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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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The 25 Best Time Travel Movies of All Time, Ranked

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Time travel movies have been done to death, and many time travel movies suck because they rehash the same old predictable tropes and cliches. But there's still a lot of potential left to be mined in the genre!

Despite the vast number of lackluster time travel movies, there have also been many notable films that came out in the past few decades—and that's on top of the sci-fi classics that still hold up.

At the end of the day, all movies are meant to deliver an entertaining experience for the viewer. With that in mind, here are what I consider to be the best time travel movies of all time.

Warning: I hate spoilers as much as anyone, so I've taken care to exclude spoilers from all movie descriptions in this article. However, knowing that a movie involves time travel could itself be a spoiler! Read on at your own risk.

25. Project Almanac (2015)

Directed by Dean Israelite

Starring Jonny Weston, Sofia Black-D'Elia, Virginia Gardner

Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi (1h 46m)

6.3 on IMDb — 38% on RT

Project Almanac is an underrated time travel movie that probably flew under your radar. Don't let the fact that it seems like a teen drama deter you from checking it out.

A group of high schoolers find something strange in an old home video, which spurs them to investigate—and uncover secrets plans for a time machine. They build it, of course, and that's when the trouble starts.

24. ARQ (2016)

Directed by Tony Elliott

Starring Robbie Amell, Rachael Taylor, Shaun Benson

Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller (1h 28m)

6.3 on IMDb — 43% on RT

A strange energy-providing device causes a couple to be stuck in a time loop while being forced to defend the device against a group intent on stealing it. The setup is strange, the ending is stranger.

This low-budget film is really nothing more than a popcorn flick, but it's a fun ride as long as you don't think too deeply about it. Compared to other thought experiment-type time travel movies, this one's pretty good.

23. Click (2006)

Directed by Frank Coraci

Starring Adam Sandler, Kate Beckinsale, Christopher Walken

Comedy, Drama, Fantasy (1h 47m)

6.4 on IMDb — 34% on RT

Using a magical universal remote, a workaholic finds himself able to skip ahead or rewind back to various points in his life. During those skipped times, his body continues to live on autopilot.

Don't be turned away by the fact that this is an Adam Sandler movie. In one of his best performances ever, Sandler effectively carries this funny-but-heart-wrenching story on his back.

22. Time Lapse (2014)

Directed by Bradley King

Starring Danielle Panabaker, Matt O'Leary, George Finn

Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi (1h 44m)

6.5 on IMDb — 74% on RT

When three friends discover a machine that can take photos 24 hours in the future, things take a dark turn as each photo reveals more than they could've anticipated.

Smart writing makes up for the mediocre performances in Time Lapse . If you go into this indie film without much in the way of expectations, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

21. The Endless (2017)

Directed by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead

Starring Aaron Moorhead, Justin Benson, Callie Hernandez

Drama, Fantasy, Horror (1h 51m)

6.5 on IMDb — 92% on RT

Sci-fi horror done well tends to be pretty rare, but The Endless is a shining example of when it goes right.

The film centers on two brothers who used to belong to an alleged UFO death cult when they were young. Years later, after they'd escaped, they both have different memories of what the cult was like—so they agree to return for one day to set the record straight.

What they find is that the supposed UFO death cult is nothing like how either of them imagined, and they end up embroiled in all kinds of mysterious happenings, including a time loop.

20. The Adam Project (2022)

Directed by Shawn Levy

Starring Ryan Reynolds, Walker Scobell, Mark Ruffalo

Action, Adventure, Comedy (1h 46m)

6.7 on IMDb — 67% on RT

The Adam Project stars Ryan Reynolds as Adam Reed, a man from the future who goes back in time to save his wife. He's injured and takes refuge in his childhood home, but is accidentally discovered by his younger self. They work together to complete Adam's mission of saving his wife.

It's a simple story with Ryan Reynolds basically playing Ryan Reynolds—which is great, if you're into that—but what sets The Adam Project apart is the deeply moving emotional threads that undergird the characters and weave together into a surprisingly cathartic climax.

19. Primer (2004)

Directed by Shane Carruth

Starring Shane Carruth, David Sullivan, Casey Gooden

Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller (1h 17m)

6.8 on IMDb — 73% on RT

Four entrepreneurs accidentally invent a time travel machine, which ends up ruining their lives when they decide to give it a spin. Primer is the quintessential time travel film and a must-see movie for time travel fans who love poring over the tiniest details.

It's short (only 77-minute runtime) but insanely dense—the kind of movie you have to watch multiple times to really understand what actually happened, and even then you may not fully get it.

18. Safety Not Guaranteed (2012)

Directed by Colin Trevorrow

Starring Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass, Jake Johnson

Adventure, Comedy, Drama (1h 26m)

6.9 on IMDb — 91% on RT

Safety Not Guaranteed is a comedy romance film centering on three magazine staffers who go out to interview a strange man who's looking for a partner for his upcoming time travel mission. They think it's all a joke, but the truth slowly shows itself to be something more.

While the actual act of time traveling doesn't play a huge role, Safety Not Guaranteed is a must-watch for anyone who's looking for a heartfelt drama that's well-written and infused with depth by a solid cast.

17. Triangle (2009)

Directed by Christopher Smith

Starring Melissa George, Joshua McIvor, Jack Taylor

Fantasy, Mystery, Sci-Fi (1h 39m)

6.9 on IMDb — 80% on RT

In the wake of a yachting accident, a group of friends are rescued by what appears to be a mysteriously empty cruise ship. As they further explore the ship's interior, they encounter horrors unknown.

Again, well-done science fiction horror films are hard to come by, and Triangle stands out for its premise and execution, particularly in how time travel is revealed and incorporated. There's nothing groundbreaking here, but it's certainly interesting and memorable.

16. The Time Traveler's Wife (2009)

Directed by Robert Schwentke

Starring Eric Bana, Rachel McAdams, Ron Livingston

7.1 on IMDb — 39% on RT

In The Time Traveler's Wife , Henry is a man who has a genetic anomaly that causes him to time travel. The thing is, he can't control when or where he travels to, and thus struggles to keep his marriage alive.

Based on the novel by the same name, The Time Traveler's Wife may not be able to capture the full magic that made the book so great—there's just too much content to fit into one movie—but it's still a stirring romantic drama with several twists and moving moments.

15. Timecrimes (2007)

Directed by Nacho Vigalondo

Starring Karra Elejalde, Candela Fernández, Bárbara Goenaga

Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi (1h 32m)

7.1 on IMDb — 90% on RT

In the Spanish-language Timecrimes , an average man accidentally travels back in time one hour, unleashing a series of disastrous events. That's all you really want to know about this film before diving in.

More to the tune of mystery than action, Timecrimes is a flawless example of a "What actually happened?" narrative that asks you to puzzle things together as events unfold before you. The twists are plentiful here.

14. Palm Springs (2020)

Directed by Max Barbakow

Starring Andy Samberg, Cristin Milioti, J. K. Simmons

Comedy, Fantasy, Mystery (1h 30m)

7.4 on IMDb — 94% on RT

Palm Springs takes place at a wedding in Palm Springs, California. Two guests inadvertently get stuck in a time loop, reliving the same exact wedding day over and over, and try to find a way to escape.

The premise may not seem like anything special, but the performances by Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti elevate this film to new heights. Infused with comedy, drama, and romance, Palm Springs makes full use of its time loop situation to tell an impactful story.

13. Predestination (2014)

Directed by Michael Spierig and Peter Spierig

Starring Ethan Hawke, Sarah Snook, Noah Taylor

Action, Drama, Sci-Fi (1h 37m)

7.4 on IMDb — 84% on RT

A time-traveling agent's final assignment is to track down the one criminal who he's never been able to capture. But the further down the rabbit hole he goes, the more mind-bending the truths become.

Predestination isn't just a time travel film. What sets this film apart from most sci-fi movies is how deftly it handles its deeper themes, how deep it's willing to go with its characters, and how expertly the narrative unfolds. It's truly one of the most complex time travel movies ever made.

12. The Butterfly Effect (2004)

Directed by Eric Bress and J. Mackye Gruber

Starring Ashton Kutcher, Amy Smart, Melora Walters

Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller (1h 53m)

7.6 on IMDb — 34% on RT

A man discovers he has the ability to change the present by traveling back into the mind of his younger self, but around every corner await unintended consequences.

You've heard of "the butterfly effect" before, and The Butterfly Effect effectively takes that concept and turns it into a dark thriller. Ashton Kutcher stars in this film against type and delivers a surprisingly great performance in this gripping film about regret and control.

11. About Time (2013)

Directed by Richard Curtis

Starring Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy

Comedy, Drama, Fantasy (2h 3m)

7.8 on IMDb — 70% on RT

A man who can travel through time decides to use his power to woo the girl of his dreams, but things aren't as easy as they seem—and the limits of his power cause him to make a tough and important decision.

With Domhnall Gleeson and Rachel McAdams taking the lead, About Time ends up being a romantic comedy that's far better than it has any right to be, complete with a superbly moving ending that's completely earned.

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

Directed by Alfonso Cuarón

Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint

Adventure, Family, Fantasy (2h 22m)

7.9 on IMDb — 90% on RT

It's Harry Potter's third year at Hogwarts and this time Lord Voldemort isn't his main concern. Instead, Sirius Black—the one who was suspected as betraying his parents—has escaped from Azkaban Prison and rumor has it that he's coming to finish Harry off.

Often praised as the best film in the Harry Potter franchise—thanks to impeccable direction by Alfonso Cuaron— The Prisoner of Azkaban isn't just a standout for its time travel subplot but also for its cohesive narrative that combines numerous themes with stellar cinematography.

9. Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

Directed by Doug Liman

Starring Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton

Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi (1h 53m)

7.9 on IMDb — 91% on RT

In the face of an alien invasion, a soldier somehow ends up reliving the same day over and over every time he dies. He must somehow use this to his advantage and defeat the invading aliens while also finding a way to escape the endless loop in which he's trapped.

As far as time loop movies go, Edge of Tomorrow is one of the better executed ones. Not only is the tight story well-paced, but stars Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt put in excellent performances that carry the narrative forward from start to finish.

8. The Man From Earth (2007)

Directed by Richard Schenkman

Starring David Lee Smith, Tony Todd, John Billingsley

Drama, Fantasy, Mystery (1h 27m)

7.8 on IMDb — 100% on RT

During a retirement party, an aging professor reveals that he's been alive longer than his colleagues can imagine.

The Man From Earth is best described as a "play caught on camera," delivering an engaging mystery that's built on the foundation of an interesting thought experiment.

Not many dialogue-only films are this riveting, which is why you should definitely give this one a watch.

7. Arrival (2016)

Directed by Denis Villeneuve

Starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker

Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi (1h 56m)

7.9 on IMDb — 94% on RT

When aliens arrive on Earth, a linguist is brought to the frontlines to decipher their language and establish communications.

Easily one of the most cerebral science fiction movies ever made, Arrival takes things to the next level by exploring deep themes and ideas that few other films have dared to touch. You won't ever forget this one.

6. 12 Monkeys (1995)

Directed by Terry Gilliam

Starring Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, Brad Pitt

Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller (2h 9m)

8.0 on IMDb — 88% on RT

In the year 2035, a convict is sent back in time to 1996 with one mission: to investigate the cause of a man-made virus that decimated the world. But his mission is sidetracked when he's sent back to the wrong time period and ends up in a mental hospital.

Featuring one of Bruce Willis's best performances, 12 Monkeys starts off slow but ends with a bang. There's a lot to love about this mind-bending movie if you can get through the slow but necessary setup.

5. Donnie Darko (2001)

Directed by Richard Kelly

Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Mary McDonnell

Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi (1h 53m)

8.0 on IMDb — 87% on RT

A high schooler begins to see visions of a man in a deranged bunny suit who warns him that the world is going to end in a few days—and convinces him to commit all sorts of crimes and unsavory deeds to prevent the oncoming apocalypse.

Donnie Darko is a strange film with time travel elements that aren't as overt as in other time travel films. But if you're itching for a uniquely surreal film experience, it doesn't get much weirder than Donnie Darko .

4. Groundhog Day (1993)

Directed by Harold Ramis

Starring Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott

Comedy, Drama, Fantasy (1h 41m)

8.0 on IMDb — 94% on RT

An insufferable weatherman finds himself caught in a time loop, reliving the same mundane day over and over again with seemingly no way out of it—and after thousands of repeats, it starts to take its toll on him.

Groundhog Day is a hilarious comedy that's also surprisingly deep if you're willing to unpack it, acting as a lesson in what really brings about happiness and self-improvement. If you're a fan of Bill Murray and haven't seen this yet, what have you been waiting for?!

3. Your Name (2016)

Directed by Makoto Shinkai

Starring Michael Sinterniklaas, Stephanie Sheh, Kyle Hebert

Animation, Drama, Fantasy (1h 46m)

8.4 on IMDb — 98% on RT

One day, a high school boy in Tokyo and a high school girl in the countryside start swapping bodies, seemingly at random but only when they go to sleep. But then the swapping stops. The boy is compelled to find the girl, but investigating leads to a heartbreaking answer.

Your Name isn't just one of the best animated movies of all time, nor simply one of the best Japanese movies of all time, but one of the best, period. It's incredibly heartfelt with a climax that'll hit you in the gut.

2. Back to the Future (1985)

Directed by Robert Zemeckis

Starring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson

Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi (1h 56m)

8.5 on IMDb — 93% on RT

A teenage boy from 1985 accidentally goes back in time thirty years with his mad scientist friend. Not only does he need to find a way home, but he accidentally puts his own existence in danger and must make sure his future parents end up falling in love.

Back to the Future is a classic time travel movie and you owe it to yourself to make it the next movie you watch if you've never seen it. Look past the 1980s cheesiness and you'll see an engaging story beneath it all.

1. Interstellar (2014)

Directed by Christopher Nolan

Starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain

Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi (2h 49m)

8.7 on IMDb — 73% on RT

With Earth on the brink of extinction, a team of astronauts must travel through a wormhole to find a new planet for humans to colonize. But journeying through outer space comes with all kinds of complications, and finding a habitable planet isn't going to be so easy.

