name him Clark ( Christopher Reeve ). As Clark grows, he discovers his abilities, his heritage, and his destiny - to protect the human race as the hero known as Superman.

Superman is a character who is directly tied to the sci-fi genre, from his alien origins to the name of his home city, Metropolis , being taken from the first sci-fi movie ever made. With its themes and tone, Superman: The Movie comfortably occupies the more optimistic end of the sci-fi spectrum, inviting its audiences to look up in wonder at a man from another world who can fly.

Next: 10 Best Superhero Movies That Expertly Blend Genres

The Top 10 Time-Travelers in the Marvel Universe

The past, present, and future have nothing on these characters who have rewritten the rules of time.

You may think of time as a one-way boulevard or a two-way express lane, but the Marvel Universe’s definition is quite different. Our concept of time is like a highway jam-packed with commuters, all shifting back and forth throughout the continuum of spacetime and the Multiverse itself.

While it seems like just about every major character has made a journey to the past (or future), several visitors from various Marvel timelines have traveled to Earth-616 and made a major impact. Here’s our roundup on the Marvel time-travelers who have left a mark on the prime Marvel Universe!

TWO-GUN KID

Since the beginning, the House of Ideas has made space for a variety of genres, including the fan-favorite Western. Series TWO-GUN KID originally saddled up in 1948 and came out sporadically for the next decade-plus showcasing Clay Harder's masked adventures. And, in 1962’s TWO-GUN KID #60 , the title's status quo got upended by introducing Matt Hawk who trained in the ways of the gunfighter and took the name Two-Gun Kid from dime store novels he read (presumably starring Clay Harder). He then went on to have his own adventures, becoming one of the Wild West's most prominent do-gooders.

He and other Western heroes were stunned to find their era visited by Kang the Conqueror , Immortus , Thor , and Moondragon in AVENGERS (1963) #141-144 . After helping the future heroes, Two-Gun asked them to bring him to the future, which they did. Becoming an Avengers reservist, he and Hawkeye: Clint Barton palled around together, but he returned to his home time in AVENGERS #175 after being kidnapped by the Collector .

Back in the Wild West, he assisted an offshoot of his old squad in WEST COAST AVENGERS (1985) #18-23 , dealt with Kang's forces again in AVENGERS FOREVER (1998) , and fought Loki with King T'Challa in BLACK PANTHER (1998) #46-48 . Then, in SHE-HULK (2005) #4 , he returned to the present when She-Hulk requested the Time Variance Authority free him from Limbo. He kicked around for quite a while after that, even getting involved in the first Super Hero Civil War .

THE (ORIGINAL) GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

Today the Guardians of the Galaxy might be well-known for members like Star-Lord , Gamora , Groot , and Rocket , but when the original squad debuted in MARVEL SUPER-HEROES (1967) #18 , the team looked totally different. That issue introduced the world to Charlie-27 , Martinex , Yondu and “ Major Victory ” Vance Astrovik. The quartet came together in the year 3007 on Earth-691 to combat the Brotherhood of the Badoon invasion of the United Lands of Earth.

While they would eventually go on to star in their own self-titled series that spanned 62 issues , the Guardians made a variety of guest appearances. Having met Captain America , the Thing , and Agent 13: Sharon Carter in MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE (1974) #5 , they appeared in the present in GIANT-SIZE DEFENDERS (1974) #5 . In addition to helping the title team deal with Eelar, a young Vance Astrovik met the team he would eventually join, including his future self!

The Guardians continued to appear in DEFENDERS (1972) #26-29 , though Doctor Strange noted that the coexistence of Vance's younger and older selves was causing problems in the timestream. To fix the issue and help their new companions, the Defenders transported the Guardians to their home time and helped them free the humans to defeat the Badoon on Earth.

Later, the Guardians met with a new group of Earth's Mightiest Heroes to combat Korvac , a villain from their own time period who had attained godlike powers. Throughout the “Korvac Saga” in AVENGERS #167-181 , the Guardians fought valiantly to save the past. Before heading home, they fought alongside Carol Danvers , Spider-Man , and the Thing in MS. MARVEL (1977) #23 , MARVEL TEAM-UP (1972) #86 and MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE (1974) #69 respectively.

Speaking of Korvac: This time-traveler has threatened reality on a variety of occasions! In the aforementioned “Korvac Saga,” he traveled from the future of Earth-691 to Earth-616, but before that, Michael Korvac betrayed humanity to the Badoon who later cut off his legs and fused him to a hovering computer module. Seeking revenge, he decided to take over the Badoon empire, but was first brought to the present by Elder of the Universe Grandmaster in GIANT-SIZE DEFENDERS (1974) #3 . Using his machinery’s ability to absorb energy, he syphoned off some of the Grandmaster’s power, which allowed him to travel through time on his own.

Returning to the present, Korvac visited Galactus ’ ship and managed to absorb some of the Power Cosmic, which allowed him to restore his body and take control of all things. He eventually fought the Avengers and the Guardians but took his own life when he felt that his partner Carina lost faith in him.

Korvac came back in his own time-hopping mini-crossover called “The Korvac Quest” (playing out across FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL #24 , THOR ANNUAL #6 , SILVER SURFER ANNUAL #4 and GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY ANNUAL #1 ), but was ultimately turned into a baby in the future. He has returned as an adult to the present several times, including in AVENGERS ACADEMY (2010) #11-12 . Members of the team accidentally transported Carina to their base which drew Korvac's attention. When she rebuked him, it led to a huge battle with all the Avengers involved!

Planning another attack, Korvac went back to Earth-616 and began slowly dismantling time. In GUARDIANS 3000 (2014) , the original Guardians felt it in their own time and went back to discover the cause: Korvac. His plans wound up falling apart because of the Incursions leading into SECRET WARS (2015) . After reality was put back together, he appeared regularly in IRON MAN (2020) and attempted to bring peace to Earth by ending all life. Thankfully, the Armored Avenger and his allies stopped Korvac once more.

OLD MAN LOGAN

More than most super-powered groups, the X-Men are no strangers to time-travelers joining their ranks. One of the more recent additions came from Earth-21923 , a world in which the villains worked together and manipulated Wolverine into killing the X-Men before dividing up the whole nation amongst themselves. Afterwards, Logan attempted to live a normal, non-violent life, but returned to action when an older Hawkeye needed help with a mission. Wolverine ultimately killed the Red Skull of his time but returned home to discover that his wife and children had been murdered by the Hulk Gang.

This “Old Man Logan” version of Wolverine wound up in the Earth-616 present after the entire Multiverse was rewritten during 2015’s SECRET WARS. Though he began a mission of preemptive vengeance almost immediately in the pages of OLD MAN LOGAN (2015) , he slowly allowed himself to be integrated into the larger X-Men family, taking the place of his past self who had died before his arrival. This more experienced, (more tragic) James Howlett regularly appeared in his own book as well as EXTRAORDINARY X-MEN (2015) , X-MEN: GOLD (2017) , and WEAPON X (2017) .

During his time in the present, he met many of Earth’s heroes, and even participated in the Second Superhuman Civil War . In DEAD MAN LOGAN (2018) , the hero said his goodbyes in the present and returned to his future to live out the rest of his life.

KATE PRYDE (EARTH-811)

While many of the characters on this list have made several trips to the present, others managed to change the course of human history in just one journey. In the classic “Days of Future Past” story (1981’s UNCANNY X-MEN #141-142 ), readers were introduced to Earth-811, a possible future in which Senator Robert Kelly, Charles Xavier , and Moira MacTaggert were killed by mutant terrorists on Halloween 1980.

That attack prompted the government to unleash the Sentinels and create three designations for living beings: H (baseline humans), A (anomalous humans), and M (mutants). The mutants that were not killed were placed in concentration camps, but that did not destroy their hope to change the past.

Working with her fellow alternate future X-Men, Kate managed to send her consciousness back to 1980 to inhabit the body of her younger self, Kitty Pryde . She got the attention of the X-Men and explained the future to them, noting that they could fix the whole thing by going to Washington, D.C. to prevent the assassination. They did exactly that by stopping Mystique and the Brotherhood of Mutants . Not bad for a one-time time-traveler!

With origins in yet another future where mutants were rounded up and imprisoned ( Earth-1191 ), Lucas Bishop became a member of the X.S.E. (Xavier Security Enforcers) AKA the mutant police. During one mission he was chasing Trevor Fitzroy , a rebel-turned-criminal mutant whose powers allowed him to travel through time. Bishop wound up in the present as seen in UNCANNY X-MEN #282-283 , and although both of his X.S.E. partners were killed, he succeeded in sending his quarry Fitzroy back to the future. Though initially uneasy of the X-Men, Bishop decided to stick around with the team in hopes of stopping the event that triggers his future.

During his time in the present, Bishop went on scores of missions with the X-Men, but he became incredibly important during the AGE OF APOCALYPSE event as the catalyst for returning everything to the way it had been before Charles Xavier was killed by a time-traveling Legion .

Further down the line, Bishop found himself at the heart of the “Messiah Complex” crossover which featured a variety of factions trying to track down the first mutant born since HOUSE OF M , Hope Summers . Bishop revealed that, in his timeline, this “mutant messiah” would kill one million humans. To that end, he fought against many of his old teammates—including fellow time-traveler Cable —to kill the child Hope. Bishop eventually saw the error of his ways and has since made amends with his fellow X-Men.

[ RELATED :  Bishop's Complete Marvel History ]

On the island of Krakoa , Bishop became an inaugural member of  Kate Pryde’s  Marauders, and added Red Bishop  of the Hellfire Trading Company to his resume. He was also one of Krakoa’s  Great Captains , established by the  Quiet Council of Krakoa . Then, in  INFERNO (2021) #1 ,  Cyclops  stepped down from the position of Captain Commander, the leader of all Great Captains, and promoted Bishop to the role.

SPIDER-MAN 2099

Back in 1992 , Marvel launched a forward-looking lineup of series that took place in the year 2099, a not-so distant alternate future of Earth-616. Miguel O’Hara was 2099’s Wall-Crawler, carrying on Peter Parker's legacy of arachnid heroics in SPIDER-MAN 2099 (1992) . Though there were a few meetings between the 2099 and Earth-616 Spidey, Miguel did not travel back to the prime reality for a long period of time until SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN (2013) #17 . During that time, Miguel was not only stranded in the past , but encountered Otto Octavius in the body of Spider-Man!

Taking on the identity of Michael “Mike” O’Mara, Miguel began working for Alchemax, the company that were a critical part in his life circa 2099. Down the line, Spider-Man 2099 has played major roles in the multiversal SPIDER-VERSE and SPIDER-GEDDON events, helping to save not just the present reality, but countless others too.

[ RELATED :  Meet Miguel O’Hara, Spider-Man 2099 ]

THE GOD(S) OF THUNDER

To battle the threat of Gorr the God Butcher , God of Thunder Thor needed all the help he could acquire in fan-favorite series THOR: GOD OF THUNDER (2012) . So, who better to recruit than versions of himself?

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To cut off the source of Gorr’s universal god-killer “the Godbomb,” the past’s “Young Thor” and the future’s “King Thor” collaborated with the present Odinson. These three cross-time Thors were also assisted by King Thor’s granddaughters Frigg , Ellisiv and Atli all of whom worked together to save godhood.

The three goddesses would later travel back via Time Diamonds to meet the legendary Jane Foster after her initial stint as Thor . Though they took her flying, they did not tell her about the epic story ahead in the WAR OF THE REALMS event, at the end of which the Fantastic Four used Doctor Doom’s Time Platform to recruit King Thor and Young Thor to end the conflict. WAR OF THE REALMS also resurrected Jane as Thor once more.

THE ENTIRE SUMMERS FAMILY

Warning: The Summers-Grey kids know how to alter a timeline.

Thor and his selves get around the time stream regularly, but not nearly as much as the Summers’ mutant family. Dad Cyclops alone has traipsed through time on a variety of occasions, so let’s start with that. As a kid, he and his fellow original X-Men traveled to the present as versions of their younger selves in ALL-NEW X-MEN (2012) . And don't forget about the time that he and his wife Jean Grey took a trip several thousand years into the future in ADVENTURES OF CYCLOPS & PHOENIX (1994) to save Scott’s son Nathan Summers, AKA Cable.

Oh, and remember Kate Pryde from the “Days of Future Past” timeline? Well, she's not the only one from that future who came to the present. Kate was followed by Rachel Grey/Summers —the daughter of that era's Scott Summers and Jean Grey—who had telepathic powers like her mother, but had been turned into a mutant-hunting Hound following the destruction of Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. After Kate’s mission to the past, Rachel eventually made contact with the Phoenix Force which allowed her to physically, not just mentally, travel to the present of Earth-616 in UNCANNY X-MEN #184 . Since then, Rachel has allied herself with Xavier's other students and teams, defending the denizens of the present for years, now under the codename Prestige.

But it’s son of Cyclops, Cable—whose mother is Madelyne Pryor , a Mister Sinister -created clone of Jean Grey—that has made his way through time more often than even his half-brother X-Man . Following Nathan’s birth in UNCANNY X-MEN #201 , Apocalypse infected the infant with a techno-organic virus that threatened his life ( X-FACTOR #65-68 ). To save his son, Cyclops agreed to let Sister Askani, a member of a religious anti-Apocalypse cult, take the child to the far future where they could better manage baby Cable’s affliction.

The Clan Askani saved Nathan's life but could not fully cure him of the virus. When he was still a child, the mysterious “Slym and Redd” stepped in to raise him. Though Cable didn’t know it at the time, this couple was a temporally displaced Scott and Jean. While Scott and Jean returned to their present in ADVENTURES OF CYCLOPS & PHOENIX #4 , the boy grew to become an incredibly resourceful soldier of the future. Though a younger version of him did come to the present in X-FORCE (2018) , the most well-known version of the man known as Cable debuted in NEW MUTANTS (1983) #87 , though he would not reveal his history, or connection to the Summers family, for some time.

Since then, Cable has been involved in just about every major X-event. He was at the forefront of defeating his own time-traveling clone Stryfe in the “X-Cutioner's Song” storyline , and also ensured Hope Summers’ survival during “Messiah Complex” and throughout CABLE (2008) . Hope Summers not only represents the reinvigoration of the mutant race, but as a member of The Five , she's an integral part of the mutant resurrection process, making her one of the most important beings in the continuation of Krakoa.

[ RELATED :  The Secrets of Mutant Resurrection ]

KANG…ALL OF THEM

If you had to take notes to keep track of some of these temporally adventurous individuals, now's the time to break out the cork board, red string, and pushpins because Kang’s got them all beat! Born to Earth-6311, a reality in which humanity evolved to the point where peace reigned supreme, a man named Nathaniel Richards—related to either present-day Reed Richards or Doctor Doom —grew bored and desired conquest.

[ RELATED :  The Many Faces of Kang ]

To that end the conquering Nathaniel built his own time ship which was stocked with future tech and traveled to Ancient Egypt where he took on the identity of Pharoah Rama-Tut in FANTASTIC FOUR (1961) #19 . While in that era, he encountered many heroes traveling from Earth-616’s present. However, after surviving a time storm, “Rama-Tut” decided to switch things up by becoming the Scarlet Centurion ! Those attempts to destroy Earth's Mightiest Heroes early in their tenure—as seen in AVENGERS ANNUAL (1967) #2 —proved a failure.

Leaving that identity behind, Richards became Rama-Tut once more, but overshot his home in the 30th century and wound up in the far more dangerous 40th century where he took on the name Kang the Conqueror , the character who debuted in AVENGERS (1963) #8 . Thus began Kang’s recurring attempts to defeat the heroes of the present. Though he has come close several times—like during the “Kang War” story in AVENGERS (1998) #38-55 —the Conqueror has never truly lived up to his name, though it appears that he never stops trying just like the interminable march of time.

But not all Kangs are bad. (And thanks to parallel and offshoot timelines there are plenty.) In one unusual blip of the timestream, a teen version of Kang, Iron Lad , traveled back to the present and became a founding member of the Young Avengers . He even succeeded in killing his older self, but that led to a time storm of epic proportions, so much so that Iron Lad undid the murder and returned to his proper period, knowing he’d eventually become the corrupted Kang.

