If someone asked you to list 10 of the biggest superheroes, chances are that at least half of the ones that come to mind would be DC heroes. DC Comics has gifted us with some of the most legendary superheroes of all time, including (but definitely not limited to) Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aquaman, Green Lantern, Supergirl, Batgirl, Green Arrow, Black Canary, and Martian Manhunter.
While those heroes have all starred in their own stories within the comics, DC has also revolutionized the movie landscape, bringing costumed crimefighters to the big screen as early as the 1950s. While Marvel Studios definitely took that one step further in today's generation with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, films like Superman: The Movie, and Batman (1989) paved the way for them to do that. And DC themselves would get in on the trend too, launching its decade-long DC Extended Universe project (which is now being reset and relaunched as the DC Universe).
There have been plenty of highs and lows in the decades of DC movies, but which ones stand out as the very best (and worst) of the legendary franchise? Let's find out, as we prepare to take on the tall task of ranking every single DC Comics movie ever made.
39. Justice League
Oh dear, how did we end up here? A movie that should have been the crowning achievement for the DC Extended Universe ended up becoming its biggest misfire. The film was initially directed by Zack Snyder but when he had to step away due to a family tragedy, Joss Whedon took over directing duties and made a very different movie.
Justice League is a lacklustre, heartless, by-the-numbers movie that robotically makes its way from one end of its story to the other, showcasing some of the very worst CGI cinema has ever seen. It is devoid of the emotional weight that it should possess and a truly sad way to unite the most iconic DC heroes in the world for the first time in live action. Thankfully, Zack Snyder got to release his superior cut of the movie just over three years later, but that will never change the fact that this huge disappointment was the one that made it to theaters.
38. Superman IV: The Quest For Peace
The fact that a Superman movie that is actively part of the same franchise as this one is in the Top 10 of this list just highlights how far from grace the saga had fallen by the time this rolled around. Superman IV: The Quest For Peace is regarded as one of the worst movies of all time, which says more about it than my words ever could.
But we can't just leave it at that, so let's dive into what went wrong. The special effects is the most obvious offender here, because they were not good. It's not a case of visual effects that haven't aged well by today's standards, no they were bad for 1986 too. But that's just one example of the shortcomings imposed on the movie by its slashes budget. It also just wasn't very good, with a poor script and not-so-great execution that just let the whole thing down. It was a poor end to such a legendary franchise.
37. Jonah Hex
If your knowledge of a live-action Jonah Hex extends to Johnathan Schaech's portrayal in DC's Legends of Tomorrow, then I recommend you keep it that way. For the only other live-action project to feature the character came in the form of a 2010 movie starring Josh Brolin and it was, um, not good. That's not a knock on Brolin, who did a fine job with what he was given, but he wasn't given a lot.
Jonah Hex's biggest issue might be its lack of loyalty to the source material. Nowhere in the pages of DC Comics does it state that the horse-riding gunslinger has superpowers. But hey, that would have been forgivable if the product produced was actually good. It has its moments, sure, but all in all, it's one big missed opportunity to turn its underrated title character into a household name. Oh, what could have been.
36. Steel
1997 was an interesting year for superhero movies. There was the infamous Batman and Robin, the not-so-good Spawn movie, and then there was this: Steel, a long-forgotten DC movie that starred Shaquille O'Neal (yes, Shaquille O'Neal) as the man in a steel suit.
If you're looking for a nuanced adaptation of John Henry Irons, watch Superman and Lois. However, if you're looking for senseless and silly '90s fun that feels more like an extended episode of a TV show, then Steel is for you. None of it is good in the original sense of the word, but as far as "so bad, it's good" goes, it's great.
35. Green Lantern
Oh Green Lantern. A movie that was originally planned as a new beginning for DC movies, it became a definitive ending (for that era at least). The film starred Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan, and the actor did a solid job in the role, as did Blake Lively as love interest Carol Ferris, but the movie just didn't offer up anything beyond their chemistry. Angela Bassett was, as always, a force on-screen, but the script just wasted her as Amanda Waller - a sentence that shouldn't even be possible.
The effects are good without being spectacular, and the story there without ever being capable of reeling you in. There are moments of good in there, but they are far and few between, so the film is rarely elevated to a different level throughout its 114 minute-runtime. It's not a disaster by any means, but that might have made it a bit more interesting to watch.
A rewatch of Green Lantern might show you that it's better than you remember it, but it won't give you much else.
