All 7 Ryan Reynolds Comic Book Movies Ranked, Worst to Best

Similar to Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth, Ryan Reynolds is perfectly suited for major superhero productions. He boasts a lean yet muscular physique, effortlessly delivers comedic moments as well as action scenes, and carries the charisma necessary to draw audiences in. However, it’s worth noting that not all of his seven comic book movies have been box office successes. Nevertheless, he shouldn’t be held accountable for their shortcomings, as he frequently enhances what could otherwise be mediocre or worse films.

Although Reynolds excelled in this specific genre, he needed time to find his rhythm, which was largely due to a daring project that he was determined to complete until its end. That venture was undeniably the 2016 release, Deadpool. The query arises: Was Deadpool ranked number one? Despite being his most significant superhero film, is it automatically the finest?

7) R.I.P.D.

The film “R.I.P.D.” is not just one of Ryan Reynolds’ poorest performances in a comic book adaptation, it could potentially be among the worst of all time. While it’s understandable why those involved might have thought it would succeed, it’s more difficult than anticipated. If this movie had been released a year after “Guardians of the Galaxy,” it might have made sense. However, it was actually released a year before, which makes its failure to connect with audiences less surprising. Considering factors like niche property, a comedic tone, and futuristic weapons, it may have seemed viable. But unfortunately, it did not materialize as expected.

In simpler terms, the film “R.I.P.D.” seems to have been envisioned as a Universal version of the popular franchise “Men in Black,” starring Jeff Bridges as a counterpart to Tommy Lee Jones’ role. However, it falls short in various aspects. Firstly, Bridges’ performance resembles a comical take on his character from “True Grit.” Secondly, despite a significant budget, the CGI effects are poorly executed. Thirdly, Reynolds and Bridges lack chemistry, and fourthly, the humor is juvenile and inappropriate even for its PG-13 rating. Furthermore, the avatar concept (where characters appear as other actors) isn’t successful either. In essence, “R.I.P.D.” doesn’t seem to work effectively on any level.

Stream R.I.P.D. on Peacock.

6) Blade: Trinity

Among entries six, five, and four, there’s no clear winner as they all fail for distinct reasons. Blade: Trinity comes in last among these three due to its lack of entertainment value compared to the others, which occasionally manage to be enjoyable. The production of Trinity was particularly challenging, and this was especially taxing for David S. Goyer, who was directing a studio film for the first time. The primary reason for this chaos? None other than Wesley Snipes himself.

In the movies Deadpool & Wolverine, there was a suggestion, even a subtle one, about something that happened. It’s not difficult to see Snipes’ perspective, although his reportedly excessive response might be debated. After all, he had just successfully directed two well-received superhero horror films. Suddenly, he was expected to share the limelight with other stars. Unfortunately, neither Jessica Biel’s Abigail Whistler nor Ryan Reynolds’ Hannibal King made a significant impression in the film. Additionally, the portrayal of Dracula was disappointing, and the action sequences were excessively stylish. The dialogue from King, particularly his lines, were awkward, with Reynolds doing his best to deliver them convincingly. As a result, Trinity ended up being a disappointment, potentially marring what could have been an extraordinary comic book trilogy.

Rent Blade: Trinity on Amazon Video.

5) X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Despite its premature leak and generally rough cinematic experience, X-Men Origins: Wolverine still managed to perform well in theaters. This is a testament to Hugh Jackman’s deep connection with the character, as the film itself was far from perfect. This marked a significant shift for the X-Men movie series, as the original trilogy ended on a somewhat lackluster note, leaving it unclear where the franchise was heading next. The solution was to continue with what had been successful. However, X-Men Origins: Wolverine failed to make that “continue with success” approach successful. That was rectified in X-Men: First Class, which successfully balanced showing familiar characters and offering new insights into them.

The movie, titled “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” feels quite similar to earlier X-Men films, but stands out due to its primary focus on Wolverine, who often shines when his character interacts with another robust and contrasting personality. Unfortunately, this film encounters certain issues in production. The CGI at times appears inferior, a point that has been widely discussed, and perhaps the most problematic aspect is that while they cast Reynolds as Deadpool, they made the character virtually unrecognizable compared to his usual portrayal. A series of debatable choices led to the version of X-Men Origins: Wolverine audiences are familiar with, and even when compared to X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men: Apocalypse, and Dark Phoenix, there’s a compelling case that this is the lowest point for an X-film. Even its strength (the chemistry between Liev Schreiber and Jackman) leaves room for confusion, given that we had previously encountered Sabretooth, but the version in this movie was noticeably different from what we knew.

