7 Comic Book Movies That Took Minutes To Prove They Were Masterpieces

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Comic book movies have become a defining force in modern cinema. The early 2000s saw a surge in adaptations of comic books for the big screen, and many of these films were both commercially successful and critically acclaimed. This success led to the creation of expansive, interconnected movie universes like the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), and the *X-Men* films, bringing countless characters to life. While not every comic book movie has been a hit, some have become true classics of the genre.

Sometimes, a comic book movie doesn’t even need a full runtime to show how good it is. A strong opening scene – one that’s powerful, memorable, or just brilliantly done – can almost guarantee a movie’s success. The films below aren’t perfect, but they quickly proved they were exceptional, needing only a few minutes to make that impression.

7) Batman (1989)

Tim Burton’s 1989 film *Batman* revitalized the character for a new generation, bringing the iconic vigilante to life in a live-action format. The movie famously introduces Michael Keaton as Batman in its opening scene, where he dramatically appears from the fog to confront two criminals. This scene immediately showcases Keaton’s Batman as funny, stylish, and effortlessly cool, quickly establishing the film as one of the most popular *Batman* movies ever made.

6) Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)

As a huge Deadpool fan, I was so excited to finally see him in the MCU, and *Deadpool & Wolverine* didn’t disappoint! From the very beginning, it was clear they nailed the character. The movie kicks off with Deadpool literally digging up Wolverine’s body and then, in the most Deadpool way possible, using his skeleton to absolutely *destroy* a bunch of TVA agents. It’s insane, hilarious, and perfectly sets the tone for the whole movie – dark, funny, and incredibly violent, just like the comics! It was the perfect way to launch Deadpool into the MCU.

5) Dredd (2012)

Although it wasn’t a box office success initially, the movie *Dredd* has become a beloved film for fans and is likely the most faithful live-action version of the iconic Judge Dredd we’ll ever see. The film quickly establishes its dark, futuristic world – Mega-City One – and then delivers a comic-book-accurate portrayal of Dredd himself. It’s not an explosive opening, but it’s a remarkably effective introduction that showcases how well the movie captures the spirit of the character from the *2000 AD* comics.

4) X2 (2003)

Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe became popular, the X-Men films were the leaders in superhero movies. The second X-Men movie, *X2*, famously began with a thrilling action sequence featuring the mutant Nightcrawler attacking the White House. This scene showcased his teleportation abilities and immediately demonstrated why humans feared mutants. It was a visually impressive and important moment, setting the stage for what is considered one of the best X-Men movies ever made.

3) Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

When *Avengers: Infinity War* came out, the Marvel Cinematic Universe was already proving itself to be a major force in filmmaking. The movie immediately grabbed attention with its powerful opening scene: Thanos attacking the Asgardian refugee ship and quickly defeating its inhabitants. This scene not only established Thanos as a truly frightening villain, but also included the surprising death of a fan-favorite character and perfectly laid the groundwork for the thrilling and emotional story that unfolded throughout the rest of *Infinity War*.

2) Blade (1998)

Long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Wesley Snipes starred in the original *Blade* trilogy, introducing the Marvel hero to audiences. The first film, released in 1998, famously opened with a striking scene: an underground rave where the sprinklers suddenly spray blood, revealing everyone inside as vampires. *Blade* arrives moments later to fight them, making the “Blood Rave” scene one of the most memorable and visually impressive in comic book movie history.

1) The Dark Knight (2008)

As a huge movie fan, I always come back to *The Dark Knight* – it’s easily the best of Christopher Nolan’s Batman films, and many consider it the greatest comic book movie ever made. The way it *starts* is just incredible. We’re thrown right into a bank robbery with a team of guys in clown masks, and they’re talking about this wild plan orchestrated by the Joker, who we don’t even see yet. Then, one by one, they start turning on each other… and it turns out the Joker was behind it all along! It’s such a bold and clever way to introduce him, and it instantly shows you what kind of chaotic mastermind he is. That opening scene perfectly sets the tone for the whole movie and really cemented Nolan’s knack for bringing DC characters to life on screen.

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2025-09-22 21:10