34. Catwoman
It's no secret that Catwoman's reputation precedes it. It was a movie that tried unique and original adaptations of comic book characters long before it was the cool thing to do, but it didn't exactly work out in its favor. The Halle Berry-led feature premiered in movie theaters in 2004 to a highly negative reception and it is now widely regarded as one of the worst movies ever made.
In all fairness to Catwoman, it's really not that bad. Half of the time it doesn't know what kind of movie it wants to be, and the other half of the time it's just really campy; but once you get used to the fact that it's not a masterpiece, you might actually have a fun time with it. Objectively, it's probably not good, but in terms of entertainment, it's a 10 from me.
33. Supergirl
The Girl of Steel made her cinematic debut in 1984's all-too easily forgotten Supergirl. A spinoff of the Christopher Reeve-led Superman film series, it starred Helen Slater as the titular heroine in what was the first ever female-led DC superhero movie. It's not a well-known fact because the movie has essentially been lost to history because of its poor critical and commercial performance.
Truthfully, Supergirl lacks the strength of writing that made the earlier Superman movies a success but there is a charm in there that more people should be willing to acknowledge. Sure, it had a lot of issues, but Helen Slater's endearing performance and the light-hearted nature of the movie make it a nice watch nonetheless. And it's worth it alone to see Faye Dunaway camp it up with everything she has.
Supergirl is corny, cheesy, and it was a bit dated even for its time, but it's full of heart, nostalgic charm, and it certainly wasn't the worst entry in the original Superman franchise. History should have been kinder to it.
32. Suicide Squad
Back when the DCEU was finding its footing, there was a lot of excitement for Suicide Squad. The group of villains-turned-unlikely-heroes had become fan-favorites in the decade prior to the movie's release and the notion of seeing them on the big screen was thrilling - especially because it would mark the live-action debut of Harley Quinn. Unfortunately, it just couldn't match expectations.
Looking back on Suicide Squad, the potential for a great movie was there (a running theme with the DCEU) as its trailers were very well-received, but it just didn't come together for it. The supernatural plot was far too outlandish for a group of grounded misfits while the shared universe's original interpretation of The Joker was just not good.
In fairness to Suicide Squad, it is quite rewatchable, and even though it failed to meet virtually all expectations, it's not as bad as its reputation might lead you think it is. It's also better than the theatrical version of Justice League (which isn't hard to do, but still).
31. The Return of Swamp Thing
1989 is one of the most important years in comic book history as it gave us Tim Burton's Batman. That's common knowledge now, but what isn't as well known is the fact that another DC character headlined a movie that year, too. The Return of Swamp Thing was released shortly before Batman and even though it never really made a mark on the genre, it has become a cult classic among fans.
The sequel to 1982's Swamp Thing, the film is known for taking a campier approach to the source material. Very little continuity from the original remains outside of Dick Durock and Louis Jourdan, who both reprise their respective roles as the title creature and Anton Arcane. So yeah, it didn't win a lot of point from fans of the character. That being said, it did win some for its much better Swamp Thing costume, which was ultimately used for the subsequent TV series (albeit with some modifications).
30. Black Adam
Black Adam might be part of the DCEU, but it was actually one of the longest-gestating DC movies ever made. Originally planned for release much earlier than the shared universe's existence, it was a labor of love for Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who finally brought Teth Adam to life in the 2022 movie.
The results were mixed. Johnson delivered a performance worth waiting for, capturing the ruthlessness of the character while also leading the ensemble cast well. There were also some pretty epic set pieces which featured some of the DCEU's strongest special effects in years. However, a rather uneven script and lacklustre story prevented it from reaching the heights it should have.
It was fine for what it was, but it was far from the hierarchy-reset that Johnson hoped it would be.
29. Superman III
Sometimes success can go to a franchise's head, and that unfortunately was the case with the classic Superman film series. The first movie was a revelation, the second a strong follow-up, but the third was where the cracks started to show. It all had to do with the film's unnecessary shift towards a sillier, campier tone. This was partially down to the fact that legendary comedian Richard Pryor had joined the cast in a main role.
While the movie has lived on through internet memes, it's easy to see why it was considered so inferior to the previous two Superman movies. Not only did Superman III disrespectfully sideline Lois Lane, it robbed the franchise of the earnest, heartfelt tone it was known for, replacing it with a narrative that nearly descended into complete parody.