But as readers have learned over the years, “Kang” isn't even this character's endpoint. The Lord Immortus —who first appeared in AVENGERS #10 —pops up from time to time to mix it up not only with the heroes of the present, but also with Kang himself. (As seen in tales like “ Celestial Madonna ” and “ Destiny War .”) You'd be surprised how many times Kang has tussled with himself and the wild results—but that doesn't stop the Kangs from interfering with each other’s intricate plots for power!

Regardless of which variant of Kang we’re talking about, no character has traversed time as often and as freely. And while these stories take place across the expansive Marvel Multiverse including all of time and space, they can all be read in one place: the Marvel Unlimited app !

To read your Marvel comics digitally, download the  Marvel Unlimited app  for  iOS  and  Android  devices. Gain an expansive catalog of 30,000+ comics spanning Marvel Comics history, plus access your entire digital library including comics redeemed from print.  

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The Strongest Time-Traveling Superheroes, Ranked

Superheroes have all sorts of powers, from flight to being bulletproof, but there's one superpower many would argue to be the very best of them all: the ability to travel through time. Throughout the years, there have been a ton of superheroes who have this ability. Some acquired it naturally, while others learned how to manipulate the space-time continuum through the use of some insane technology.

Let's face it: it's not easy to break out of one time and enter into another, but there are some who have done it. Leaving the obvious villains like Doctor Doom aside, the superheroes of Marvel, DC, Image, and other comic book universes have figured out time travel and have used it to help achieve their goals. Not everyone who jumps about in time ends up mucking it up and creating events like the Flash, but there are those who travel through time without creating much of a fuss.

Here is a list of popular superheroes that can control time, but it's up to you to determine who is the best! Whether you prefer Marvel's time travel stories or prefer the ones form DC, make your voice heard. Vote up your favorites and see which superhero jumps to the top as the greatest time-traveling superhero of them all!

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From 'Timeless' to 'Quantum Leap': 9 adventurous time travel TV shows worth going back to watch

The time periods might get old, but these shows never do.

Get ready to travel back to 10,000 B.C., because the second half of  La Brea 's sophomore season is here. The first half of Season 2 ended with most of the main cast deciding to return to perhistoric times rather than stick around in the '80s, in the hopes that they might one day be able to return to their correct time period. And, we learned that the cause of all this time travel madness might lie in the future, in the year 2076.

The midseason premiere , which runs a full two hours and airs tonight, Jan. 31, on NBC at 9 p.m. Eastern, will only take place in the year 10,000 B.C., though, as will the rest of the season, according showrunner David Appelbaum . Even if this next string of episodes won't involve any actual time traveling, the occasion of the midseason premiere has us thinking about some of the best time travel TV shows around.

We aimed at time-travel shows that skew more toward letting us explore the past and (recent) present in new ways. So, not a lot of apocalypse action to be had here (though we definitely recommend you binge more apocalyptic/future-y fare like Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, 12 Monkeys , and Continuum , too!). Instead, we’re looking at shows with more of a time-travel adventure bent focused on the far-flung or recent past.

From the biggies to deep cuts, these are some great time machines to jump into and distract yourself from reality.

01 . Timeless

If you’re looking for a wild, fun time-travel adventure, look no further than the short-lived Timeless . The series was a modest hit on NBC, inspiring a fervent fanbase, but the love wasn’t enough to extend its run past two seasons (plus an extended special to wrap up the show’s dangling storylines).

The series followed a rag-tag team of heroes as they zipped through time to different periods, trying to avert changes to the timeline and stop a mysterious cabal out to twist time to its own ends. It visited some great periods, from the Alamo to the heart of the space race in the late 1960s. It was smart, fun, and had a ton of heart.

Plus, even though the run was cut short, it actually has a true ending — so no pesky cancellation cliffhangers here.

How to watch: Hulu

02 . Legends of Tomorrow

The CW’s weirdest and wildest superhero show is also one of the most ambitiously goofy time travel exploits ever attempted. The series follows a team of D-list heroes thrown together on a space ship as they fly through time to try and stop "anomalies" in the timeline (they also tackle monsters and evil escapees from Hell along the way, to boot).

The show is just silly enough to work, but features enough seriousness to really make those time travel stories resonate along the way. Even more fun, all that time travel is also infused with tons of nods to decades of DC Comics lore, so there’s something for everybody.

Meet young Obama one episode, then head back to the Wild West (with Jonah Hex!) the next.

How to watch: Netflix, The CW app

03 . Outlander

This is a time travel story that starts in the past then goes way further back, but it’s one heck of a lovely and compelling tale.

The show follows a young woman who is swept from the 1940s all the way back to the 1700s, where romance, intrigue, and fantasy all come into play. It’s a love story at its heart, while also a fascinating exploration of the differences in a life lived across the eras.

How to watch: Netflix, Starz

04 . Quantum Leap

The OG, baby. This beloved late-1980s, early-1990s sci-fi series follows a man out of time, bouncing from body to body as he tries to right wrongs across the time stream.

Starring Scott Bakula as Dr. Sam Beckett, the show was smart, funny, and ahead of its time in a lot of ways. It also explored a ton of great periods in history, telling small-scale and world-shaking tales from the 1950s to the 1980s. With plenty of buzz about the reboot , it’s the perfect time to go back and enjoy those early adventures.

How to watch: Fridays on SYFY as part of SYFY Rewind.

05 . Making History

There’s a decent chance you missed this one the first go ‘round, and it’d be hard to blame you. The short-lived Fox comedy was burned off with little fanfare, having its initial 13-episode order chopped down to just nine before it was canceled.

But oh, what a fun nine episodes they were.

The show followed a slacker who figures out how to travel through time and does just that with his two pals. Think Doctor Who meets Bill & Ted , kinda? It also had a surprisingly rich pedigree, produced by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, and starring Adam Pally, Leighton Meester, and Yassir Lester.

It was clever, hilarious, and really dug into the question of what you might really do with a time machine.

Watch it on : Amazon Prime (For Purchase)

06 . Doctor Who

The Doctor has been zipping around through history for longer than a lot of us have been alive and knows a thing or two about mucking around in the time stream.

Though the show often veers off into full-on sci-fi and fantasy, the time travel episodes are the meat and potatoes that make up the DNA of Doctor Who . The rotating regenerations of the Doctor have bounced everywhere from Pompeii to a trip back to hang out with Vincent van Gogh. Not to mention the fact that, if you’re looking for a very long binge, there are decades of Doctor Who going back to the early days, plus 12 seasons of the more modern run to keep you plenty busy.

Watch it on:  HBO Max

07 . Life On Mars (U.S.)

This one is based on a British series, but for our purposes, we’ll keep the focus on the U.S. version. The show starred Jason O’Mara as a present-day detective who wakes up in 1973 New York.

It’s a trippy, well-constructed cop and sci-fi series at its core, but more than that, it’s a compelling look at New York City in that much wilder era of the early 1970s. The vibe, the feel, the smell, even — it’s all there.

If you’re looking to disappear to the grittier, bell-bottomed world of NYC’s past, this should do the trick.

Watch it on: Amazon Prime (For Purchase)

08 . 11.22.63

This Stephen King-based miniseries was one of Hulu’s buzzy originals when it was still getting deeper into the original programming arena back around 2016. It follows a man, played by James Franco, who discovers the ability to travel back to the 1960s. So he takes on a mission to try and stop the assassination of JFK, forging a new life for himself in the 1960s in the hopes his efforts will make the world a better place. It also makes for an easy, concise binge, clocking in at eight episodes.

Watch it on: Hulu

09 . Journeyman

This short-lived 2007 series had all the makings of a sci-fi hit, except for the ratings. But despite its short run, the show was a smart, modern-day twist on the Quantum Leap formula.

It followed a newspaper reporter who suddenly starts jumping back in time, where he realizes he needs to help tweak the lives of those he meets for the better (sound familiar). But more than that, we get to see the impact these jumps make on his own life, as he reconnects with people from his past with the perspective and knowledge of his “future” life.

Sadly, it’s a bit hard to find on streaming, but well worth it if you can track it down.

Watch it on: Full series is available on DVD.

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Time Travel Superheroes: 15 Heroes Who Can Travel Through Time

How cool would it be to go back in time and meet your younger self? 

Yes, we know. It’s probably a bad idea. These Superheroes, however, don’t think so. Each of them has traveled through time and has saved the world many times using this ability.

Let’s take a look at these time travelers and their adventures!

#15 Rip Hunter

Publisher:  DC Comics Time Travel Meter:  10+

Rip Hunter is a DC superhero that has come to the aid of many heroes if ever there were any time travel-related issues. He first appeared in the ‘Challengers of the unknown’ and later even got his series during the 1960s. 

Hunter is an ordinary man who uses an invention of his called the Time Sphere, and he travels through time seeking new adventures. Rip Hunter has been instrumental in many Crisis events in the comic books. We also see him playing essential roles in the events of the Arrow-verse. 

In the comics, he is the one who develops the tech that our heroes use to go back in time and fight the Anti-Monitor. This is during the events of the Crisis on Infinite Earths. The changes that occur because of this event completely alter the DC fictional universe, making way for new and old stories to be told differently.

#14 Spider-Man 2099

Publisher:  Marvel Comics Time Travel Meter:  5+

Miguel O’Hara, or Spider-Man of 2099, comes from one of the dark timelines of the Marvel Universe. He is a brilliant young geneticist who works with the Alchemax School for Gifted Youngsters, which is implied to be the old X-men Headquarters. Here, the young scientists conducted experiments and studies about the original Spider-Man. During one of these experiments, an accident gives O’Hara spider powers. 

Miguel’s powers are superior to the original Spider-Man’s, and the two have shared pages on many occasions.

Spider-Man 2099 is a regular time traveler as well. Upon realizing that Tyler Stone was his actual father and that an issue in the past might get his father erased, Miguel decides to go back in time to stop the temporal shift from happening. He does so through a time machine that his biological father destroys, which traps him in the past. He travels into the future along with the Spider-man army to fight the Inheritors.

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#13 Franklin Richards

Publisher:  Marvel Comics Time Travel Meter:   4+

Franklin Richards is the son of Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman. Believed to be a mutant, he has vast reality-warping powers and is said to be one of the most powerful beings in the universe. 

The Child of Mr. and Mrs. Fantastic has been riddled by many journeys in time, and most were not at his discretion. There are instances of him being kidnapped into the future and sometimes even being wiped out of existence. 

Time travel is usually mind-bending by itself, but imagine someone who could do it with the snap of his finger. Franklin is said to easily create galaxies in his hand and travel dimensions. In the comics, a young Franklin is trained by a mysterious figure in his play area. The figure is eventually revealed to be an adult, Franklin Richards. Like we said, Mind-bending. 

#12 Wolverine

Publisher:  Marvel Comics Time Travel Meter:  4+

The Wolverine needs no introduction. Weapon X is one of the critical members of the X-men and has been instrumental in saving the day several times. His healing factor makes him a nightmare to go up against, and he can even stand toe-to-toe with the Hulk.

One more should be added among his many persona and titles – Time Traveler. Wolverine has journeyed through time on many occasions, and we also see that in the movie version. It involves Kitty Pryde sending Wolverine’s consciousness back in time to save mutants from annihilation.

In the new series – X Deaths, two Wolverines are sent back in time from two different future timelines. In both timelines, Wolverine is the last mutant alive and must go back in time to change the future.

Time Travel is messy, guys. Please don’t try this at home.

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#11 Kitty Pryde

Publisher:  Marvel Comics Time Travel Meter:   1+

Kitty Pryde is a core member of the X-Men. Her powers allow her to phase through objects, which means she can move through anything. She has used her powers on many occasions and has helped her team save the day. She even uses her abilities to phase out of sync with the earth’s rotation. She can travel at infinite speeds, or at least faster than light. 

In fictional theory, she could use this ability to phase in and out of time. However, Kitty Pryde travels time without achieving this feat as well. Unlike the movie adaptation of the ‘Days of future past’ storyline, Kitty’s consciousness goes back in time to save mutant kind from extinction. Rachel Summers, the daughter of Cyclops and Marvel Girl, can send her back in time. 

She eventually manages to save mutant kind and change their dark future.

#10 Super Boy

Publisher:  DC Comics Time Travel Meter:  5+

Superboy has had many incarnations over the years, with some iterations just being the younger version of the original Superman. As Superboy, Kal El meets the Legion of Superheroes, formed after taking inspiration from the former’s stories. 

The Legion travels back to the 31st century to recruit Superboy to their team and fights threats in the future. The Legion already has time travel tech in the future, and it is using this that Superboy can travel to the future. 

Another character incarnation is Con El, who has the DNA of both Lex Luthor and Superman. This Superboy has died many times but has been revived multiple times as a clone. He is even resurrected in the 31st century by Brainiac. This same Con El travels back in time to live with Jonathan and Martha Kent. 

There are so many origins and stories for this character that it can get confusing at a point.

#9 Dr. Manhattan

Publisher:  DC Comics Time Travel Meter:   Infinite

Dr. Manhattan turned into an energy being after he was exposed to a lab accident. The abilities he acquired manifested over time and slowly grew in power. Eventually, he turned into a being that could be everywhere at once and had the powers of a god. He could change reality to his wishes and create universes out of nothing.

With his omniscience came a significant shift in perspective. He no longer saw time in the same way as others. It was one large picture rather than a string of events, and he could place himself anywhere in that picture with just a thought. This has enabled the Doctor to travel to any moment he wished. 

Since he is a timeless being, he doesn’t precisely need to travel anywhere. He can change realities and change futures instantly. He even destroys the DC universe and restarts it.

What is time to a God?

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#8 Dr. Strange

Publisher:  Marvel Comics Time Travel Meter:  3+

Stephen Strange is no Stranger to time travel. The Sorcerer Supreme is a master of the Mystic Arts and is a core member of the Avengers. He takes the lead on any threat of supernatural origin and is a more powerful practitioner of all things magic. 

We see Dr. Strange using these magical objects to manipulate time on many occasions. The most famous would be the Eye of Agomotto or the Time Stone to see different futures. However, that is not the case in the comics. Dr. Strange discovers that the Book of Cagliostro can be used to travel time and that this method does not align with the scientific techniques in the other versions of time travel fiction. 

Even without tools, Dr. Strange has been shown to simply travel time with her mystic arts.

#7 Superman

Publisher:  DC Comics Time Travel Meter: 4+

There is seemingly very little that Superman can’t do. He is faster than light, can create a rift in reality just by punching it, and bench press the earth for five days straight. That is some next-level power. With the speeds he can achieve, it has been asked whether the Man of Steel can also travel time.

Superman has traveled time on many occasions. The how’s of this are rather sketchy and used to depend on the writer. The Superboy iteration could simply go back and forth in time with relative ease and could even carry people with him.

Even in one of the earlier Superman movies featuring George Reeves, we see the character go back in time but simply slow and reverse the earth’s rotation. He also uses his speed in the comic ‘Return to Krypton’ to go and visit Krypton before its destruction and meet his parent.

There truly is nothing that this man can’t do, huh?

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#6 Green Lantern

Publisher:  DC Comics Time Travel Meter:   5+

The Lantern’s ring is only limited by its wielder’s imagination. From energy constructs to energy projection, the possibilities seem endless. Within its vast capabilities lies the power to manipulate and travel through time.

Hal Jordan has used the Ring to travel to the 70th century, and another GL Arisia Rrab uses the Ring’s power to send time through her and age quickly. We have to admit that the latter is rather strange.

Hal used his power in the comics to open a portal to the past so that he could send a few pterodactyls through it. 

News Flash – comics books can be bizarre. 

#5 Iron Lad

Publisher:  Marvel Comics Time Travel Meter:   5+

Nathaniel Richards is a 30th-century genius and the younger version of Kang the Conqueror. Kang appeared to his younger self and saved him from a bully, thus giving him a glimpse of his future self and his armor similar to that of Iron Man. Upon seeing what he would turn into, Nathaniel renounced his destiny and decided to use his intellect to never become the evil version of himself. 

The armor given to Nathaniel has neuro-kinetic capabilities and allows him to travel time, the same as Kang.

The most amazing time travel Adventure is when Iron Lad travels back in time to warn the Avengers of the oncoming dangers. Unable to get in touch with them, he helps the Young Avengers and even kills his older version in battle.

