The 10 Best Superhero Movies Of the 2020s (So Far)

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Superhero movies aren’t as consistently huge at the box office as they were a few years ago, but there are still plenty of great ones being made. The best superhero films of the 2020s haven’t always been the biggest blockbusters, but they’ve either pushed the genre forward or offered a fresh, entertaining take on it. Here are the 10 best released between 2020 and 2025. It’s worth noting that many other good superhero films didn’t quite make this list, but still deserve recognition, including Black Widow, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Blue Beetle, The Marvels, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, Thunderbolts, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

Superhero movies are usually a lot of fun, and sometimes even really touching. But one film truly stood out from the rest, perfectly capturing everything that was great about superhero movies made in the early to mid-2020s. Did we choose your favorite? Let’s see!

10) Deadpool & Wolverine

Deadpool & Wolverine is packed with action, but in a good way – it’s incredibly fun from beginning to end. Importantly, it’s a landmark film for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, being the first to venture into R-rated content, and it fully embraces that mature tone.

Ultimately, Deadpool & Wolverine succeeds for two main reasons. First, the film really benefited from including lots of references for longtime Marvel fans, and those nods work incredibly well. But even more importantly, the fantastic chemistry between Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman is the driving force behind the movie, leaving audiences hoping this is just the beginning of their team-up in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Stream Deadpool & Wolverine on Disney+.

9) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Similar to the second Guardians of the Galaxy movie, Vol. 3 demonstrates director James Gunn’s skill for crafting heartfelt, character-driven stories. This time, the focus is on Rocket Raccoon, allowing audiences to connect with him on a deeper level as the trilogy comes to a close.

It’s surprising we even got a third Guardians movie directed by James Gunn, as it didn’t seem likely for a while. Thankfully, he delivered, and the resulting trilogy is one of the very best in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, surpassed only by the Captain America films.

Stream Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 on Disney+.

8) Zack Snyder’s Justice League

Look, the Justice League movie we got in theaters felt very much like a product of its time. But honestly, the real Justice League – the one director Zack Snyder originally envisioned – finally came out in 2021, and it’s a completely different experience. It’s a truly epic film with a strong personality, and the action is just so much more exciting and impactful. It really delivers!

Zack Snyder’s Justice League is a huge step up from the disappointing movie that audiences saw in theaters, and which hurt the DC Extended Universe. It’s too bad we’ll likely never see the rest of Snyder’s planned story, as this version showed it was heading towards something really engaging and thought-provoking – especially for a Zack Snyder film.

Stream Zack Snyder’s Justice League on HBO Max.

7) The Batman

By the time Matt Reeves took on the character in The Batman, many felt Batman had been portrayed enough times in films like those directed by Burton, Schumacher, Nolan, and in the DCEU. However, Reeves successfully revitalized the character by intentionally moving away from the typical superhero movie formula.

Robert Pattinson excelled as Batman, but the supporting cast – including Colin Farrell, Paul Dano, and Zoë Kravitz – was equally strong. The film also captured a gritty, realistic feel reminiscent of Tim Burton’s Batman films, featured beautiful visuals, and, for the first time, truly highlighted Bruce Wayne’s detective abilities.

Stream The Batman on HBO Max.

6) Superman

With the fresh start of the DC Universe hinging on it, James Gunn’s Superman delivered. The film proved that his previous successes with The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker weren’t accidents – he clearly has a knack for making DC characters as compelling as he did with Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy.

Similar to his work on The Suicide Squad, James Gunn enjoys experimenting with how the story is told in this film. It follows a straightforward plot, but starts in the middle of the action, which sets it apart from typical origin stories – whether those stories unfold chronologically, like in the Christopher Reeve Superman films, or use flashbacks, as seen in Man of Steel. The acting is excellent, the action sequences are lively, and overall, Superman leaves audiences eager to see what’s next for the DC Universe.

Stream Superman on HBO Max.

5) Birds of Prey

While concerns about COVID-19 and declining interest in DC movies generally hurt its performance, Birds of Prey didn’t do well in theaters. This is a shame, because it was exactly the kind of standalone film Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn character deserved.

The film is visually striking, moves quickly, and has a great sense of humor, with standout performances from villains played by Ewan McGregor and Chris Messina. However, the movie truly revolves around Margot Robbie, who delivers a compelling performance as a character grappling with a difficult transformation – from a victim of abuse connected to the Joker, to a deeply flawed mother.

Stream Birds of Prey on HBO Max.

4) Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

It’s been four years since Simu Liu first played Shang-Chi in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and fans are eager to see what happens next with his character. The movie was one of the most successful introductions of a new hero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe so far.

One reason Shang-Chi stands out as a highlight of Marvel’s Phase Four is its strong focus on developing its characters. The emotional connection between Shang-Chi and his father is really what drives the movie, though the exciting and well-choreographed action sequences definitely add to the fun.

Stream Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings on Disney+.

3) Spider-Man: No Way Home

Generally, the Marvel Cinematic Universe hasn’t successfully explored the idea of the multiverse, with Spider-Man: No Way Home being a notable success.

Beyond fulfilling a dream for fans of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man films, No Way Home tells a compelling story with perfectly timed emotional moments. However, its biggest achievement is giving a satisfying conclusion to Andrew Garfield’s The Amazing Spider-Man films, which were cut short after just two movies and ended on a sad note.

Stream Spider-Man: No Way Home on Starz.

2) Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Just like the first film, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse boasts incredible animation and a genuinely moving story. It’s a standout Marvel movie – truly one of the best, whether it’s animated or live-action.

The way this film plays with the idea of multiple universes is incredibly creative, which really highlights how other attempts, like those in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, have fallen short. Across the Spider-Verse is a smart, fun, and emotionally resonant movie, often all at once. Hopefully, the next installment, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, will deliver a satisfying conclusion and establish this as a truly great trilogy.

Stream Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Disney+.

1) The Suicide Squad

I loved how The Suicide Squad finally gave Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn the story she’s always deserved, just like Birds of Prey did. But honestly, it’s more than that – James Gunn brought his signature wild, funny, and slightly twisted style to the film. Plus, it was great seeing both fresh faces and some familiar characters from the previous, troubled Suicide Squad movie get another chance to shine.

The Suicide Squad is easily the most enjoyable film from the old DC Extended Universe, and it will likely stay that way as it connects that universe to the new DC Universe. The story jumps around in a way that keeps things interesting without being hard to follow, and each main character has a compelling backstory. Plus, it all builds to a fantastic final battle against a giant, starfish-like monster! It’s definitely the best movie the DCEU ever produced.

Stream The Suicide Squad on HBO Max.

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2025-12-06 02:13