The great Christopher Reeve, however, remained its silver lining.
28. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Another misstep for the DCEU in its early days, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice misunderstood just about all of its characters. Superman was a broody shell of the triumphant hero he was supposed to be, the World's Greatest Detective allowed Lex Luthor to manipulate him into nearly killing the Man of Steel, Lex himself felt more like The Riddler, and the great Lois Lane was kind of just there.
But there was charm in the Zack Snyder movie that teased audiences with what it could have been. If anything, it was a visual masterpiece, lovingly taking its cues from Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, making it that much more of a haunting experience. Furthermore, Wonder Woman was a scene-stealer who instantly brought things to life when she arrived in the final battle sequence - which is also some of the film's finest work.
The extended cut of Batman v Superman is a much better movie that makes far more sense; which once again highlights what the DCEU could have been.
27. Shazam! Fury of the Gods
Shazam! Fury of the Gods was something of an unlikely sequel. The first movie was a critical and commercial success but with the era of "superhero fatigue" setting in, it was surprising that the character's return would come in a sequel (instead of a team-up movie). Nevertheless, everyone's favorite kid superheroes made a comeback in Shazam! Fury of the Gods.
This is an interesting one for me, because the movie is perfectly fine. The returning cast, specifically Jack Dylan Grazer and Asher Angel, are once again great, while Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu are show-stealers as the Daughters of Atlas. However, Fury of the Gods was much more of a generic superhero movie, with bland special effects and a little less heart than its predecessor.
It was far from a bad film but the franchise lost everything that made the first Shazam! movie so special, and that was really disappointing.
26. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was the final movie in the DCEU and that alone left it feeling a bit purposeless; like it existed outside of space and time. The Flash had already reset things, but even some of those aspects were being phased out, including Aquaman himself. So why the sequel?
That aside, the film did offer up another immersive adventure that showcased how vast the underwater world could be. Its central narrative's reliance on the importance of family gave it a solid emotional hook while Jason Momoa was as badass as ever, once again proving that the DCEU's original iteration of Arthur Curry was one of the things that the shared universe got right.
That said, it was hard to get over the sense of pointlessness in this movie, and the special effects weren't quite up to the level of its predecessor.
25. Batman and Robin
You're probably a bit surprised to see Batman and Robin up this high, and I get why. The movie has a notorious reputation for killing the Batman movie franchise because of its affinity for Bat-Nipples, villainous monologues, neon lights, and ice puns. It featured one of the most star-studded casts, that included the likes of George Clooney, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Uma Thurman, and yet it has still gone down in history as a critical and commercial disaster.
That being said, the thing that elevates Batman and Robin over the previous entries on this list is that it's a non-stop adventure of just absolute fun. It's senseless, infuriating at times, and a huge step backwards for the Batman film saga, but if you can allow yourself to overlook that fact, you might appreciate it for how absolutely bonkers it is. No, it's not a real Batman movie, but it's an entertaining one. And if you're in need of a good old-fashioned fun adventure, stick this film on.
24. Aquaman
One of the true joys of a shared universe of superhero movies is that, when done right, each of those movies can provide you with their own unique identities. When the DCEU began to find its footing, it was able to do that, with the likes of Wonder Woman, Shazam!, and Aquaman.
While we had met Jason Momoa's Arthur Curry before, Aquaman was a completely different kind of film. Less superheroic and more fantasy-driven, it was an array of impressive underwater visuals, stunning set pieces, and epic water showdowns. It made it something of a visual masterpiece and a surprising adventure all in all. And, most important of all, it made Aquaman - perhaps DC's most unnecessarily dragged hero - a major point of success for not just the DCEU, but DC and Warner Bros. in general, as the film went on to become the most financially successful DC movie of all time.
Aquaman might not linger in your mind for long after you see it, but it does what it sets out to do when it has your attention: Immerse you in a thrilling adventure
23. Constantine
It's almost strange to look back on Constantine since it was a comic book movie in name only. It's bizarre to think that it came out in the same year as Batman Begins because both movies feel like they belong to completely different times, but that's almost why they work. While Batman Begins brought forth a new era for comic book movies, Constantine felt very '90s horror; which isn't surprising given that it was crafted during an era when superhero movies were far and few between.
