The 50 best superhero movies of all time

What is the best superhero movie? This question generates countless debates, fights between fans and rarely leads to any conclusion. With that in mind, The Ringer website decided to make a list of the 50 best superhero movies. That's why we've also taken the opportunity to separate our own list, with the best hero movies.

Criteria of choice

For more scientific purposes, the site considered the films' critical success (using Rotten Tomatoes scores), their box office, whether they're dated, and whether they're worth re-watching. With that in mind, the idea of ​​the formula is to bring these four factors together and generate a placement for each film. Check out the best superhero movies:

50th – The Crow (1994)

A year after being murdered on the eve of Halloween, Eric Drave (Brandon Lee), returns from the dead, guided by a crow, ready to take revenge on his killers. “No hero movie has so much history of background, like this one,” says Shea Serrano. It's surprising that this movie came out, as Brandon Lee, the actor who played the lead, died while doing a scene (was shot).

Where to watch: The film, at the time of writing this article, is not available on any streaming.

Note on Rotten Tomatoes: 83

49th – Batman Forever (1995)

Bat-nipples! With Val Kilmer and Chris O'Donnell as Batman and Robin, respectively, the film is loved by some and hated by others. Despite not being visually faithful, the film entertained an entire generation.

Where to watch: Batman Forever Available on HBO MAX.

Note on Rotten Tomatoes: 38

48º – Hellboy 2: The Golden Army (2008)

With Guillermo del Toro focused on two franchises at the same time, the film wasted some of its potential. Still, the movie is good, even though it isn't as impactful for the superhero universe, nor does it reach the full potential that the character has.

Where to watch: Hellboy 2: The Golden Army Available on Telecine Play.

Note on Rotten Tomatoes: 86

47th - Thor: The Dark World (2013)

The second Thor movie isn't a masterpiece, but Loki is great in it. Too bad he is more captivating than the protagonist of the long, who doesn't have his tone right until then.

Where to watch: Thor the Dark World Available on Disney+.

Rating from Rotten Tomatoes: 66

46th – Man of Steel (2013)

Being the movie that started the current DC Comics superhero universe, it's a pretty decent movie. The film has action scenes worthy of anime like Dragon Ball, with Metropolis being destroyed. Some say that the movie's Superman is not a real hero, for letting so many people die, but how to stop Zod (which by the way is great) without having to use all his strength?

Where to watch: Steel man Available on HBO MAX.

Note on Rotten Tomatoes: 56

45th - Thor (2011)

The first Son of Odin movie is solid, despite not having an impactful villain. The film is important to the Marvel Cinematic Universe because it expands it, allowing beings from elsewhere in the universe to participate.

Where to watch: Thor Available on Disney+.

Rating from Rotten Tomatoes: 77

44 - SHAZAM! (2019)

The film transforms young Billy Batson into the mighty hero SHAZAM and manages to be fun and exciting at the same time. In addition to comical scenes, the combat is solid and it is one of the first DC movies to adopt this more relaxed language.

Where to watch: SHAZAM! Available on Telecine Play.

Note on Rotten Tomatoes: 90

43rd – X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

Being the worst movie in the original X-Men trilogy, it still entertains. Its most iconic moment is when Cyclops, the leader of the X-Men, dies within the first 30 minutes of the film.

Where to watch: X-Men: The Final Showdown on Disney+.

Rating from Rotten Tomatoes: 57

42nd – Ant-Man (2015)

“It doesn't make sense that a movie about a human ant starring Paul Rudd would be good, but it totally is,” says Shea Serrano, reporter for The Ringer. The film has a contained, round and fun story. It's worth remembering Michael Peña, who was totally funny.

Where to watch: Ant Man Available on Disney+.

Rating from Rotten Tomatoes: 83

41 – The Amazing Spider-Man (2012))

First film of the franchise's first reboot, the film delivers a different vision of Peter Parker and an extremely charismatic Gwen. Unfortunately, that's not enough to make everyone remember the movie.

Where to watch: The spectacular Spider Man available for rent on Google.

Rating from Rotten Tomatoes: 72

40º – Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

A great origin story. He is true to character and perfectly showcased the relationship between Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes, whose friendship develops in other films.

Where to watch: Captain America: The First Avenger Available on Disney+.