For all its flaws, Interstellar packs a thrilling story on top of dazzling visuals and one of the most moving soundtracks of any film, period. This is the kind of film that'll have you thinking long after the credits roll, and for many reasons beyond just time travel.

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+.

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• Marvel Universe

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.

It might be dangerous, but is time travel one of the most useful super powers ?

I've been Newsarama's resident Marvel Comics expert and general comic book historian since 2011. I've also been the on-site reporter at most major comic conventions such as Comic-Con International: San Diego, New York Comic Con, and C2E2. Outside of comic journalism, I am the artist of many weird pictures, and the guitarist of many heavy riffs. (They/Them)

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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: 134,983

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: 483,165

3. 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: 2,829

4. 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: 2,099,930 | Gross: $188.02M

5. 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: 595,173

6. 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: 246,539

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: 179,056

8. 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: 444,219

9. 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: 188,527 | Gross: $87.24M

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: 48,904

11. 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: 229,093 | Gross: $180.01M

12. 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: 368,217

13. 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: 101,382

14. 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: 182,329 | Gross: $0.44M

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: 275,261

16. 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: 91,363

17. 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: 70,793

18. 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: 77,326

19. 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: 1,265,799 | Gross: $858.37M

20. 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: 771,123 | Gross: $100.55M

21. Totally Killer (2023)

R | 106 min | Comedy, Horror

When the infamous "Sweet Sixteen Killer" returns 35 years after his first murder spree to claim another victim, 17-year-old Jamie accidentally travels back in time to 1987, determined to stop the killer before he can start.

Director: Nahnatchka Khan | Stars: Kiernan Shipka , Olivia Holt , Charlie Gillespie , Lochlyn Munro

Votes: 50,735

22. 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: 1,306,821 | Gross: $210.61M

23. 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: 257,487

24. 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: 210,367

25. 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: 53,674

26. 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: 251,622

27. 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: 645,623 | Gross: $324.59M

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: 93,144

29. 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: 924,175 | Gross: $38.40M

30. 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: 260,946

31. 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: 411,410

32. 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: 94,704

33. 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: 8,335

34. 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: 1,174,021 | Gross: $204.84M

35. 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: 850,079 | Gross: $1.48M

36. 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: 719,509 | Gross: $56.95M

37. 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: 193,223 | Gross: $33.40M

38. 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: 198,467

39. 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: 592,696 | Gross: $58.46M

40. Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

PG | 96 min | Comedy

A listless and alienated teenager decides to help his new friend win the class presidency in their small western high school, while he must deal with his bizarre family life back home.

Director: Jared Hess | Stars: Jon Heder , Efren Ramirez , Jon Gries , Aaron Ruell

Votes: 237,798 | Gross: $44.54M

41. 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: 110,965

42. 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: 376,846 | Gross: $100.48M

43. 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: 39,522

44. 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: 97,213

45. 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: 691,569 | Gross: $249.36M

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: 445,342 | Gross: $404.52M

47. About Time (I) (2013)

R | 123 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy

At the age of 21, Tim discovers he can travel in time and change what happens and has happened in his own life. His decision to make his world a better place by getting a girlfriend turns out not to be as easy as you might think.

Director: Richard Curtis | Stars: Domhnall Gleeson , Rachel McAdams , Bill Nighy , Lydia Wilson

Votes: 385,868 | Gross: $15.32M

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: 671,529 | Gross: $190.24M

49. The Devil's Advocate (1997)

R | 144 min | Drama, Fantasy, Mystery

An exceptionally-adept Florida lawyer is offered a job at a high-end New York City law firm with a high-end boss--the biggest opportunity of his career to date.

Director: Taylor Hackford | Stars: Keanu Reeves , Al Pacino , Charlize Theron , Jeffrey Jones

Votes: 401,907 | Gross: $60.98M

50. 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: 320,282 | Gross: $5.02M

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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?

[ RELATED :  Who Has Wielded Thor's Hammer? ]

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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Celebrating the series' launch, retailers received a special 'Deadpool & Wolverine: WWIII' #1 variant cover by artist Gabriele Dell'Otto.

Check out never-before-seen artwork from each story in the upcoming 'Marvel's Voices: Pride' one-shot, 'X-Men: The Wedding Special' #1, on sale May 31.

Celebrate Earth Month with the cutest Guardian of the Galaxy, Groot!

On sale May 29, 'Wolverine' #50 celebrates both 50 years of Wolverine and 50 issues of Benjamin Percy’s acclaimed run.

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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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Franklin Richards

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Iris West Allen

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Ranking comic book characters by their powers, strength, physical traits, affiliations, and other features, like how just goshdarn super they are.

50 Greatest Superhero Movies of All Time

When Action Comics No. 1 hit newsstands in June of 1938 and readers met Krypton’s number-one-son Superman, it was a big-bang event that kicked off what would become the Great American Superhero Obsession. Naturally, the movies wanted in on this craze as well. Thus, a few years later, serials like The Adventures of Captain Marvel (1941), Batman (1943) and Captain America (1944) became matinee staples; even the Man of Steel would get his own 15-part adventure in 1948. Later, these comic-book characters would get co-opted by this newfangled invention called “television,” and you could tune in watch George Reeves move faster than a speeding bullet, Adam West and Burt Ward zap-blam-pow their way through a who’s-who of Bat-villains and Bill Bixby go from mild-mannered drifter to a raging green hulk. Don’t even get us started on Saturday morning cartoons.

By the time superheroes started making their way back to the big screen in the late 1970s and the 1980s, these defenders of truth and justice had become universally recognized icons — you didn’t have to be a comic-book reader to know what that black-and-yellow bat insignia meant, or understand that a red mask with white eyes and a web design equaled your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. And when the one-two punch of the first X-Men movie and Sam Raimi’s first Spider-Man hit theaters within a few years of each other, the stage was set for the first part of the 21st century to give birth to what’s now a Golden Age of Superhero Movies.

So, after having navigated several cinematic universes and traveled through a host of multiverses, fought infinity wars and played endgames, rode shotgun with webslingers and prowled alongside dark knights and hung with so many supergroups that we’ve practically become charter members, we’ve ranked the top 50 superhero movies of all time. From the campy to the grimdark, the late nights in Gotham City to the sunrises in Wakanda, these are the films that both define the genre and have helped turn the thrill of watching comic-book characters leap on to the screen into a multiplex lingua franca.

‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’ (2021)

Forget, just for a second, the torturous online campaigns and toxic fandoms, the studio-brass handwringing, the behind-the-scenes shenanigans and — please, in the name of Jor-El — the theatrical cut of what was designed to be the pinnacle of DC’s Extended Universe. Zack Snyder’s long, extended version of his supergroup epic does not just improve upon its predecessor; it demonstrates a reverence for these legacy characters, fleshes out some key backstories, and drops everyone into a battle royale against a much more worthy villain. (Give it up for Apokolips’ heavyweight champion of the universe, Darkseid!) This is the superhero movie as self-serious Wagnerian sturm-und-drang epic, a riot of slo-mo action sequences and narrative big-swings that, for at least four hours, makes you feel like there’s someone who is treating these DCEU heroes and villains like the gods and monsters they are on the page. —D.F.

‘Ghost Rider’ (2007)

Give it for the iconoclastic Nicolas Cage: As Johnny Blaze, he tumbles off a motorcycle and bursts into flames, twitching and emoting in agony amidst a mock-operatic musical score as he transforms into the macabre 1970s antihero. It’s a scene as awesome as one might expect. But there’s also his pairing with Eva Mendes, and the way the two generate real sparks on screen. Overall, the movie is shamelessly goofy fun in a way that rewards casual, expectation-free viewing. We didn’t get Cage as Superman, but at least we got Cage as Ghost Rider. —M.R.

‘Megamind’ (2010)

This animated flick dares ask the question: “What if Lex Luthor was a big-headed, blue-skinned alien who had a thing for Lois Lane — and then won big because Superman just wasn’t all that into his job?” Will Ferrell’s dastardly bad guy Megamind goes full-Goofus to the Gallant that is Brad Pitt’s bro-of-steel Metro Man; Tina Fey is a spotless semi-romantic foil; and David Cross was born to play the earnest-yet-obsequious bad-guy minion, i.e. a fish sitting atop a robot body. It’s funny, heart-felt and the rare parody of super-rivalry stories that works just as well as a superhero movie. —J.G.

‘Infra-Man’ (1975)

Inspired by the runaway success of the Japanese TV show Ultraman, legendary Hong Kong movie producer Runme Shaw decided to come up with own story of a scientist (Danny Lee) who’s turned into a bionic hero with superstrength, laser-beam eyes and the ability to grow 20 stories tall — all the better to fight any kaiju that a recently awakened demon princess throws his way. Sure, it’s campy in the same way that a lot of those Seventies’ Godzilla movies were. But it’s also an absolute blast, and you can see the trace influences of this nuclear-energy fueled, martial-arts fighting, metal-glove launching defender of Earth (described in the hyperventilating trailer as “six million light years beyond believability!”) everywhere from the Power Rangers series to Pacific Rim. —D.F.

‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’ (2010)

Edgar Wright’s giddy adaptation of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novels — about a lovesick Toronto musician named Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) who must battle the seven ex-lovers of his literal dream girl, Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) — borrows from a host of nerd cultures, from hipster neo-garage rock to anime to Mortal Kombat -style video games. But like the source material, it tips its hat a lot to superhero comics, and by extension superhero movies; watch Pilgrim punch and kick his way between the evil men and women who stand between him and romantic bliss, and you can see how this beautifully slides in sideways to the genre. All the dude needs is a mask and a cape. (And thanks to the miracle of retroactive viewing, you can now watch Cera fight Captain America for the hand of the Huntress, while mourning the loss of his previous ex-girlfriend Ms. Marvel.) —D.F.

‘The Old Guard’ (2020)

Ancient empires have risen and fallen, yet one thing has remained constant: a group of immortal warriors — led by Charlize Theron, at the top of her do-not-fuck-with-me game here — have acted as heroes for hire (or villains, if the price is right and “depending on the century”). They soon discover that a young Marine named Nile (KiKi Layne) has the same regenerative powers that they have; quicker than they can say “Welcome to a lifetime of endless battle,” however, the gang and their new recruit must deal with the aftermath of a mission gone bad and a Pharma-bro bad guy who wants to find out the source of their genetic special sauce. Writer Greg Rucka adapts his own comic book story for the screen and director Gina Prince-Blythewood complements his taste for carnage with both emotional heft and some truly kapow-worthy fight scenes. A sequel is currently in the works. Long live this new franchise. —D.F.

‘Batman: The Movie’ (1966)

POW! WHAP! TWHACK!! Batman and Robin take on filthy super-criminals the Joker, the Penguin, the Riddler, and the Catwoman in this widescreen whirligig of self-mocking mayhem and candy-colored set pieces that expand on the hit TV show’s cheeky-campy Pop Art sensibility. The silver-screen debut of Adam West’s caped crusader is also the character’s most batty movie appearance, with exploding sharks, Polaris missiles that skywrite cryptic dad jokes, overly Bat-branded paraphernalia, and a device that reduces the world’s political leaders into vials of dehydrated crystals. It’s the Swinging-Sixties love child of DC Comics and Mad magazine, and an early roadmap for 21st century superhero levity. —S.G.

‘Thor’ (2011)

Director Kenneth Branagh drew on his background to lend a Shakespearean gravitas to this first solo entry regarding one of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes: Thor, son of Odin, wielder of the hammer Mjölnir, and everyone’s favorite God of Thunder. Exiled from the mythical realm of Asgard by his father to our own planet, the blonde deity — seriously, was Australian actor Chris Hemsworth created in a laboratory for the sole purpose of playing this comic-book character?! — he quickly catches the eye of astrophysicist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and begins to settle into his new home. His trickster brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) has other plans, however. It’s a great introduction to the character and the Kirby-esque world his divine peers call home, not to mention Hiddleston’s sly take on a supervillain that would soon become a key MCU staple. —D.F.

‘The LEGO Batman Movie’ (2017)

Thank you, d irector Chris McKay and producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, for remembering that Batman doesn’t have to be grimdark 24-7 — the Caped Crusader can be funny. Turning a standout cameo from The LEGO Movie into a full-on feature, the holy trio gave us Bat-toy story finds Will Arnett embodying Batman at his most self-important and Michael Cera as Robin at his most earnest. Packed with C-list bad guys and plenty of Easter eggs for DC comics lifers in a movie anyone can enjoy, it’s easily an instant Bat-classic. —J.G.

‘The Avengers’ (2012)

Fending off an alien invasion in Manhattan might have seemed like a quaint exercise by the time the stakes became “half the living beings in the universe are about to disintegrate.” But the audacity of the original Avengers entry remains undeniable: No had ever tried jamming so many superheroes into a single movie before.  It was mostly the sturdiness of the cast — including Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/The Hulk and Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, both debuting here, plus Scarlet Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson and Tom Hiddleston reminding us that screen presence is a superpower too — that kept it all from sliding into kiddie-flick ludicrousness. The Battle of New York is a universally recognized MCU high point, along with comedy beats like Hulk slamming Loki into the ground. Yet less-recognized moments, like the angry green giant chasing Black Widow through the underbelly of a Hellicarrier, pay off just as well. —B.H.

‘The Dark Knight Rises’ (2012)

If there’s one standout moment from the finale of Christopher Nolan’s classic trilogy, it’s the scene where Bane and Batman go mano-a-mano — and then the supervillain pummels the world’s greatest detective like he’s tenderizing beef. Then there’s Bane’s crazed speech calling for anarchy, which has drawn comparisons to real-life anti-government groups like the Proud Boys. And though its ending is cathartic, this bleak conclusion to Nolan’s reinvention of the Caped Crusader still feels like a cautionary tale even as its most entertaining. This is the superhero movie as a portrait of a society that’s as broken as Batman’s back. It’s both thrilling and scary, exploring tones and ideas that most blockbuster fare is afraid to touch. —M.R.

‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ (2022)

Welcome back, Sam Raimi! The Spider-Man director returns to the genre he helped level up and adds some very old-school, Evil Dead -era horror elements to this sequel, in which Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch, natch) and a young woman named America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) skip through alternate universes to stop Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) from tearing the fabric of reality asunder. While you admittedly do need a PhD in Advanced MCU Studies to follow the plot — or at least know WandaVision inside and out — you don’t have to be a Marvel expert to dig how Raimi turns the last third into a cinematic haunted house while still delivering a superhero blockbuster, or the way he uses the multiverse concept to twist and tweak a lot of franchise lore. Like, for example, introducing some intriguing casting choices and what-if versions of legacy characters…and then literally exploding the entire idea before your very eyes. Kudos, sir. —D.F.

‘Captain America: The First Avenger’ (2011)

The single most overlooked MCU movie is filled with throwback, 1940s-serial-style thrills that feel like a cross between the Indiana Jones movies and The Rocketeer — which is no surprise, since it was directed by George Lucas protege Joe Johnston. (He not only helmed The Rocketeer, but also art-directed the first two Indiana Jones movies and, for good measure, designed Boba Fett.) The film’s pacing thankfully belongs to an earlier time as well: we spend a full 37 minutes getting to know the digitally de-muscled version of Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers before he gets super-serum-ed into Captain America. That kind of old-fashioned approach allows for vintage thrills, spills and chills, but also one of the franchise’s best scenes: a powerless Rogers throwing his body on what he thinks is a live grenade. A great introduction to a hero that would become a key MCU player. —B.H.

‘The Batman’ (2022)

We’ll confess to being a little confused when it was announced that Matt Reeves was making a new Batman movie, and the actor playing this latest iteration of the D.C. flagship hero would be…Robert Pattinson? It turned out to be a bit of a casting coup, as The Lighthouse / Tenet actor brings a genuine sense of discomfort, trauma and hair-trigger intensity to this early-days Dark Knight, who’s still earning his “World’s Greatest Detective” title. It’s a Batman constantly on the verge of a psychotic break, which in many ways makes him the ideal person to track down an equally unhinged version of the Riddler (Paul Dano in supreme negative-creep mode). Meanwhile, Zoe Kravitz’s extra-slinky Catwoman and a near-unrecognizable Colin Farrell as a grotesque Penguin round out the gallery of rogues. An impressive addition to the ever-growing Bat-canon, to say the least. —D.F.

‘Tank Girl’ (1995)

Folks didn’t quite know what to make of Rachel Talalay’s movie that brought Jamie Hewlett’s postapocalyptic comic-book adventurer to the big screen. (Hewlett, of course, went on to greater fame as part of the Gorillaz team.) It’s a quirky and unforgettable blur of Alternative Nation iconography, from the Courtney Love soundtrack to Iggy Pop showing up as a character named “Rat Face” and a virtually unrecognizable Ice-T as a kangaroo named T-Saint. Lori But Petty is the perfect choice to the punkish hero — you’d have thought she stepped right out of Hewlett’s panels. And whether it’s seducing a goon before kicking him in the balls and blowing him away with a grenade or sneaking away with a female friend for some off-camera play, Tank Girl ‘s subversive spin on superhero tales continue to be debated by feminist scholars and genre-film geeks to the present day. —M.R.

‘Ant-Man’ (2015)

It’s easy to forget the diversity of tone in the early phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the full-on comedy that Peyton Reed’s Ant-Man often pushed into was one its most welcome experiments — just as the ever-boyish Paul Rudd, as a virtuous convict who just wants to see his daughter, was perhaps the single most charming of its leads. The movie’s smartest move, however, was following the lead of the comics and making Rudd’s Scott Lang the second Ant-Man, which allowed the film to come with its pre-built mythology and let Michael Douglas (and eventually, Michelle Pfeiffer) play a superhero. —B.H.

‘The Suicide Squad’ (2021)

The Synder-ified world of the DCEU was always a weird fit with source material that included a Superdog, various interdimensional imps, and a giant, purple, alien starfish named Starro. Thankfully, Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn didn’t get around to including Krypto or Batmite in his take on the supervillain supergroup, but he did build an entire plot around the aforementioned starfish. With its cavalcade of oft-doomed B-level characters — and one A-lister in the form of Margot Robbie’s incandescent Harley Quinn — The Suicide Squad hits a tone of Grand Guignol zaniness that no other superhero film has yet matched. Extra points for a brilliant fake-out of an opening sequence (with the introduction of an entire team soon doomed to grisly deaths) and for spawning the utterly perfect TV spin-off with Jon Cena’s Peacemaker. —B.H.

‘Blade II’ (2002)

It was not lost on Guillermo del Toro that Wesley Snipes’ vampire hunter was a character who originally had one foot in the superhero world and one foot in 1970s horror comics — and his superior sequel to the 1998 pre-MCU-renaissance Marvel movie makes sure to give both genres equal time. A new breed of bloodsuckers known as “Reapers” are decimating both the human and creatures-of-the-night communities; Blade must team up with a group of undead renegades known as “the Blood Pack” to take these extremely viral vamps down. It’s a dark take on superhero stories before it was the fashionable thing to do (to put this in comic-nerd terms: Imagine a Marvel B-title getting a full-blown Vertigo makeover.) But you can tell del Toro is both reverent of the pulpy source material and clearly having fun playing around in this sandbox, from way the Reapers’ mandible-like jaws pop open to the tough-guy banter to his staging of Blade slicing through a trio of bad guys like it was a splash panel. —D.F.

‘Unbreakable’ (2000)

Po-faced stadium security guard David Dunn (Bruce Willis) experiences a profound personal awakening after surviving a massive train wreck unscathed — and, with the help of infirm intellectual Elijah Price (Samuel L. Jackson), slowly unearths his own steely potential. Plot-twist impresario M. Night Shyamalan pulled off his greatest narrative feat by turning a mournful mystery with realistic emotions and everyday characters into a stealth superhero origin story. It’s also a coy commentary on the delicate symbiotic dance between protagonists and their antagonists, plus the first installment of an unexpected and wildly original film trilogy that stretches over two decades. —S.G.

‘V for Vendetta’ (2005)

“Remember, remember, the fifth of November….” Alan Moore’s dystopian tale of a masked vigilante — that Guy Fawkes visage would soon become the default visual symbol for 21st century political-underground activists — is a radical re-imagining of superhero mythology, in which a costumed crusader becomes the fly in the fascist alt-future ointment. And this adaptation from director James McTeigue and producers/writers Lily and Lana Wachowski comes impressively close to capturing the comic legend’s voice, leaning heavily into the notion that there’s a fine line between terrorists and freedom fighters even when super powers (via mutations from a government-sponsored virus) are involved. Long before she’d aid the God of Thunder — or pick up the hammer herself — a shaven-headed Natalie Portman would aid and abet the man known as “V,” as he mobilizes an army against totalitarian forces. Let’s just say it’s the rare superhero movie that seems to get more prescient as the years go by. —D.F.

‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ (2021)

Finally: the first major American film focused on an Asian superhero. At its center is breakout Chinese-Canadian star Simu Liu, who’s sturdy, earthy performance fuels this origin story of the 1970s comic-book character Shang-Chi, and his battle against criminal organizations, otherworldly threats and his own destiny. Like any Marvel flick, there’s action galore — a set piece where Shang-Chi battles thugs on a MUNI bus in San Francisco is particularly thrilling — but it’s the fraught relationships between Liu and his family (played by Hong Kong legends Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh) that resonates the most. —M.R.

‘The Crow’ (1994)

Forever haunted by the on-set death of star Brandon Lee (son of martial-arts cinema legend/pop culture icon Bruce Lee), this story of a resurrected musician-turned-undead-superhero who’s hellbent on revenge remains both a tribute to the actor and a genre highlight. Creator James O’Barr wrote and illustrated the comics after his fiancé was killed by a drunk driver; director Alex Proyas translates the comic’s inherent mope into something that’s somehow exhilarating and transcendent while also appropriately Goth-trashy. It helps that Michael Wincott was note-perfect as a Detroit crimelord villain and the terrific soundtrack is one of the 1990s alt-rock greats. —J.G.

‘Batman Begins’ (2005)

The kick-off entry to Christopher Nolan’s gamechanging trilogy was the first live-action Batman movie to draw upon the best modern comic-book interpretations of the character (most obviously Frank Miller and David Mazzuchelli’s Batman: Year One ) in a world so grounded that we even learned a great deal about the specifics of Batarang manufacturing. Christian Bale is an appropriately obsessive Bruce Wayne, but it’s the supporting cast — Michael Caine’s instantly definitive, fatherly-but-sardonic Alfred; Morgan Freeman’s blatantly Q-like Lucius Fox; Cillian Murphy’s underrated, creepy-as-hell Scarecrow; Gary Oldman’s weary Jim Gordon — that really brings this revisionist look at the Caped Crusader to life. —B.H.

‘Hellboy’ (2004)

Guillermo del Toro’s take on Mike Mignola’s eponymous superhero  — a cigar-chomping demon with a giant romantic soul — captures the writer-artist’s vision and the book’s tone so well, shifting between supernatural horror (with a jump scare or two), wonderous fantasy, militaristic action, and shadowy cynicism, sometimes within the span of seconds. Much of the film’s success is due to Ron Perlman, who plays the giant  with a pugilistic intelligence akin to Gray Hulk. Selma Blair’s performance as the psychokinetic Liz Sherman and David Hyde Pierce’s voicework for the amphibious Abe Sapien stand out, too. But this is ultimately a del Toro affair, and his blend of Gothic delights as Hellboy and Rasputin do battle is enough to thrill old-school comic readers and fans of his acclaimed filmography alike. —M.R.

‘Darkman’ (1990)

Before jumpstarting the MCU with Spider-Man and seasoning Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness with moments of genuine terror, Sam Raimi created a sui generis superhero-as-antihero. Regenerative-skin scientist Peyton Westlake (Liam Neeson), horribly disfigured and left for dead by mobsters, survives due to an experimental procedure that leaves him immune to pain and susceptible to adrenaline-fueled surges of augmented strength. His only weakness: a profound sense of alienation. His lifelike but unstable synthetic masks transform him into a crime-fighting master of disguise, but mental instability makes him unpredictably monstrous. Darkman proved that even morally complex stories can have a broad-stroke comic-book sensibility. —S.G.

‘The Rocketeer’ (1991)

Most of the post- Batman wave of superhero and pulp adaptations were forgettable, but Joe Johnston’s tale of a WWII-era pilot with a jet-pack battling gangsters and Nazis is a retro delight. Has there ever been a more photogenic superhero couple than Billy Campbell and Jennifer Connelly? Years later, Johnston would apply a similar gee-whiz throwback tone to his contribution to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (see No. 38). But this tribute to the old-fashioned derring-do of 1930s serials, i.e. the original superhero movies, got there first. —A.S.

‘Batman Returns’ (1992)

Tim Burton’s original 1989 Batman may be the more historically important film in terms of establishing superhero movies as sure-thing tentpoles. But his aggressively weird sequel — including Danny DeVito as a grotesque mutant Penguin and Christopher Walken as a Trump-ish politician — is ultimately the more memorable movie, in particular thanks to Michelle Pfeiffer’s wonderfully perverse purr-formance as Catwoman. It also feels more like a Burton film than its predecessor, from its melancholy tone to the hints of mall-Goth kink, and the weird friction between his style and the traditional good-vs.-evil comic story helps make this stand out as a superior Caped Crusader movie. —A.S.

‘Deadpool’ (2016)

You may remember meeting Wade Williams in X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) — that’s the version of the Merc with the Mouth that fans thought was just a little too tame. So when director Tim Miller brought the character back for his own stand-alone movie, we got to see a much more violent, way more vulgar version on the cult comic character. Ryan Reynolds inherently got why this wiseass assassin-for-hire was so popular with comic readers: He’s extremely good at what he does, i.e. killing people, and never, ever shuts up. Both the actor and the movie leaned into Wade Wilson’s obnoxious, snark-heavy bad behavior and didn’t flinch when it came to taking the genre into NSFW gross-out comedy territory. The result made those other “edgy” superhero movies feel like Disney cartoons by comparison. —D.F.

‘Robocop’ (1987)

Paul Verhoeven’s merciless skewering of America’s obsession with law and order is one helluva social satire — but it’s also a superhero movie (or maybe a super-antihero movie), and a really great one at that. After Peter Weller’s police officer in future-dystopia Detroit is murdered, he’s assembled into a cyborg that’s marketed as the cutting-edge of crime fighting. Soon, this robotic law officer begins suspecting there’s something shady going on with his corporate masters. The violence is so over-the-top that it plays like a parody of might-makes-right comic-­book morality stories, which is part of the point — no wonder The Dark Knight Returns writer-artist Frank Miller borrowed the character for his own subversive comic-book stories . We’d still buy this for a dollar! —D.F.

‘Doctor Strange’ (2016)

Meet Stephen Strange, former egotistical surgeon turned Master of the Mystic Arts. Benedict Cumberbatch lends just the right amount of wounded pride and tongue-in-cheek humor to the inaugural big-screen adventure of the Sorcerer Supreme, while director Scott Derrickson makes you feel like you’re watching all these surreal, hallucinogenic Steve Ditko panels from the original Strange comics come to life. That M.C. Escher style chase scene remains one of the most wonderfully WTF MCU set pieces to date. And it’s no surprise that Strange would end up becoming the go-to supernatural guest star in virtually every other Marvel movie that came after. —D.F.

‘Superman II’ (1980)

Look, even the Man of Steek needs a break sometimes! Richard Lester’s sequel to the original finds our planet’s guardian wanting to retire to enjoy the normal life he’s earned with Lois Lane. Unfortunately, he decides it call it a day right as three Kryptonian supervillains break out of the Phantom Zone and try to conquer Earth. The Christopher Reeve/Margot Kidder/Gene Hackman core makes it all sing, as does the focus on the relationship between Superman and the woman he loves. Also: Kneel before Zod! —A.S.

‘Batman: Mask of the Phantasm’ (1993)

Serious Bat-nerds view Batman: The Animated Series as the truest screen adaptation of the character, and this film spinoff makes a seriously strong case for deserving pride of place. It takes the bottomless grief of its Bruce Wayne (voiced by Kevin Conroy) seriously without making his Batman insufferably grim and gritty. It has Mark Hamill — yes, that Mark Hamill — earning chilling laughs as the Joker. The era-spanning design of its Gotham City looks gorgeous on the big screen. And the introduction of Dana Delany as a woman from Bruce’s past sets up one of the most tragic conclusions to any Bat story. —A.S.