The film is quite the departure from its source material and that understandably rubbed the comic book fans the wrong way. However, there is an appeal to Constantine that makes it incredibly watchable; not necessarily as a DC movie, but as a genreral supernatural horror movie. It's a bit all over the place, but it is carried by a thrilling (and yet underrated) performance from Keanu Reeves, who made his original interpretation of the character very endearing. And, as unlikely as it seems, we're getting a sequel because of the cult following that this one has amassed over the years. Good for Constantine.
22. Birds of Prey (And The Fantabulous Emancipation of one Harley Quinn)
The Birds of Prey finally got their chance to shine in a DCEU movie that formed an unlikely alliance between them and Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn. It made sense given how popularity Harley had proven to be in Suicide Squad so the idea of seeing her headline her own feature film was more than exciting, and the film is a rare example of a DCEU outing that actually exceeded expectations.
Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of one Harley Quinn) was a lower-stakes movie, casting aside the end-of-world dilemmas and beams in the sky for a more grounded installment that built out the uncharted world of Gotham City quite well. Ewan McGregor delivered his most over the top performance as Black Mask, while Robbie was once again captivating as the Clown Princess of Crime.
The one downside to Birds of Prey is that its title group of heroines are underutilized, living in the shadow of Harley Quinn. It's not exactly fair given that was their movie, but the chemistry between the whole cast did make up for that, and Jurnee Smollett's performance as Black Canary made us long for more of the character in the future.
21. Swamp Thing
Oh they don't make 'em like this anymore.
In what might come as a bit of a shock to you, this 1982 DC film was directed by horror legend Wes Craven. But seeing as Swamp Thing is one of DC's most beloved horror characters, it's a match that makes total sense in retrospect. And you can see Craven's affinity for the darkness of the character come through in spite of Swamp Thing's limited budget and not-so-convincing costumes.
While the movie hasn't aged all that well for those reasons, we do have to remember this was a superhero movie made before Batman imbued the genre with a sense of maturity. So yes, it's a bit more campy by today's standards than horrifying, but Swamp Thing still understood the assignment and was rightfully a big success on home video because of it.
20. Man of Steel
The DC Extended Universe officially launched with Man of Steel in 2013 (though we wouldn't know that until the year after its release). Henry Cavill donned the red cape in what would be the first of multiple appearances for him as Superman in a movie that was envisioned as a modern-day reimagining of the character.
The movie was the epic blockbuster that it promised to be, helped a great deal by Zack Snyder's larger-than-life filmmaking techniques. It was a visual thrill-ride that introduced us to a more grounded and serious version of the title character and allowed Henry Cavill the chance to set himself apart from his predecessors. Cavill succeeded in doing so, but the movie wasn't without its flaws, primarily its overall grim tone and the CGI-heavy final battle - two things that would set an unfortunate precedent for the DCEU going forward.
The scene in which Kal-El takes his first flight in the movie is nothing short of stunning, and if the rest of the movie had offered moments like this one, it would have been a lot higher on this list. That said, it did what it needed to do in relaunching Superman on the silver screen.
19. Superman Returns
Now here is a Superman movie that doesn't get the love or attention that it deserves. Released in 2005, Superman Returns is something of a legacy sequel to the Christopher Reeve film series, taking place as the Man of Steel returns to Earth after an extended amount of time. Brandon Routh was cast in the title role and he delivers what is perhaps the most underappreciated Superman performance of them all.
The problem with Superman Returns is that it is just a very good movie at a time when audiences needed to be thrilled. It had been almost two decades since the franchise's previous installment, so it should have been a Batman Begins-level reboot. The fact that it wasn't doesn't mean that we should discount its merits, though. The modern day special effects suited Superman well, while the film had enough of a balance between present-day seriousness and nostalgic charm to deliver.
It wasn't perfect, but it was more Superman than the DCEU iteration of the character.
18. The Suicide Squad
Four years after the misfire that was Suicide Squad, Guardians of the Galaxy director (and future DC Studios co-head) James Gunn was brought on-board to give the DC outcasts another chance at silver screen success. With that, the demonic threats and OTT drama was dropped in favor of a more grounded, bloody, and sarcastic affair that made much better use of its talented ensemble.
The Suicide Squad was more of an acquired taste (and far less mainstream superhero movie) than its predecessor, and it was a much stronger product as a result of that. The cast's chemistry was brilliant, with John Cena's Peacemaker and Idris Elba's Bloodsport serving as equally strong new additions to the story. But it was once again Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn that stole the show.