Publisher:  Marvel Comics Time Travel Meter:   10+

Bishop is the great-grandson of the mutant Gateway, who could manipulate and travel through time. Although he does not possess the powers to do so himself. Bishop is a soldier from the future who can passively absorb energy and dispel it however he wants. He is often depicted holding an energy gun that would allow him to shoot his absorbed energy out as blasts.

Bishop uses time travel devices from the future similar to that of Cable to journey to different periods. He is usually seen traveling back in time from a dystopian future to help the X-men rewrite history.

Bishop was sent back in time to stop Legion from killing Magneto, but his failure to do so is what brought about the Age of Apokolips.

The fastest man on the planet has been known to play around a little too much with time. With the ability to run at a million times the speed of light, The Flash can alter the vibrations in his body to travel through time. He can do the same to travel through dimensions as well. 

Not all versions of the Flash can achieve this feat, but Barry Allen and Wally West seem to do so easily. The most famous time-related adventure by a Flash is the Flashpoint paradox.

Due to his selfish needs, the Flash goes back in time and saves his mother, creating a massive rift and modifying the future to a world on the brink of war and destruction. Once in this new reality, Barry Allen realizes his mistake and works toward correcting his actions. He uses his time traveling abilities to go back in time and correct his errors.

This storyline is the most critical example of why the time stream is not to be tampered with.

Top 10 Fastest Superheroes From Marvel, DC (Ranked) Fans Also Read

#2 Booster Gold

Publisher:  DC Comics Time Travel Meter:  20+

Booster Gold is from the 25th century Gotham, and unlike other future genii who come back in time, he just does so for fame. An underachiever in the future, Booster works as a janitor at the Museum of Superheroes. This is where he discovers much about the legendary heroes and their stories. He manages to steal a flight ring and Brainiac 5’s energy belt. He also takes Rip hunter’s time sphere, and it is with this that he travels back in time. 

All his tools are still high-tech in the 20th century, and he uses them to make people believe that he is a superhero and simply works to become famous. Though initially shown to be a greedy showboat, Booster slowly learns the way of a true hero. He uses his abilities to travel through time and help change histories that lead to dystopian futures.

Booster uses his tech to go back in time and save Blue Beetle from getting murdered just moments before his death.

Publisher:  Marvel Comics Time Travel Meter:  20+

Cable is the most famous time-traveling character in the Marvel Universe. He is the son of Scott Summers and a clone of Jean Grey from the future. He has traveled back in time numerous times to help the X-men with a threat or to prevent a dystopian future from occurring. 

There are many versions of the character and various explanations for how he can travel time. The most common two are – he possesses inherent time travel abilities due to the techno-organic virus in his body, and the other is that he has a time travel device that looks like a watch which helps his travel time.

The best example of this feat is during the events of Ultimate X-men, where he comes back in time to warn and train Professor Xavier for their upcoming battle with Apokolips.

Honorable Mentions

• Guardians of the Galaxy
• Reed Richards

This brings us to the end of our time traveler’s list. If anything, we have learned that messing with time is bad news. However, do you think we could create a timeline where superheroes were real if we mess it up enough?

Interesting. Very interesting.

What Is the Ability to Control Time Called?

Chronokinesis is the ability to alter or control time with your mind. With it, you can travel through time or even stop it.

Which Superhero Can Travel Through Time?

The Flash can travel through time. He can vibrate his body at such speeds that he can phase through time. He can use some power to travel dimensions as well.

Which Marvel Hero Can Time Travel?

Kitty Pryde can time travel. She is the mutant that goes back in tune during the events of Days of Future Past in the comics.

Can Any Marvel Character Time Travel?

Yes, Iron Lad can time travel. He is the younger version of Kang the Conqueror and travels back in time to warn the Avengers of his future self.

What DC Characters Can Time Travel?

Booster Gold can time travel. He does so by making using Rip Hunter’s Time sphere that he stole from the 25th century.

Can Green Lanterns Time Travel?

Yes, Green Lanterns can time travel. Anything is possible as long as there is enough willpower. Hal Jordan once made a jet construct that could travel fast enough to enter the speed force, which means that he can probably travel through time.

• X (Twitter)

Jeremiah de Rozario is a professional songwriter and a comic nut. He has been an avid songwriter for over three years and has vast experience writing comics and pop culture. The people close to Jeremiah say he lives in a bit of fantasy land, as his career choices point us all in the same direction. Comics have taken Jeremiah on adventures since he was a child and continue to be where he draws most of his inspiration and life lessons. We know, weird! From stories of heartbreak, love, evil, and perseverance, comic books have it all. These fantasy stories have taken new and exciting turns on both paper and the big screen, and the little boy with his Incredible Hulk comic could not be happier. Jeremiah started his journey as a writer with Averagebeing and has written numerous detailed articles that deep dive into comic theories, TV shows, and the current happenings of this exciting world. If he isn't writing new songs, he is reading as many comic books as he can find. If you need a breakdown of your favorite comic hero or supervillain, Jeremiah is here to spill the tea.

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55 Best Superhero Movies Of All Time, Ranked

If you took a time machine to the late 1980s and revealed to any Wizard Magazine-reading nerd that the coming decades would introduce the public to characters like Groot, that nerd would certainly call you a liar. But indeed, superhero movies have evolved from being a genre Hollywood didn't quite know how to approach into basically the only type of blockbuster films that consistently make a ton of money. While the Marvel Cinematic Universe can still claim dominance over superheroes on film, it's far from the only game in town. Fans can enjoy icons like Wonder Woman, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Wolverine in a wide variety of movies, with more coming out every year.

But with so many cape-and-cowl movies available, a significant question emerges: Which flicks stand above the rest? We're here to answer that question by ranking the 55 best superhero movies of all time, from the merely amazing to the absolutely stupendous. How does your favorite superhero movie stack up? Let's dig in and find out.

55. Deadpool 2

The sequel to "Deadpool" cranks up the gleefully R-rated gore, general zaniness, and earnest heart that lots of folks connected with the first time around. Brawny time traveler Cable zaps into Wade Wilson's reality to slaughter a future tyrant. However, the alleged baddie is a troubled kid Wade can't help but protect. Prison breaks, mutant team-ups and ludicrous violence ensue. "Deadpool 2" successfully introduces time travel to Deadpool's proverbial toolbox of story devices, Zazie Beetz effortlessly prompts discussions about whether a Domino solo movie could work with her winning performance, and opening theme "Ashes" marks Celine Dion's finest film soundtrack effort since "Titanic."      

• Starring:  Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Morena Baccarin
• Director:  David Leitch
• Runtime: 120 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 84%

54. Orgazmo

The '90s produced as many superhero spoofs as earnest entries into the genre, but "Orgazmo" — an early feature by "South Park" creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker — is not interested in making fun of superheroes exclusively. It also skewers the rigidity of organized religion and the adult film industry. In "Orgazmo," a devout Mormon becomes an adult film star who never actually engages in intercourse on camera. However, he  does fight crime with his unmatched martial arts expertise and the "Orgazmorator" ray gun. We're not allowed to say what this device does, but we bet you can guess. Did we mention this movie is NC-17? Because it's NC-17. 

• Starring:  Trey Parker, Dian Bachar, Robyn Lynne Raab
• Director:  Trey Parker
• Runtime: 90 minutes  
• Rating:  NC-17
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 47%

53. Captain America: Civil War

Widely known as "the one where Spider-Man and Black Panther show up," "Captain America: Civil War" sees Captain America and Iron Man driven apart by the Sokovia Accords, a proposed set of international regulations for the Avengers and their extra-human ilk. Graciously, the Russo brothers focus on spectacular action set pieces and expanding the MCU, without dwelling excessively on the politics of the matter. Watching Spider-Man team up with Iron Man is worth the price of admission alone, but contemplation of the Avengers' legality makes the whole affair uniquely intriguing.

• Starring:  Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson
• Director:  Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
• Runtime: 146 minutes
• Rating: PG-13
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%

52. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

A quintessential childhood film for a swath of the millennial generation, the inaugural cinematic journey of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles draws heavily from the original graphic novels by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. A mysterious crime wave is engulfing New York City, and only the Turtles can stop it. But when Master Splinter, their wise mentor, is captured, what are they supposed to do? Team up with new allies like news reporter April O'Neil, of course. Considering its technical innovations and kid-friendly metaphors for grown-up subject matter, this movie could be discussed alongside puppetry-based fantasy staples like 1982's "The Dark Crystal" and 1986's "Labyrinth," except it made too much money  to qualify as a cult classic.   

• Starring:  Judith Hoag, Elias Koteas, Josh Pais
• Director:  Steve Barron
• Runtime: 93 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 41%

51. Big Hero 6

Baymax is a helpful robot made of balloons whose creator's little brother, irreverent teenager Hiro, builds him a flying mech suit. The pair go on adventures with a social circle of similarly brilliant teenagers. But a microbot-wielding villain is menacing the colorful city of San Fransokyo, and Hiro is, after all, just a kid — can he possibly stop this masked menace? With Baymax's help, it just might be possible.

• Starring:  Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, T.J. Miller
• Director:  Don Hall, Chris Williams
• Runtime: 102 minutes

50. Batman: The Movie (1966)

While the 1960s "Batman" series doesn't take itself seriously, its version of the Dynamic Duo are not messing around with their quest to make Gotham a safe and prosperous city. You might even say this Batman and Robin are serious men in an unserious world. In this movie, which spins out from the program, the Bright Knight's most devious foes form an organization known as the United Underworld, whose plot involves turning diplomats into powder with a dehydration gun. On a separate occasion, their plot involves an exploding shark. Yes, it's goofy — and fun as all get-out.

• Starring:  Adam West, Burt Ward, Cesar Romero
• Director:  Leslie H. Martinson
• Runtime: 105 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 79%

Joaquin Phoenix's Oscar-winning performance as the Clown Prince of Crime runs the gamut from tragic to blisteringly psychotic in this unique superhero-in-name-only film. Arthur Fleck lives a disappointing life in a disappointing world. As his stand-up career flatlines, he becomes enmeshed in the violence that defines Gotham City — and nothing is ever the same again. A nihilistic exploration of a character moviegoers never seem to tire of, "Joker" is a memorable vision of misery and madness. 

• Starring:  Joaquin Phoenix , Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz
• Director:  Todd Phillips
• Runtime: 122 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 68%

48. X-Men: First Class

Immortal enemies Charles Xavier and Magneto are friends and allies in this movie, which explores the X-Men's early '60s origins. Brought together by ideals and experience, the two men head up what will become Marvel's most famous band of mutants. But as the world changes, so do they. Which future should mutants pursue: Xavier's vision of coexistence, or Magneto's dream of "homo superior" supremacy? The fact that this film has barely any Wolverine in it, yet still manages to entertain, is a testament to its originality and verve.

• Starring:  James McAvoy , Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence
• Director:  Matthew Vaughn
• Runtime: 126 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%

47. Zack Snyder's Justice League

Colloquially referred to as the "Snyder Cut," "Zack Snyder's Justice League" is a maximalist take on the DC universe and a totally unprecedented do-over of a major studio blockbuster insisted upon by an online fan campaign. Batman and Wonder Woman must rally Earth's metahumans to fend off an invasion from the fiendish planet Apokolips. It's a noble effort, but what hope does the fledgling Justice League have against Darkseid when Earth's greatest champion, the Man of Steel, has been dead since the previous film in this series? Aquaman, Cyborg, and the Flash rally regardless — but even they might not be prepared for what's facing them.    

• Starring:  Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Henry Cavill
• Director:  Zack Snyder
• Runtime: 242 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 71%

46. Wonder Woman

A reverent depiction of one of the most enduring origin stories in comics, "Wonder Woman" stands apart from the pack on two major counts. For one thing, it's a World War I period piece; for another, its leads have shockingly vivid romantic chemistry. After pilot Steve Trevor crash-lands on Themyscira, island of the Amazons, Princess Diana must join the fight ravaging the planet. But Ares, immortal enemy of peace, is ready for her and her allegedly god-killing sword. A sweeping story packed with engaging performances, "Wonder Woman" does right by a comic book icon.

• Starring:  Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Connie Nielsen
• Director:  Patty Jenkins
• Runtime: 141 minutes  
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

45. Spider-Man: Homecoming

Marvel Studios and Sony finally put their differences aside, allowing Spider-Man to take his rightful place at the heart of the MCU in this endearing film. In his first headlining gig in the red-and-blue spandex, Tom Holland's Peter Parker squares off against the sinister Vulture. But the brand-new Spidey is also just a kid, who wants to enjoy high school, go to parties, and maybe romance his crush. What's a superpowered teen to do? Try to balance it all, of course. This take on the classic hero is particularly enlivened by Peter's friends Ned and MJ, played winningly by Jacob Batalon and Zendaya.

• Starring:  Tom Holland , Michael Keaton, Robert Downey Jr.
• Director:  Jon Watts
• Runtime: 133 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%

44. The Lego Batman Movie

Batman headlines a lot of terrific movies, but this is the only one that ends with every denizen of Gotham City — even the evil ones  – dancing and singing along to an upbeat tune extolling the virtues of friendship. This refreshingly offbeat spin on The Dark Knight pits him against the Joker, but also his own irascibility. People — especially eager young Robin — want to be part of his life, but he insists on solitude. Can Batman learn the value of friendship before it's too late? As acerbic as it is endearing, "The Lego Batman Movie" is a celebration of comic book tropes, found families, and, of course, little plastic building blocks.

• Starring:  Will Arnett, Michael Cera, Rosario Dawson
• Director:  Chris McKay
• Runtime: 106 minutes

43. TMNT (2007)

A wildly underrated addition to the Ninja Turtles franchise, "TMNT" brings the brothers back together after an extended sabbatical from anti-evil activity. There's an immortal warlord on the loose — but can they reunite in time to save him? Whereas some adaptations barely differentiate the titular turtles from each other, in this movie, Leo, Raph, Mikey, and Don all scan like distinct individuals bonded by a shared history, rather than a mutual appreciation of pizza and catchphrases. That's not to say the Turtles don't like pizza or catchphrases in this movie, though — they absolutely do.

• Starring:  Chris Evans, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Mako
• Director:  Kevin Munroe
• Runtime: 87 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 34%

42. Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)

Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn — the only thing everyone seems to agree works in 2016's "Suicide Squad" — breaks up with the Joker and embarks upon a crime spree of her own in "Birds Of Prey." Members of Gotham's supporting cast previously unseen in the DC Extended Universe — Huntress, Renee Montoya, Cassandra Cain, and Black Canary — make their first appearances here, as Harley's unlikely band of butt-kickers. They're out to take down underworld boss Roman Sionis — but can they truly tackle his empire of cruelty? The energy of this movie is "Deadpool" meets "Heathers" on literal roller skates.

• Starring:  Margot Robbie, Rosie Perez, Mary Elizabeth Winstead
• Director:  Cathy Yan
• Runtime: 109 minutes

41. The Rocketeer

While wearing a rocket pack invented by eccentric businessman Howard Hughes — depicted here by Terry O'Quinn, more than 10 years ahead of "Lost" — protagonist Cliff Secord can fly at tremendous speed. Granted, plenty of modern superheroes can fly; the ability by itself isn't all that special. But Cliff lives in the 1930s, where folks are generally easier to impress, and the country is lousy with secret Nazi agents whose faces are all in immediate need of punching. He amply provides.    

• Starring:  Billy Campbell, Jennifer Connelly, Timothy Dalton
• Director: Joe Johnston
• Runtime: 109 minutes  
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 66%

40. Deadpool

Ryan Reynolds spun a career-defining triumph out of total humiliation with "Deadpool." While he technically plays Wade Wilson in 2009's "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," that movie's version of Deadpool has functionally nothing in common with Marvel's beloved absurdist antihero. Reynolds and director Tim Miller made darn sure to get Wade right on the second try. After he's left permanently disfigured (but also unkillable) by brutal experimentation, Wade Wilson becomes Deadpool, a fourth-wall-breaking maniac out for revenge and the cure for his condition. What results is loaded with stunningly gratuitous violence, gut-busting hilarity, and one of the greatest X-Men team-ups ever.