‘Captain America: Winter Soldier’ (2014)

The first of the Captain America sequels distinguished itself by modeling its story after paranoid Seventies thrillers like Three Days of the Condor ; it even cast Robert Redford as a S.H.I.E.L.D. official with some shady ulterior motives. It also forced the patriotic hero to fight against his own government, not to mention a fellow supersoldier straight out of his own past. (Welcome back, Bucky Barnes.) Winter Soldier suggested that the MCU could fit a far wider style of stories into its big-picture sagas. It also gives more screen time to a host of key supporting players (Black Widow, Falcon) and features some of the best fight scenes (that Cap-vs.-goons elevator melee) in any Marvel film, too. —A.S.

‘X2’ (2003)

“Have you found them? Have you found all the mutants?” The follow-up to the original X-Men features a genuinely unsettling scene in which a malevolent Homo superior tricks Patrick Stewart’s Professor X into hunting down innocents — and that’s only one of the many masterful set pieces in this film. From the opening White House assault to the straight-from-the-comics sequence of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine single-handedly fighting off an armed battalion, this sequel helped set the bar for superhero movies in terms of action (and intolerance metaphors) early on. —B.H.

‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018)

Critics exasperated with the MCU’s dominance tend to overlook the uniqueness of its intertwined storytelling — by 2018, it was already the most elaborate shared universe in cinematic history. It all pays off in Infinity War, which is full of delightful fan-service pairings (Captain America and Groot, Thor and Star-Lord, Dr. Strange and Spider-Man), humongous action sequences (that battle in Wakanda), and genuine pathos as it becomes clear that Thanos will go ahead with his plan to annihilate millions of people with a snap of his fingers. You get the sense that, for once, the bad guy is going to win. —B.H.

‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ (2014)

Who’d have guessed that a hodgepodge group of supporting characters from an obscure, decades-old sci-fi comic would become one of the saving graces of the Marvel universe? Troma Studios veteran James Gunn brought a goofy, giddy sense of fun to this story of interstellar outlaws whizzing across the cosmos, led by Chris Pratt’s rakish thief Peter Quill, a.k.a. Star-Lord, and featuring the snarkiest, rudest raccoon ever to wield a blaster. It’s a blast, from the vintage AM radio soundtrack to the banter between Pratt and a green-hued Zoe Saldana. We are all Groot. —D.F.

‘Spider-Man’ (2002)

The web-swinging scenes alone — which showed how CGI could finally let filmmakers replicate comic-book visuals onscreen for real, opening the door to an entire era — would earn this classic its spot. But even more importantly, Sam Raimi understood the soap-operatic core of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko’s creation, digging in hard on the film’s central love story between Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) and literal girl-next-door Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst). In the process, he gave the world an upside-down kiss that will live forever. —B.H.

‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ (2014)

Fox’s X-Men franchise did their universe-spanning, time-traveling version of Infinity Wars/Endgame well before the MCU, and Days of Future Past ‘s wild ambitions pay off with an epic that feels as much like a massive comic-book crossover series as any movie ever made. The film manages to effectively jam together the original and youthful-reboot versions of the X-universe characters in the name of staving off mutant extinction across several timelines, and even pulls off a gambit to push the then-wildly-in-demand Jennifer Lawrence’s Mystique to the center of the story without feeling contrived. —B.H.

‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ (2017)

Tom Holland’s cameo as your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War (2016) suggested he’d bring something fresh to the Marvel icon; his first solo joint as the webslinger confirmed it. This next-gen Spidey updates the character for the MCU-crossover age while brilliantly channeling the Peter Parker from Stan Lee’s original 1960s run, all teen angst and great-power-equals-great-responsibility handwringing. Throw in Zendaya as a spiky M.J., Robert Downey Jr.’s father-figure Iron Man and Michael Keaton’s menacing, teched-up Vulture, and you have one truly amazing superhero movie. —D.F.

‘Iron Man’ (2008)

Tony Stark and his customized metallic suit may have been around since the beginning of Marvel’s heyday. Outside of the comics, however, you could say he was a bit of a pop-culture nobody; the only reason he was given his own movie was because Marvel had sold away the rights to Spider-Man and the X-Men to Sony and Fox, respectively. ( It’s a long story. ) Not to mention that Robert Downey Jr.’s career had seen better days. But the wisecracking combination of actor and role turned out to be perfect cinematic alchemy, paving the way for the MCU to conquer multiplexes and establish what’s become the dominant movie franchise of modern times. Not to mention the jaw-dropping post-credits sequence that suggested we’d only scratched the surface. —A.S.

‘The Incredibles’ (2004)

Brad Bird’s first Pixar movie is a dual homage to the Ozzie and Harriet-­style sitcoms of the Fifties and the sleek, cool spy movies of the Sixties — not to mention that it’s a great addition to superhero toons, with its sly, funny riff on a Fantastic Four-style group as a near-dysfunctional nuclear family. The retro look and primo action sequences add to the fun, but you have to credit the voice work for really making this animated movie shine: Holly Hunter and Craig T. Nelson as Ma and Pa ­Incredible; Samuel L. ­Jackson as fellow crime fighter Frozone (“Honey! Where’s my supersuit!?!”); Bird himself as the Anna Wintour avatar/world’s greatest ­costume designer Edna Mode; and Jason Lee as a shock-haired super­villain nursing a long-held grudge. —A.S.

‘Wonder Woman’ (2017)

Gal Gadot radiated benevolence as the title character — an Amazon warrior who earns the “wonder” part of her name — in a way that no actor had managed in a superhero movie since Christopher Reeve. And the World War I setting of Patty Jenkins’ film helped familiar tropes feel fresh, as did the simple fact that a female superhero was finally getting a great movie of her own. The No Man’s Land battle scene, with Wonder Woman’s costume practically glowing against the gray backdrop as she deflects bullets and pummels soldiers, is indelible. —B.H.

‘Thor: Ragnarok’ (2017)

Director Taika Waititi pushed the MCU’s usual self-deprecating humor to its limit and beyond, unlocking a comedic flair that Chris Hemsworth had never shown in his previous Thor films. It’s both a perfect addition to the series’ mythical tales of gods fighting among themselves and a general skewering the pomposity of the entire franchise — not to mention that Mr. Waititi was very much getting his money’s worth for the rights to Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song.” —A.S.

‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)

“You either die the hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” A strong contender for the best Batman movie ever, the second in Christopher Nolan’s trilogy builds off of Christian Bale’s moody, brooding Caped Crusader from Batman Begins (2005). But it’s Heath Ledger’s Joker — played as a stabby late-period Tom Waits, both nightmare-inducing and actually kind of funny, as a Joker should be — that truly elevates this into the superhero movie canon. And scenes like Batman’s vertiginous Hong Kong building assault are unmatchable IMAX spectacles that achieve Nolan’s stated goal of beating the Bond franchise. —B.H.

‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ (2018)

This animated addition to the Spider-Man universe — make that universes, plural — is bursting with color, imagination, and Spider-Men… and women… and a wall-crawling pig. It’s complicated, yet never hard to follow, as Afro-Puerto Rican graffiti artist Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) inherits the Spidey mantle. The teen soon meets his peers from across parallel realities, voiced by everyone from Jake Johnson to Hailee Steinfeld to, yes, Nicolas Cage. Together, they must cross their webstrands and save the multiverse. A dazzlingly new take on a very old story. —A.S.

‘Superman’ (1978)

Yes, it was the movie that made you believe a man could fly. Yet the greatest special effect in any superhero film happens a little over 90 minutes into Richard Donner’s big bang event for the genre: Clark Kent stands in Lois Lane’s foyer while she gets ready for the date she’s forgotten about. When she’s not looking, Clark removes his glasses, straightens his posture, and somehow transforms from a clumsy nerd into the Man of Steel. Such is the magic of Christopher Reeve’s performance in both halves of the role — not to mention Margot Kidder’s pitch-perfect Lois and Gene Hackman’s casually megalomaniacal Lex Luthor. — that helped Superman prove you could successfully bring comic-book heroes and villains to the screen in a big way. It all starts here. —A.S.

‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019)

If you saw this final chapter to Marvel’s multi-movie “Infinity Stones” saga on opening weekend, odds are the audience reaction to the sequence — featuring the return of T’Challa, Spider-Man, and every other hero that Thanos turned to dust at the end of Avengers: Infinity War — was the loudest, most enthusiastic response you’ve ever heard in a movie theater. That’s the benefit of Endgame acting as the emotionally overwhelming season finale to a long, complicated, enormously entertaining narrative that was over a decade in the making. It gathers a number of MCU O.G.s together for one last hurrah, satisfyingly ties up a number of loose ends and that epic final battle against Thanos is one chill-inducing story beat after another. —A.S.

‘Logan’ (2017)

In the 1980s, comic-book creators helped define a mode of adult (or at least late-adolescent) superhero storytelling, with noir-ish, ultraviolent stories set in something approximating the real world. James Mangold’s magnificent Logan beautifully brings that same approach into the movies, complete with a gloomy, dystopian, decapitation-packed take on the last days of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. Nodding to classic Westerns ( Shane , in particular), this addition to the X-Men films depicts a not-altogether-unfamiliar future world where superheroic and American dreams are dying out together. And Patrick Stewart’s chilling performance of the world’s most powerful mind now waylaid by dementia should’ve gotten him award nominations. —B.H.

‘Spider-Man 2’ (2004)

Early in development, the first Spider-Man was going to feature both the Green Goblin and Doctor Octopus; director Sam Raimi worried, however, that it was too much to stuff into one movie. Instead, he saved Doc Ock for this masterpiece of a sequel, where the filmmaker’s ultra-sincere approach to the material was firing on all cylinders — from Spidey’s crisis of confidence to Alfred Molina as Peter Parker’s tragic, mecha-tentacled foe. It’s one of the best villain performances in any comic book movie, and the subway train fight (and its aftermath) remains the genre’s single most emotional set piece to date.  —A.S.

‘Black Panther’ (2018)

Ryan Coogler’s tale of T’Challa — part-time Avenger, full-time regent of the fictional African empire known as Wakanda — is more than just the crown jewel of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s an old-school epic that combines widescreen thrills with a glorious, gorgeous Afro-futurist aesthetic and genuine moral gravitas; it proved that you could successfully fuse a filmmaker’s sensibility into the MCU without compromising the corporate bottom line; and it gave us a Shakespearean tragedy in comic-­book cosplay, complete with a conflicted hero (rest in power, Chadwick Boseman) and a multilayered villain via Michael B. Jordan’s Erik Killmonger. Most of all, it proved that superhero movies could be about ­something more than just entertainment — they could reflect, refract, and represent the real world around us while still transporting us to some other place entirely. They could be more than just a roller-­coaster ride. They could, in fact, be something close to cinema. Wakanda forever. —D.F.

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Marvel: 10 Best Time Travel Stories

Marvel hasn't ever been afraid to mess around with time travel. But these are the ones every fan remembers.

Time Travel is something that gives superhero comics the most obvious tie to their science fiction roots. In Avengers: Endgame , it finally found its place in comics' mainstream crossover into feature films.

RELATED:  10 Times Marvel Characters Have Time-Traveled In The Comics

In  Marvel Comics , time travel was initially defined as not being linear. If someone traveled to the past or future, then they traveled to an alternate timeline because they couldn't create a paradox. Recently, that has changed, giving stories a bit more drama with increased consequences.

10 Fantastic Four #5

This is probably the earliest instance of time travel in the Marvel Universe. Doctor Doom 's time machine remains the go-to standard within the storytelling of the Marvel Universe. Doctor Doom first used it to send the Fantastic Four back for Blackbeard's treasure chest, which contained a gem he needed. Of course, they fooled him and thwarted his plans.

What's amazing is how fun this early comic is. It does play loose with history. The Thing does lose himself in the role of Blackbeard the Pirate. Given how new he is at being a monster among men, his reasoning makes sense. It also helps shape the mental state of Ben Grimm at this point in the Fantastic Four's development. It's almost enough to make you forget that Blackbeard was a real person in history.

9 Age of Ultron

As a whole, the event Age of Ultron wasn't completely successful as a result of a solution hinging on time travel. It was interesting in the way it showed the problems of using time travel as a solution. It tried to keep to the established rules of time travel in the Marvel Universe but does play with using time travel to change the present.

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Wolverine and Invisible Woman go back in time initially to talk Hank Pym into not building Ultron . Wolverine tries killing him, and he finds that he opens up a present that changed for the loss of Hank Pym. Going back again, they instead provide a way to stop Ultron closest to their point of departure. It's the plot of Avengers: Endgame but in a handful of issues instead of a three-hour film.

8 X-Men #41

Charles Xavier 's son Legion went into the past to kill Magneto . It's the whole "kill Hitler before he starts World War II" scenario. Like with most time travel stories of this nature, something goes wrong. In this case, Charles Xavier throws himself in the way and dies instead of Magneto. The result is the Age of Apocalypse .

The world without Charles Xavier is much bleaker than the one Legion left behind. Magneto forms a team of X-Men  very different from what we knew. Readers were left wondering how Marvel was going to fix things. Bishop goes back to prevent Xavier from dying, restoring the timeline.

7 The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix

If the art of Gene Ha isn't enough of a reason to buy Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix , there is the story of Cyclops and Jean Grey getting a chance to raise Cable . They train him in the use of his powers, especially in keeping the techno-organic virus at bay.

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All the time, Cable never learns that he was raised by his father and genetic mother. Cyclops and Phoenix do this for twelve years, finally sending their minds back to the present after assisting Cable in defeating Apocalypse . It provides the most appropriate honeymoon for this newlywed couple.

6 Doomquest

This story ran in Iron Man #149 and #150 . Iron Man seeks to reverse an arms sale to Doctor Doom. Along the way, the pair find themselves thrown back to Camelot by Doom's Time Platform. Doom sides with Morgan Le Fey, and Iron Man, of course, aids King Arthur. Eventually. the two combine their armor technology to create an ersatz time machine and return home.