The film might not have been as successful as its predecessor due to its streaming release in the midst of the pandemic, but it did succeed in giving the title team a big screen adventure worthy of their comic book legacy.
17. Joker
Joker is probably DC's most divisive film. An object of critical acclaim that earned itself Oscar buzz and an eventual nomination (not-to-mention a win for Joaquin Phoenix), fans have disagreed over whether its themes, storyline and character focus on Arthur Fleck are actually worthy of that acclaim (though most do acknowledge its incredible cinematography, and strong performances).
Whether or not you are a fan of Joker is simply down to personal taste. For cinema fans who appreciate its likeness to movies such as Taxi Driver, the Todd Phillips movie is undoubtedly a classic. But to others who appreciate the source material, Joker isn't your typical DC movie, so it's understandable if they didn't enjoy it.
As someone who falls somewhere in between, Joker is a cinematic spectacle, even if it doesn't really feel like a DC movie. It is definitely an acquired taste, but its final act (when it finally begins to embrace its comic book roots) is something else entirely.
16. Wonder Woman 1984
While Wonder Woman saw something of a consensus among DC fans due to its high standard, its sequel was a much more divisive outing for DCEU viewers. Set almost 60 years after its predecessor, Wonder Woman 1984 saw Diana battle Maxwell Lord and Cheetah in a film that literally brought the notion "be careful what you wish for" to life.
It's not in the same league as its predecessor, so we'll just get that out of the way right now, but there is a charm in the 2020 film that is overlooked far too often. Just as Wonder Woman managed to capture the feel of a period piece, 1984 did the same for its own setting, delivering a cheesy, over-the-top, and triumphant feel as if it were actually made in the 1980s. There was nostalgia everywhere in it, and it showed. It also just featured incredible set pieces and an emotional central storyline. Honestly, we don't appreciate this movie and its charms enough.
15. Batman Forever
Released in 1995, Batman Forever is best remembered as the movie that paved the way for its more infamous sequel. It's the middle child of the original Batman movie series, coming between the two acclaimed Tim Burton entries and the reviled Batman and Robin, so it's often forgot about; existing as a gateway between the franchise's greatest highs and lowest lows. But honestly, it kind of deserves better than that.
It's a shame that a movie as loud and attention-grabbing as this one has been so overlooked, because it's a lot of fun to revisit. For starters, Val Kilmer is an incredibly underrated Batman, pulling off the somber, silent hero better than most might admit. Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones also made for quite the eclectic duo as villains The Riddler and Two-Face, and their odd chemistry makes it hard to ignore their larger-than-life performances. Seriously, they give it their all. That, and the overall scale of the production (with its pantomime visuals and neon lights), made Batman Forever an enthralling experience in and of itself.
No, it's not on the same level as the Burton movies, but it's a fun two-hours of entertainment that we don't bring up enough.
14. Batman: The Movie (1966)
Here we have a movie that is very much a product of its time, and yet completely timeless. Batman: The Movie was a spinoff of the classic TV series, coming fruition between the show's first and second seasons. It's every bit as outlandish and ambitious as the TV show, but with a larger budget and a much more complex plot than the typical capers of the week. The thing that made it so good is that it never lost the charm or simplicity that the show was known for.
This time Batman and Robin were up against four of their most nefarious fiends, as The Joker, Penguin, Riddler, and Catwoman teamed up to take over the world. It's as over-the-top and fun as it sounds, with plenty of battles (some on land, some in the sea), flying vacuums, and even a love story for Batman himself. I love this movie so much, and the more years that go by, the more it becomes a classic. It's everything that made the TV show a revelation (and a little bit more).
13. Superman II
Superman II is a bit of a difficult movie to rank because there are two different versions of the film. It's not necessarily as bad a case as the Justice League debacle, but even so, while the original version of Superman II was well received, the Richard Donner cut is considered a classic by fans.
Nevertheless, the movie was a strong successor to the original, bringing General Zod into play as a new foe for the Man of Steel to battle, while also having him align with Superman's archenemy Lex Luthor. It also dove deeper into the bond between Clark Kent and Lois Lane, exploring their relationship further in a way that only a sequel could have. It delivered on all of those fronts, offering up an adventure that proved itself pretty super in its own right - even if it couldn't match power with its predecessor.
12. The Flash
The movie that was once marketed as one of the greatest superhero movies of all time, The Flash ended up becoming a bit of a swan song for the DCEU due its impending reset. The finished product was a bit more divisive than that, but it did provide a mostly fulfilling conclusion to the shared universe it was part of, while also offering up some nods to the thrills it has provided us with over the past decade.
