10 Best Superhero Movie Sequels Ranked

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While it’s often thought that the initial film in a series is the finest, this isn’t always the case. For instance, many people prefer “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” to “The Terminator,” and the same goes for “Aliens” versus “Alien.” Some even favor “Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter” over the original “Friday the 13th.” These opinions aren’t necessarily incorrect or right; they simply reflect individual tastes. Moreover, these sequels often match or surpass their originals in quality. This trend is particularly evident in superhero movies. In fact, sequels in this genre frequently outshine their predecessors by building upon and enhancing what worked for the original films.

The top-tier sequels for superhero movies have been highlighted, taking into account that prequels were not necessarily disqualified but didn’t quite make the list. For instance, X-Men: First Class could be considered more as a launchpad for something new rather than a direct prequel to the initial X-Men trilogy. To qualify as a sequel under consideration, it had to directly follow from its predecessor; this is why Birds of Prey was taken into account due to some connections to Suicide Squad, but it was really the unique The Suicide Squad that made the cut (even though James Gunn’s film differed significantly from David Ayer’s 2016 box office disappointment).

10) X2

The initial X-Men trilogy films directed by Bryan Singer served as pioneers for their subgenre. While the first movie carried the responsibility of introducing numerous characters, the second film, X2, had more freedom to develop these characters in depth.

In this film, a few aspects may be hindering X2, such as its handling of Cyclops, but there are significantly more positive points, or “wins,” than negative ones. For instance, Brian Cox and Kelly Hu deliver excellent performances in their antagonistic roles. However, the most impressive aspect is likely the emphasis on Wolverine’s background and connecting that with the antagonists, particularly Colonel William Stryker, portrayed by Brian Cox.

9) Thor: Ragnarok

Following the mediocre performances of Thor and the disappointing results of Thor: The Dark World, few anticipated that Thor: Ragnarok would rank among the MCU’s top sequels. However, it surpassed expectations and indeed proved to be one. It flawlessly blends the genres of sci-fi fantasy action with Taika Waititi’s signature humor.

Following the underwhelming debut of Waititi’s “Thor: Love and Thunder,” it has served to underscore even more strongly that he nailed it initially. However, “Love and Thunder” also demonstrates that when pushed too far, the aspects that made “Ragnarok” shine can quickly become overbearing.

8) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

A significant number of individuals often rank “Guardians of the Galaxy” among their top Marvel Cinematic Universe films, and sometimes even as their absolute favorite. However, it can be convincingly argued that “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” surpasses its predecessor in quality.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Director James Gunn had a greater degree of creative freedom than typical for his Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, which allowed him to infuse more of his personal style into the films. This flexibility proved beneficial throughout the series, but the standout villain was undoubtedly Ego the Living Planet in the second film, whereas Ronan the Accuser from the first movie is considered the least memorable and uninteresting antagonist of the trilogy.

7) Logan

The daring “Logan” movie demonstrated that even in a series usually categorized as PG-13, an R-rated film can be incredibly successful. Its triumph confirmed that the success of the previous year’s R-rated “Deadpool” was no mere coincidence.

The movie “Logan” can be seen as the ultimate Western in the superhero genre. If Wolverine traded his claws for a six-shooter, he’d be “Shane.” While it seemed like we had seen the last of Wolverine, it’s hard to conceive of a more suitable ending for the character than this one.

6) Avengers: Infinity War / Avengers: Endgame

Absolutely! We’re grouping together “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame,” as they can be considered as one continuous storyline. This is quite fitting since the interconnectedness of these films makes them particularly impressive. Typically, filming two movies consecutively doesn’t result in such a seamless outcome, but Marvel Studios has managed to pull it off exceptionally well.

It’s amazing how skillfully the Russo brothers managed to balance and align numerous components in the two movies. Remarkably, each half of the story maintains its own distinct identity. While the climactic battle in Endgame is the largest scale set piece yet in the MCU, the overall film has a more personal and contained feel compared to Infinity War, which launches into action sequences from the get-go and continues for nearly two and a half hours until the end. Additionally, it will be challenging to surpass Thanos as an antagonist in the MCU, given that Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the franchise.

