The 10 Best Performances From Underwhelming Superhero Movies

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As a huge movie fan, it’s almost *never* a good sign when a film is carried by an actor who just doesn’t deliver. But it’s funny – there are so many cases of amazing actors giving fantastic performances in superhero or comic book movies that everyone else agrees are pretty bad. It’s like they’re the only bright spot!

As a huge fan, it really bothers me when people dismiss these amazing character performances just because the movies they’re *in* aren’t great. Seriously, some actors have given incredibly layered, emotional, and passionate portrayals, and they deserve way more credit! What follows is my tribute to those standout performances, even if they happened within some pretty flawed superhero films.

David Harbour Makes Hellboy 2019 Worth Watching

Fans were willing to give the new *Hellboy* movie a chance mostly because of the casting of David Harbour as the lead. And, many viewers have been forgiving of the film’s issues thanks to Harbour’s performance as the iconic red demon.

Despite playing roles in both DC’s *Suicide Squad* and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the actor known for *Stranger Things* might not be Ron Perlman, but he truly embodies the character of the demon-hunting paranormal investigator. He makes the famously monstrous Hellboy surprisingly relatable and delivers the film’s humor perfectly. Interestingly, the 2024 film *Hellboy: The Crooked Man*, despite a solid performance by Jack Kesy, received a lot of criticism. This has led some fans to believe the *Hellboy* franchise is plagued by good actors being stuck in weak movies, especially after Guillermo del Toro and Ron Perlman moved on.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Mr. Freeze Is Irresistibly Hammy In Batman & Robin

Almost everyone agrees that the 1997 film *Batman & Robin* is terrible. Critics and audiences alike feel it badly misrepresents the iconic DC heroes, portrayed by George Clooney and Chris O’Donnell. However, a few people argue that the film can be enjoyed as a comedy, particularly due to one hilariously over-the-top performance.

Okay, so seeing Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze is just…wild! We all know him as the serious action hero, but this is totally different. Mr. Freeze is usually this tragic, brooding character, but here he’s all about the crazy costume and silly one-liners. And honestly? Arnold is *loving* it. He just leans into the ridiculousness with so much energy, it’s impossible not to laugh. It’s not a *good* performance in the traditional sense, but it’s incredibly fun to watch him just go for it.

Michael Chiklis Is An Awesome Thing In 2004’s Fantastic Four

Matt Shakman’s 2024 film, *The Fantastic Four: First Steps*, gave fans and critics a superhero family movie they could finally celebrate. While Ebon Moss-Bachrach, known for his Emmy-winning work in *The Bear* and a previous Marvel appearance in *The Punisher*, plays The Thing, his portrayal doesn’t quite reach the same level as Michael Chiklis’s iconic performance in the role.

Tim Story’s *Fantastic Four* (2005) and its sequel, *Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer* (2007), are often considered underwhelming, mainly because they focused more on comedy than on developing compelling characters and making strong casting choices. However, casting Michael Chiklis, known for *The Shield*, as Ben Grimm (The Thing) was a great decision, fulfilling a lifelong dream for the actor. Chiklis delivered a moving and poignant performance, allowing audiences to connect with the person beneath the monster, even while covered in a full-body suit. In fact, Stan Lee himself praised Chiklis’ portrayal as his favorite performance in any Marvel movie at the time.

Ben Affleck Kicks Butt In Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice

It’s rare for any actor to be immediately embraced by passionate comic book fans when they’re cast as Batman, and Ben Affleck knows this all too well. When he was announced as Bruce Wayne in 2013 for what was then the DC Extended Universe, the reaction was particularly harsh. However, he proved many of his critics wrong three years later with his performance in Zack Snyder’s *Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice*.

Ben Affleck delivers a compelling performance as a Batman haunted by past tragedies and his own errors during his long battle against crime in Gotham. He effectively uses that inner turmoil to fuel a powerfully aggressive fighting style, showcased in the impressive warehouse fight. While many consider his portrayal and that scene to be highlights in an otherwise bleak and convoluted film, fans still lament the loss of this version of the character.

Margot Robbie Is A Definitive Harley Quinn In Suicide Squad

After the mixed reactions to *Man of Steel* and *Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice*, many fans began to think the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) was heading for trouble. The release of 2016’s *Suicide Squad* seemed to confirm those fears, as it made money despite being widely criticized. However, one thing almost everyone agreed on was the standout performance of Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn.