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This story establishes Tony Stark and Doctor Doom as two of the smartest men in the Marvel Universe. It also uses the fact that Doom has a time machine at his disposal to attain his goals. Unfortunately, it ignores some of the established continuity that Doom is not the ruler of Latveria at this point. As long as a reader takes it for what it is, it remains an excellent Marvel time travel story.

5 Hulk: Future Imperfect

The Hulk gets brought to the dystopian far future to stop its despotic ruler, the Maestro. After being captured, Hulk learns that Maestro is an older, more cruel version of himself. He has to figure out how to topple this cruel despot who is every bit his equal, if not his superior.

We also see lots of Easter Eggs in the various mementos Rick Jones keeps. Hulk makes use of the rules of time travel because this is"Professor Hulk." Of course, being drawn by George Pérez , we'd expect to see lots of little Easter Eggs, especially if we can't get massive group shots.

4 Further Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix

After the Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix did so well, a sequel seemed inevitable. A sequel is rarely better than the original, and the Further Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix . It puts the couple in the past instead of the future, where they must again stop Apocalypse, awakening a century earlier than they expected.

The story serves primarily as an origin story for Mister Sinister . His fascination for the Summers and Grey lineage gets its roots here, and he finds himself at odds with Apocalypse, which firmly makes him a sympathetic character for perhaps the first time. It doesn't hurt to have Victorian England rendered with the moody style of  John Paul Leon .

3 Avengers Forever

If there's going to be a time-traveling adventure pulling Avengers from all eras, including the future, then it better be a twelve-issue series. Avengers Forever brings the Avengers in partnership with Kang the Conqueror. It suitably has breathtaking spreads by Carlos Pacheco .

The brilliant part of it is the assemblage of Avengers. While Goliath and the Wasp are from the present day, Hawkeye is from just after the Kree-Skull War. Captain America is from just before he takes the identity of Nomad. Yellowjacket is from just before his wedding and unaware he is Hank Pym. Songbird and Captain Marvel are from the future. They all work together to keep Immortus and the Time-Keepers from destroying humanity rather than having it conquer the stars.

2 Fantastic Four #291-292

It's not a high-profile story, but the two-issue story that spanned Fantastic Four #291-292 was a great sense of time travel by John Byrne that worked the time travel story in a new way. With Reed Richards believed dead, the remaining members of the Fantastic Four find themselves trapped in 1936 with Nick Fury .

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It works by making a shift at the end to reveal things are not as they seem, but foreshadowing it in the first issue. It works that Fury would set off to kill Hitler and risk changing everything to save millions of lives. Along the way, we also get the commentary of how UPS trucks look out of date.

1 Days Of Future Past

Of course, Days of Future Past would top the list. Chris Claremont and John Byrne gave a new way of traveling in time. We also see a dark glimpse of the future for mutants and humans alike. It's paired with the pivotal moment that an adult Kate Pryde comes back to change.

Of course, she changes it, but readers are left wondering if the future, where they just watched all of the X-Men die,  did change at all. Of course, with the established way that Marvel time travel works. It didn't change, and we see that in the following years, with Rachel Summers making her way into the present, and Excalibur traveling to her world.

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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.

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#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

10 Best Superhero Movies Not Based on a Comic Book

Not every great superhero movie is based on a comic book.

• Unbreakable trilogy by M. Night Shyamalan subverts superhero genre expectations with unique characters and subdued storytelling.
• Darkman and Super offer unconventional superhero narratives from Sam Raimi and James Gunn, blending horror and comedy with gritty realism.
• Superhero movies like Krrish and Hancock explore cultural diversity and human flaws, expanding the genre beyond American comic book origins.

Superhero movies have long been a source of fascination for Hollywood. Long before Christopher Reeve made audiences believe a man could fly with 1978's Superman: The Movie and kickstarted the modern era of high-budget comic book features, the film industry had already spent decades bringing the adventures of costumed crusaders to the screen both in movies and on television.

The quintessential American superhero is one who traces its roots to the comic book world, where companies like DC and Marvel Comics have spent decades enthralling readers with stories about Superman, Batman, and Spider-Man. But not every great superhero movie is based on a comic book or even originates from America. Here are some superhero movies from around the world that did not need comic-based source material to make an impact on the genre.

Updated on April 6th, 2024, by Samuel Cormier: If you are a fan of superhero movies, then you will be happy to know that this article has been updated with more content.

10 Unbreakable (2000)

Unbreakable.

*Availability in US

Not available

2000's Unbr eakable tells the story of David Dunn, the sole survivor of a train crash that reveals David has a number of superpowers, including invulnerability and telepathy. Almost two decades later in 2016, Shyamalan delivered an unexpected sequel to Unbreakable with Split , telling the story of supervillain-in-the-making Kevin Wendell Crumb, a man with multiple personality disorder — including one that has superhuman strength. Finally, Shyamalan rounded out the trilogy with Glass in 2019, detailing a final showdown between David, Kevin, and a mysterious criminal mastermind named Mr. Glass.

Shyamalan's Superhero Universe

M. Night Shyamalan is hardly the sort of filmmaker one would expect to make a big, flashy superhero movie. Yet the filmmaker has made not just one but three superhero movies in his career. Of course, being a true auteur, Shyamalan bent the requirements of the genre to suit his tastes rather than bending over backward himself to accommodate the genre, meaning no over-the-top theatrics, flashy superhero costumes, or loud action set pieces.

9 Darkman (1990)

Darkman is a vengeful anti-hero covered in bandages, played to chilling effect by Liam Neeson. He operates in the shadows like classic superheroes in the vein of Batman and The Shadow. Scientist Peyton Westlake, who happens to be working on a new form of synthetic skin — albeit flawed, ends up going mad and seeking revenge against the mobsters who disfigured him. The look of the character was also heavily inspired by classic literary figures like The Phantom of the Opera and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Sam Raimi's First Superhero Outing

After rocketing to fame with the success of his debut horror feature Evil Dead , filmmaker Sam Raimi was keen to use his skills to create a superhero movie experience. Unfortunately, Raimi was having difficulty convincing the studios who owned the rights to the most popular superheroes that he was the man for the job. Thus, Raimi decided to create his own superhero movie character from scratch, paying homage to the 1930s horror movies he admired. That is how the world was introduced to Darkman. The success of Darkman directly led to Raimi getting to make the long-awaited live-action Spider-Man movie a decade later.

8 Megamind (2010)

The titular Megamind is originally a supervillain: born on another planet, bullied for his big blue head, with an innate penchant for evil. His archnemesis is the stereotypical vigilante Metro Man: popular, full of himself, and not really caring if his actions do more performative good than collateral damage. But when Metroman's mistakes turn out to be a real threat to the city, Megamind must abandon his grudge and step up to do what's right.

Creative and Humorous

Megamind saw an interesting success at the time of its release, finding more viewership through Internet memes than children begging their parents to see it in theaters. Nonetheless, the film has an entertaining plot and appealing characters. Megamind makes a unique superhero by turning his mad scientist 'powers' into tools to avoid doom. Megamind saw a very badly received sequel in 2024, Megamind vs The Doom Syndicate , which was critiqued for its basic storyline and unbelievably lazy animation .

7 Chronicle (2012)

Filmed in the vein of a found-footage horror story, Chronicle tells the story of a group of friends who gain mental superpowers after coming into contact with a mysterious meteor. Instead of becoming superheroes, the friends start using their powers for selfish reasons. After one of the friends starts morphing into a full-fledged supervillain, the other two must decide what path they want to take with their new powers: would they choose evil or reestablish good?

A Human-Centric Approach to the Genre

By the 2000s, superhero movies had become mainstream. This meant the bare-bones requirements of a superhero story had already entered the collective pop culture consciousness and were waiting to be subverted by daring filmmakers. One such budding filmmaker was Josh Trank, who made a big impact with his small-budget debut movie Chronicle . He introduced non-willing "supermen" who did not know what to make of their newfound powers and had to make the tough choice between good and evil. This often-forgotten movie has a lot of potential in developing superheroes who only have limited powers and no particular physical strength.

20 Best Found Footage Movies, Ranked

6 krrish (2006).

The titular Krrish is a young man named Krishna who is born with extraordinary abilities. After living a life of seclusion for most of his formative years, Krishna is unexpectedly thrust into the limelight when he travels to Singapore to woo the girl of his dreams . Faced with an increasing threat of violence and a promise he made to his grandmother to keep his powers a secret, Krishna is forced to assume the secret identity of the superhero Krrish to save the world from a mad scientist who has gained access to a computer that can show the future.

Underappreciated By Western Audiences

Indian storytelling traditions are replete with intricate mythologies and larger-than-life heroic sagas that can rival the best Greek and Nordic epics. But superhero stories are a vanishingly small part of Indian pop culture. In 2006, Bollywood created the industry's first modern-age superhero hewing closely to the tradition of DC and Marvel Comics characters with Krrish . The film did not break through overseas audiences, but became a household name in India, prompting two sequels. Currently unavailable to stream.

5 Hancock (2008)

Hancock is a washed-up alcoholic who also happens to be a super-strong man with invulnerable skin and the powers of flight and super speed. Despite meaning well most of the time, Hancock's careless use of his powers in helping people often leads to more harm than good, turning public opinion against him. After a PR consultant vows to turn Hancock's public image around, he sees a chance for redemption and the possibility of getting some answers about his mysterious past.

A Charming Cast

As one of the biggest stars of the '90s and 2000s, there had long been a demand to see Will Smith play a superhero. After a close brush with playing Superman , Smith's superhero career took an unexpected turn when he starred in 2008's Hancock . A subversive take on superhero culture, the movie places Smith's titular character in the role of a Superman-type savior with major personality issues — alongside an equally impressive cast including Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman. Stream on Peacock.

4 Super (2010)

Super tells the story of short-order cook Frank Darbo, who feels that he has been chosen by God to become a superhero. Clad in a red costume and calling himself "The Crimson Bolt", Frank starts a war on crime that soon gets the attention of the news media and the city's criminal elements. Frank must now prove his worth to both sides of the law, in order to be taken seriously. The movie, released in 2010, stars Rainn Wilson , Elliot Page, and Kevin Bacon.

James Gunn's Earlist Superhero Effort

Today, James Gunn is one of the most noted names in superhero movie culture. But before giving memorable additions to the MCU and DCEU with the Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad , Gunn took a stab at creating his own original superhero characters in a gritty, grounded reality. Despite being a low-budget, gritty affair, Gunn's trademark style of humor, pathos, and gore are on display in Super , which the filmmaker would later employ in his MCU and DCEU outings.

3 The Toxic Avenger (1985)

The toxic avenger.

In The Toxic Avenger , Melvin Ferd Junko III is a weak, meek janitor who gets bullied relentlessly by the patrons of the gym where he works. A cruel prank by said patrons leads to Melvin falling into a toxic vat of sludge. This transforms Melvin into an inhumanly large and powerful monster, and he sets off on a rampage to get revenge against the people who had wronged him for so long. The Toxic Avenger proved popular enough to spawn multiple sequels and is currently getting rebooted for the modern superhero age .

A Rarer '80s Superhero Saga

Before superhero movies became money-minting machines at the box office and their budgets ballooned as a result, most films in the genre were campy, low-budget affairs in the vein of slasher horror movies. The most famous superhero film from that era is The Toxic Avenger film franchise, which started in 1985 with the first entry in the series that sought to marry superhero sensibilities with slasher horror movie tropes.

2 The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982)

Before there were comic books like DC and Marvel, there was the 1905 novel The Scarlet Pimpernel . The novel, and its 1982 movie adaptation, tell the story of Sir Percy Blakeney, an English nobleman who affects a languid and foppish manner in public. Behind closed doors, however, Percy operates as the dashing vigilante known as "the Scarlet Pimpernel", who uses his extensive wealth and combat skills to rid the world of oppression.

The Original Superhero

If that setup sounds similar to Batman, Zorro, and so many other superheroes, just remember that the Scarlet Pimpernel came before all of them. The character has long been credited with making way for many of the tropes that came to codify the superhero genre, like having a secret identity and various unexpected superhero sidekicks. Apart from its influence on the superhero genre, 1982's The Scarlet Pimpernel stands on its own as a well-made film with a compelling star cast that includes Anthony Andrews, Jane Seymour, and Ian McKellen. Stream on Kanopy and Acorn TV.

1 The Incredibles (2004)

The incredibles.

In The Incredibles , after a series of very public catastrophes turn the world against superheroes, meta-humans are forced to go into hiding with the help of the government. Mr. Incredible and Elasti-Girl are two such supers who hang up their costumes for a stab at family life. But after years of uneventful domesticity, Mr. Incredible yearns to feel the rush of his old crime-fighting days again. One day, an opportunity presents itself that seems promising at first, but which soon turns dangerous as it swallows up not just Mr. Incredible, but his super-powered family as well.

The Most Delightful Superhero Fare

Despite being some of the most popular superhero characters in comic book history, The Fantastic Four has struggled to find decent representation on the big screen. Then along came The Incredibles, and gave the world the perfect Fantastic-Four-based-ish movie in spite of being an original story created by Pixar. The film was an instant success for all ages, with an incredible box office of $631.6 million against a $92–145 million budget, leading to a long-awaited (yet less appreciated) sequel that came out in 2018.

22 of the Worst Superhero Movies of All Time

Posted: March 22, 2024 | Last updated: March 22, 2024

If there’s any movie genre that most people can get behind, it’s superhero films. These amazing heroes beat the odds to clean the streets and send the bad guys to jail or worse. Superheroes have been around for as long as we can remember and there are many great heroes to admire.

There’s Batman, who is smart as a whip and has the cool gadgets to prove it. There’s also Superman, who can take on any foe with ease. There are other classics like Iron Man and Spider-Man, and they all have great movies that thrill us from start to finish. However, we are not talking about those. Instead, we’ll be looking at the worst superhero movies of all time in no particular order.

In recent years, there’s been an over-saturation of superhero films, and because there are so many movies, there’s bound to be a bunch of stinkers, and these are them. This list has many movies that performed poorly at the box office, and so few people know about them. Those are movies like “Max Steel” and “Jonah Hex.” While those are bad, there are also well-known franchises that have poor movies on this list, including Batman, Superman, the Fantastic Four, and even the Power Rangers. We’ve compiled all of the worst superhero movies on this list so you know what to avoid the next time you’re pursuing Netflix for something to watch.

