10 Highest Rated Superhero Movies of All Time According to Rotten Tomatoes, Ranked By How Good They Actually Are

As a huge movie fan, I’ve watched the superhero genre absolutely explode over the years. What started as comic book stories have become these massive, spectacular films that really bring the classic battle between good and evil to life. The Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially, has been a phenomenon – they’ve made a ton of money and become a real part of our culture. It’s amazing how they’ve kept superheroes so popular and paved the way for other big, interconnected movie universes to thrive, too.

Figuring out the best superhero movies can be tricky, but Rotten Tomatoes offers a useful guide. It combines scores from critics and audiences to rank films, giving a good overall picture of what people think. However, making it into the top 10 on Rotten Tomatoes doesn’t automatically mean a movie is truly great.

10) Smoking Causes Coughing (2022)

Rotten Tomatoes’ list of top superhero movies includes a surprising pick: the 2022 French comedy Smoking Causes Coughing. The film playfully deconstructs the superhero genre, centering on a team of heroes sent on a team-building retreat that’s quickly interrupted by a world-threatening villain. Critics have given it high marks, resulting in a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Compared to the other popular movies on the site, Smoking Causes Cancer doesn’t quite reach the same level. It’s funny, but its humor isn’t universal, which limits its overall impact. While it’s impressive that Smoking Causes Coughing is the only foreign-language film in the top ten, it doesn’t have the same broad appeal as the other films.

9) Black Panther (2018)

Despite the sad real-life events surrounding its production, Black Panther is a truly great film. After first appearing in Captain America: Civil War, the character’s solo debut was a huge hit with critics. It currently holds a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, making it one of the top three superhero movies on the site.

While Black Panther is a very enjoyable film, it doesn’t push boundaries quite like some other movies on this list. As part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it relies on familiar storytelling patterns, and its final battle features a lot of computer-generated effects. Though it’s a great movie overall, it lacks the special something that makes other top-rated films truly memorable.

8) Iron Man (2008)

Released in 2008, Iron Man was a game-changer for superhero movies. It not only launched Robert Downey Jr.’s incredibly popular portrayal of Tony Stark, but also kicked off the Marvel Cinematic Universe – now the highest-grossing film franchise of all time. As an origin story, Iron Man has resonated with both critics (94% on Rotten Tomatoes) and audiences (91% audience score), proving its enduring appeal.

Iron Man is a hugely important film for Marvel, and it really set the stage for modern superhero movies. The special effects still look great today, and it built a fantastic base for the entire franchise. While it doesn’t completely reinvent the superhero genre, it’s a well-made and impactful film that remains one of the best in its class.

7) The Incredibles (2004)

With a remarkable 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, The Incredibles is considered one of the best superhero movies ever made, ranking second on their list. This popular Pixar film centers on the Parr family, a group of superheroes who must come out of hiding when a new villain emerges. Parents Bob and Helen, along with their children Violet, Dash, and Jack-Jack, work together to save the day. Notably, The Incredibles, released in 2004, is one of the few top-ranked superhero films not based on a comic book.

There’s a reason The Incredibles is so well-loved. From its smooth animation to its heartwarming story about family, the movie is simply fantastic. What’s especially impressive is how quickly it draws you in, creating a believable superhero world from scratch without relying on an existing story. It’s both a tribute to classic superhero tales and a great introduction to the genre for kids – which explains its high ratings on sites like Rotten Tomatoes.

6) Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Although all the Avengers films are highly rated, Avengers: Endgame is the standout choice for a top spot. It currently ranks sixth on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics giving it a 94% score and audiences averaging 90%. As the epic conclusion to the Infinity Saga, Avengers: Endgame is considered one of the most spectacular movies ever made.

While it’s a good movie, Endgame isn’t the best superhero film on the list. It might be a surprising opinion, but when you look at it on its own, it doesn’t stand out as much as other top superhero movies—and it’s arguably not even as strong as some of the other Avengers films. A lot of what makes Endgame enjoyable comes from everything that happened in the previous movies. It’s definitely a rewarding and grand experience, but it doesn’t quite reach the level of the very best on Rotten Tomatoes’ list.

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

Rotten Tomatoes ranks Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse as the best superhero movie ever made. It boasts a 97% rating from critics and a 93% audience score, making it incredibly popular on the site. The film follows Miles Morales as he gains superpowers and becomes the Spider-Man of his world, with help from Spider-People from different universes.

As a huge fan, I think Into the Spider-Verse is one of Sony’s absolute best! It’s amazing how much love and respect the movie shows for the Spider-Man character, exploring all the different versions of him. The animation is just incredible – it genuinely feels like you’re watching a comic book unfold. But it’s not just pretty to look at; the story about finding yourself and believing in who you are is really powerful and that’s why so many people connected with it. Honestly, there’s hardly anything to dislike about this movie. While it might not be the greatest superhero film ever made, it’s definitely among the best.

4) Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

While Into the Spider-Verse was outstanding, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse takes things even further. Despite ranking fourth on Rotten Tomatoes with a 95% score from both critics and audiences, the overwhelming positive response clearly demonstrates what an incredible film it is. It not only continues the story of the first movie but also significantly broadens its scale and ambition.

“Across the Spider-Verse” builds on the story of the first movie, challenging Miles Morales and putting him in conflict with other Spider-People. It’s just as visually stunning and enjoyable as the original, but with a much bigger and more intense plot. From beginning to end, it’s a captivating film and easily one of the best superhero movies released in recent years.

3) Logan (2017)

Despite being widely considered one of the greatest comic book films ever made, Logan only ranks tenth on Rotten Tomatoes with a 93% approval rating. Many fans believe this score doesn’t quite match the movie’s high quality. Released in 2017, Logan loosely follows the Old Man Logan comic book storyline and draws more inspiration from Westerns than typical superhero movies.

Logan is a must-see Marvel film. It’s a moving and impactful story about the character Logan, exploring the sadness that comes with his abilities and how his anger changes after experiencing great loss. While the action is intense and memorable, it’s the film’s emotional depth that truly makes it special.

2) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023)

Despite not getting enough recognition, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is a truly excellent superhero film. The 2023 animated movie cleverly combines elements from the original comics, as well as previous films and TV shows, to offer a fresh take on the beloved Ninja Turtles. It’s currently ranked number five on Rotten Tomatoes, boasting a 95% approval rating from critics and a 90% audience score.

What truly sets Mutant Mayhem apart is how perfectly it embodies the essence of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The movie smartly focuses on the characters’ teenage years—something many other versions ignore—and brings back the original, witty humor that made them so popular. Combine this with a fantastic voice cast, a talented creative team, beautiful animation, and an amazing hip-hop soundtrack, and you have one of the greatest superhero films ever made.

1) The Dark Knight (2008)

Despite a strong 94% approval rating on both the critics’ and audience’s scores on Rotten Tomatoes, The Dark Knight only ranks seventh on their list. This doesn’t quite capture how truly excellent the film is. Christopher Nolan’s Batman sequel brilliantly brings the best elements of the Batman story to life with a realistic and dark tone, and many consider it the greatest superhero movie ever made.

The Dark Knight isn’t just a great superhero movie—it’s a truly exceptional film that stands alongside the best action, crime, and political thrillers. It combines the excitement of those genres with the superhero elements, and features what many consider to be one of the greatest villainous performances ever filmed. For these reasons, The Dark Knight is widely regarded as the best superhero movie ever made.

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2026-01-27 22:45