5) Batman Returns

Similar to its forerunner, Tim Burton’s Batman Returns, has left an indelible impact on numerous directors since its debut, influencing filmmakers beyond the superhero genre. However, it was not the most suitable choice for marketing towards children.

What makes “Batman Returns” exceptional is its dark atmosphere, which perfectly embodies Tim Burton’s unique vision. Compared to “Batman,” which felt like a studio production, “Returns” was more of Burton making a film he passionately wanted to create using the studio’s resources. Unfortunately, this led to inferior films like “Batman Forever” and “Batman & Robin” later on, but at least we have “Returns.” In addition to Burton, Michelle Pfeiffer delivers an outstanding portrayal as Catwoman, while Danny DeVito creates a genuinely terrifying character as the Penguin.

4) The Suicide Squad

James Gunn’s “The Suicide Squad” was exceptionally well-made, yet it underperformed financially. Despite this, the director was given control of the DC universe the following year. The movie’s poor performance at the box office wasn’t due to Gunn’s work, but rather because, firstly, audiences had largely lost interest in the DCEU as a whole, and secondly, the 2016 “Suicide Squad” was widely regarded as the worst film in that defunct cinematic universe. Although it was a box office hit, the movie was fundamentally flawed, with clear signs of interference behind the scenes.

In contrast to other films like the “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy, “The Suicide Squad” stands out as being uniquely crafted by a single creative mind, who had free rein to bring their vision to life. More so than in the Guardians series, this film bears the signature style of director James Gunn, making it all the more captivating and worth revisiting. Although its plot occasionally jumps about, this only adds to its endearing quality. Notably, John Cena’s character was a fantastic addition to the DC universe, but yet again, this film truly belongs to Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn. It would be a great loss for the DCU if they let her go from that role.

3) Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Joe and Anthony Russo were revealed as the directors for Captain America: The Winter Soldier, demonstrating their unified perspective on crafting an MCU film that maximizes its potential. This movie further proved that an MCU production can excel when venturing into genres beyond its own.

In the realm of political conspiracy thrillers, The Winter Soldier matches the effortless charm and gripping quality of Three Days of the Condor. When it comes to the original masterpiece, Robert Redford was an excellent addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. What makes the film so enjoyable is the well-timed inclusion of action scenes (neither excessive nor scarce) and the palpable chemistry between Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson as the main characters.

2) Spider-Man 2

Without question, Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2 stands as a peak achievement in the Marvel movie history preceding the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). To this day, there remains a compelling case that it is still the finest Marvel film, despite the arrival of beloved titles like Iron Man and Guardians of the Galaxy.

Raimi’s initial Spider-Man was indeed impressive, but it was in the first sequel that he truly found his directorial stride. Similarly, the actors settled into their roles beautifully, creating characters that were both authentic and endearing. However, the true trump card of Spider-Man 2 is Doc Ock. On one side, you have Alfred Molina’s exceptional portrayal, managing to instill both fear and empathy in the character. On the other hand, the script itself is commendable. It doesn’t just present a typical villain; instead, it offers a man driven by altruistic intentions whose ambition ultimately leads him astray. By the film’s conclusion, he overcomes the misleading voices in his ear and chooses to do what’s right, even if that wasn’t his initial plan.

1) The Dark Knight

Without a doubt, Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece, The Dark Knight, stands out as more than just an exceptional superhero sequel; it is universally acclaimed as the pinnacle of superhero cinema. To numerous film enthusiasts, it ranks among the greatest movies, regardless of genre or subcategory.

In essence, several elements contribute to its distinctiveness. Firstly, it carries a weightiness that sets it apart from typical superhero films, making it more akin to a crime drama worthy of serious consideration. Secondly, it manages to convey a rich narrative within two and a half hours without ever feeling overpowering or overwhelming. Lastly, the outstanding performance of the late Heath Ledger as Joker cannot be overlooked. His portrayal has garnered widespread acclaim, and it’s hard not to notice the Academy’s bias when he was posthumously awarded for Best Supporting Actor, while the film itself did not receive a Best Picture nomination. This is particularly notable considering that the movies nominated in that year, such as Milk, Frost/Nixon, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Reader, and Slumdog Millionaire, were arguably not among the most impressive Best Picture lineups in recent history.

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2025-06-29 01:11