• Starring:  Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein
• Director:  Tim Miller
• Runtime: 108 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%

39. Black Widow

 Repeatedly delayed due to a global pandemic and the eventual cause for a very expensive lawsuit , the 2021 theatrical run of "Black Widow" was not aided by agreeable exterior conditions. Once the turbulent real-world factors are set aside, however, this explosive espionage endeavor provides a bridge between the pre-"Infinity War" MCU and the post-"Endgame" MCU. Natasha Romanoff is eager to leave her past behind, but the other Black Widows created in the fearsome Red Room need her help ... and so does Yelena, the woman who once posed as her little sister. Florence Pugh's inaugural turn as Yelena is so excellent, it immediately caused fans to wonder when she's getting her own trilogy.     

• Starring:  Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour
• Director:  Cate Shortland

38. The Wolverine

Loosely inspired by a 1982 miniseries by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller, "The Wolverine" rehabs Hugh Jackman's Logan by sending him on a self-contained adventure in Japan — literally the other side of the world from any physical reminder of the other X-Men. There, he's stripped of his healing ability, confronted with the ghosts of his past, and forced to battle high-tech samurai. "The Wolverine" feels like the first cinematic X-Men tale in which Logan's virtual immortality meaningfully informs the story, which proves to be a memorable hook.

• Starring:  Hugh Jackman, Hiroyuki Sanada, Famke Janssen
• Director:  James Mangold

37. The Dark Knight Rises

The final entry in Christopher Nolan's "Dark Knight" trilogy offers a colossal, chaotic, and ultimately fitting close to Christian Bale's tenure under the cowl. Bane, a masked revolutionary, is out to reduce Gotham City to rubble. Part of this plan sees him destroy Bruce Wayne's life in every possible way. Batman will need all his cleverness, strength, and resolve to emerge from the pit Bane (literally and figuratively) consigns him to — but even that might not be enough.

• Starring:  Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy
• Director:  Christopher Nolan
• Runtime: 165 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%

36. Shazam!

While the inaugural pair of DCEU movies — "Man of Steel" and "Batman v. Superman" — are known for their polarizing grimness, "Shazam!" offers a much brighter take on its source material that still manages to keep its feet on the ground. During an otherwise normal subway ride, young Billy Batson comes into contact with an ancient wizard, who names Billy as his champion. Empowered to become the grown-up superhero Shazam whenever he speaks that magical name aloud, Billy gains new abilities that help him fight Dr. Sivana. But more importantly, they allow him to bond with his foster family.

• Starring:  Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Asher Angel
• Director:  David F. Sandberg
• Runtime: 132 minutes

35. RoboCop

When we discuss tech-noir touchstone "RoboCop," we tend to focus on its remarkably prescient political and social themes. But it's also a story about an everyday person who experiences profound trauma, gains superhuman abilities from said trauma, and uses these newfound gifts to save the freakin' day. When you get right down to it, this means Alex Murphy (Peter Weller) has much more in common with Peter Parker or Bruce Wayne than he does with his '80s cyberpunk-action contemporaries like the T-800 and Rick Deckard.

In the year 2043, Murphy, a mild-mannered Detroit police officer and family man, is mercilessly gunned down by a street gang led by Clarence Boddicker (Kurtwood Smith, the eventual Red Forman of "That '70s Show"). Omni Consumer Products resurrects Murphy as an unstoppable crime-fighting cyborg, but their instrument of state-sanctioned brutality is haunted by memories of a wife and son left behind with the rest of his humanity.  

• Starring: Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Kurtwood Smith
• Director: Paul Verhoeven
• Year:  1987
• Rotten Tomatoes Score:  91%

34. Blade II

Eventual prestige filmmaker Guillermo del Toro guides what could've been a rote supernatural martial arts caper into an achievement of campy B-movie blood 'n guts in this killer film. Evil vampires recruit human-vampire hybrid Blade to help them fight even evil-er vampires. Can this unlikely team-up prevail before the planet is scoured of all life? "Blade II" is exciting, bizarre, and entertaining as heck. It's only flaw: It might also leave you with an inflated notion of techno music's popularity during the early '00s.    

• Starring:  Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson, Ron Perlman
• Director:  Guillermo del Toro
• Runtime: 116 minutes
• Rating: 2002
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 58%

33. Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Not long after the first "Hellboy" came out, Guillermo del Toro went from being a highly respected mid-level horror-fantasy director to the brains behind an Oscar-nominated dark fairytale. His enhanced reputation is reflected in the scope and aesthetic sensibilities of this sequel. The titular demonic hero takes on a tremendously powerful mechanical army in this one, as well as the uncaring world. What's a big, red member of Hell's royal family to do? Describing it as "Blade II" going one-on-one with "Pan's Labyrinth" in a demolition derby feels like an oversimplification, but it's also the most accurate way to describe "The Golden Army."    

• Starring:  Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones
• Runtime: 120 minutes  

32. Spider-Man: Far From Home

Tom Holland's second solo Spider-Man sojourn sends the gang from the Midtown School of Science and Technology on a European fieldtrip. Peter hopes to take a break from doing Spider-Man stuff and spend some time with MJ, but inexplicable attacks from building-sized elemental monsters screw that plan up entirely. Good thing the evidently benign Quentin Beck is here to help ... right? All the while, Peter (and the world) grieves Tony Stark, who seems to have left an unfillable chasm at the heart of the superheroic world.

• Starring:  Tom Holland, Samuel L. Jackson, Jake Gyllenhaal
• Runtime: 129 minutes

31. Superman II

The source of the iconic line, "Kneel before Zod!," "Superman II" cranks up the volume on the wide-eyed, Golden Age of Comics-style kookiness of the first "Superman." Kryptonian conquerors have arrived on Earth, and decided to take it for their own. Superman must stop them, while also nurturing his burgeoning romance with Lois Lane. In 1980, it had barely occurred to anyone that superheroes could be ridden with angst. "Superman II" is gritty and raw by the standards of its day, which means it's a refreshingly balanced production to modern eyes.

• Starring:  Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman
• Director:  Richard Lester
• Runtime: 127 minutes

30. The Batman

The launch of a whole new Batman begins as an obsessive, grim iteration of Bruce Wayne prowls a particularly dark Gotham City. "The Batman" places extra emphasis on the Caped Crusader's reputation as a detective, as he hunts a flamboyant serial killer version of the Riddler and unravels a criminal conspiracy that ties together many of Gotham's business and political elites. To his shock, this includes Thomas Wayne.      

• Starring: Robert Pattinson , Zoë Kravitz, Jeffrey Wright
• Director:  Matt Reeves
• Runtime: 176 minutes

29. The Mask of Zorro

A retelling of one of history's earliest superhero stories and the definitive modern Zorro movie, "The Mask of Zorro" vibrates on both old and current frequencies. Here, an epic team-up between the original Zorro, fresh from prison, and the new Zorro takes place. They're both aiming to take down a corrupt governor and his villainous henchmen, but bringing him to his knees won't be easy. Adventure, romance, and glamour are all on offer here, set off by no small amount of flair.

• Starring:  Antonio Banderas , Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta-Jones
• Director:  Martin Campbell
• Runtime: 136 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%

28. Spider-Man: No Way Home

The third Spider-Man movie starring Tom Holland is a culmination of almost two decades' worth of storytelling across two major film studios and three fictional universes. It's hard to even imagine such a scenario ever coming to pass — just as it's hard to imagine a more heartfelt celebration of the wall-crawler's legacy in movies. Peter Parker has accidentally ripped open the multiverse, which draws enemies from the Spidey-verses headed up by Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield. Add in some devastating losses and an unforgettable choice that will change Peter's life forever, and you have a truly great modern superhero movie.

• Starring:  Tom Holland, Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch
• Runtime: 148 minutes

27. Captain America: The First Avenger

Before he can be unthawed in modern times and introduced to the rest of Earth's Mightiest Heroes, young Steve Rogers must become a science experiment gone haywire, a mascot for the American military, and finally, the Allies' premiere one-man Nazi-killing machine. Can one juiced-up kid from Brooklyn truly make a difference on the battlefields of World War II? Yes — but not without help. Hayley Atwell is a particularly strong ally: She generates an onslaught of charisma, solidifying Agent Peggy Carter's MCU presence into the indefinite future.

• Starring:  Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan
• Director:  Joe Johnston
• Runtime: 124 minutes

26. Mystery Men

Literally 20 years ahead of its time, "Mystery Men" clearly would've been a gargantuan hit in 2019: Its sensibilities run alongside superhero satires like "The Boys" and "Deadpool." Mr. Furious' power is that he gets really, really angry. The Shoveler shovels exceptionally well. Carol carries a bowling ball that's haunted by the poltergeist of her overbearing father. Captain Amazing is a big-name crimefighter far more obsessed with his image than saving the world. Together, they're out to save Champion City. While we didn't appreciate it during its debut, we can at least celebrate "Mystery Men" today as one of the first truly offbeat cape flicks.

• Starring:  Ben Stiller, Hank Azaria, Janeane Garofalo
• Director:  Kinka Usher
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 61%

25. The Suicide Squad

"The Suicide Squad" towers over its similarly-named 2016 predecessor. This time around, Amanda Waller deploys a squadron of villains and misfits to Corto Maltese, aiming to neutralize the murky "Project Starfish." As is usually the case with Amanda Waller, not all is as it seems. As King Shark, Sylvester Stallone is essentially the cannibalistic Groot of this movie. That alone is worth checking out, but it helps that this anarchic joy ride also features Margot Robbie's irresistible Harley Quinn and John Cena's hilarious debut as Peacemaker.

• Starring:  Margot Robbie , Idris Elba, John Cena
• Director:  James Gunn

24. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

Whether Scott Pilgrim himself deserves superhero status is certainly a debatable matter, however, "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World" is certainly a comic book movie with superheroes in it. Michael Cera is at his all-time most Michael Cera-ish as the lead, who must fight mysterious Ramona Flowers' scariest one-time paramours if he wants to date her. Infused with video game and indie rock references, "Scott Pilgrim" plays out like a thought experiment: What if "Ready Player One" had more self-awareness? Chris Evans, Brandon Routh, and Brie Larson all throw down in the supporting cast. 

• Starring:  Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin
• Director:  Edgar Wright
• Runtime: 112 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 82%

23. Spider-Man

After 2000's "X-Men" demonstrated that superhero movies could be financially viable again, Sam Raimi stepped up to the plate with this take on the iconic wall-crawler. "Spider-Man" is a comic book movie that unapologetically behaves like a comic book movie: Peter Parker's journey from hapless nerd to diligent superhero is completely and thrillingly classic. In battling the Green Goblin, however, he must decide what sacrifices he is truly willing to make. This dynamite movie reminds us once again that great power and great responsibility are like cream cheese and bagels — the first's no good without the second.  

• Starring:  Tobey Maguire, Willem Dafoe, Kirsten Dunst
• Director: Sam Raimi

22. Batman (1989)

Tim Burton's "Batman" established the template for modern Batflicks. Whereas Adam West's Bruce of the '60s tells us to fasten our seatbelts and look both ways before crossing the street, Michael Keaton's Bruce Wayne will get nuts if circumstances demand that he do so. And boy, do they demand it: He must face off against Jack Nicholson's Joker in this flick, who so ably performs the role, it took Heath Ledger's career-defining take on the Joker to eclipse him. This Gotham City is weird, mean, glamorous, and still one-of-a-kind.

• Starring:  Jack Nicholson , Michael Keaton, Kim Basinger
• Director:  Tim Burton
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 72%

21. Guardians of the Galaxy

Star-Lord, aka Peter Quill, assembles his ragtag crew of outcasts to keep an Infinity Stone out of the hands of intergalactic warlord Ronan the Accuser in this rollicking flick. If you're watching the MCU through for the first time, keep an eye on those Infinity Stones — they turn out to be pretty important. James Gunn somehow lulls us into suspending disbelief for the sake of implausible characters like Rocket Raccoon and Groot, a tree who can only say "I am Groot." What results is electric, bizarre, and immensely fun. 

• Starring:  Chris Pratt , Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista
• Runtime: 121 minutes

20. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

You can't have a real conversation about superhero movies without a lot of focus on Batman, and you can't have a real conversation about Batman in media without discussing "Batman: The Animated Series." The theatrically-released "Batman: Mask of the Phantasm" is basically a feature-length episode of the series. It's also one of the more effective deep dives into Batman's inner motivations and conflicts ever committed to celluloid. Here, the Caped Crusader must confront his past when a masked killer cuts a wide swath through Gotham City's underground. But the truth is even more intense than he ever could have imagined.

• Starring:  Kevin Conroy, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Bob Hastings
• Director:  Eric Radomski, Bruce Timm
• Runtime: 76 minutes

19. Iron Man

Tony Stark is a spoiled, brilliant war profiteer shocked into humility by a brutal kidnapping. Upon escape, he decides to change the trajectory of his life and put the superpowered armor he's built to good use. Unfortunately, not all of his business partners are crazy about this idea. "Iron Man" could stand on its own as an entirely solid techno-action endeavor, but it becomes something truly special in its historically crucial after-credits scene. Believe it or not, back in 2008, folks didn't understand they had to sit through the credits of Marvel movies. This flick changed that forever.

• Starring:  Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow
• Director:  Jon Favreau
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%

18. The Crow

While its legacy is dominated by the on-set death of 28-year-old star Brandon Lee, "The Crow" successfully channeled the grim urban warfare and moral ambiguity of '80s comics years before the DCEU did. When musician Eric Draven rises from the dead, he discovers he has fantastic abilities. He uses these to seek revenge on the street gang that killed him and his one true love. "The Crow" is intensely dark and violent, but in a way that never feels mopey or gratuitous. It is, simply, a broken-hearted superhero film that embraces love and loss with open, black-feathered wings.

• Starring:  Brandon Lee, Ernie Hudson, Michael Wincott
• Director:  Alex Proyas
• Runtime: 100 minutes

17. Iron Man 3

Placing the third installment in the MCU's Iron Man series this prominently on an all-time list might be considered controversial in some circles, but we're confident in this decision. Following the events of "The Avengers," Tony Stark is at loose ends. The arrival of the mysterious terrorist known as the Mandarin makes things worse, to say nothing of the rocky road he and Pepper Potts have begun to walk. "Iron Man 3" contains a clever second act swerve, one of Gwyneth Paltrow's best MCU turns, and barrels of acid quippery. Also, a bunch of people fall out of an exploding airplane at one point, and Iron Man figures out a way to rescue 'em all. It's awesome as heck.   

• Starring:  Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle
• Director:  Shane Black
• Runtime:  130 minutes

16. Avengers: Infinity War

Until the day  "Avengers vs. Justice League" enters production, "Avengers: Infinity War" will remain the most crowded and ambitious multi-franchise crossover movie in existence. Intergalactic tyrant Thanos arrives on Earth to collect the only two Infinity Stones he hasn't yet captured. With the Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and so many other white hats pulling together to halt Thanos' malicious grandiosity, surely the good guys can't lose ... right? They'll have to try their hardest to stop the purple baddie from slaughtering half of all life in the universe — and even then, it might not be enough.

• Starring:  Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin
• Runtime: 149 minutes

15. Avengers: Endgame

The second half of the epic that begins with "Avengers: Infinity War" wisely focuses on Tony Stark and Steve Rogers as they struggle to undo Thanos' cosmic massacre. Time travel might just be the ticket — but they won't succeed without incurring some wrenching losses. It all culminates in an unforgettable battle for all the marbles that people will be talking about for decades to come. "Avengers: Endgame" elegantly ties off the saga of two fantasy-adventure icons, and launches the MCU into the future.    

• Starring:  Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo
• Runtime: 181 minutes

14. Batman Returns

Over the years, the deliciously dark "Batman Returns" has solidified its reputation as one of the Dark Knight's most enduring cinematic escapades, as well as the best Batflick of the '90s. Michelle Pfeiffer permanently etched her image into the superhero genre with a definitive turn as Selina Kyle, who becomes Catwoman under intense duress. Danny DeVito is uproariously savage and sociopathic as the Penguin. And then there's Michael Keaton's Batman, who's attempting to keep both of them from permanently harming Gotham City. It's manic, stylish, and strange — absolutely perfect, in other words.