The storyline was well-executed while the CGI was questionable, but in the midst of all of that, The Flash had a heart. Ezra Miller delivered their best work as the DCEU's Barry Allen and Sasha Cale proved an intriguing addition as the wild card Supergirl, but it was Michael Keaton's long-awaited return as Batman that truly elevated the movie above the typical modern superhero fare. The movie takes a while to get going, but it's instantly dialled up to a 10 whenever he appears on-screen as he effortlessly recaptures the broody charm of his timeless Dark Knight. He is, after all, Batman.
11. Blue Beetle
The movie that exists somewhere in between the DCEU and the DC Universe, Blue Beetle marked the cinematic debut of its title hero. Xolo Maridueña starred as a young Jaime Reyes and it's safe to say her understood the assignment, capturing the essence of the character, his sense of humor, his earnestness, and his strength perfectly.
Blue Beetle is a delightfully refreshing superhero movie that ditches much of the typical end-of-world stakes of the genre in its current form for a more thoughtful, family-driven storyline. It's all the better for it, because it's the best DC movie in a very long time. It's also a welcome step forward for Latin representation of the big screen, so here's hoping it has paved the way for more outings to follow (whether that's a Blue Beetle sequel or not).
Whatever happens with the character's future in the DCU, I hope we get to see Xolo Maridueña return as Blue Beetle in the near-future.
10. Zack Snyder's Justice League
Isn't it wild that two versions of the same movie can appear on this list in vastly different places? That's the DCEU for you.
While the theatrical version of Justice League was a flat failure of a movie, devoid of heart or emotion, Zack Snyder's cut is the complete opposite. It's larger-than-life, full of emotion - all the emotions - and a testament to the strength of filmmaking involved in Snyder's vision. It's honestly amazing what alternate angles, deleted footage, and a powerful score can accomplish but Zack Snyder's Justice League is the perfect example of what is possible when it comes to allowing the director to make their own movie without interference.
Gone are the corny jokes, replaced by more nuanced character journeys. Gone is the dreadful CGI, replaced with some incredible special effects (and a much-needed redesign for Steppenwolf). And gone are the lacklustre reshoots and eye-rolling lines of dialogue, as Zack Snyder's vision had finally been restored.
It's a bit longer than it needed to be, but the 2021 version of Justice League is the grandiose, epic spectacle that the 2017 version should have been. The DCEU might have been in a much better state if this had been the movie that was released in theaters.
9. Shazam!
It's quite odd to say that the DCEU started having a bit more fun after the colossal failure of Justice League but that was indeed the case, with the solid fantasy Aquaman giving us underwater adventure for the ages and the beloved Birds of Prey focusing on a more grounded character(s)-driven story. But it found its chance to have the most fun with Shazam!.
I was looking forward to Shazam! prior to its release, don't get me wrong, but I couldn't have dreamed that it would deliver to such a high standard that it outshined so many movies in the genre focused on much more famous characters. It was a pretty magical experience, and it all had to do with the script's focus on family as a driving force, specifically found family. Billy Batson didn't know what it was like to have a family that cared for him, until he found one in the most unlikely of places.
Shazam! is perhaps the most uplifting movie in DC's entire catalogue. It was enhanced by its festive setting, which gave it a nostalgic almost '90s feeling; it worked for it, too, allowing it to deliver the perfect holiday treat. It's fun for the whole family, and the movie's appeal will likely outlast the DCEU as a concept. What a surprise!
8. The Dark Knight Rises
Christopher Nolan's game-changing Dark Knight trilogy came to an end with 2012's The Dark Knight Rises. It was a much larger-scale movie than its predecessors and it had some huge expectations to live up to after the critical and commercial success of The Dark Knight. There is some division as to whether or not it actually did that, but regardless of that, the consensus is that it brought about a fulfilling, successful and epic conclusion to the trilogy.
I can't argue with that. If anything, The Dark Knight Rises is one of the more underrated DC movies of the past 15 years. Nolan's world of Batman is unlike any other, and to spend more time in it after The Dark Knight was a treat, especially as that movie desperately needed a successor to finish its story. Tom Hardy joined the fray as the imposing Bane, while Ann Hathaway was delightful as the wild card Catwoman. Both personalities were welcome additions to the franchise's already-star-studded cast and the film's central storyline benefited a great deal from.
