The superhero genre has dominated the box office for well over a decade, catapulting itself into becoming one of the most successful film genres of all time with no signs of slowing any time soon. Despite their meteoric success, these films tend to have trouble gaining the prestige of other movies and tend to be relegated to labels such as "fun" or "popular" rather than receiving the appreciation they deserve.
Nevertheless, every so often, a superhero film is released that strikes a chord with both fans and critics, becoming so successful in both respects that it comes to be considered both popular and critically acclaimed. Such films appear on notable lists, such as IMDb's Top 250 Films, which ranks every film according to their IMDb score. This list includes many classics, as well as certain superhero outings that have earned significant recognition.
Logan (221st)
In 2017, audiences and critics alike were blown away by Hugh Jackman's final outing as the Wolverine in the James Mangold-directed Logan. Ranking 221st on IMDb's Top 250 Movies of all time, the film has the distinction of being nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars.
Logan is one of the most darkly realistic comic book films of all time, which is why it earns its spot on the list of the greatest films ever made. The film's R-rating allowed for certain stories to be told that would not have had the same impact in a PG-13 movie, and served as a fitting sendoff for Jackman, who had been playing the role of Logan for well over a decade.
Batman Begins (137th)
Batman Begins is the first of Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy, which saw the Caped Crusader rebooted after the failure of the campier Schumacher take on the character in films like Batman Forever and Batman and Robin. Ranked at 137th, this grittier take on the iconic hero was a sign of things to come for Nolan's ensuing franchise.
Today, Batman Begins is considered one of the best superhero origin movies of all time, largely due to its incredible balance of realism and comic book accuracy. Though its follow-up would prove to be more memorable, Nolan's first Batman film is one for the books.
Avengers: Endgame (76th)
Ranked at number 76, Avengers: Endgame was the culmination of 11 years and 23 films of the MCU. The film saw Earth's Mightiest Heroes unite to undo the devastation wrought by Thanos in the previous film, and it was the final outing for Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark and Chris Evans as Steve Rogers.
Endgame was the perfect finale to the MCU's Infinity Saga, managing to pull scores of plotlines into one satisfying conclusion that paved the way for the next chapter in the fictional universe. The film proved just how resonant the superhero genre is with the general public, and established the MCU as the dominant franchise at the box office.
The Dark Knight Rises (73rd)
The Dark Knight Rises acted as the finale to Christopher Nolan's trilogy following the Batman, which IMDb ranks in 73rd place. This installment saw Bruce Wayne take on the threat of Bane, played by Tom Hardy, as the supervillain seeks to take over Gotham City.
Though many believe this film pales in comparison to the preceding entry of Nolan's trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises remains a satisfying Batman film in its own right. Though not a perfect film, it proves to be yet another example of Nolan's expertise in filmmaking and a refreshing entry in the growing catalog of superhero flicks.
Joker (70th)
After several live-action iterations of the iconic character, DC finally gave the Joker his own solo film in 2019, which followed the backstory of the character. Ranked in 70th place on IMDb's list, this film raised plenty of controversy regarding its violent nature but ultimately became a commercial and critical success, even leading Joaquin Phoenix to win an Academy Award for Best Actor.
Joker was a cultural phenomenon at the time of its release, as it had managed to work its way into political, cinematic, and psychological conversation. Regardless of anyone's opinions on its messages, it is difficult to deny the resonance the film was met with upon its release.
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (65th)
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse was the surprise hit of 2018, as the animated superhero film saw multiple variants of Spider-Man unite long before No Way Home would do the same. The film's success with both fans and critics causes it to be ranked in 65th place by IMDb, a spot that may be surpassed by its highly-anticipated sequel coming out later this year.
Into the Spider-Verse proved what a superhero movie could be, introducing general audiences to the multiverse for perhaps the first time in a way that had as much fun as possible without being overwhelming. The introduction of Miles Morales, a beloved character from the Marvel comics, also proved to be a welcome addition to a film already packed with Spider-Men.
Avengers: Infinity War (63rd)
In 63rd place is Avengers: Infinity War, a film that combined the MCU's various branching storylines into one final act that left fans on a surprising cliffhanger.
Infinity War proved to be the perfect rendition of what a comic book event crossover should look like in live-action. Despite having dozens of characters helming the title, the film managed to keep a handle on the main storyline by making the film's villain, Thanos, the protagonist. Even after the initial glamor of the film has worn off, Infinity War remains a solid entry in the MCU's history.
Spider-Man: No Way Home (21st)
The most recent entry on IMDb's list is its 21st spot, currently held by Spider-Man: No Way Home. This film saw three different versions of Peter Parker from three separate franchises unite on the big screen for the first time, much to the delight of die-hard and casual fans alike. The film is already considered a monumental success in every respect, and it is currently the sixth-highest grossing film of all time.
Still on the rise, No Way Home is the most successful Spider-Man movie ever. Perfectly blending the storylines of three generations of Spider-Men, this film is the definition of fan service done right. And, despite the jovial response to the movie, No Way Home doesn't shy from causing the audience to feel real emotion, especially in its tearful ending, which has massive implications for Spider-Man's future in the MCU.
The Matrix (16th)
Though many may not consider it to be a superhero film in the traditional sense, the modern-day superhero genre owes much of its success to The Matrix, which reinvented action films entirely. The movie is a classic in every respect, which justifies its ranking as the 16th of IMDb's best films of all time.
There is no denying that The Matrix was one of the most influential films of its era. Despite the mixed to negative reviews of its three sequels, the original movie is still fondly remembered for the way that it breathed new life into the action genre, and shot stars Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Laurence Fishburne into superstardom.
The Dark Knight (4th)
Breaking through the top 10 of IMDb's list is the second of Christopher Nolan's Batman films, The Dark Knight. Ranked in 4th place, this film was a success in every capacity and is still largely lauded as the greatest superhero film of all time.
The Dark Knight is, in many ways, the perfect Batman movie, while also acting as a meditation on the very idea of heroism. The film balances opposing storylines between Bruce Wayne and Harvey Dent, as one grows to be viewed as a villain despite his heroism, and the other lives long enough to see himself become the very villain he had once sought to destroy. The film is also notable for featuring the groundbreaking performance of Heath Ledger as the Joker, a role for which he would posthumously receive an Academy Award.