• Starring:  Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Michelle Pfeiffer
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%

13. The Incredibles

Ironically, one of Disney's best superhero offerings has nothing to do with Marvel. State-mandated retirement forces Bob Parr, aka Mr. Incredible, to give up vigilantism. His restlessness makes him easy prey for the manipulations of an enigmatic villain known as Syndrome, whose ambitions and career trajectory are not what they seem. Luckily, Mr. Incredible's family is uniquely positioned to help him out of this jam as they, incidentally, also all have superpowers. Parenthood, suburban malaise, and good old-fashioned fisticuffs collide in this Pixar treasure.

• Starring:  Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson
• Director:  Brad Bird
• Runtime: 115 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%

12. Unbreakable

M. Night Shyamalan followed up his breakthrough "The Sixth Sense" with another Bruce Willis-led mind-bender. Elijah Price, an obsessed comic book nerd with a rare bone disease, has a theory: If he was born much weaker than the average person, someone out there must've been born much stronger than the average person. He thinks he's found his inverse when David Dunn miraculously survives a trainwreck that kills every other passenger — but David refuses to believe he's superhuman. Even if he is, there might be more to the story ...

• Starring:  Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, Robin Wright
• Director:  M. Night Shyamalan
• Runtime: 107 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 70%

11. Captain America: The Winter Soldier

The first MCU entry from the Russo brothers is a twist-packed thriller as exciting as any alien-centric flick. Cap, Black Widow, and Nick Fury join forces to unravel a conspiracy with the potential to derail all of civilization. It especially pulls the rug out from under viewers with regards to S.H.I.E.L.D., the alleged good guys who might actually be irreparably infiltrated by terrorist network Hydra. In the midst of it all is the mysterious Winter Soldier, an assassin straight out of Steve Rogers' past.

• Starring:  Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson
• Runtime: 135 minutes

10. Batman Begins

After "Batman & Robin" sucked the dignity out of the Dynamic Duo, the franchise wisely defaulted back to Batman's broody formative years. Best known at the time of the movie's debut for 2002's disorienting nail-biter "Memento," director and co-writer Christopher Nolan presents a version of Gotham that feels truly unique. Bruce Wayne's origin story is on offer here, interpreted through an intensely gritty lens. He spends the first third of the film acquiring his de facto superhuman power of self-discipline — the rest, he devotes to weaponizing the shadows against the superstitious and cowardly. This might still not be enough to take down the terrifying Scarecrow, however.

• Starring:  Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson
• Runtime: 140 minutes

9. Black Panther

A full-blown cultural phenomenon upon its wildly successful 2018 debut, "Black Panther" remains the MCU's most thoughtful and thematically rich chapter. King T'Challa is introduced in "Captain America: Civil War," which frees "Black Panther" up to go beyond the typical origin story route. In this film, the new head of state navigates a messy geopolitical inheritance and confronts Wakanda's history of isolationism. When an estranged member of the royal family comes calling, T'Challa must decide what sort of king he wants to be — and what sort of country he wants to lead. Plus, there's also a wicked boss car chase scene.

• Starring:  Chadwick Boseman , Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o
• Director:  Ryan Coogler
• Runtime: 134 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%

8. Thor: Ragnarok

Thor had multiple team-ups and solo movies under his belt by 2017, but the God of Thunder still hadn't found a clear cinematic identity ... until director Taika Waititi took the reins. Informed by the psychedelic sensibilities of 1970s Marvel comics, "Thor: Ragnarok" sends its hero through the intergalactic ringer. Stranded on the chaotic trash planet Sakaar, Thor is forced to engage in gladiatorial combat. Soon enough, he learns he's not alone — the Hulk and estranged Asgardian Valkyrie are here too. But they're not exactly jazzed about his plan for escape — or confronting Hela, his long lost sister, who's grinding Asgard beneath her boot.

• Starring:  Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett
• Director:  Taika Waititi
• Runtime: 130 minutes

7. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

The themes of quite a few superhero movies basically boil down to a lead character grappling with daddy issues. "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" bounces that subtext up to regular text, as Star-Lord finally encounters Ego, his biological father, a celestial being who might not be all that he seems. Speaking of father-son dynamics, Rocket Racoon and Baby Groot establish themselves as comedy legends, as well as brutal killing machines. What is Ego's plan for the universe? Why did he leave in the first place? And what, oh what , is Baby Groot's favorite song to jam out to? The answers might surprise you.

• Starring:  Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper

6. Superman

The original "Superman" happens to be the prototype for just about every other film on this list, but it's also a fantastic watch unto itself. The familiar origin of the Man of Steel plays out with spectacular sci-fi grandeur, which manages to feel retro-cool, rather than dated. Lex Luthor plans to kill Superman with a real estate scam, because it was the late 1970s and CGI tech capable of depicting a Brainiac or a Starro was not yet available. This doesn't hurt the movie, though — to modern eyes, it makes it downright refreshing. It helps that Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder are frickin' adorable as Lois and Clark.

• Starring:  Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando
• Director:  Richard Donner
• Runtime: 143 minutes  

5. The Avengers

The MCU starts with "Iron Man," but it doesn't feel completely real until its first full-blown crossover project. "The Avengers" let the world know that this business about a shared movie universe might have some staying power after all. A gathering of characters introduced in prior films — principally Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor — put aside their petty differences to save New York City from a mythological sorcerer aided by an army of cosmic goblins. As smarmy conqueror Loki, Tom Hiddleston steals the show, but everyone's firing on all cylinders. This is the modern superhero movie in many ways, and will likely remain a classic for decades to come.

• Director:  Joss Whedon
• Runtime: 143 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%

4. Spider-Man 2

The follow-up to 2002's highly encouraging "Spider-Man" doubles down on Peter Parker as a sad-sack overburdened 20-something, while channeling director Sam Raimi's "Evil Dead"-honed horror sensibilities into Alfred Molina's tragic Dr. Otto Octavius. Peter just can't seem to handle being Spider-Man in this film: His powers are on the fritz, his grades are slacking, and his love life is frayed. Is fighting crime really worth it? Meanwhile, Dr. Octavius, transformed into the villainous Doc Ock, threatens to destroy the city with this scientific experiments — but in truth, he's suffering an identity crisis of his own. Not unlike a man with extra mechanical arms, "Spider-Man 2" expertly juggles multiple themes and plotlines.

• Starring:  Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Alfred Molina
• Director:  Sam Raimi

3. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Simultaneously stuffed to the brim with deep-dive references and providing a welcoming gateway for new fans, "Into the Spider-Verse" activates previously untapped potential in Spider-Man's origin story. A radioactive spider bites teenage Miles Morales, bestowing upon him the proportional strength and speed of an arachnid, plus invisibility and a very cool finger-zap power. Following the death of Peter Parker, Miles must become the new Spider-Man, and train under the guidance of ... Peter Parker? Things get even more confusing when further Spider-heroes pop up from wildly different universes. This mesmerizing film is particularly distinguished by its jaw-droppingly innovative animation.

• Starring:  Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld
• Director:  Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman
• Runtime: 117 minutes

The end of Hugh Jackman's 17-year, nine-film run as the anchor of the X-Men movie franchise is one-part hyper-violent dystopian adventure, one-part metacommentary on the modern superhero boom, and one-part touching father-daughter bonding story. In a brutal future, the man known as Wolverine must shepherd mutantkind's future to safety in the form of Laura, a young girl with a mysterious past. Their journey is a tragic one, yet also spiked with hope. "Logan," which practically drips gravitas out of its many stab wounds, is the rare superhero film that might make you cry.

• Starring:  Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne Keen
• Director: James Mangold
• Runtime: 137 minutes

1. The Dark Knight

"Why so serious?" We'll tell you exactly why we're incredibly serious about "The Dark Knight" — it's the greatest superhero movie of all time, and one of the better films of the 2000s overall. Director Christopher Nolan returns to Gotham and levels up from "Batman Begins" with a philosophical slobberknocker between the Joker's sadistic chaos and Batman's benevolent order. Heath Ledger won a posthumous Oscar for delivering a mass-murdering, bizarrely charming Joker who still pops onscreen all these years later. Meanwhile, the rise and fall of Harvey Dent provides "The Dark Knight" with its thematic backbone. Recommended for viewing at least once a year.   

• Starring:  Heath Ledger , Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart
• Runtime: 153 minutes

Superman Movies in Order: How to Watch Chronologically and by Release Date

The Man of Steel has had a prolific history. Here are all of the Superman theatrical movies in order of release.

One of the first superheroes to exist, Superman remains one of the most iconic comic book characters of all time. That is the ultimate truth. Like Batman, much of the character's success is owed in part to the silver screen. While Superman may not have as many movies as Batman, his films are arguably more important in terms of cultural impact (and just the long development history to bring the character to life). There is a reason why athletes like to celebrate touchdowns and dunks with a Superman celebration. The Superman movies are much more hit or miss than Batman's, though, but the series still has fiercely loyal fans.

While it has been almost ten years since Superman had his own solo movie. While it was originally believed Henry Cavill would reprise his role as Superman after Black Adam , the decision was soon made to reboot the franchise. Superman: Legacy was announced by DC Studios co-president James Gunn, and the film recently cast its Superman and Lois Lane . Audiences are once again excited at the prospect of more Superman films. For audiences looking to get in the Superman mood following the announcement, here is every Superman film, from simple serials to huge crossovers, and every theatrically released Superman film in order of release. Since the character has been rebooted a few times, there are a few different chronological timelines for fans to follow and choose from.

Updated Jan. 10, 2024 : This article has been updated with brand-new content to keep the discussion fresh and engaging.

Superman Movies in Both Chronological Order and by Release Date

Fascinatingly, the Superman films have been released in chronological order, meaning you can comfortably watch them in a single order without any major continuity concerns.

1 Superman (1948)

Superman first appeared outside the comics in 1941 with the famous Max Fleischer cartoons, and seven years later he made his live-action debut with Superman . Like Batman, Superman's first live-action appearance was in a 15-part serial released in weekly theatrical episodes. This original serial chronicles the origins of Superman. The titular hero is played by Kirk Alyn, who went uncredited; to maintain the illusion of Superman, Superman was credited as himself in the film. The story follows Clark Kent learning who he is, as well as facing The Spider Lady, who was played by Carol Forman. The Spider Lady is an original creation and only just recently appeared in the comics.

10 Reasons Why David Corenswet Will Make a Great Superman

These films' budgets was incredibly small, which didn't help the special effects. While a far cry from the blockbusters of today, these effects are still passable for their time and just add to the charm. After his origin is given in the first three parts, the episodes end with cliffhangers. Superman was already a popular character, but these serials boosted him to new heights. The success of these small Superman films not only led to a sequel two years later, but also inspired the Batman serials. This early form of Superman is very cheesy and a product of the time, but fans should check it out to see his humble big-screen beginnings.

2 Atom Man Vs. Superman (1950)

Two years later, a new 15-part serial was released featuring the Man of Steel. Atom Man vs. Superman features Superman going up against the titular Atom Man. While this may seem like another original character, his alias is a name all too familiar. Atom Man is the alter ego of classic baddie Lex Luthor. Lex's first live-action appearance is portrayed by Lyle Talbot, who previously appeared as James Gordon in the 1949 serial Batman & Robin . Kirk Alyn reprises his role as Superman, once again going uncredited. This serial was much more traditional, being gimmicky and with each episode being a cliffhanger. However, this once again simply adds to the charm. Atom Man vs. Superman truly feels like an early Superman comic has come to life, like with the previous serial, Atom Man Vs. Superman gave the already highly popular character a huge boost.

3 Superman and The Mole Men (1951)

In 1951, Superman and the Mole Men was released in theaters. The black and white film featured George Reeves as Superman and Phyllis Coates as Lois Lane . Clark Kent and Lois Lane arrive at a small town whose recent oil drilling has unearthed a mysterious race of creatures from the Earth, and the townsfolk are scared of these creatures, and Superman must step in to prevent a conflict between the two sides.

This led to a television series starring George Reeves named The Adventures of Superman , which helped solidify Superman as one of the most popular heroes on the planet. George Reeves played the character until his death on June 16, 1959. The circumstances around his death still remain a mystery to this date, but he left a lasting mark on the character.

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4 Superman: The Movie (1978)

The words 'legendary' and 'iconic' are thrown around fairly often. If there is one film that truly deserves these titles, it is Superman: The Movie from 1978. This film changed the character forever and paved the way for other superhero films to follow. The film's groundbreaking special effects still hold up today and are a masterclass in the art. The film stars Marlon Brando as Jor-El; adding this icon and juggernaut of an actor just elevated the film's legendary status, and audiences quickly took the film seriously because of it.

Another well-known actor to join the film was Gene Hackman. Gene played classic Superman villain Lex Luthor, in a performance that is often compared as the touchstone to other portrayals of Lex. While these two actors took top billing, the titular role was given to a then-unknown actor. While he wasn't known yet, he would soon become synonymous with the name Superman.

Christopher Reeve seemed like the character of Superman had actually left the pages of DC Comics and made a movie. To this day, so many fans claim Christopher Reeve doesn't simply play Superman, he is Superman. He manages to play Clark Kent and Superman as two different characters. His Clark is hunched over, clumsy, and speaks in an unsure and nervous manner. As Superman, he stands tall, has a deep voice, and is an imposing but warm figure. Christopher Reeves is, and always will be, the portrayal that all other versions of Superman will be compared to . Margot Kidder plays Lois, and her sassy and independent attitude would be the groundwork for all other versions from that point forward.

The film features one of the best John Williams scores, and in doing so created arguably the most iconic superhero theme of all time. This theme song has stuck with the character for decades, even appearing in Superman projects that aren't connected to this one, such as Smallville and the theatrical cut of Justice League . It was recently featured in the end credits of Black Adam which saw the return of Henry Cavill as Superman. For fans of the character, this is the Superman story. It may be corny at times, but this is the film that truly started the superhero film. One viewing, and you will truly believe a man can fly. It made fans want to become superheroes in their own right. Simply put, it is one of the great superhero films of all-time because of its great cast, storyline and special effects.

5 Superman II (1980)

Superman ii.

Superman was such a popular character, that late director Richard Donner filmed a sequel while simultaneously filming the first movie. Due to rising tensions between Donner and the producers, production on the second film was halted in order to complete the first. Over 70% of the film was completed when it was halted. After the first film proved successful, Richard Donner was fired, and Richard Lester was brought on to finish Superman II , most of which he re-shot. The majority of the cast and crew objected to this decision, and they only returned to do re-shoots due to contractual obligations. If this sounds familiar, that is because a very similar incident occurred decades later with Justice League .

Also like that film, the original director eventually returned to complete his vision for the film. Both the theatrical and Donner cuts have the same plot, however. Before Krypton was destroyed, Jor-El helped banish three criminals into the Phantom Zone. These criminals, led by General Zod, eventually escape and travel to Earth, seeking revenge on Kal-el for his father's sins. More than 40 years later , Superman II is actually preferred by many fans over the original film. Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, and Gene Hackman all reprise their roles, and Terence Stamp gets an expanded role as General Zod, giving a fantastic performance.

The film blended drama, action, and comedy in a perfect way. At the heart of Superman II was the relationship between Clark and Lois. Clark is faced with a dilemma: choose to be with the woman he loves or remain a nearly immortal hero. The film does a great job of showing the pros and cons of sacrifice and how the smallest decisions can have devastating repercussions. This outline for a superhero giving up their powers in the sequel has been so influential for the genre, it was even featured in Spider-Man 2 and Wonder Woman 1984 .

The biggest change between the theatrical and Donner cuts, however, is the ending. The Donner ending is essentially the same as the first movie, where Superman travels around the world so fast that he reverses time. In the theatrical cut, Superman kisses Lois so hard that she loses her memory. Neither ending is great, and fans are split as to which one is better and are sour notes to end otherwise great films.

6 Superman III (1983)

Superman iii.

While the third entry in the Superman film series has its fans, most agree that this is where the quality began to dip. Richard Lester returns to the director's chair, much to the disapproval of the cast, namely Margot Kidder. She was so outspoken against the producers firing Richard Donner that her role was reduced to a mere cameo. Richard Donner had big plans for the series, and none of them were used, the most interesting of which being Donner's original plan to involve Brainiac .

Superman III features a huge tonal shift from the previous two and is much campier, featuring some jarring comedic moments. The film follows Superman as he fights not Lex Luthor, not a Kryptonian threat, not even Brainiac. Instead, he fights a corrupt business tycoon looking to gain wealth. Perhaps the most interesting element of the film is the introduction of a synthetic Kryptonite. When exposed, the Kryptonite literally splits Superman into two.