Rating from Rotten Tomatoes: 80

39º – Superman Returns (2006)

“Superman Returns is inert and totally unnecessary,” says Sean Fennessey, reporter for The Ringer. The idea is to show the classic Superman, and while it works on the one hand, the film is nothing special.

Where to watch: Superman: The Return Available on HBO MAX.

Note on Rotten Tomatoes: 75

38th – X-Men: First Class (2011)

The beginning of a new phase of the X-Men on screen works, even more so with James McAvoy as Professor Xavier and Michael Fassbender as Magneto. The relationship between the two works too well and helps to understand why the two are friends, despite being antagonists.

Where to watch: X-Men: First Class Available on Disney+.

Rating from Rotten Tomatoes: 86

37th – X-Men (2000)

The first X-Men movie was one of the most important for the superhero movie industry, as it showed the world that this category of movie works. The film is one of the most remarkable of all this passage of mutants through the big screen and introduced this universe in a sincere and powerful way.

Where to watch: X-Men Available on Disney+.

Rating from Rotten Tomatoes: 82

36º – Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

Paul Rudd returns to the role of Ant-Man, this time having to balance his life as a hero, father and with his partners, especially with Hope, his love interest in the plot, who now joins the action giving life to the heroine, Wasp.

Where to watch: Ant-Man and the Wasp Available on Disney+.

Rating from Rotten Tomatoes: 87

35th – Aquaman (2018)

In one of the best movies of the recent DC era, we meet Aquaman, the half Atlantean, half human, the true heir to the throne of Atlantis, and the great underground city, which is now ruled by Orm, a greedy dictator. 

Where to watch: Aquaman Available on Telecine Play.

Rating on Rotten Tomatoes: 65

34th – Spider-Man 3 (2007)

“That's how you end up with a franchise,” says Miles Surrey, a reporter for The Ringer. The conclusion film to Sam Raimi's trilogy was, without a doubt, the worst of the three. With several villains, the film did not know how to take advantage of any of them. To top it off, the film introduced the “emo” Peter Parker, as fans like to call it.

Where to watch: Spider-Man 3 Available on HBO MAX.

Note on Rotten Tomatoes: 63

33rd – Doctor Strange (2016)

The movie of Marvel's greatest wizard is the one with the most traveled visual effects of all, but that's a positive point, as it perfectly represented various aspects of the magic of the universe.

Where to watch: Doctor Strange available on Disney+.

Rating from Rotten Tomatoes: 89

32nd – Batman: Returns (1992)

“The best superhero movie when it comes to a vigilante, a thief and a wannabe politician Penguin,” says Sean Fennessy. This movie completely changed the tone from previous Batman movies, but in a positive way, making the heroes more sober and serious.

Where to watch: Batman: The Return available on HBO MAX.

Note on Rotten Tomatoes: 80

31st – Batman Begins (2005)

This is the beginning of Nolan's franchise, which solidly and effectively tells the story of Gotham's vigilante bat. The director's idea was a dark and realistic universe, and that was really the result. The film became a cultural phenomenon and is still a reference to how to make a hero movie. With Christian Bale and Liam Neeson, what could go wrong?

Where to watch: Batman Begins available on HBO MAX.

Note on Rotten Tomatoes: 84

30th – X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

Causing even more confusion in the timeline, this movie served to fix some things and mess up others. But one thing is for sure: the scene of Mercury helping Magneto out of prison is fantastic.

Where to watch: X-Men: Days of Future Past available on Disney+.

Rating from Rotten Tomatoes: 90

29º – Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

For many, it is the best version of Spider on the big screen. However, this time, we follow Miles Morales, who lives in the universe where Peter Parker is Spider-Man, however, with the opening of portals and the multiverse, Miles is bitten by a spider and we follow several Spiders saving the world together. Is there any way to be better? 

Where to watch: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse available on Telecine Play.

Note on Rotten Tomatoes: 97

28th – Superman 2 (1981)

A classic from the 80s. With the presence of Christopher Reeve as Superman, the film is an absolute success, although a little dated because of the special effects. "Kneel before Zod!"

Where to watch: Superman 2 available on HBO MAX.

Note on Rotten Tomatoes: 86

27th – X-Men 2 (2003)

The sequel to the already incredible and important X-Men has arrived to reaffirm that superhero movies are indeed important to the industry. Both the cast and the plot are amazing.

Where to watch: X-Men 2 available on Disney+.