Stream X-Men Origins: Wolverine on Disney+.

4) Green Lantern

The Green Lantern film, undeniably, seems like a production driven by multiple perspectives. Occasionally, such an approach can be effective (as seen in Jurassic World: Rebirth), but it doesn’t always pan out. Green Lantern is a clear example of this not working. Martin Campbell, the director known for Casino Royale, has identified this issue. The film needed a clear creative vision, similar to what Ryan Reynolds might have provided. However, instead, it appears that Reynolds was simply cast in a significant role within a project that was already being shaped to become something predefined – essentially an amalgamation of elements from past successful superhero movies.

The Green Lantern film seems to heavily borrow elements from other superhero movies, often lacking the quality of even the better ones. It appears to have taken the wrong cues from the genre’s past, with an excessive “more is better” approach that can feel overwhelming. While this strategy may work for novelty, nothing in Green Lantern feels original or innovative.

Stream Green Lantern on HBO Max.

3) Deadpool 2

Although Deadpool 2 was generally a decent sequel to the 2016 blockbuster, it was somewhat disappointing. Looking back, the second movie is the least enjoyable to watch among the three. It contains all the raunchy humor and violent action scenes you’d expect from a Deadpool film, but it’s too complex to offer the relaxed viewing experience of Deadpool and Deadpool & Wolverine.

In a delightful twist, Deadpool 2 might not quite mirror the enchanting allure of its precursor, but let me tell you, it’s still impressively put together. The director behind Bullet Train, stepping in for Tim Miller, did a splendid job maintaining the essence of chaos and humor that we adore in Deadpool. Although it may fall short in capturing the original’s spontaneity, it more than compensates with bold moves, such as the swift introduction and dismissal of the X-Force team.

Admittedly, casting Josh Brolin as Cable was a curious decision given his strong association with Thanos at the time. It’s understandable that his character didn’t return for the sequel. On the other hand, Zazie Beetz’s Domino was sorely missed and her absence certainly left a void in the film.

Stream Deadpool 2 on Disney+.

2) Deadpool

Watching Deadpool for the first time, particularly in 2016 at the theater, was an ideal experience. Being primarily a comedy, it shines brightest on a first viewing. At that time, Deadpool truly stood out as a remarkable film, and it’s clear now that 20th Century Fox (as they were called then) made one of their best investments ever with a budget of $58 million for the movie. In terms of box office earnings compared to production costs, it ranks among the most successful superhero films, and that’s no surprise as original content is always worth discovering.

It’s clear that Ryan Reynolds is the perfect choice for Deadpool, much like James Earl Jones for Darth Vader and Robert Englund for Freddy Krueger. He truly embodies the character, although the plot of the first film might not be particularly noteworthy, it still resonated with audiences due to Reynolds’ long-awaited realization of his passion project. If the story were a bit more remarkable, this Deadpool movie would arguably be Reynolds’ best comic book adaptation. Unfortunately, both Deadpool 2 and to some extent Deadpool & Wolverine didn’t fully utilize Reynolds’ excellent chemistry with Morena Baccarin.

Stream Deadpool on Disney+.

1) Deadpool & Wolverine

As a die-hard fan of comic book movies, I can’t help but marvel at the colossal impact that the epic fusion of Deadpool and Wolverine made on our screens. Amidst the MCU’s ongoing challenges, one would expect Kevin Feige and his team to be eagerly working on a sequel – it’s almost baffling! Now, I understand it might not be flawless, but it manages to revive the invigorating charm that was evident in the 2016 film.

The film’s triumph can undoubtedly be attributed to the outstanding rapport between Reynolds and Jackman. They dominate the screen together, which is quite often, propelling the movie to its peak performance. Furthermore, it was refreshing to witness the Marvel Cinematic Universe slightly expanding its comfort zone with an R-rated production. This gamble proved rewarding as the film achieved four-quadrant success, surpassing the results of subsequent projects.

Stream Deadpool & Wolverine on Disney+.

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2025-08-15 22:53