Due to the absence of Lois, Lana Lang is depicted as Clark's love interest, played by Annette O'Toole, who would go on to play Martha Kent in Smallville and was one of several performers from the films to appear in said series . Others include Terence Stamp, Margot Kidder, and of course, Christopher Reeve.

Also new to the cast is Richard Pryor as Gus, a bumbling bit of comedy relief that most fans agree is not needed. This was the first film in the franchise to receive mostly mediocre to negative reviews. There are still some things to like in the film, however. At the end of the day, this film did nothing to further the story of Superman and is a mostly forgotten entry. It wasn't as praised as the first two, but it didn't earn the level of infamy the following film did.

7 Superman IV: The Quest For Peace (1987)

Just like the Batman series, Superman's fourth film has gone down as one of the worst comic book movies in history. Superman IV: The Quest For Peace exists purely to deliver an anti-nuclear weapons message. The film's first issue is that the production company is none other than Cannon Films, one of the most infamous movie studios of the '80s. Cannon was famous for churning out tons of 'so bad it's good' movies, and to some, this could be considered one of them.

Shortly before production began, Cannon suffered a massive financial blow that negatively affected this film. While the first movie was filled with groundbreaking effects, this film cut corners in the worst ways possible. Most famously is the shot of Superman flying that is reused numerous times throughout the film. Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, and Gene Hackman all return, although none of them really wanted to. Reeve only agreed to return if he received a huge pay increase and had a hand in writing the story.

The film follows Superman as he sets out to destroy every single nuclear missile on the planet. Looking to rid the world of his foe once and for all, Luthor sends some of Superman's DNA into space with the weapons. This inexplicably creates Nuclear Man, a superbeing with Lex Luthor's voice for some reason. Needless to say, the disappointing sequel to the classics bombed both critically and financially. The movie's forced message heavily distracted from what little plot there was, and the special effects were laughably bad even in 1987, while none of the returning actors seemed to care.

This film was, unfortunately, the last Superman film featuring Christopher Reeve. In 1995, Reeve had an accident that paralyzed him from the neck down. For the remainder of his life, he still sought to entertain the masses. Reeve is remembered not for this film but for bringing the character of Superman to life in a way that had never been done before and probably won't be done again. His final days were spent running various organizations, namely ones specializing in Stem Cell Research. Christopher Reeve passed away in 2004 and will always be remembered as a superman. That is for certain.

8 Superman Returns (2006)

Superman returns.

After the humiliating failure that was Superman IV, the franchise laid dormant for nearly 20 years. During that time, all four of the Burton/Schumacher Batman films were released. An attempt was made to bring Superman back to the big screen in the '90s with Tim Burton directing and Nicolas Cage playing Superman . That would have been a crazy production in its own right. That is for sure. However, the failure of Batman & Robin killed the project.

After the success of Smallville , which lasted 10 seasons, it was clear that there was a renewed interest in the character. Following in the footsteps of 2005's Batman Begins was Superman Returns in 2006, helmed by X-Men mastermind Bryan Singer. Rather than being a full reboot, Superman Returns loosely follows the first Christopher Reeve movies while disregarding the third and fourth films.

Superman Returns vs. Man of Steel: Comparing the Two Revivals

Sometime before the events of the film, Superman leaves Earth when he believes Krypton may have survived. He returns five years later after discovering this is not the case and that Lex Luthor is up to his old tricks. The movie is a huge step-up in quality from the previous two films. Many criticize it for various reasons, but most agree it is a solid entry in the series, with Superman's plane rescue being one of the best depictions of the character put on screen. Perhaps the biggest revelation is that Lois Lane's son is actually the son of Superman.

While the film was successful both financially and with critics, Warner Bros. was disappointed as the movie didn't perform to their expectations (while it performed on par with Batman Begins , that film was much cheaper than Superman Returns ). The movie was set to have a sequel in 2009, but the plans were scrapped in favor of a reboot. Brandon Routh has been highly praised for his turn as Superman and later returned as a future version of his Superman in The CW's Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover. Fans are clamoring for him to get another go at the character, be it a theatrical movie or a streaming series.

9 Man Of Steel (2013)

Man of steel.

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After the conclusion of The Dark Knight Trilogy and with the success of the MCU, Warner Bros. decided to make their own cinematic universe, thus launching the DC Universe (or DCU) . The movie to kick it off was Superman's first film in seven years, Man of Steel , and the first time he has been fully rebooted since 1978. For the first time since 1980, General Zod is the villain, with Lex Luthor not appearing. Henry Cavill appears as Superman , and most fans agree his performance is comparable to Reeve's. The movie does take a darker look at the character, and this is where much of the criticisms come from, particularly regarding Superman taking a life. Man of Steel was a mixed film with critics and audience but still a box office hit and kick-started a new cinematic universe. It was the start of something new, something refreshing for DC fans.

Man of Steel follows Clark Kent as he learns not to be ashamed of his powers but to use them to protect his new home. For his entire life, Clark Kent was ashamed of his abilities, and as an adult, went into exile from the rest of the world. Once he learns his true destiny, a Kryptonian army led by General Zod arrives to seek revenge for their capture at the hands of Superman's father. Throughout the film, Superman learns what it takes to be a hero. Through loss, sacrifice, and doing unspeakable things, he realizes that in order to be a true hero, he must embrace his human side. As stated before, the film isn't nearly as cheerful as the Christopher Reeve-led films, and many agree it is too preachy at times. The film still has a loyal fan base, and Cavill became a fan-favorite version of Superman.

10 Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

Batman vs superman: dawn of justice.

Following Man of Steel , the second film in the DCEU is Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice shows how the world is split by the existence of Superman. Many believe they have been blessed with a protector who will fight tooth and nail to ensure their safety. Others, such as Bruce Wayne, believe that Superman is a ticking time bomb who will just attract more destruction and will destroy Earth should he see fit. The two greatest and most popular heroes in the DC Universe take center stage.

After seeing the destruction of Metropolis firsthand and up close, Bruce comes out of retirement and takes to the streets as Batman after an eight-year absence. Batman is much more brutal than ever, and this gets the attention of Superman. These two titans being pitted against each other is all part of Lex Luthor's plan, which is to create his own Kryptonian monster to keep them occupied.

Ben Affleck appears in his first appearance as Batman and Cavill returns as Superman in this polarized entry. The film disappointed many fans, although, over time, it has gained more and more fans. The biggest complaint is the fact that the film feels more like a feature-length post-credits scene than its own movie. Most of the movie is more concerned with building up to Justice League than telling its own story.

The biggest thing that happens in the film is that Superman sacrifices his life in order to defeat Doomsday. Seeing Superman die not only affects the audience, but it affects Bruce Wayne to reign in his humanity. This was the first time the character was seen to die on the big screen, and is a loose adaptation of the Death of Superman comics. Inspired by Superman's selfless act, Bruce decides to form a team along with the help of Wonder Woman, setting the stage for Justice League .

11 Justice League (2017/2021)

Justice league.

For a while, the final appearance of Cavill as Superman was in Justice League . The theatrical cut of the film may have brought back John Willams' legendary score, but it also featured Superman with his infamous CGI lips. Zack Snyder left the film during post-production after the death of his daughter, and Joss Whedon took over. He heavily re-shot the film and created a hostile environment on set. After Justice League was released to mixed reviews from critics and fans, Snyder's cut of the film was released in full on HBO Max in 2021, and this is the version most fans do indeed prefer. Superman's death causes the three Mother Boxes to awaken and summon Darkseid and his army to Earth.

Batman and Wonder Woman form the Justice League but soon realize they need the help of Superman. They resurrect him using the Boxes, but he is hostile at first. After remembering who he is during a visit to Smallville, Superman joins the league to take on Darkseid. This film was DC's version of The Avengers: s uperheroes fighting evil together at the same time.

Superman remained a presence in the DCEU for years after, even if Cavill did not actually appear. In Shazam! , Superman appears in the end scene, but due to scheduling conflicts, Cavill's face is not shown, and instead, he is shot from the neck down. Superman cameoed in Peacemaker and The Flash , but his face was never shown. The character did appear in the end credits of Black Adam , teasing a potential showdown between the two characters. However, shortly after the movie was released, it was announced Superman would be recast .

12 Superman: Legacy (2025)

The next Superman film is set to be released on July 11, 2025. That film is called Superman: Legacy . David Corenswet, who will take on the leading protagonist role of Superman and will be paired with The Marvelous M rs. Maisel star Rachel Brosnan as Lois Lane. It will be the 11th film in the franchise's history and the latest installment. It is set to be the true start of the new DCU that James Gunn has planned, and he will both write and direct the film.

This new film will explore Superman's upbringing and heritage, from both his Kryptonian parents but also his adopted human family. The Authority, a team of DC anti-heroes who will also get their own DCU film, is rumored to appear in the movie. Casting is currently underway , and production is set to begin in 2024. It has been a long time since Superman got his own solo film. By the time it hits theaters, it will have been twelve years since the release of Man of Steel . Over a decade, in fact. If Superman: Legacy does well, the future of the DC Universe is extremely bright.

Back to Top If you want a brief overview of James Gunn's plans for the DCU, including Superman: Legacy , you can check out our informative video below.

Screen Rant

10 best superhero movies of all time.

From multiple Batmans to Spider-Man, multiverses and time travel, here's our rundown of the best superhero movies ever.

• Captain America: Civil War perfectly balances multiple characters, providing each one with a defined role and moments to shine, while still advancing the main characters' story arcs.
• Avengers: Endgame is a stunning achievement in event filmmaking, with real stakes, dramatic deaths, and an impressive final battle.
• Batman Returns offers a gothic joy, highlighting the depth of Gotham and introducing iconic villains who bring a darker tone to the Batman franchise.

Well before the start of the Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline with 2008's Iron Man , Hollywood's love affair with superheroes was already in full swing. From the DC serials in the 1940s through to the 1990s era of Marvel licensing almost every major superhero out for surprisingly little, some of the best movies of all time have starred superheroes and supervillains.

Since then, Hollywood has broadened the comic book horizons dramatically, exploring multiverses, crossovers, and event movies of such scale that they cost more than most movies could ever dream of making. But which is best? Will a Marvel movie emerge victorious, or a DC release? Whether you like caped crusaders, mutants, or animated web-slingers, our selection of the best superhero movies of all time caters to all.

10 Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Captain america: civil war.

Captain America: Civil War perfectly encapsulates so much of what the Marvel Cinematic Universe does so well when it's on top form. Most obviously, in this case, is just how well it manages to balance so many characters, both old and new. This is a film that introduces Spider-Man, Black Panther, and Ant-Man, giving each one a clearly defined role and moments to shine, without trading off on any of its main characters arcs, including Captain America and Iron Man's falling out, Bucky Barnes' hero turn, and Black Widow's torn allegiances. No one really feels underserved, and that itself is impressive.

Then there's the action, which is working - like Captain America: The Winter Solider before it - at the highest level seen in the MCU. The climactic clash as Bucky and Cap take on Iron Man is as personal and poignant a Marvel fight gets. Before it, the airport battle remains to this day the most joyous, awesome showcase of how to do big superhero action. Displaying a dizzying array of superhero powers, even the kitchen sink gets thrown into the mix as all bets are off: it's pure, unadulterated comic book mayhem; cinema as a sugar-rush.

Underpinning all of this, though, are its thematic throughlines. One of those is the idea of choice, some of which are political, most of which are personal, and which is reflected through all the main characters in some way (whether that's choosing a side, choosing revenge, choosing mercy, or choosing to wear a delightful sweater when you're an android). Alongside that is the idea of friendship and betrayal, which is why it ultimately has to come down to Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes, and Tony Stark. The movie brilliantly wrestles with those ideas, making it one of the deeper MCU entries, while also delivering almost non-stop popcorn thrills along the way. - James Hunt, Deputy Features Lead Editor

9 Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Avengers: endgame.

Billed as the movie crossover event to end all movie crossover events, Avengers: Endgame is that rare thing: a white-hot typed movie that actually delivers. With the impossible task of taking the model for Captain America: Civil War , and beefing it up to include hundreds of characters rather than tens, what results is a stunning achievement in event film-making. After the shocking Avengers: Infinity War ending that saw Josh Brolin's Thanos win and wipe out half of the universe, the emotional stakes of the surviving Avengers turning the tide back in their favor were pretty much unprecedented.

Endgame 's greatest success is in its ability to balance things perfectly - something Thanos would be proud of. It's not only an event horizon of escalation, there's also space for the development of individual character arcs. There are also real stakes, dramatic, MCU-changing deaths, and a final battle that is both eminently quotable and infinitely impressive as a grand spectacle. The only problem now, is how the MCU goes further with the upcoming Avengers: Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars releases. - Simon Gallagher, Managing Editor

8 Batman Returns (1992)

Batman returns.

Batman Returns is a walking contradiction: at once one of the greatest Batman movies of all time , and yet also the release that ensured a torrid period for the Dark Knight that culminated in Christopher Nolan's reboot. And while Warner Bros. may have balked at Tim Burton's increasingly dark vision for Michael Keaton's caped crusader, more than 30 years later, it's still a gothic joy. What Burton understood most about Batman is why Gotham deserves him so much: in a city of freaks, this Bruce Wayne is cut from the same cloth.

Bigger, bolder, and yes, darker, than Batman (1989), Batman Returns is beautifully inappropriate, hauntingly poignant, and understands that sometimes even the most famous of villains need a tune-up from their source material. Luckily, Burton counted on Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman, Danny DeVito as Penguin, and the often overlooked Christopher Walken as Max Shreck to hold his cards, and all suggest a depth to Gotham no other Batman movie has managed since. - Simon Gallagher, Managing Editor

7 The Batman (2022)

The Batman managed to put a new spin on the classic DC superhero, starring Robert Pattinson as a newer caped crusader who gets dragged into an investigation of gruesome murders committed by Paul Dano's Riddler. The noir aesthetic of The Batman gives it a unique tone in the pantheon of Batman movies, while writer-director Matt Reeves weaves a compelling murder-mystery story that keeps audiences engaged.

At the same time, Reeves builds up the world of his Batman, introducing a number of villains from the rogues gallery and making Gotham its own character in the movie. The Batman works well as a superhero movie on its own and sets the stage for more stories to be told in this DC univers - Molly Freeman, Lead Superheroes Editor

6 Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse (2023)

Spider-man: across the spider-verse.

The major success of Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse raised something of an issue for the sequel, so good was the first installment that it left its successor with some huge shoes to fill. However, Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse proved that the series could uphold this standard, even while expanding its multiverse further than ever before - including LEGO and live-action scenes that didn't feel out of place despite their massive visual differences.

Ultimately, Across The Spider-Verse 's only real problem as a movie is its questionable ending pacing, which is arguably a worthy sacrifice intentionally made in order to ensure the third movie, Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse , is able to kick off explosively with the sequel's setup. Even taking this complaint into account, however, the movie's distinctive and endearing takes on the countless iconic versions of Spider-Man ensure it's one of Marvel's most successful movies, both critically and commercially. - Zoe Miskelly, Superheroes Editor

5 Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Captain america: the winter soldier.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier is the middle chapter in Chris Evans' MCU trilogy , but it showcases the strength of Steve Rogers character's world-building up to that point while telling a story that feels entrenched in the franchise's universe. Reminiscent of classic spy thrillers, The Winter Soldier sees Steve confronting the dark underbelly of SHIELD, and having to face off against his former best friend, while questioning who exactly he can trust. Genre-riffing comic book movies may be more common-place now, but the idea of a Marvel espionage thriller were wild back then.

Related: Every Captain America Movie, Ranked

Any doubts about the decision to hire Joe and Anthony Russo - best known for You, Me & Dupree - for the sequel, evaporated very quickly as their surprising deftness became clear. With some of the MCU's best fight scenes - particularly the immediately iconic elevator sequence - Captain America: The Winter Soldier proved the that even in a sprawling, interconnected universe, individual movies could still stand on their own and deliver well-told stories about Marvel's characters. - Molly Freeman, Lead Superheroes Editor

4 Spider-Man 2 (2004)

Spider-man 2.

Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 2 improves on everything its predecessor got right. No longer bound by telling an origin story, Spider-Man 2 shows Peter Parker at his best and jumps straight into a compelling narrative with an all-time great antagonist. Doctor Octopus is a sympathetic villain done right, and his unique visual design makes for striking fight scenes, which are free from frustrating quick cuts or CGI-obscuring dark backdrops. Raimi's horror background comes into play as well, and Spider-Man 2 uses delightfully campy scares to establish Doc Ock as a terrifying threat without ruining the movie's family-friendly feel.

Related: How To Watch Spider-Man Movies In Order (Chronologically & By Release Date)

While Spider-Man 2 gets well-deserved attention for its bombastic fight scenes and high-quality CGI, the whole thing works because of the solid emotional core that forms the foundation for everything else. Spider-Man 2 does the best job in the trilogy of showcasing the impossible challenge of balancing friendships, family, and responsibilities as a superhero, and Tobey Maguire imbues Peter Parker with a perfect mix of vulnerability and hopefulness that makes Peter's troubles - both personal and as Spider-Man - relatable. The supporting cast, including Kirsten Dunst, Alfred Molina, James Franco, and Rosemary Harris, all help elevate Spider-Man 2 to its status as one of the best Spider-Man movies of all time . - Quinn Levandoski, Superheroes Editor

3 Logan (2017)

It took eight years and two previous attempts (one solid, one... well, let's make like Wade Wilson and be silent), but Hugh Jackman finally got the solo Wolverine movie he deserved - and that fans had long dreamed of - with 2017's Logan . James Mangold's movie manages to serve up a great story in its own right, while being a fitting sendoff to two of the most iconic comic book character portrayals of all time (yes, both later return) and what ultimately works as a conclusion to the X-Men saga started all the way in 2000.

Mixing the X-Men with classic Westerns and The Last of Us , Logan is not always a fun experience: it's heftier than most comic book movies; grim, emotionally draining, and at times utterly heartbreaking, but that's all part of what makes it so good. This is a superhero movie with real stakes to invest it, and through that it also finds glimmers of hope as Logan discovers there's still something worth fighting for. As if that weren't enough, this is also Wolverine fully unleashed: between him and X-23 (Dafne Keen, who threatens to steal the entire movie), viewers are finally given the viseral, violent, full-on beserker action the character always ought to have had.

Related: Logan Ending Explained

Logan is the kind of superhero movie that transcends the genre, in the same way something like The Dark Knight does. There's no need to call it a great comic book movie - it's just a great movie (although that doesn't fully hold true, because if this were just a Western, without comic book trappings, it's possible Jackman would've picked up an Oscar nod). And yet, this also truly is a great comic book movie. The big twist that comes partway through, the use (and loss) of powers, and the use of X-Men comics as a plot device are all big genre swings that come off perfectly, ensuring Wolverine's big screen legacy is secured and then some. - James Hunt, Deputy Features Lead Editor

2 Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

Spider-man into the spider-verse.

It's hard to overstate just how important Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse has been since its release, not only for the animated movie industry, but for comic book movie fans. For the former, it was a light-bulb moment that has already paid dividends with other movies, and for many of the latter - it was an invitation into a side of movies too often considered inferior. Into the Spider-Verse is both a technical marvel and an exceptionally well-told Spider-Man story that laughs in the face of such snobbery. Though it focuses on Miles Morales instead of Peter Parker, Into the Spider-Verse executes a deep exploration of what it means to be a superhero - specifically Spider-Man - while still telling a fun and engaging story for all ages.

Beyond the story, the animation styles of Into the Spider-Verse 's cast of Spider-people give the movie a wholly unique visual style and make it beautiful to watch. And the characters are backed up by great vocal performances by the likes of Nicolas Cage, John Mulaney, and of course, Shameik Moore. All told, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is hands down the best Spider-Man movie ever created, capturing the heart of the character and offering an entertaining movie experience. - Molly Freeman, Lead Superheroes Editor

1 The Dark Knight (2008)

The dark knight.

Over 15 years on from Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight , the gritty approach to superhero movies has been so drastically overcooked you can almost hear Gordon Ramsay yelling down the halls of Warner Bros. With the MCU reigning supreme, the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction, and Hollywood’s comic book movies now lean more often toward lighter, accessible fare. As such, it’s easy to forget just how groundbreaking The Dark Knight was in 2008. Withstanding the disappointed glare of Christopher Reeve’s Superman from behind, one might tentatively call it the most influential and game-changing superhero movie ever made.

Just calling Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight a “superhero movie” feels reductive - especially after realizing Christian Bale’s Batman is by no measure the story’s main character. Rather, The Dark Knight is Nolan’s grimy, distorted vision of a world in which superheroes exist, and this not-so-difficult middle child sees the director perfect his formula in between a finding-its-feet Batman Begins and a flawed The Dark Knight Rises . If a masterpiece is defined as a piece of art from which nothing needs to be added and nothing can be taken away, a comic book masterpiece The Dark Knight absolutely is.

Related: The Dark Knight Trilogy Ranked Worst To Best

Bale levels-up both his Batman and Bruce Wayne performances to match the heightened suspense and loftier themes of Nolan and David S. Goyer’s story, while an increased directorial flair gives The Dark Knight an unmistakable urban spirit that redefines Gotham City. The supporting cast offers yet another embarrassment of riches, with everyone from Michael Caine to Aaron Eckhart, by way of Maggie Gyllenhaal, raising their respective games. To the surprise of no one, however, Heath Ledger’s Joker provides the chaotic heart and soul of The Dark Knight , charismatically delivering a transcendent performance that resonated far beyond the confines of Hollywood’s superhero subgenre.

In truth, it is Ledger’s Joker that so perfectly encapsulates why The Dark Knight remains an unshakable example of cinematic greatness, despite Marvel and DC’s subsequent explosion all over the mainstream. Plenty of great comic book movies preceded Nolan’s sophomore Batman effort, but The Dark Knight was the first to drag the very concept away from men in capes punching criminals, and toward something altogether more meaningful, more cinematic, and in true Christopher Nolan style, more artistic. - Craig Elvy - Junior Features Lead Editor

Top 10 Best Superhero Movies to Watch in 2024

I n the ever-evolving landscape of cinema, superhero movies have carved out a monumental niche, captivating audiences worldwide with tales of heroism, sacrifice, and the eternal struggle between good and evil. As we look ahead to 2024, the genre promises to continue its legacy of innovation and excitement with a slate of films that not only push the boundaries of storytelling and visual spectacle but also delve deeper into the psychological complexity of its characters.

From the sprawling multiverses of Spider-Man to the dark alleys of Gotham City, these films offer a diverse array of narratives that reflect our current societal dilemmas, personal struggles, and the universal quest for identity and purpose.

This article embarks on an in-depth exploration of the top 10 best superhero movies to watch in 2024, each a masterpiece in its own right, offering unique insights into the heart and soul of its characters. From the groundbreaking visual effects and emotionally charged narratives of “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse,” to the introspective darkness of “The Batman” and the raw, unsettling journey of “Joker,” these films are more than just entertainment; they are a mirror to our world, reflecting the complexities of the human condition through the lens of the superhuman.

Through detailed analysis, we delve into the themes, performances, and cinematic achievements that make each of these films stand out. Whether it’s the innovative storytelling of “Deadpool,” the character-driven drama of “Iron Man,” the anticipated depth of “Kraven the Hunter,” the philosophical inquiries of “The Dark Knight,” the ensemble dynamism of “The Avengers,” the genre-blending excitement of “Blade,” or the cultural impact of “Joker,” each movie contributes to the ever-expanding tapestry of superhero cinema.

Here’s the Top 10 Best Superhero Movies to Watch in 2024

1. spider-man: no way home.

“ Spider-Man: No Way Home ” not only captivates audiences with its high-stakes action and groundbreaking visual effects but also explores the emotional and moral complexities of Peter Parker’s journey. This installment sees Peter grappling with the fallout of his identity being revealed to the world, a scenario that tests his resolve, relationships, and understanding of what it means to be a hero.

The return of characters from previous Spider-Man franchises, including villains like Doc Ock, Green Goblin, and Electro, not only serves as a nostalgic trip for fans but also enriches the narrative by challenging Peter to confront the consequences of a multiverse torn open.

The film delves into themes of redemption, showcasing how adversaries can find salvation and how the path to heroism is fraught with difficult choices. Peter’s decision to save rather than defeat his foes speaks to the core of his character, emphasizing empathy and compassion over vengeance. This thematic richness is complemented by the performances of the cast, who bring depth and nuance to their roles, making the fantastical scenarios feel grounded and relatable.

“No Way Home” also raises questions about responsibility and the price of heroism. Peter’s journey is a poignant reflection on the sacrifices made in the pursuit of doing good, highlighting the personal losses that come with the mantle of Spider-Man. The film’s climax, which sees Peter making a monumental choice to protect those he loves, reinforces the idea that heroism often comes with a personal cost.

Visually, “No Way Home” is a marvel, seamlessly blending CGI and practical effects to create stunning set pieces that serve the story rather than overshadow it. The direction and cinematography work in harmony to immerse the audience in the action while maintaining a focus on the emotional stakes.

In conclusion, “Spider-Man: No Way Home” stands out as a landmark film in the superhero genre, offering a compelling narrative that bridges past and present iterations of the Spider-Man saga. It is a testament to the enduring appeal of the character and the creative possibilities of storytelling within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Its success lies not just in its box office numbers but in its ability to resonate with audiences through a blend of spectacle, emotion, and character-driven storytelling.

2. Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse

“Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse” elevates the animated superhero genre to new heights, further exploring the concept of the multiverse with an inventive narrative and stunning visual artistry. The sequel builds upon the success of its predecessor by diving deeper into the rich tapestry of characters that make up the Spider-Verse, introducing audiences to new versions of Spider-Man while also developing the stories of familiar faces.

One of the film’s greatest strengths lies in its innovative animation style, which merges traditional hand-drawn techniques with cutting-edge CGI to create a visual experience that is both an homage to the comics and a forward-thinking piece of modern animation. Each dimension has its unique aesthetic, reflecting the diverse worlds from which the characters hail. This not only serves as a visual feast but also enriches the storytelling, allowing the film to explore themes of identity and belonging through the lens of its visually distinct characters.

The narrative of “Beyond the Spider-Verse” is ambitious, tackling complex themes such as self-discovery, legacy, and the importance of connection. The film presents a multifaceted exploration of what it means to wear the Spider-Man mask, highlighting that anyone can be a hero regardless of background or personal struggles. This message of inclusivity and representation resonates strongly, making the film not just an entertaining adventure but also a meaningful commentary on heroism in the modern world.

The chemistry between characters is another highlight, providing both humor and heart to the film. The dynamic between Miles Morales and the other Spider-People, each bringing their unique perspective and skills to the team, underscores the film’s emphasis on teamwork and the strength found in diversity. The voice performances are exceptional, with each actor bringing depth and authenticity to their roles, further drawing the audience into the emotional journey of the characters.

“Beyond the Spider-Verse” also excels in its action sequences, which are brilliantly choreographed and inventive, showcasing the unique abilities of each Spider-Person in visually dynamic ways. The film’s pacing ensures that these moments of spectacle never overshadow the character development or thematic depth, balancing high-octane action with moments of introspection and emotional growth.

In conclusion, “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse” is a triumph of storytelling and animation, pushing the boundaries of what a superhero movie can be. It stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of the Spider-Man character, offering a fresh, inclusive, and emotionally resonant take on the superhero narrative. The film’s success lies in its ability to blend spectacular action with a deeply felt exploration of identity, legacy, and connection, making it a must-watch for fans of all ages and backgrounds.

3. Deadpool

“Deadpool” stands as a revolutionary figure in the landscape of superhero cinema, breaking the mold with its irreverent humor, breaking of the fourth wall, and an unapologetic embrace of its R-rated content. At the heart of its success is Ryan Reynolds’ portrayal of the titular character, Wade Wilson, a mercenary with a twisted sense of humor and a quest for revenge that turns into a journey of self-discovery and redemption.

The film distinguishes itself through its unique tone, effortlessly blending crude humor, poignant moments, and action-packed sequences. This tonal dexterity allows “Deadpool” to explore themes of love, loss, and identity in between bouts of self-referential comedy and graphic violence. The narrative cleverly subverts typical superhero tropes, presenting a protagonist who is far from the traditional hero mold. Deadpool’s character is deeply flawed, but his irreverence and vulnerability make him relatable to audiences. The film’s approach to storytelling reflects its central character’s chaotic nature, with a non-linear narrative that keeps viewers engaged and entertained.

The visual style of “Deadpool” complements its narrative and thematic elements, employing dynamic action sequences and visual effects that highlight the protagonist’s extraordinary abilities. The film’s action scenes are inventive and well-executed, showcasing Deadpool’s fighting skills and healing factor in visually engaging ways. Moreover, the use of Breaking the Fourth Wall serves not only as a source of humor but also as a way to comment on the genre and medium itself, engaging the audience directly in Deadpool’s world.

The supporting characters, including Vanessa, Colossus, and Negasonic Teenage Warhead, add depth to the story, each bringing their humor, heart, and heroics to the mix. Their interactions with Deadpool provide a balance to his character, showcasing different aspects of his personality and enriching the narrative. The film’s antagonist, Ajax, serves as a fitting foil to Deadpool, embodying the seriousness and cruelty that Deadpool combats with humor and irreverence.

“Deadpool” also comments on the nature of heroism and the idea of personal agency within the superhero genre. Wade Wilson’s transformation into Deadpool is as much about self-acceptance as it is about seeking revenge. The film challenges conventional notions of beauty, strength, and heroism, presenting a protagonist whose power lies in his ability to embrace his flaws and use them as a source of strength.

In conclusion, “Deadpool” is a standout film that redefined what a superhero movie could be. Its success lies in its ability to combine humor, heart, and action in a way that resonates with audiences, offering a refreshing and unfiltered take on the superhero genre. Ryan Reynolds’ performance, along with the film’s innovative storytelling and visual style, ensures that “Deadpool” remains a memorable and influential addition to the pantheon of superhero cinema.

4. Iron Man

“Iron Man,” directed by Jon Favreau in 2008, marked the dawn of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), setting the stage for one of the most ambitious and successful franchises in cinematic history. Beyond its commercial success and critical acclaim, “Iron Man” was a pivotal moment for superhero films, proving that a lesser-known comic book hero could capture the imagination of a global audience. The film’s success hinged on several key factors: an intelligently written script, innovative visual effects, and, most crucially, Robert Downey Jr.’s charismatic portrayal of Tony Stark.

The narrative of “Iron Man” is both a thrilling superhero origin story and a character-driven drama. Tony Stark, a genius billionaire inventor and industrialist, undergoes a profound transformation after being captured by terrorists. The film explores themes of redemption, responsibility, and the moral implications of arms manufacturing, making it an action-packed spectacle and a thoughtful examination of the consequences of war and technology. Stark’s development from a carefree playboy to a hero with a purpose is compelling and nuanced, offering a more realistic and relatable protagonist than many of his superhero counterparts.

Robert Downey Jr.’s performance as Tony Stark/Iron Man is widely regarded as one of the most iconic in superhero cinema. Downey’s charm, wit, and depth transformed Stark into a beloved character, setting the tone for the entire MCU. His ability to convey Stark’s complexity—his brilliance, vulnerability, and eventual growth into a hero—provided a solid foundation for the character’s future development and the expansion of the MCU.

The visual effects in “Iron Man” were groundbreaking for their time, blending practical effects and CGI to create a believable and immersive world. The design and functionality of the Iron Man suit were particularly notable, offering a realistic and visually stunning representation of Stark’s creation. The action sequences, from Stark’s escape from captivity to the climactic battle, are expertly choreographed and integrate seamlessly with the film’s story and character development.

The supporting cast, including Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts, Jeff Bridges as Obadiah Stane, and Terrence Howard as James Rhodes, provided additional depth to the narrative. Their performances contributed to the film’s emotional resonance, exploring themes of loyalty, betrayal, and friendship. The dynamic between Stark and Potts added a personal dimension to the story, grounding Stark’s larger-than-life persona in a relatable human relationship.

“Iron Man” also set a precedent for the interconnected storytelling that would become a hallmark of the MCU. The introduction of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the post-credits scene featuring Nick Fury hinted at a larger universe, intriguing audiences and laying the groundwork for the future of superhero movies.