Rating from Rotten Tomatoes: 85

26th - Iron Man 2 (2010)

“Iron Man is at his best when he's the funniest, whether as a playboy in the first movie or when co-written by Shane Black. This movie is neither, but it's good," says Michael Baumann, a reporter for The Ringer. The movie was a success and once and for all raised the bar for Marvel hero movies.

Where to watch: Iron Man 2 available on Disney+.

Rating from Rotten Tomatoes: 72

25th – Deadpool 2

A comedic adventure of Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool on a quest to create his own team of mutants to save the world.

Where to watch: Deadpool 2 available for rent on Google.

Rating from Rotten Tomatoes: 84

24th – Logan (2017)

This film is the culmination of Hugh Jackman's 17 years as Wolverine. Being made as the actor's last, he wanted to leave the mantle of the character with a sense of accomplishment, and that's what happened. With a contained plot, the film is dramatic and has a totally different feel.

Where to watch: Logan available on Telecine Play.

Note on Rotten Tomatoes: 93

23rd – Captain Marvel (2019)

Brie Larson presents herself as Captain Marvel in one of the best films of the last phase of the MCU. In addition, the film features Samuel L Jackson in his best performance in Marvel movies.

Where to watch: Captain Marvel available on Disney+.

Rating from Rotten Tomatoes: 79

22th - Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Being one of the best Marvel movies, this one suffers little from the so-called “Marvel formula” and delivers an incredible action experience. The relationship developed between the Captain and the Winter Soldier, added to the combat scenes, are memorable points of the film.

Where to watch: Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)) available on Disney+.

Rating from Rotten Tomatoes: 90

21st – Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

The film suffered from the hype effect with reviews describing it as worse than it actually is. In the end, the Avengers sequel is good, it's just not surprising.

Where to watch: Avengers: Age of Ultron available on Disney+.

Rating from Rotten Tomatoes: 76

20th - Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

After two lukewarm films of the character, Taika Waititi was on a mission to fix the protagonist's tone and bring a better story. The result is a totally funny superhero movie, for better or worse. The movie's villain, Hela, is on Loki's level when it comes to "villainous" quality.

Where to watch: Thor: Ragnarok available on Disney+.

Rating from Rotten Tomatoes: 93

19º – Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 2 (2017)

As a movie, Guardians 2 is a solid, fun, and funny experience. He just wasn't more amazing than the first for suffering from the hype effect and not having such a good villain.

Where to watch: Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 2 available on Disney+.

Rating from Rotten Tomatoes: 85

18 - Batman (1989)

Michael Keaton's Batman is definitely important. He “saved” the hero from an era when he was funny and plunged him into darkness. Jack Nicholson's Joker is iconic and is one of the best portrayals of the character.

Where to watch: Batman available on HBO MAX.

Note on Rotten Tomatoes: 71

17th – Deadpool (2016)

Hilarious character + low production cost = Absolute success. By mocking even Fox itself, the character makes his first appearance in cinema in an exemplary way. The plot is simple but well executed. This film was an indication that we can get out of the formula a bit and keep the quality of the films.

Where to watch: The film, at the time of writing this article, is not available on any streaming service.

Note on Rotten Tomatoes: 85

16th - Iron Man 3 (2013)

Box office success, failure for many fans. Despite being a good sequel, no one liked knowing that the movie's villain was actually a stuntman the whole time (and that's it).

where to watch: Iron Man 3 available on Disney+.

Rating from Rotten Tomatoes: 79

15º – Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

The second film in Tom Holland's Peter Parker trilogy takes a step back from the neighborhood hero universe and, with the help of Tony Stark's death and the lack of a mentor, Peter has to fight the villain Mystery, played by Jake Gyllenhaal.

Where to watch: Homem-Aranha: Longe de Casa available on Prime Video.

Rating from Rotten Tomatoes: 90

14 – Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

The first big-screen Spider-Man that actually looks like he's in high school. Tom Holland became the face of Peter Parker and won over the public in the hero's return to the helm of Marvel.

where to watch: Spider-Man: Homecoming available on Netflix.

Rating from Rotten Tomatoes: 92

13th - Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Nobody expected this movie to be the success it was. That's because it's a blockbuster of a team of space superheroes that no one knew about until then. The film presented the galactic part of Marvel with mastery and added positively to the already good universe of the company.

Where to watch: Guardians of the Galaxy available on Disney+.