To create this list of the worst superhero movies of all time, 24/7 Tempo scoured cinema’s past to find the movies that both critics and audiences despised. To find these movies, we used sources like Rotten Tomatoes, the Internet Movie Database, and Comic Vine, among others. When you’re done checking out these mighty heroes, read up on the most legendary tough guys in movies .

"Max Steel" (2016)

• Director: Stewart Hendler
• Starring: Ben Winchell, Josh Brener, Maria Bello
• IMDB Rating: 4.6/10
• Rotten Tomato Critical Score: 0%
• Rotten Tomato Audience Score: 48%

The first movie on our list happens to be the lowest-rated superhero film on Rotten Tomatoes, with a zero percent approval rating by critics. The movie, about a teenager who fights crime with an alien companion, lacked imagination. Audiences thought it was boring and formulaic and brought nothing new to the genre. The movie also flopped at the box office, bringing in just over $2 million its first weekend and going down from there. It was a box office bomb. Roger Ebert.com gave the movie a half-star out of 5, and any sequel plans were scrapped.

"Zoom" (2006)

• Director: Peter Hewitt
• Starring: Tim Allen, Courteney Cox, Chevy Chase
• IMDB Rating: 4.4/10
• Rotten Tomato Critical Score: 4%
• Rotten Tomato Audience Score: 33%

The movie "Zoom" was meant to be a comedic film about young superheroes. It was similar to the movie "Sky High" that came out before it. However, "Zoom" is nothing like that far superior film. The acting and set design look outdated, the script is lackluster, and the story is hard to follow. Many people had high hopes for this film since it had the comedic stylings of Tim Allen and Chevy Chase, but it all fell flat. Critics and audiences just thought the film was boring, and that's the last thing you want for a kid's movie.

"Catwoman" (2004)

• Director: Pitof
• Starring: Halle Berry, Sharon Stone, Benjamin Bratt
• IMDB Rating: 3.4/10
• Rotten Tomato Critical Score: 8%
• Rotten Tomato Audience Score: 18%

One of the most famous films that people think of when discussing the worst superhero movies is "Catwoman" starring Halle Berry. This was supposed to be a big movie at the time, and people were excited until it was released. Critics appreciated Halle Berry's acting, but everything else was poor, including the story and special effects. This was a case of a movie being passed down from person to person, so it became a hodgepodge of ideas, and none of them were good. Even the original writer said it was bad, so you know it can't be good.

"Fantastic Four" (2015)

• Director: Josh Trank
• Starring: Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan
• IMDB Rating: 4.3/10
• Rotten Tomato Critical Score: 9%

There have been several "Fantastic Four" movies over the years, but this one is by far the worst. The director, Josh Trank, was attempting to make something new out of the franchise. He wanted a more realistic superhero movie, and while the idea was noble, the end product was dark and depressing. What's worse is that the movie studio decided to change the ending at the last minute, and the ending we got was cartoonish and rushed. This was supposed to be the first movie in a series, but it did so poorly that those plans went out the window.

"Batman & Robin" (1997)

• Director: Joel Schumacher
• Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, George Clooney, Chris O'Donnell, Uma Thurman
• IMDB Rating: 3.8%
• Rotten Tomato Critical Score: 12%
• Rotten Tomato Audience Score: 16%

This movie was in trouble from the start. Director Joel Schumacher had already been criticized for directing "Batman Forever." The problem was that he was getting away from the more adult subject matter and making his Batman movies for kids. However, he went too far with this movie with Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze and Uma Thurman as Poison Ivy and made it too cartoonish. True fans didn't like the direction he took, and even kids were bored with what they saw. The result was so poor that there wasn't another live-action Batman film for eight years.

"Madame Web" (2024)

• Director: S.J. Clarkson
• Starring: Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Celeste O'Connor
• IMDB Rating: 3.7/10
• Rotten Tomato Audience Score: 57%

This is the most recent film on this list of the worst superhero movies. This 2024 film is a Spider-Man spin-off that shares the origin story of the superhero Madame Web. In it, she's trying to save three girls from future disaster. The movie is already considered horrible because of the shooting style that made the film confusing and distracting. The film also features poor CGI effects and writing that make it unbelievable. Most of all, audiences didn't believe that the main character, Cassandra Webb, was very unlikable, and if the main character isn't appealing, the movie is doomed.

"Morbius" (2022)

• Director: Daniel Espinosa
• Starring: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona, Jared Harris
• IMDB Rating: 5.1/10
• Rotten Tomato Critical Score: 15%
• Rotten Tomato Audience Score: 71%

The audiences that actually went out to see the vampire superhero movie "Morbius" thought the film was okay but not the best. However, the critics skewered the film, saying that the story wasn't original and that it didn't make sense. Also that the acting was poor, especially for lead Jared Leto. There was also criticism of the editing and that the movie seemed incomplete. Like "Madame Webb," this movie was an attempt to extend the Spider-Man universe, but also, like that movie, "Morbius" failed to strike the right cord.

"Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie" (1997)

• Director: Shuki Levy, David Winning
• Starring: Jason David Frank, Steve Cardenas, Catherine Sutherland
• IMDB Rating: 3.6/10
• Rotten Tomato Critical Score: 16%
• Rotten Tomato Audience Score: 40%

Not all of the worst superhero movies are from the DC or Marvel universes. Many are from other beloved franchises, but in the case of a movie like "Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie," the result was far from loved. This movie had all of the qualities that would make a Power Rangers movie good, from the zords to the outfits, but with a wavering story that involved sailing on a ship for half the time, it just didn't hold people's interest for long. Many fans also thought the film was very juvenile, and so it wasn't taken seriously.

"Green Lantern" (2011)

• Director: Martin Campbell
• Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Mark Strong
• IMDB Rating: 5.5/10
• Rotten Tomato Critical Score: 25%
• Rotten Tomato Audience Score: 45%

The "Green Lantern" movie had a lot of promise. It had big-time star Ryan Reynolds, a massive budget, and a beloved superhero who hadn't had a lot of screen time as of yet. However, many people believe that the budget was wasted because the script was thin, the movie was boring, and the special effects were wasted. It's possible that people didn't give this movie enough of a chance, but it was a box office bomb. There were chances to make this movie into a series, but the poor performance ended that opportunity.

"Suicide Squad" (2016)

• Director: David Ayer
• Starring: Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman
• IMDB Rating: 5.9/10
• Rotten Tomato Critical Score: 26%
• Rotten Tomato Audience Score: 58%

The "Suicide Squad" movie had everything going for it. It was an exciting idea with many bad guys coming together to create a defensive task force. It also had big stars like Will Smith and Margot Robbie. However, though it had it all, the movie didn't have enough. The story didn't make a lot of sense, the main villain was weak, and some of the dialogue was cringeworthy, to say the least. People also thought the directing was choppy and could be better. It may have been a case of people getting over-excited and being let down.

"Supergirl" (1984)

• Director: Jeannot Szwarc
• Starring: Helen Slater, Faye Dunaway, Peter O'Toole, Peter Cook
• Rotten Tomato Audience Score: 26%

The success of Superman made it a no-brainer to extend the universe, but the result was a Supergirl movie that ended up as one of the worst superhero movies. The story was too thin, the special effects were laughable even for the time, and the movie was too long for its own good. Plus, the main villain was a wicked witch, which made the whole thing just that much crazier. All together, it was a forgettable affair. They remade "Supergirl" as a TV show in 2015 with slightly better results.

"Steel" (1997)

• Director: Kenneth Johnson
• Starring: Shaquille O'Neal, Annabeth Gish, Judd Nelson, Richard Roundtree
• IMDB Rating: 3.0/10
• Rotten Tomato Audience Score: 19%

Shaq was one of the biggest stars during the 1990s. In addition to being a monster on the basketball court, he was also in several movies and TV shows, and "Steel" was one of them. While the creators likely had good intentions, this seemed more like a cash grab to bank off of the success of Shaq. However, the special effects were abysmal, the story was thin, and, as many likely imagine, most of the acting was poor. This is more of a movie that people watch with the intention of laughing than a respectable superhero film.

"Superman IV: The Quest For Peace" (1987)

• Director: Sidney J. Furie
• Starring: Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Mariel Hemingway, Jackie Cooper
• Rotten Tomato Critical Score: 10%

Even Superman himself lands on this list with the fourth film in the franchise. In this instance, Superman fights rival Nuclear Man, which is a clone of Superman and, thus, just as powerful. All of this happens to take place as the United States and Russia are involved in a nuclear arm's race. The cast seemed to be bored of Superman at this time in the series. The acting appears lazy, and the special effects are somehow worse than they were in the past, even though years had passed since the original Superman film.

"Elektra" (2005)

• Director: Rob Bowman
• Starring: Jennifer Garner, Terence Stamp, Kirsten Zien, Goran Visnjic
• IMDB Rating: 4.7/10
• Rotten Tomato Critical Score: 11%
• Rotten Tomato Audience Score: 29%

This was another attempt to create a movie series for a comic book character we don't often see, but it ended up being one of the worst superhero movies of the 2000s. What should have been a fun popcorn blockbuster film took itself too seriously. There also seemed to be a lack of action and smart dialogue and so there wasn't much to talk about. What's sad is that this movie was co-written by Frank Miller, who wrote "Sin City" and "300", so there was a lot of wasted potential here.

"Jonah Hex" (2010)

• Director: Jimmy Hayward
• Starring: Josh Brolin, John Malkovich, Megan Fox, Michael Fassbender
• Rotten Tomato Audience Score: 20%

We have yet another attempt to bring another relatively unknown comic book hero to the big screen with middling results. Jonah Hex is a gunslinger who has an uncanny ability to track bad guys, and so he goes after John Malkovich's Quentin Turnbull. The big problem with the movie is that it's unfocused and tries to go in too many directions. The film is also quite forgettable, meaning most people reading this may not even know the film existed. The only good thing was the short run time of under 90 minutes.

"The Spirit" (2008)

• Director: Frank Miller
• Starring: Gabriel Macht, Samuel L. Jackson, Sarah Paulson, Eva Mendes
• Rotten Tomato Critical Score: 14%
• Rotten Tomato Audience Score: 25%

On paper, "The Spirit" should have been an incredible success. This is another film produced by acclaimed artist Frank Miller. He directed the movie and the film is shot in the same style as his other classics, like "300." However, audiences didn't grasp onto this film. Many found the plot completely confusing, others didn't like the characters, and most couldn't stand the dialogue between the cast. This will go down as one of Miller's most forgettable projects.

"Underdog" (2007)

• Director: Frederik Du Chau
• Starring: Jason Lee, Jim Belushi, Peter Dinklage, Patrick Warburton
• IMDB Rating: 4.8/10
• Rotten Tomato Audience Score: 42%

To many, the idea of a superhero dog doesn't seem like the best idea, but this one is so bad that it's on the list of the worst superhero movies. This is the story of a dog who gets powers and the ability to speak. He's voiced by Jason Lee, and while Lee provides some charm, it wasn't enough to bring a forgettable adaptation of an existing story to life. The movie seemed to recycle tropes that have been seen before but not to the extent that they would be memorable. You would be forgiven for forgetting this film exists.

"The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" (2003)

• Director: Stephen Norrington
• Starring: Sean Connery, Shane West, Stuart Townsend, Richard Roxburgh
• IMDB Rating: 5.8/10
• Rotten Tomato Critical Score: 17%
• Rotten Tomato Audience Score: 44%

This was supposed to be the ultimate action movie with big stars playing exciting characters, but it ultimately fell flat. Granted, audiences and critics liked the premise, but the story and plot were poorly executed. The film was a box office bomb, and many of the actors in it didn't have much of a career afterward. The movie simply wasn't as extraordinary as the name suggested. Possibly the worst part is that this is considered to be the last film in Sean Connery's illustrious career.

"Spawn" (1997)

• Director: Mark A.Z. Dippe
• Starring: John Leguizamo, Michael Jai White, Martin Sheen, Theresa Randle
• IMDB Rating: 5.2/10
• Rotten Tomato Audience Score: 36%

Another one of the most forgettable and worst superhero movies is "Spawn." It's an overly violent film that may have its fan base, but the general audience wasn't too keen on it. Many critics felt it was more of a horror film than a hero flick, and the story was also thin. One of the worst parts was the computer graphics, which were bad for that time and did not age well. The movie was overly campy, but not in a good way.

"Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance" (2011)

• Director: Mark Neveldine, Brian Taylor
• Starring: Nicolas Cage, Idris Elba, Ciarán Hinds, Violante Placido
• Rotten Tomato Critical Score: 19%
• Rotten Tomato Audience Score: 31%

It's hard to believe that they made a Ghost Rider sequel when the first one wasn't that well-received, but they did. The result was over the top but in more of an annoying than crazy way. The story was weak and the CGI was uneven. What made it worse was that the film was in 3D during the 3D craze. To top it all off, Nicholas Cage was going over the top with his performances, and it came off as a little too much. The movie did poorly at the box office and has been forgotten ever since.

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III" (1993)

• Director: Stuart Gillard
• Starring: Elias Koteas, Paige Turco, Stuart Wilson, Vivian Wu

The first two Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle movies were great, and they captivated audiences young and old, but they got rid of everything that made them great for the third film. This one involves time travel, and the gimmick gets old quickly. Plus, Shredder, their main nemesis, wasn't in the film. This movie seemed to take a more serious turn, as there were far fewer jokes. Worst of all, the film was far too long. When most people think fondly about the Ninja Turtles movies of the 90s, this one is often forgotten.

"Thunder Force" (2021)

• Director: Ben Falcone
• Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Octavia Spencer, Jason Bateman, Melissa Leo
• IMDB Rating: 4.5/10
• Rotten Tomato Critical Score: 22%
• Rotten Tomato Audience Score: 23%

The idea behind "Thunder Force" was likely to throw comedic actress Melissa McCarthy into a superhero suit and expect it to automatically succeed. However, this one falls flat. While they try to be funny, many jokes fall flat. There's also a noticeable lack of action for a superhero film. Even worse, the movie was too vulgar to be a kid's movie but a little too immature for adults. All that resulted in a flop. If you want to see even more likable characters, check out 15 of the Most Hated TV Characters of the 1980s .