Batman's long-running desire to protect Gotham City from the League of Shadows came full circle in this film, and watching Bale deliver his final performance as the character was a bittersweet moment for sure. He was incredible, as we had come to expect, and watching Bruce rebuild himself throughout the movie in anticipation of that stunning final battle; it was a fulfilling end to The Dark Knight's story.
7. The Batman
There's a running joke among comic book fans that DC and Warner Bros. just can't let go of Batman, and there is some truth it in. But when they produce movies like The Batman, it's easy to see why they keep going back to him.
The 2022 film relaunched The Dark Knight's solo movies after he got completely lost in the ups and downs of the DCEU. It was a wise move, because Batman's best adventures are often solo and grounded, and this one was both of those things. The Matt Reeves movie was set in its own standalone universe, free from the constrictions of a shared continuity, and it took us back to Bruce Wayne's early days as a crimefighter, showcasing his struggles with the dual identity and his strengths as a detective.
The Batman was also a visual masterpiece, with Reeves' gripping vision clear through every shot in the movie, be it vivid cityscapes or invasive shots of Bruce Wayne's eyes. It captured the grim and corrupt world of Gotham City to perfection, while the decision to ground things with a detective story not only highlighted the partnership between Batman and Jim Gordon, it was a welcome alternative to the typically ambitious productions of the modern day superhero fare.
6. Batman Begins
If Batman was the superhero movie genre's first step towards modernity, Batman Begins was its second phase; the one that became the definitive example of modern DC movie. Dark, broody, and grounded; all of which it pulled off to perfection.
The Christopher Nolan movie gets a lot of credit for saving the franchise after Batman and Robin took it off-track, but that shouldn't undermine the credit it deserves for what it is: A damn good movie. The first in Nolan's trilogy, Begins doesn't dance around Batman's origins, it goes all in on them, showcasing how billionaire Bruce Wayne eventually found his way to crime-fighting after a lifetime of grief, tragedy, pain, and perseverance.
Christian Bale played the Dark Knight and he quickly etched his name among the greats to portray the character (and that was before his even finer work in The Dark Knight). He gives us a picture of a much more nuanced Batman than before and that ultimately serves the story well, as Bruce battles for the soul of Gotham City with a man he thought wanted to help him save it.
Batman Begins was a triumph for the ages. It brought the Caped Crusader back to the big screen and gave him an incredibley talented, star-studded ensemble cast to support him on that journey. From the grounded portrayal of his backstory to the somewhat more supernatural elements the movie possesses, it felt like an adaptation of one of Batman's most beloved comic book storylines. That's how loyal to the source material it was. It was also just an all-around cracking movie that told its story to perfection.
5. Superman: The Movie
The magic of the movies is that they can make us believe in anything, including the notion that a man can fly. There is no greater example of that than Superman. Released in 1978, it is one of the two DC films credited as "the first modern superhero movie" and it's easy to see why, as the themes, storylines, and presentation of it all continues to resonate in the genre's outings today.
Directed by Richard Donner, Superman: The Movie retold Kal-El of Krypton's origin story for a modern audience at the time. It was a much more ambitious version of the story than the previous live-action adaptations of the character, and that's part of what made it so enthralling. Its special effects were the very best at the time, while Christopher Reeve's outstanding performance as the Man of Steel was so good, it set an impossibly high standard for anyone who would ever don the cape (or put on Clark Kent's glasses) after him.
Superman is endearing, it's nostalgic, and it's appropriately larger than life. It's the ultimate Superman movie, full of heart and triumph, and it's one that we'll be forever grateful for. From Reeve's subtle, game-changing performance to John Williams' iconic score, it's a marvel of a movie that continues to stand the test of time.
4. Wonder Woman
The crowning achievement of the DCEU, Wonder Woman finally took the gloomy extended universe to the heights we all knew it was capable of, and it gave its titular heroine the long overdue solo movie we had all been waiting on. To say it was a success would be an understatement.
There are so many things that Wonder Woman gets right. From its period setting to its uplifting tone, the film captured the essence of the real Wonder Woman so well, wearing its heart on its sleeve and filling us all with hope. Gal Gadot did a wonderful job here, showing us a much softer side to Diana than we saw in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and delivering a performance worthy of the character's first solo adventure on the silver screen.
