It's been quite the year for superhero movies. On one hand, we had plenty of great offerings from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which marked its17th year in existence with the likes of Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts*, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps (and not forgetting Disney Plus shows Daredevil: Born Again and Ironheart, too!). Speaking of existence, James Gunn and Peter Safran's DC Universe officially came into existence this year with Superman flying onto the big screen this summer.
Although not the billion-dollar phenomenons that they once were (times have changed!), superhero movies still make up a large portion of each year's biggest releases. That was certainly the case in 2025, even if there were some unanticipated underperformers. And hey, money isn't everything!
We're not here to talk about that; what we are here to do is figure out which of this year's comic book-based superhero movies were the very best that 2025 has to offer. With that, let's rank them!
4. Captain America: Brave New World
You're probably not too surprised to see Captain America: Brave New World kicking things off. The film had a rough time with critics, partially due to the multitude of reshoots leaving part of it feeling like multiple movies spliced together into one. And it's true, it doesn't have the smoothness of the three previous Captain America movies and Sam Wilson's debut as the Star-Spangled Man deserved better than that. But as a standalone movie removed from the franchise, Brave New World has merit.
Marvel Studios has struggled throughout the Multiverse Saga, with a number of recent movies disappointing. But even with Brave New World's faults, it's still a mostly competent movie that doesn't outstay its welcome or pas things out with questionable, unfunny jokes. There is potential there and Anthony Mackie sells it well, delivering a gripping performance as the titular hero.
I will admit that the Red Hulk twist would have worked far better if every piece of marketing for the movie hadn't spoiled it, but for what it was, it was a pretty damn fun spectacle to behold. And honestly, Harrison Ford commanded the screen every time that he was on it, so we can't fault it for that either. Overall, it's a solid movie that had the potential for greatness.
3. Superman
There was a lot riding on the success of Superman. James Gunn and Peter Safran's DC Universe needed the film to succeed in order to tell the next chapter in DC's cinematic legacy. Could it build a franchise on the world's most recognizable hero? Thankfully, the answer to that question is a resounding Yes.
The Gunn-directed movie is a hopeful opener for the franchise on so many levels. For one, it's a damn good movie, thrilling audiences with its high-impact sequences, beautifully-shot flight scenes, and absolutely charming performance from the brilliant David Corenswet; I mean it when I say that he's everything we could ever want from a Clark Kent / Superman star and he delivers in spades - nailing the dichotomy between the two personalities of the hero. It's also a film that teaches us all of the important lessons that life itself often forgets to, reminding us of the importance of hope, love, decency, kindness, truth, and justice. It's everything that that the world needs right now - and so much more.
It does occasionally venture too far into Guardians of the Galaxy territory, and not all of the jokes land, but to call Superman anything less than a triumph would simply be untrue. We can't wait to see more of Corenswet's Man of Steel in the not-too-distant future.
2. The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Marvel's First Family triumphantly made their way to the MCU in 2025's The Fantastic Four: First Steps, instantly serving up a plate full of good old-fashioned adventures. It breaks from the MCU's typical format, adopting a classic "golly gee!" -like style to its storytelling, helping in no small part by its retro-futuristic setting.
The Fantastic Four have had multiple big screen appearances before now but what makes First Steps easily the best of them all is how it captures the essence of its quartet of superheroes. This is Marvel's First Family, and the heroes are quite literally a family. That's the film's strength, leaning on how much Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm all love each other. And that serves as the perfectly warm, loving environment for little Franklin Richards to be born into.
The aforementioned retro-futuristic setting also leans into uniqueness as well, portraying this as a one-of-a-kind superhero project, with director Matt Shakman successfully bringing the originality he brought to WandaVision back for this one. That, and the fact that it nails the sheer scale of Galactus as a threat, makes this one one of Marvel's finest in years.
1. Thunderbolts*
There are surprises, and then there are surprises. The latter is what Thunderbolts* delivered when it quickly became one of the best films of the year upon its release in May.
This one wasn't on anyone's radar until its Super Bowl trailer was released online, giving us all just a glimpse of the heart that this apparent Suicide Squad-esque crew were about to bring. And boy did they bring it. Thunderbolts* centers on villains and antiheroes who are struggling at life, all feeling like the outcasts. But when they are granted a shot at redemption, they take it with both hands, becoming unlikely heroes in the process.
We all knew that it would be a good time as most of these characters have provided us with at least some of the MCU's most entertaining moments. Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes has long been a fan-favorite while Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova has become a real breakout of the Multiverse Saga; but what we didn't see coming was the surprisingly beautiful way it handled unexpectedly serious subject matter, with its central storyline showing us all that we aren't defined by our struggles. It's really something, and there is one scene in particular that has instantly inserted itself among the very best moments in the franchise's long and storied history for just how beautiful it is.
Thunderbolts* is the sum of its parts. It's funny, it's strange, it's weird, it's beautiful, it's wild, it's deceptively deep and it's brilliant; you put all that together and you get the best darn superhero movie of 2025.