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The 10 Best Time-Travel K-Dramas, Ranked

Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore.

Time traveling is a popular plot device that has been used across various genres, from science fiction to romance, in movies and TV shows like Back to the Future , Looper , and Outlander . This intriguing concept has also become a popular theme in Korean dramas. As K-dramas continue to captivate audiences worldwide, viewers are diving into the rich archives of past productions — unearthing hidden time-traveling K-drama gems that showcase a refreshing take on a popular trope .

Many historical dramas explore this concept in depth, oftentimes bringing a modern character to a more conservative past. These are also, more often than not, romance stories with a bit of mystery involved. Many times, time-traveling K-dramas incorporate a lot of humor and comedy, as one character (or multiple) exists in a timeline that they don't belong in. They don't know the ins and the outs, and that sets up for comedic scenarios. From the romantic fantasy of Splash Splash Love to the mystifying plot of Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo , each K-drama brings a different perspective to time traveling as a concept.

10 'The Great Doctor' (2012)

Created by kim young-hyun and park sang-yeon.

The Great Doctor takes place during the Goryeo Dynasty. An attack is launched on King Gongmin ( Ryu Deok-hwan ) and Queen Noguk ( Park Se-young ) one night, and it’s up to Captain Choi Young ( Lee Min Ho ) and his guards to protect them both. However, Queen Noguk is gravely injured, and no doctor in the Goryeo Dynasty is capable of saving her. The King then commands his guards to go find the doctor from the Kingdom of Heaven. When a portal opens up, it turns out that the Kingdom of Heaven is actually the modern era of Korea. Choi Young then finds a plastic surgeon – Eun Soo ( Kim Hee-Sun ) – and brings her back to his era, where she is trapped serving King Gongmin with no way to return home.

A must-see medical K-drama , The Great Doctor has a slow start, but it builds up quickly as the show progresses . A romance, forbidden by time itself, ignites between Choi Young and Eun-Soo , and viewers will be rooting for them and praying for a happy ending. The show also includes fantastical elements, such as extraordinary powers and magic.

Watch on Kocowa

9 'Tomorrow With You' (2017)

Created by heo sung-hye.

Yoo So-Joon ( Lee Je-Hoon ) is a CEO who has time-traveling abilities. Any time he uses the subway, he can travel into the future. Meanwhile, Ma-Rin ( Shin Min-A ) is a photographer trying to make ends meet after an unsuccessful career in the entertainment industry. Unbeknownst to her, So-Joon discovers when Ma-Rin is about to get into an accident, so he tries to save her, though he comes off weird and awkward. However, intentions aside, their fates become intertwined.

The concept of Tomorrow With You is interesting, and it’s rarely explored in time-traveling K-dramas. Usually, characters time travel unintentionally by supernatural means. But in So-Joon’s case, he decides when he wants to time travel . The romance will definitely grow on the viewers as they grow invested in the connection between Ma-Rin and So-Joon.

Watch on Roku

8 'Queen and I' (2012)

Created by song jae-jung.

Queen and I joins the ranks of Love in the Moonlight as an excellent historical K-drama due to its enthralling story. It follows two protagonists, Kim Boong-Do ( Ji Hyun-Woo ) and Choi Hee-Jin ( Yoo In-Na ), in their respective timelines. Hee-Jin is an actress in modern-day Korea, while Boong-Do is a scholar from the Joseon Dynasty. After almost being assassinated, Boong-Do ends up in present-day Korea on Hee-Jin’s film set. He soon learns that he is able to teleport back and forth in time, and the more time he spends with Hee-Jin, the more he falls in love with her, as she does with him.

Many time-traveling K-dramas focus on a prince and a lowly maiden — however, in rare cases like Queen and I and The Great Doctor , the cast consists of lower-ranking characters , like a scholar. There are plenty of comedic moments in the K-drama that make it worth watching, and viewers who love romantic comedies, heartfelt stories, and time-traveling will love this drama.

Watch on Tubi

7 'Familiar Wife' (2018)

Created by yang hee-seung.

Cha Joo-Hyuk ( Ji-Sung ) is a married man with two kids of his own. The problem is, he loathes his wife, and he has a negative outlook on life. Life at home is not perfect, and neither is his work life. He lives a somewhat miserable life, from his perspective. Life for Joo-Hyuk changes, however, after he visits a toll booth and puts 1000 won in it. He loses control of his car as it drives on his own, and he wakes up in the past, back before he got married. He shortly learns after traveling back and forth in time that he can change it if he so desires. And that is what he does — he alters his path by making deliberate choices to end up where he wants to be and wakes up in the present time with a new wife, Hye-Won ( Kang Han-na ).

Familiar Wife is a K-drama that is heartfelt, focusing on the idea that if one could change their life willingly, would they ? Most time-traveling K-dramas start off with a funny introduction, where characters are confused or startled by the sudden change in atmosphere and era. However, Familiar Wife starts off rather dark, making the viewer feel uncomfortable or miserable due to the realism incorporated. But such is necessary in order to provide a meaningful K-drama, which is what Familiar Wife grows to be.

6 'Splash Splash Love' (2015)

Created by kim ji-hyun and song jae-jung.

Jang Dan-Bi ( Kim Seul-Gi ) is a high schooler preparing to take entrance exams, which will ultimately decide the fate of her future. The problem is, she is bad at math, and she doesn’t know what she wants for her future. When the day comes, Dan-Bi becomes too overwhelmed and runs off. She sits on a bench all by herself, praying for a different life, when suddenly she hears drums coming from a rain puddle. She examines it and falls in, finding herself in the Joseon period. There, she is hired by the King to train him in mathematics, among other things.

Splash Splash Love is a very fun show that has all the defining characteristics of K-drama , which means it's focused on the characters. Taking place in the Joseon period, the main characters of Splash Splash Love , Dan-Bi and Prince Lee Do (Yoon Doo-Joon), are a fun pair that play off each other very well! Viewers will appreciate the common tropes: a woman disguises herself as a man, the prince falls for the maiden, a jealous queen , and a quiet bodyguard. It’s short and sweet, and any fan of K-dramas will love this one.

5 'Rooftop Prince' (2012)

Created by lee hee-myung.

Crown Prince Lee Gak ( Park Yoochun ), from the Joseon era, wakes up in the middle of the night as he finds his wife, the Crown Princess ( Jeong Yu-Mi ), dead in the lake. Many assume that she tripped and fell into the pond, but Lee Gak knows – with the help of three special advisors – that she was murdered. While an investigation is underway, Rooftop Prince cuts to the present time, following Park-Ha ( Han Ji-Min ) as she travels back to Korea to meet with her blood father with whom she lost connection after her stepsister abandoned her and ignored her pleas for help. Then four Joseon men are then transported to the present time after being chased by masked assassins and jumping off a cliff. From there, Lee Gak and his crew learn to live in the modern world while trying to go back to the Joseon period.

Rooftop Prince is full of K-drama tropes that fans know and love. It deals with amnesia–attained by Park-Ha after an accident, and she finds herself unable to answer why she was separated from her family. Rooftop Prince also deals with evil, second-female leads, goofy scenarios, and gimmicky love triangles. It’s also a unique drama where characters jump to the present time as opposed to past eras , which is always refreshing to watch in a time-traveling K-drama. Anyone looking for mystery in their time-traveling K-dramas will enjoy this classic.

4 'The King: Eternal Monarch' (2020)

Created by kim eun-sook.

In modern-day Korea, there exist two parallel universes. One universe follows the everyday life of modern-day Seoul, where there are prime ministers and presidents. However, in the other universe, Korea is still run by a monarchy, though it exists under present-day advancements. One day, in an alternate reality of Korea, a young prince by the name of Lee Gon ( Lee Min-Ho ) watches his father be murdered by an Uncle, and he is next until a mysterious stranger saves him. Meanwhile, in present-day Korea, a detective by the name of Tae-Eul ( Kim Go-Eun ) investigates that same man – Lee Gon’s uncle – who shows up covered in blood. Years go by for Lee Gon, and he grows into a King who searches for the person who saved him. He travels to the parallel universe of present-day Korea through a portal, and he meets his savior, Tae-Eul.

Initially, the Netflix K-drama The King: Eternal Monarch might be a little confusing. It deals a lot with parallel universes, and the information can be overwhelming and confusing at first , considering this is one of the first times – if not the only time – that a K-drama explores a universe where modern-day Korea is still ruled under a monarchy. But the slow build-up is well worth the wait, as a romance is ignited between the two leads. It’s a K-drama with a unique twist that viewers will enjoy and appreciate.

Watch on Netflix

3 'Tunnel' (2017)

Created by lee eun-mi and choi jin-hee.

Unlike most time-traveling K-dramas that focus on historical eras, Tunnel i s a K-drama that takes place in a fairly recent time period. Detective Gwang-Ho ( Choi Jin Hyuk ) is investigating a string of murders in 1985 involving young women, and upon chasing the suspect through a tunnel, Gwang-Ho loses sight of the perpetrator. He is then knocked out by getting hit in the head. Gwang-Ho then wakes up and discovers soon after that he is no longer in 1985, but rather, thirty years in the future.

Tunnel is a thriller K-Drama that differs from a lot of time-traveling shows. The romance is a subplot to the main plot and doesn’t exist for the most part. Rather, Tunnel focuses on familial love . The murder plot is an exciting bonus that will keep viewers and fans on their feet as they try to determine who the serial killer is and how Gwang-Ho will return to the time he belongs in.

2 'Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo' (2016)

Created by tong hua.

Make-up artist Ha-Jin ( IU ) has just broken up with her boyfriend after catching him cheating on her with her best friend. Stuck in a slump, Ha-Jin sits out on a pier, drinking, when she sees a child drowning. She jumps in to save the child, and just as she swims to the surface after doing so, she is mysteriously pulled back down into the water. She then awakes in a hot water spring where several men are bathing. To her surprise, she finds out that she is in the Goryeo Dynasty, and the men she met were the Princes. She also eventually learns that she is no longer Ha-Jin but a woman named Hae-Soo who knows the princes well. With no way back home, Hae-Soo has to learn how to live in the Goryeo Dynasty and stay alive.

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo is another fun K-drama that plays around with the concept of body-switching as opposed to teleporting into a different era . It includes several male leads that the viewer will fall in love with and several love triangles that viewers will love. Not to mention, the show has its dramatic moments that will have viewers on the verge of tears. Buy on Amazon

1 'Mr. Queen' (2020)

Created by park kye-ok.

Jang Bong-Hwan ( Choi Jin Hyuk ) is one of the youngest chefs at Blue House, with a dream to become the first chef who “feeds the strongest.” He has a perfectionist, self-centered nature, and because of his insanely high ego, he mishandles a meal prepared specially for the Chinese Ambassador. This results in Bong-Hwan being chased by Seoul police, and he falls head-first into a pool of water. Upon waking, he learns that he is no longer Bong-Hwan, but rather Princess Kim So-Yong of the Joseon period.

Not only is Mr. Queen a classic time travel K-drama that many viewers will fall in love with, but it also includes the infamous body-switching trope seen in many classics, such as Secret Garden . This K-drama is filled with mystery as viewers are left to uncover the secret behind the attempted murder of So-Yong and the controversies behind her character. Mr. Queen is a worthwhile watch filled with lots of humor, provided excellently by the narration of Choi Jin Hyuk.

NEXT: The Best Heartwarming K-Dramas On Netflix Right Now

Leonardo DiCaprio was in talks to play Lex Luthor in 'Batman v Superman,' Zack Snyder said. That would have broken his 'no superhero movies' rule.

• Leonardo DiCaprio was in talks to star in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," director Zack Snyder said.
• Snyder said that he had a lengthy conversation with DiCaprio about him playing Lex Luther.
• If DiCaprio had taken the role, it would have broken his "no superhero movies" rule.

Leonardo DiCaprio was one of the actors in talks to play Lex Luthor in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," director Zack Snyder said.

Snyder's DC Extended Universe , which had moderate levels of success, is no more now that co-chairmen James Gunn and Peter Safran are in charge at DC studios. They're rebooting the comic book franchise completely, starting with 2025's " Superman ," starring David Corenswet as the iconic hero.

Snyder led the previous attempt at bringing DC's heroes to the big screen, starting with 2013's "Man of Steel." He followed it up with "Batman v Superman" in 2015, which pits Batman (Ben Affleck) against Superman (Henry Cavill), while Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) pulls the strings from the shadows and experiments with Kryptonian technology.

The film was a critical misfire, with a 29% rating on Rotten Tomatoes , and many criticized Eisenberg's performance as Superman's nemesis. NME described the actor's "awkward, twitchy" villain as "misconceived and miscast."

But Luthor could have been drastically different if DiCaprio had agreed to star in the film. On Thursday, Snyder told the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast that he was in talks with the actor to play the villain.

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"Leonardo DiCaprio, I talked to about it. I think DiCaprio, he had a lot of great ideas actually just in the meeting. I think in the end he was like 'I don't know,'" Snyder recalled. "But he was really smart about the material and really smart about the character."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Josh Horowitz (@joshuahorowitz)

The director also noted that the actor gave him an idea for a scene that he later used for 2017's "Justice League."

"I think he was the one that mentioned to me this idea about Superman fighting the Justice League at some point, and I was like 'That sounds cool,'" he added.

The idea of DiCaprio as a comic book villain is a tantalizing prospect, but it would've gone against his own "no superhero movies" rule.

When speaking to British Vogue in 2022, rising star Timothée Chalamet explained that DiCaprio gave him some vital advice to stick to: "No hard drugs and no superhero movies."

This rule has seemingly played a part in DiCaprio's success, as he has mainly taken roles in more serious movies, and many of his performances have been met with high praise.

He's been nominated for six Oscars during his career for his work in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape," "The Aviator," "Blood Diamond," "The Wolf of Wall Street," and "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood." And DiCaprio won the Oscar for best actor in 2017 after his grueling performance in "The Revenant."

Clearly, he doesn't need to star in a superhero movie, but he would likely do an impressive job if he ever changed his mind.

The "Inception" star might have turned down the DC villain, but the character will next be played by "Mad Max" star Nicholas Hoult in Gunn's 2025 "Superman" reboot.