The movie is a tale of hope, which in many ways makes it the antithesis of the DCEU (and perhaps the biggest indicator of why some of those early movies just didn't work). That's Wonder Woman in a nutshell, and seeing that hope personified in her actions made for some absolutely stunning scenes. You won't find a better example of that than the goosebump-inducing "No Man's Land" scene, which might just be the greatest moment in comic book movie history. Chills, everytime.
Wonder Woman is an incredible movie; one that can be appreciated by non-comic book fans, too. It's a masterpiece that transcended the shared universe it was part of to become one of the greatest superhero movies ever made. Some might even call it the greatest, and I for sure won't argue with that.
3. The Dark Knight
That brings us to The Dark Knight: The superhero movie to end all superhero movies; the superhero movie so good it earned itself universal acclaim, appreciation from boards that often overlook genre flicks, and a place on so many outlets' "best movies ever made" lists. Believe me when I say: It's all deserved.
Christopher Nolan had already brought the Batman franchise back to greatness with Batman Begins, but here, he reinvented it: Dropping the few fantasy-esque elements of his 2005 film to paint its sequel in complete and utter realism - something that made the events of it even more terrifying than anything the Scarecrow's fear gas could make you see.
The movie's success starts and ends with its villain. Heath Ledger's Academy Award-winning performance as The Joker brought the movie (and the comic book genre) the kind of attention and accolades none of us could have imagined, and yet all of us hoped for. It continues to amaze new generations, living on as perhaps the greatest cinematic villain in history. And the dichotomy between his anarchist villain and Bale's broody hero made the whole film a thrilling experience.
There's very little to be said about The Dark Knight that hasn't already been said before, but the film deserves every bit of the love and appreciation that it continues to get. It's a triumph of moviemaking and, indeed, one of the greatest movies ever made.
2. Batman Returns
Without a doubt the strangest comic book movie ever made, Batman Returns is the sequel to Tim Burton's revolutionary 1989 franchise-starter. It's also much more of a Burton movie, leaning into the weird, the bizarre, and unusual to gift audiences with a unique gift full of unadulterated wonder.
Batman Returns wasn't all that well-received when it was first released because of how out-there it was, but it wasn't known then what a trendsetter it would become. The film mixed its comic book source material with elements of fantasy, detective fiction, and sci-fi, adopting some mature themes to tell is story too. It dialled back on the action and turned up the horror, making for the perfect nightmarish blend.
Michael Keaton took his Caped Crusader to even greater heights, thriving with very few lines of dialogue, as the stoic protector of Gotham City was somehow the movie's most sane character. It was the perfect foil for the larger-than-life villains of the piece. The undead revenge-driven Catwoman captivated in every scene that she was in, but she was matched by the chilling Penguin, who somehow derived glee from every drop of upset that he orchestrated. To say Michelle Pfeiffer and Danny DeVito outdid themselves with these performances would be an understatement.
Batman Returns is a nightmare come to life, it's eerie festive fun, and it's the brilliance of Burton and Batman together, making it quite possibly the perfect Batman movie.
1. Batman
It all changed for superhero movies in 1989 when Batman premiered in movie theaters. The Tim Burton film is widely regarded as the one that paved the way for the mature (and perhaps slightly dark) modern superhero flick, and if you watch it, you can see why.
From its opening scene, you can feel Gotham City alive with the crime and corruption you had previously read about in the comics. It's eerie and yet classy art-deco inspired designs doubled down on the nightmarishness, while the grim shots of alleyways also grounded it with some realism. In many ways, Batman looked like a crime noir movie, and it's a look that it wore well. From Grissom's meeting with his mob to the smoky alleys Jack Napier had his dealings with Detective Eckhardt, the genre was at home in this style.
Speaking of Mr. Napier, Jack Nicholson was a force as The Joker, shifting from his typically clam and collected approach for the mobster and a ridiculously fun over-the-top performance as his clownish alter-ego. The subtlety of Michael Keaton's Batman is the perfect foil for him, as the movie brings these two larger-than-life characters to life in such compelling fashion that they became the definitive portrayals of the characters for so many.
Batman is a collection of genres that turned the superhero genre on its head, showing it that could be more than one thing and that it had more mature stories to tell. It's serious, outlandish, artsy, and grounded, and so much more all at once. It's a game-changer, and the superhero movie owes it a huge debt of gratitude for everything it continues to accomplish.
It is, without a doubt, one of the greatest feats in movie history.