Margot Robbie, nominated for an Academy Award, was the first to play Harley Quinn in a live-action movie. Originally created for *Batman: The Animated Series*, her performance perfectly captured the character’s spirit and lived up to the excitement. Fortunately, Robbie wasn’t finished with the role. She returned as Harley Quinn in the 2020 film *Birds of Prey*, and later in James Gunn’s *The Suicide Squad*, which is considered part of the official DC Universe, giving fans hope for more appearances in the future.

Ray Stevenson Is Locked And Loaded In Punisher: War Zone

Frank Castle, also known as the Punisher, is a famous and formidable anti-hero from Marvel Comics. Four actors have played him in movies and TV shows, and fans frequently argue about who gave the best performance. Many believe Ray Stevenson, who played the Punisher in the 2008 film *Punisher: War Zone*, was the most impressive so far.

The actor delivers a strong performance as Frank Castle, convincingly portraying the tormented veteran driven by grief and a desire for revenge after losing his family. However, his work is hampered by the excessive and empty violence of *War Zone*, which has led to this version of the Punisher being largely forgotten – even more so than the 1989 film that went straight to video.

Sally Field Is A Wonderful Aunt May In The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Across all recent Spider-Man movies, one thing consistently receives praise: the portrayal of Aunt May. While some fans favor Rosemary Harris, who played the role in Sam Raimi’s films and closely resembles the comic book character, others prefer Marisa Tomei’s younger take in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, Sally Field’s performance as Aunt May also deserves recognition.

The celebrated actress, a two-time Academy Award winner, later confessed she didn’t particularly enjoy *The Amazing Spider-Man* films, a sentiment shared by many who strongly disliked the 2014 sequel due to its uneven style and confusing plot. Despite the film’s flaws, even its harshest critics praised Field’s performance as May, recognizing the warmth and emotional complexity she brought to the role – a remarkable feat considering she wasn’t initially enthusiastic about taking the part.

Sam Elliott Delivers A Spirited Performance In Ghost Rider

The idea of Nicolas Cage playing Johnny Blaze – a stuntman who becomes a demon hunter – seemed perfect for a dark, action-packed movie. However, the 2007 film *Ghost Rider* didn’t quite live up to expectations for many comic book fans. Thankfully, Sam Elliott’s performance is a bright spot and makes the movie at least somewhat enjoyable.

The actor, famous for films like *Tombstone* and *The Big Lebowski*, gives a compelling performance as Carter Slade. Slade’s past as a demon hunter makes him a valuable mentor to Johnny, who is learning to fight evil. *Ghost Rider* is actually the second time this Oscar-nominated actor has stood out in a weak comic book movie – he previously played Gen. Thunderbolt Ross in the 2003 film *Hulk*.

Hugh Jackman Is Still Sharp In X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Sometimes, an actor embodies a comic book character so completely and convincingly that they become inseparable from it. They might even influence how the character evolves in the original comics, and it becomes difficult for fans to picture anyone else playing the part. A prime example of this is .

The Australian actor truly deserves all the acclaim he’s gotten for playing the iconic, clawed mutant born in Canada, even in the often-criticized *X-Men Origins: Wolverine*. Despite that 2008 film being considered one of the worst *X-Men* movies – thanks to its confusing story, over-the-top action, and early, poorly-received version of Deadpool – Jackman consistently delivers a strong performance as the character he’s best known for.

J.K. Simmons Remains Amazing As J. Jonah Jameson In Spider-Man 3

Certain actors truly *become* their comic book characters, delivering performances that are both faithful to the source material and incredibly captivating. J.K. Simmons’ portrayal of J. Jonah Jameson in Sam Raimi’s *Spider-Man* trilogy is a prime example – he didn’t just play the part, he redefined it.

Even the weakest film from the early Marvel movie series, 2007’s *Spider-Man 3*, still has some fun parts, particularly those featuring the frustrated editor of *The Daily Bugle*. Considering how well the actor performed, it’s not surprising he was asked to reprise a similar role in the newer Marvel Cinematic Universe films.

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2025-10-17 00:40