Rating from Rotten Tomatoes: 92

12 – Batman: The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

After an absolutely critical and box-office success, this film comes up with a difficult task: to surpass its predecessor. The result is a good but inferior film. The villain Bane was portrayed in a realistic way (as per the proposed Nolan universe).

Where to watch: Batman the Dark Knight Rises available on HBO MAX.

Note on Rotten Tomatoes: 87

11th - Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Despite the name, the movie seems to be more about the Avengers than the Captain, since several other heroes are in the long. With a human villain that pushes hero against hero, the film manages to present Black Panther with mastery and, in addition, re-introduce Spider-Man.

where to watch: Captain America: Civil War available on Disney+.

Rating from Rotten Tomatoes: 90

10rd - Iron Man (2008)

As the first film in the gigantic Marvel universe of cinemas, Robert Downey Jr. introduces Tony Stark for the first time and the result is perfect. It's amazing how you can't look at the actor and not see the character. Without that movie, we might never have had a lot of these superhero movies.

where to watch: Iron Man available on Disney+.

Rating from Rotten Tomatoes: 94

9 - Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

The film serves as a preparation for the closing of Phase 4 of the MCU and, even though it is not the best, the film brings together almost all the superheroes in the universe in an epic battle.

Where to watch: Avengers: Infinity War available on Disney+.

Rating from Rotten Tomatoes: 85

8 – Wonder Woman (2017)

After the controversial Batman v Superman, this feature reignited the flames of the DC universe in theaters. Breaking several records, the warrior princess movie is important not only for the superhero industry, but also for women. The film directed by Patty Jenkins and starring Gal Gadot only fails in the third act. Otherwise, it's fun and heartwarming.

Where to watch: Wonder Woman available on HBO MAX.

Note on Rotten Tomatoes: 93

7th – Spider-Man 2 (2004)

Considered by Brazilian fans the best film on the web, the film has an exciting plot, a captivating protagonist and an extremely good villain. With all that, it couldn't help but be a hit movie. This was the pinnacle of Sam Raimi's franchise.

Where to watch: Spider-Man 2 available on Netflix.

Rating from Rotten Tomatoes: 93

6 – Spider-Man (2002)

The first film in the Sam Raimi trilogy was just as important as the first X-Men. Entertaining to this day, the film was crucial in dictating what would come next in the superhero movie industry.

Where to watch: Spider-Man available on Netflix.

Rating from Rotten Tomatoes: 90

5th – Superman (1978)

Christopher Reeve's Superman is undoubtedly the most beloved of bluebird fans. This is because he is heroic in the simplest sense of the word. Reeve pretty much dictated what Superman should look like from then on.

Where to watch: Superman available on HBO MAX.

Note on Rotten Tomatoes: 94

4 – The Avengers (2012)

A real phenomenon. The first alliance between the superheroes of the Marvel universe was made impeccably. While many movies that came before and even after fail in the villain aspect, this movie manages to deliver it masterfully. Not to mention the Hulk playing Loki as a toy.

Where to watch: The Avengers available on Disney+.

Rating from Rotten Tomatoes: 91

3nd - Avengers: Ultimatum (2019)

For many, the pinnacle of the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. Despite the little controversy to break the record for the highest grossing of all time (which didn't last long), the film marks the end of an era of superhero movies and also a new beginning.

Where to watch: Avengers: Endgame available on Disney+.

Note from Rotten Tomatoes: 94

2nd – Black Panther (2018)

It's almost unanimous that this is the best movie in the MCU and it's no wonder it's at the top of the list. In addition to Chadwick Boseman's amazing acting, the movie has amazing combat scenes and the costumes are amazing.

Where to watch: Black Panther available on Disney+.

Note from Rotten Tomatoes: 96

1 – Batman: The Dark Knight (2008)

This is without a doubt the best Batman movie. With a Joker so good it makes you root for him, Heath Ledger created a perfect version of the character. Hard to believe that all the fans rejected him when he was announced. As if that wasn't enough, the film also has another perfectly executed villain: Two-Face. The vigilante bat demonstrates what it's like to be a real superhero as he takes the full weight of Gotham on his shoulders.

Where to watch: Batman the dark knight available on HBO MAX.

Note on Rotten Tomatoes: 94

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It is worth remembering that this list contains the compiled opinion of some people and that, despite trying to be methodical, it does not represent any absolute truth. But what do you think is the best superhero-themed movie? Tell us in the comments!

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