In conclusion, “Iron Man” is not just a film but a cultural phenomenon that redefined the superhero genre. Its blend of character development, storytelling, and visual effects created a compelling narrative that resonates with audiences even years after its release. Robert Downey Jr.’s iconic portrayal of Tony Stark, combined with Jon Favreau’s direction and smart script, ensured that “Iron Man” would be remembered as the film that launched the MCU and changed the landscape of cinema forever.

5. Kraven the Hunter

As of my last knowledge update in April 2023, “Kraven the Hunter” was poised to bring one of Spider-Man’s most iconic adversaries to the forefront of the superhero genre, offering a fresh perspective by centering the story around a villain or anti-hero. The film’s anticipation was built around its potential to delve into the psyche of Sergei Kravinoff, a man obsessed with proving himself as the greatest hunter in the world, a theme that promised to explore the darker, more primal aspects of human nature and heroism.

The character of Kraven presents a unique opportunity within the superhero narrative landscape. Unlike many villains who seek power or revenge, Kraven’s motivations are rooted in a twisted sense of honor and the thrill of the hunt, making him a complex character whose morality is greyed. This depth offers rich narrative soil from which to cultivate a story that examines themes of obsession, iden

tity, and the destructive pursuit of one’s ideals.

Kraven’s lore is deeply connected to the natural world and the animal kingdom, aspects that could be visually and thematically explored in the film to set it apart from other entries in the genre. His skills as a tracker and hunter, coupled with his use of potions that grant him superhuman abilities, provide a unique set of abilities that could lead to innovative action sequences and set pieces. The visual portrayal of Kraven’s prowess and his connection to the animal world could offer a visceral, primal aesthetic that underscores the film’s exploration of man’s relationship with nature and the wild.

The narrative potential for “Kraven the Hunter” to explore the character’s backstory, his rivalry with Spider-Man, and his journey from villain to anti-hero (or hero, depending on the direction) offers a compelling arc. By focusing on Kraven, the film could delve into the complexities of what drives a man to become a hunter of not just animals but superheroes, presenting a nuanced exploration of ambition, legacy, and the desire to be the best at any cost.

Furthermore, “Kraven the Hunter” could stand as a commentary on the nature of hunting and conservation, reflecting contemporary concerns about wildlife preservation and human encroachment on natural habitats. Kraven’s character could be used to question the ethics of hunting for sport versus survival and the impact of human activity on the natural world.

In bringing Kraven’s story to the big screen, there lies an opportunity to blend action, drama, and thematic depth in a way that challenges traditional superhero narratives. The film could offer a dark, introspective look at a character who is neither a hero nor a villain but something in between, providing audiences with a story that resonates on multiple levels.

In conclusion, “Kraven the Hunter” promises to be a unique addition to the superhero genre, with the potential to offer a deep, character-driven exploration of its titular character. By focusing on Kraven’s complex motivations and moral ambiguity, the film could provide a fresh perspective on the themes of heroism, obsession, and the human connection to the natural world, making it a highly anticipated addition to the superhero cinematic landscape.

6. The Dark Knight

Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” is widely celebrated not just as a pinnacle of superhero cinema but as a landmark in film history. Released in 2008, it transcends its genre to offer a compelling, darkly nuanced narrative that delves into chaos, morality, and the cost of heroism. At the center of its acclaim is Heath Ledger’s unforgettable performance as the Joker, a portrayal that redefined the character for a generation and posthumously earned Ledger an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

“The Dark Knight” elevates the superhero film to new thematic depths, exploring the psychological and ethical complexities faced by its characters. Batman/Bruce Wayne, portrayed with intensity and depth by Christian Bale, is presented not just as a vigilante hero but as a flawed figure grappling with the implications of his crusade against Gotham’s underworld. The film’s exploration of Batman’s dual identity delves into themes of sacrifice, the burden of choice, and the thin line between heroism and vigilantism.

Heath Ledger’s Joker is a force of nature, embodying chaos and anarchy. His anarchistic philosophy challenges not only Batman but the very fabric of Gotham’s societal structures. The Joker’s schemes are designed to expose the fragility of morality and the ease with which order can descend into madness. This character’s depth is a testament to Nolan’s direction and Ledger’s performance, both of which combine to create a villain who is not only terrifying but profoundly compelling. The Joker’s interrogation scene with Batman remains one of the film’s most intense moments, showcasing the ideological battle at the heart of the story.

The narrative complexity of “The Dark Knight” is matched by its technical excellence. Nolan’s use of practical effects, including the now-iconic truck flip scene, and the decision to film portions of the movie with IMAX cameras contribute to a visceral cinematic experience. The cinematography by Wally Pfister, which captures Gotham’s sprawling cityscape and the claustrophobic intensity of its darker corners, is crucial in setting the film’s tone.

Supporting performances by Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, and Maggie Gyllenhaal add layers of humanity and moral ambiguity to the narrative. Eckhart’s portrayal of Harvey Dent/Two-Face serves as a tragic counterpoint to Batman, a hero who falls from grace, illustrating the theme that anyone can be corrupted under the right circumstances.

“The Dark Knight” is not only a story about Batman and the Joker but a reflection on the nature of heroism and villainy. It questions the effectiveness of Batman’s methods and the ethical implications of his unyielding pursuit of justice. The film’s climax, which sees Batman choosing to take the blame for Dent’s crimes, underscores the idea that true heroism often comes with personal sacrifice and moral complexity.

In conclusion, “The Dark Knight” stands as a masterpiece of storytelling, a film that pushed the boundaries of its genre and challenged audiences to consider the deeper implications of heroism, justice, and the battle between order and chaos. Its legacy endures, not just as a high point for superhero films but as a seminal work of cinema that continues to inspire and provoke discussion.

7. The Avengers

“The Avengers,” directed by Joss Whedon and released in 2012, was a groundbreaking film that achieved what many thought impossible: it successfully brought together multiple superheroes from their standalone narratives into a cohesive, dynamic team. This ambitious crossover was the culmination of Marvel’s Phase One, setting a precedent for the cinematic universe model and changing the landscape of superhero movies forever.

The film’s narrative centers on the threat posed by Loki, Thor’s adoptive brother, who seeks to conquer Earth with an alien army. This crisis necessitates the formation of the Avengers, a team comprising Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, the Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye. The brilliance of “The Avengers” lies not just in its action-packed plot but in the way it balances the screen time and story arcs of its ensemble cast, allowing each character to shine while also developing their relationships and team dynamics.

One of the film’s standout achievements is its ability to integrate humor and character-driven moments into a genre often criticized for its tendency toward spectacle over substance. Whedon’s script is sharp, witty, and emotionally resonant, showcasing his ability to craft dialogue that defines each character’s personality and motivations. The interactions among the Avengers, filled with banter and conflict, not only provide levity but also deepen our understanding of the characters and their struggles to work as a team.

The action sequences in “The Avengers” are both visually stunning and integral to the story’s progression. From the opening attack on S.H.I.E.L.D. to the climactic Battle of New York, the film delivers set pieces that are meticulously choreographed and executed, showcasing the unique abilities of each hero and the collective strength of the team. The special effects, particularly in the portrayal of the Hulk and the alien Chitauri, are impressive, contributing to the film’s immersive experience.

The thematic core of “The Avengers” revolves around the idea of unity and the power of collaboration. Each member of the team brings their strengths and vulnerabilities, and it is only by overcoming their differences and working together that they can defeat Loki and save the world. This theme is mirrored in the film’s production, which required a harmonious blend of creative visions from the various standalone films leading up to “The Avengers.”

“The Avengers” also paved the way for the expansion of the MCU, introducing audiences to the concept of a shared universe where characters and storylines intersect across multiple films and phases. Its success demonstrated the appetite for interconnected storytelling and ensemble casts in superhero cinema, influencing not only future MCU entries but also prompting other studios to explore similar models.

In conclusion, “The Avengers” is a landmark film in the superhero genre, celebrated for its innovative approach to character development, narrative complexity, and visual storytelling. It stands as a testament to the potential of collaborative storytelling, both on and off the screen, setting a new standard for blockbuster cinema and leaving a lasting impact on both audiences and filmmakers alike.

8. The Batman (2022)

“The Batman,” directed by Matt Reeves and released in 2022, presents a dark, gritty, and intensely noir-driven vision of Gotham City and its vigilante defender. Starring Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/Batman, this iteration delves deeply into the detective aspect of the character, often overshadowed in previous adaptations. Set against the backdrop of a rain-soaked, neon-lit Gotham teetering on the brink of chaos, “The Batman” distinguishes itself with its atmospheric storytelling, psychological depth, and a more grounded portrayal of its iconic characters.

The narrative thrust of “The Batman” is driven by a series of meticulously crafted murders that thrust Gotham into fear and uncertainty. At its core, the film is a detective thriller, with Batman navigating a labyrinth of corruption that ties Gotham’s elite to the underworld. This approach not only provides a fresh perspective on the character but also aligns with the original comic book portrayal of Batman as the world’s greatest detective. Pattinson’s performance captures a Batman who is still refining his role as a symbol of fear for the criminal underworld, portraying a younger, more raw version of the character who is visibly burdened by the weight of his mission.

Zoë Kravitz’s portrayal of Selina Kyle/Catwoman adds a compelling dynamic to the narrative, serving both as a foil and a partner to Batman. Their relationship, marked by trust and betrayal, deepens the film’s exploration of themes such as justice, vengeance, and redemption. The chemistry between Pattinson and Kravitz is palpable, adding layers of complexity to their interactions and highlighting the moral ambiguities that define their characters.

The film’s antagonist, the Riddler, played by Paul Dano, is reimagined as a chilling and sadistic figure whose puzzles serve a darker purpose, reflecting contemporary fears and social commentary. Dano’s performance is haunting, presenting a villain who is both a product of Gotham’s systemic failures and a mirror to Batman’s quest for justice. The Riddler’s schemes challenge Batman intellectually and morally, pushing him to confront the inefficacy of his methods and the blurred lines between good and evil.

“The Batman” is visually striking, with cinematography that embraces shadows and silhouettes to create a sense of foreboding and mystery. The action sequences, while fewer than in other superhero movies, are intense and impactful, emphasizing the physical and emotional toll of Batman’s crusade. The film’s design, from the Batmobile to the Batsuit, is both functional and aesthetically aligned with the film’s darker tone.

Reeves’ direction and the screenplay, co-written with Peter Craig, imbue the film with a sense of gravitas and realism rarely seen in superhero cinema. “The Batman” doesn’t shy away from addressing social issues, weaving a narrative that questions the efficacy of vigilante justice and the cyclical nature of crime and corruption.

In conclusion, “The Batman” offers a profound reimagining of one of cinema’s most enduring characters, grounding the superhero in a reality that is both bleak and deeply human. Its focus on detective work, coupled with a nuanced exploration of character and society, sets it apart from other entries in the genre. The film serves as a reminder of the versatility of the superhero narrative, capable of offering not just escapism but a lens through which to examine the complexities of justice and morality in our world.

The announcement of a “Blade” reboot within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has ignited anticipation and speculation among fans and film enthusiasts alike. “Blade,” originally portrayed by Wesley Snipes in the late 1990s and early 2000s, is credited with being one of the pioneering films that demonstrated the potential of comic book adaptations before the superhero genre became a dominant force in Hollywood. The character of Blade is a compelling figure: a day-walking vampire hunter with superhuman abilities, who protects humanity from the shadows, battling vampires and other supernatural threats.

The reboot promises to introduce Blade to a new generation, potentially integrating him into the broader narrative tapestry of the MCU. This inclusion offers exciting possibilities for storytelling and character development, especially considering the MCU’s expansive and interconnected universe. The character’s unique background and motivations can enrich the MCU’s diverse roster of heroes, bringing a darker, more mature theme to the forefront.

Blade’s struggle with his dual nature as both human and vampire is a central aspect of his character. This internal conflict, coupled with his mission to eradicate vampires, provides fertile ground for exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the concept of the other. The character’s narrative arc offers an opportunity to delve into moral ambiguities and the costs of waging a solitary war against an unseen enemy, themes that resonate on a deeply human level despite the supernatural setting.

The visual and stylistic approach to the “Blade” reboot will be crucial in setting the tone for this darker corner of the MCU. The original films were known for their gritty aesthetic, intense action sequences, and horror elements. The reboot has the potential to blend these elements with the MCU’s signature blend of action, humor, and character-driven storytelling, creating a unique and compelling cinematic experience.

The casting of Mahershala Ali as the new Blade has been met with enthusiasm, signaling a promising direction for the character’s portrayal. Ali, known for his powerful performances and ability to convey deep emotional complexity, is well-suited to bring the nuanced character of Blade to life. His portrayal promises to capture the essence of Blade’s struggle and the intensity of his mission, potentially adding a layer of gravitas and sophistication to the character.

Integrating Blade into the MCU also opens up possibilities for crossover events and interactions with other characters within the universe. The supernatural elements of Blade’s world could pave the way for exploring more mystical and horror-oriented stories, expanding the genre scope of the MCU. This integration could also lead to the introduction of new characters and threats, enriching the narrative possibilities of the MCU.

In conclusion, the “Blade” reboot holds significant potential for both the MCU and the superhero genre at large. By bringing a darker, more mature character into its universe, the MCU is poised to explore new thematic depths and narrative complexities. The character of Blade, with his rich backstory, internal conflicts, and distinct perspective, offers an opportunity to delve into uncharted territory, promising a fresh and exciting chapter in the ongoing saga of the MCU.

The 2019 film “Joker,” directed by Todd Phillips and starring Joaquin Phoenix in the titular role, marked a significant departure from the traditional superhero film. Set against the backdrop of a gritty, decaying Gotham City of the early 1980s, “Joker” provides a deep, unsettling character study of Arthur Fleck, a failed comedian whose descent into madness and chaos mirrors the city’s spiral into violence and despair. This film stands out not only for its dark tone and psychological depth but also for its commentary on societal neglect, mental illness, and the creation of a villain.

Joaquin Phoenix’s transformative performance as Arthur Fleck/Joker is the linchpin of the film’s critical and commercial success. Phoenix delves deeply into the psyche of his character, portraying with nuance the pain, isolation, and eventual rage that propels Arthur’s transformation into the Joker. This performance, which earned Phoenix an Academy Award for Best Actor, is a raw and disturbing depiction of a man pushed beyond the brink by a society indifferent to his suffering.

“Joker” is unique in its focus on the villain’s origin story, eschewing the traditional hero-villain dynamic to explore the circumstances that lead a person to become a symbol of anarchy and rebellion. The film’s narrative is a slow burn, gradually building tension and unease as Arthur faces rejection, mockery, and violence, leading to his embrace of the Joker persona as a form of liberation and empowerment. This approach challenges the audience to empathize with Arthur even as his actions become increasingly violent and deranged.

The film’s aesthetic, from its grimy cityscapes to the haunting score by Hildur Guðnadóttir, enhances the sense of dread and inevitability that permeates Arthur’s world. Phillips’s direction and Lawrence Sher’s cinematography create a Gotham that is both a character in its own right and a reflection of the societal decay and moral ambiguity that contribute to Arthur’s downfall.

Thematically, “Joker” delves into issues of mental illness, societal neglect, and the thin line between sanity and madness. The film poses uncomfortable questions about the role of society in creating its monsters and the ease with which the disenfranchised can be pushed to the margins. Arthur’s transformation into the Joker becomes a symbol of the chaos lurking beneath the surface of order, challenging the audience to consider the cost of indifference and the price of ignoring those in need.

The cultural impact of “Joker” has been significant, sparking debates about the portrayal of violence in cinema, the responsibilities of filmmakers in depicting sensitive topics, and the societal factors that contribute to alienation and violence. The film’s ambiguous nature, leaving audiences to question the reality of Arthur’s experiences, adds layers of interpretation and discussion, further cementing its status as a cinematic landmark.

In conclusion, “Joker” stands as a compelling exploration of the origins of one of fiction’s most iconic villains. It is a film that refuses to provide easy answers, instead offering a haunting portrayal of a man’s journey into darkness. By focusing on the complex interplay between individual trauma and societal failure, “Joker” challenges both the conventions of the superhero genre and the audience’s perceptions of villainy and heroism.