i posted earlier about the movies that made superhero movies so popular and that got me thinking about what my favourite superhero movies are. So here’s my list of the top 5 superhero movies ever made.

5. The Incredibles

This is arguably one of the best movies Pixar has ever made and a truly original look at the lives of superheroes. Now I know this movie is basically a Fantastic Four ripoff but it’s the way in which it portrays the heroes that make it original. I remember when this movie came out, my brother was telling me how he had watched it and thought it was a really good movie. I hadn’t really heard much about what the actual plot was, so I asked him what it was about and he said, “it’s a movie about superheroes dealing with normal everyday suburban issues”. That’s  what separates this movie from other superhero movies – it takes a look at the home lives of former superheroes and their adaptation to mundane, suburban life. It explores some amazing themes – learning how to let go of old dreams and embracing new ones, fallen idols, revenge and embracing who and what you are. I’ve watched this movie dozens of times and it never gets old; I’m so glad Brad Bird is coming back to make the sequel.

4. Iron Man

In my opinion this is the best standalone Marvel movie ever made. It’s the beginning of everything, it sets up the Marvel Cinematic Universe but is very much its own self-contained story, Robert Downey Jr. nails the spirit and attitude of Tony Stark perfectly. I love the amount of time that’s spent developing the character of Stark and just as he creates and perfects his armour, he himself is molded into a hero. I loved the way director, Jon Favreau handled the love story in this movie as well – Tony and Pepper never kiss, they flirt around the idea of their romance without ever committing to it and it’s really refreshing to see. The action is also amazing and the script is filled with really intelligent humour. Sure the villain isn’t classic but this movie is about Tony Stark turning his life around and I think the real villain Stark fights in this movie is his former self. He doesn’t become a nun overnight but seeing the effects of the illegal use of his weapons really changes him and this movie is about seeing that change.

3. Watchmen

This is one of the most underrated superheroes ever. Zack Snyder is the height of his powers in this one. The story is absolutely amazing and reminds me of The Incredibles in many ways, in that, it’s about superheroes having to abandon their masks and capes and lead normal lives. There’s so many different subplots in this movie and as the movie goes on you get to peel back the layers of mystery and see the underlying connection between all of them. This movie also has one of my favourite on screen heroes – Rorschach. Every word that comes out of his mouth is pure magic and he speaks with this unrelenting, unapologetic commitment to his beliefs. And at the end he shows that his resolve cannot be broken even in the face of armageddon. I loved all the characters in this movie and the way Snyder manages to balance all their stories. This movie is also visually stunning and has amazingly choreographed fight sequences. It just works!

2. The Avengers

I’m still, to this day, surprised by how good this movie was. It was the fulfillment of the dreams of so many comic book fans. Joss Whedon is a wonderful director and writer and the way he managed to fit all these heroes into one movie and showcase all their abilities is absolutely amazing. There’s this one great scene that really stands out in my mind – after Hulk punches the giant whale/worm monster thing and the camera pans around the heroes standing in a circle and preparing to take down the rest of the Chitauri. I still get goosebumps just thinking about that moment.  This movie also had a lot of great humour and actually impressed me with how well it managed to balance the action with the laughs. It also has the best Marvel movie villain so far in Loki. Tom Hiddleston really shines and adds a layer of deviousness and pure evil to his portrayal of Loki that was maybe a bit lacking in the first Thor movie. It’s a wonderful movie and the realisation of millions of fanboy’s dreams.

1. The Dark Knight

I don’t think anybody could ever talk me out of loving this movie. It’s the best superhero movie because it’s more than just a superhero movie. Christopher Nolan lays the foundation of this movie in reality. It’s, therefore, not bound to the typical comical nature of a superhero movie. It also showcases the importance of understanding the personality of the hero of whom you’re making the movie. Batman is a dark, gritty character and the style and tone that Nolan brings to this movie suits him perfectly. I wouldn’t want to see Nolan direct the next Spiderman movie because that style wouldn’t suit the character. This movie has the best superhero movie villain in the form of Heath Ledger’s Joker. The movie also ends with the main protagonist losing – which is an incredibly brave step. The last ten minutes of this movie are better than most superhero movies ever made. Batman explaining how him taking the blame for Dent’s crime is the only way for the city to keep its hope is brilliant. This movie perfectly embodies the selflessness that a hero needs to have, Batman always puts the fate of the city above himself.

Well those are my favourite superhero movies. Do you agree with my list, think that I’m talking out of my ass? Leave a comment or your top 5 list in the section below.