Esquire’s Top 25 Superhero Movies: Classics, Controversies & What Comic Book Readers Think!
Top 25 superhero films, how many have you watched?
Esquire recently dropped its list of the 25 best superhero movies of all time, and as expected, it’s sparked conversation, curiosity, and a bit of controversy. The list spans from 1978’s Superman to 2025’s Thunderbolts, combining legacy, style and cultural impact. But did they get it right?
We dug into the list, filtered the animated titles out, and asked readers which ones you’ve actually watched and which ones you think deserved a spot. Here’s what we found:
🏆 Esquire’s Top 25 Superhero Movies
| Rank | Movie Title | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Superman | 1978 | Classic origin story by Richard Donner |
| 2 | Spider-Man 2 | 2004 | Sam Raimi’s critically acclaimed sequel |
| 3 | The Dark Knight | 2008 | Heath Ledger’s Joker immortalized |
| 4 | The Avengers | 2012 | First major MCU crossover event |
| 5 | The Incredibles | 2004 | Pixar’s animated superhero family |
| 6 | Black Panther | 2018 | Culturally groundbreaking MCU hit |
| 7 | Wonder Woman | 2017 | Gal Gadot’s breakthrough role |
| 8 | Unbreakable | 2000 | M. Night Shyamalan’s grounded take |
| 9 | X2 | 2003 | Strongest of the early X-Men films |
| 10 | Batman | 1989 | Tim Burton’s gothic Gotham vision |
| 11 | Into the Spider-Verse | 2018 | Animated (but still listed) |
| 12 | The Batman | 2022 | Matt Reeves’ noir-style reboot |
| 13 | Logan | 2017 | Hugh Jackman’s emotional farewell |
| 14 | The Crow | 1995 | Cult classic with gothic tones |
| 15 | Captain America: The Winter Soldier | 2014 | Espionage thriller in superhero skin |
| 16 | Hellboy | 2004 | Guillermo del Toro’s stylish vision |
| 17 | Shin Kamen Rider | 2023 | Japanese reboot, bold inclusion |
| 18 | Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 | 2017 | Quirky emotional MCU sequel |
| 19 | Avengers: Endgame | 2019 | MCU climax of the Infinity Saga |
| 20 | Superman II | 1980 | Zod’s first appearance |
| 21 | Watchmen | 2009 | Zack Snyder’s bold adaptation |
| 22 | Thor: Ragnarok | 2017 | Taika Waititi’s comedic MCU pivot |
| 23 | Super | 2010 | Gritty low-budget vigilante film |
| 24 | Shazam! | 2019 | Light-hearted, but a surprising inclusion |
| 25 | Thunderbolts* | 2025 | Recently released, retitled The New Avengers |
🧠 Our Take:
There’s a lot to admire here, The Dark Knight, Spider-Man 2, Logan and Black Panther all make deserved appearances. But…some puzzling omissions:
- Justice League (especially Zack Snyder’s cut)
- Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
- Iron Man (2008) — the film that launched the MCU!
- Doctor Strange, Deadpool or even Fantastic Four (2025) for their influence
While we loved seeing Unbreakable and The Crow included, the inclusion of Shazam! (2019) at #24 feels like a soft choice. That spot could’ve easily gone to Zack Snyder’s Justice League or even Batman v Superman, both of which have passionate fanbases and strong visual storytelling.
📊 What Our Visitors Say:
We asked audience for a quick poll, and here are some early insights:
✅ Most-watched by Comic Book readers:
- The Dark Knight
- Avengers: Endgame
- Spider-Man 2
- Logan
- Black Panther
🏆 Reader favorite (by far):
- The Dark Knight (2008) – Christopher Nolan’s gritty Gotham saga still reigns supreme in both critical and fan acclaim.
❌ Biggest surprise omission:
- Iron Man (2008) – Shockingly absent despite being the cornerstone of modern superhero cinema.
📌 Final Thoughts:
Esquire’s list clearly focuses on legacy, influence, and diversity in storytelling. But some fan-favorites and box office giants have been left out.
This list is limited to live-action/animated only, so don’t expect Into the Spider-Verse 2 or Mask of the Phantasm, but don’t worry, we’re coming back with an animated only list soon! – Cheers – Comics Byte!!
Read More: Thunderbolts* Movie Review – Marvel’s Darkest, Deepest Team-Up Yet
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