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Screen Rant

10 essential superhero movies from before the mcu.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe may have been revolutionary for superhero movies, but many comic book films broke new ground in the genre long before.

• The MCU didn't start the Superhero Movie era, with several essential movies pre-dating it.
• The likes of X-Men (2000) and Spider-Man (2002) were major hits for Marvel and their studio partners.
• Superman (1978) and Batman (1989) made DC a huge cinematic brand.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe undoubtedly changed the landscape of superhero movies forever, but that's not to say that there aren't any films worth watching from before the series took over. Ever since 2008's Iron Man , MCU movies have become a dominant global force of pop culture, forever altering the trajectory of superhero movies both under the Marvel banner and from other studios. Though the average quality of the MCU's films speaks for itself, there are some crucial moments in comic book cinema that came about before 2008.

The earliest superhero movies were responsible for laying out the foundation of the genre long before the MCU was even a twinkle in Marvel's eye. While superheroes were originally seen as campy affairs primarily aimed at children, time and time again, groundbreaking movies would expand their appeal to all four quadrants, diversifying the tones films of the category could take. As influential as Marvel is, some of the best superhero movies ever came and went before Iron Man 's time.

All Superhero Movies Releasing In 2024

10 x-men (2000), the first real superhero team movie.

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X-Men is the first film in the long-running superhero franchise centering on the iconic Marvel team. Wolverine and Professor X take center stage as they and the other X-Men attempt to stop Erik Lehnsherr (aka Magneto) after he has a violent response to the proposed Mutant Registration Act. Hugh Jackman stars as Wolverine, alongside Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen, James Marsden, and Anna Paquin.

The Avengers broke ground as the first superhero movie to feature a team-up between characters from their own solo films, but it's easy to forget that it didn't pioneer the concept of a superhero team in general on the big screen. That honor goes to Bryan Singer's X-Men , released at the turn of the millennium.

Introducing audiences to Fox's mutant universe for the first time, the film introduced many iconic, long-running performances, such as Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, Ian McKellen's Magneto and Patrick Stewart's Professor X. X-Men: The Animated Series may have been many audiences' first exposure to the X-Men, but the live-action movie further popularized the group with general audiences.

The first superhero movie to nail an ensemble cast, X-Men gave each of its characters at least some time to shine, even if Wolverine would remain the star of the show. Also touching on the series' long-running themes of discrimination and ostracization, the first film is rounded out with great casting, exciting fight scenes, and social commentary.

9 Spider-Man (2002)

Sam raimi's classic is still beloved for good reason, spider-man (2002).

Spider-Man is the first film in Sam Raimi's trilogy starring Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker. Released in 2002, the film introduced superhero fans to a live-action Norman Osborn, played by Willem Dafoe, who is transformed into his villainous alter ego, Green Goblin, after being forced out of Oscorp Industries. At the same time, Peter Parker is grappling with his newfound abilities as the iconic wall-crawler.

Even today, when many audiences think of Spider-Man, Sam Raimi's iconic Spider-Man trilogy is the first thing that comes to mind . Of course, none of it would've been possible without 2001's Spider-Man, which catapulted the already-popular webslinger into lasting pop-culture stardom.

Even if Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy is flawed , it's endlessly entertaining, still commonly referenced more than twenty years after its initial debut. What gave the first film such lasting appeal is the campy earnestness with which it prevents itself.

Without a trace of the ironic MCU sarcasm that festers in modern superhero media like a stubborn weed, Toby Maguire's dorky Peter Parker stumbled through his first heroic outing opposite Willem Dafoe's career-defining split performance as the Green Goblin and Norman Osborn. Spider-Man truly broke new ground for how popular a Marvel character could be, and the MCU owes it as a worthy predecessor.

8 Superman (1978)

Still the most faithful version of the man of steel.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Richard Donner's Superman brought DC's Man of Steel to the big screen, making millions believe that a man could fly. Christopher Reeves plays Clark Kent, the alter-ego of Kal-El, the famous alien orphan sent to Earth as his home planet is destoryed. Raised in Smallville, Kansas by Jonathan and Martha Kent, Clark grows up and must balance his life as a Daily Planet journalist with his superhero duties, as villainous mastermind Lex Luthor threatens both him and millions of US citizens.

Of the "big three" comic book superheroes, Superman has had a bad rap in recent years. His most recent portrayal in the DCEU dissolved him into a messianic martyr detached from his humanity, and popular superhero media is plagued with evil versions of the character, like Homelander and Omni-Man.

To truly experience the wonder Superman has to offer, one has to look no further than the original 1978 film starring Christopher Reeve, Superman. Other Superman actors to inherit the role since may do a convincing job merely playing Clark Kent and his crime-fighting alter ego, but it's hard not to assert that Christopher Reeve simply was Clark Kent.

The film is drenched in the relentless optimism the character is known for in the comics, having fallen out of sight in recent years. Even within the typically lighthearted MCU, the dour villains and disingenuous sarcasm keep any film from reaching the same feel-good heights as the stunning blue skies of Richard Donner's Superman.

7 Batman (1966)

Made dc's caped crusader a household name, batman: the movie (1966).

The Caped Crusader's first theatrical debut arrived in 1966 as Batman: The Movie, directed by Leslie H. Martinson. Connected to the television series Batman: The Movie follows Batman and Robin as they face off with the Joker, the Penguin, the Riddler, and Catwoman as they hold the world hostage with a powerful weapon that can dehydrate human beings instantly.

Even if 1966's Batman isn't highly regarded among the list of live-action Batman movies , it deserves special credit for popularizing the character in the first place. Although Bruce Wayne and his dark vigilante persona have evolved into a very different character since the 60s, without Adam West's irreverent take on Batman, he may have never reached the same peak of popularity.

Beyond its importance as a vehicle for Batman's pop culture staying power, Batman is very much still worth watching. The slapstick comedy hi-jinks of 1966's Batman were actually somewhat lost on audiences at the time , but in a post-irony pop culture landscape, Batman 's humor truly shines, having aged like a fine wine.

With basic action adventure fare fun enough to keep kids invested and tongue-in-cheek comedic performances for adults to enjoy, Adam West's Batman is a true four-quadrant movie that isn't likely to have its success re-created any time soon. From the anti-shark spray to the comically oversized bomb, Batman 's legacy is set in stone.

6 Batman (1989)

Established the potential for a serious batman, batman (1989).

Batman is a 1989 superhero movie directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne. The film features Jack Nicholson's chilling portrayal as Jack Napier, who turns into the Joker and reigns terror on Gotham. Kim Basinger also stars in the film as Vicki Vale, along with Michael Gough as Bruce's trusty butler named Alfred.

As iconic as the 1966 film was, it undeniably painted Batman in an unfairly goofy light in the general public's eyes for years to come. It wouldn't be until 1989's Batman , directed by Tim Burton, that the true dark potential of the character would be allowed to truly shine.

Batman was an utter box office sensation, being one of the biggest blockbuster hits based off a superhero movie to inform the success of all subsequent comic book films, including the MCU. Tim Burton's Batman offered a refreshingly faithful take on The Dark Knight that was still accessible to general audiences , creating a powerhouse of a superhero film that had audiences from all walks of life hooked.

Toeing the line of being too dark for kids, the film managed to pull its punches just enough to draw in as wide an audience as possible without sacrificing the integrity of the story. Michael Keaton's excellent doubly-duty performance as Bruce Wayne and Batman also shocked skeptical audiences, doubtful that the primarily comedic actor could embody a serious character.

5 Hellboy (2004)

Proved there was room for more than just marvel and dc.

Based on the graphic novels by Mike Mignola, Hellboy, caught between the worlds of the supernatural and human, battles an ancient sorceress bent on revenge. Starring Ron Perlman as the titular hero. His powers include superhuman strength, high levels of endurance, resistance to injury, and a healing factor that makes him immune to all diseases. Hellboy can also understand ancient languages and has a utility belt with numerous tools and weapons.

It goes without saying that Marvel and DC will forever be the kingpins of comic book characters, but Guillermo del Toro's moody gothic fantasy hero Hellboy made room for a Dark Horse. Adapting the stunning comics written and drawn by Mike Mignola, Hellboy infused the superhero genre with a healthy dose of horror, mysticism, and humor , resulting in an utterly unique comic book movie that went on to become a surprising success.

Even today, Hellboy remains one of the most popular non-Marvel or DC superhero movies, and for good reason. Much like Christopher Reeve and Superman, Ron Perlman might as well be Hellboy, with perfect flat delivery of the gruff supernatural detective's matter-of-fact dialogue while rocking the impressive makeup needed to transform him into a walking demon.

The film offered some surprisingly poignant moments as well, with the death of Hellboy's adoptive father being a particularly heart-wrenching sequence and his final kiss with Liz being a rare instance of superhero romance done right. It's a shame the 2019 Hellboy reboot failed to capture this movie's charm.

4 The Incredibles (2004)

So far, still the best fantastic four movie, the incredibles.

Pixar's The Incredibles tells the story of a super-family forced to conceal their powers. Years after superheroes were outlawed, the superpowered Parr family live a normal life. However, after his secret vigilante work uncovers a conspiracy that points to the rise of a new supervillain, Mr. Incredible must rely on the help of his wife Elastigirl and their children, Violet and Dash, to save the world from the evil Syndrome.

While the early 2000s Fantastic Four duology courtesy of Fox weren't altogether terrible, they pale in comparison to the success of Pixar's The Incredibles , which was the first film to truly nail the concept of a superhero family. Its main cast even having similar powers to the Fantastic Four's members, The Incredibles is one of the most marvelous balancing acts ever put to screen.

Kid-friendly but genuinely dramatic, action-packed but never moving too quickly, it would be easier to describe the film by listing what it couldn't do. The crux of the film's success is director Brad Bird's understanding of a realistic family dynamic. The Parr family truly love each other, but genuinely get on one another's nerves, just like a real family, and have tension between them that doesn't feel artificially manufactured.

Of course, Syndrome is also a world-class villain, being despicable but still endlessly entertaining. If the MCU's upcoming The Fantastic Four is successful at all, it'll be hard not to invite comparison to the genius of the animated film.

3 Blade (1998)

Brought blood and superheroes together for the first time, blade (1998).

Based on the vampire-slaying Marvel comic-book hero, Blade is an action horror film directed by Stephen Norrington that sees Wesley Snipes in the titular role. Known to his foes as "Daywalker," the half-human, half-vampire Blade hunts the creatures of the night to keep the city safe until a young, ambitious vampire threatens to disrupt the balance forever by unleashing an ancient evil power.

The first superhero film based on a Marvel or DC character to be rated R, Blade deserves far more credit for showing off the first superhero to slice through bad guys with a katana long before Deadpool showed up. Admittedly, the film isn't a critical masterpiece, having its share of bad performances, cheesy dialogue, and quizzical narrative choices.

However, the film at least puts the "style" in "style over substance," conjoining comic book lore with horror for the first real time in a blockbuster film. Another iconic performance, it's hard to imagine anyone else as Blade other than Wesley Snipes, effortlessly cool even in the face of snarling undead hordes. Unleashing baffingly awesome witticisms like " Some mother******s always trying to ice skate uphill ," it's no wonder that Blade became a cult classic.

Even if the legacy of Blade's threequel - Blade: Trinity - leaves much to be desired, the original was groundbreaking in more ways than one, from its famous opening scene to its unbelievable final battle. Without it, the idea of Mahershala Ali's upcoming Blade movie being a viable MCU prospect simply wouldn't exist.

2 V For Vendetta (2006)

Ideas are bulletproof, v for vendetta.

Based on the comic series by Alan Moore, V for Vendetta is directed by James McTeigue with a screenplay by the Wachowskis. The film stars Natalie Portman as Evey Hammond, a young woman living in a dystopian future who becomes involved with the vigilante V, an anarchist working against the Fascist government and attempting to rally support from the general population. Hugo Weaving portrays V, with a further cast that includes Stephen Rea, Stephen Fry, and John Hurt. 

Admittedly stretching the definition of a "superhero" movie, V for Vendetta technically qualifies, based on an Alan Moore story featuring a masked vigilante. The reason James McTeigue's subversive dystopian masterpiece feels so out of place among the cadre of Marvel and DC comic book movies is because of just how different it is from the average superhero spectacle.

V isn't a simple force for good, but a champion of a way of life. The antagonist in V for Vendetta isn't a criminal gang, megalomaniac supervillain or even a supernatural entity. It's the oppressive shackles of a totalitarian regime , one which its hero is determined to overcome both physically and ideologically.

Few films in the genre have presented as pointed a political commentary as V for Vendetta , making it an absolutely essential film for any comic book movie lover willing to ponder the messaging -- Or that simply appreciates some awesome knife fighting.

1 Batman: Mask Of The Phantasm (1993)

Gave kevin conroy's batman a much-deserved theatrical release, batman: mask of the phantasm.

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is the first movie in Bruce Timm, Eric Radomski, and Paul Dini's DC Animated Universe, serving as a prequel to Batman: The Animated Series. It pits the Dark Knight against a mysterious vigilante known as the Phantasm, who forces Bruce Wayne to confront his crime-fighting crusade and his traumatic past. Iconic DC voice actors Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill return as Batman and Joker, respectively.

In the eyes of many, the quintessential Batman isn't a live-action performer, but Kevin Controy's iconic voice performance made famous by Batman: The Animated Series. Having reprized the role in a variety of other movie, TV show, and game continuities, Conroy got his much-deserved theatrical release as Batman in 1993 with Batman: Mask of the Phantasm.

Proving that animation would always be able to keep up with Batman's wild new popularity , the film propelled the continuity of Batman: The Animated Series without relying too heavily on knowledge of the show. One of the rare Batman films to present a unique villain, the titular Phantasm is a dark reflection of Bruce Wayne's vigilantism, calling into question his very values.

It's all the more compelling that the character pulls double duty as perhaps Batman's best-done love interest , enhancing the physical stakes with palpable emotional ones. Pepper in stunning animation, fascinating character development and the enduring vocal talents of both Kevin Conroy as Batman and Mark Hamill as Joker, and Batman: Mask of the Phantasm became the trailblazer for serious animated superhero movies.