Esquire magazine has published its list of the 25 greatest superhero movies ever made, blending iconic classics, modern blockbusters, and cult favorites. The ranking celebrates the genre’s cultural influence and artistic diversity, from animated adventures to darker, more mature stories.
At the top of the list is Superman (1978), starring Christopher Reeve, a film often credited with laying the foundation for the superhero genre. Coming in second is Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2 (2004), followed by The Dark Knight (2008), widely acclaimed for Heath Ledger’s Oscar-winning performance as the Joker and Christopher Nolan’s visionary direction.
The list also highlights animated titles like The Incredibles and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, socially impactful films such as Black Panther, and darker explorations like Logan, Hellboy, and Watchmen.
Notably, Thunderbolts — a Marvel film set to be released later this year — secured the 25th spot, sparking debate due to its inclusion ahead of its release. Meanwhile, some major box office hits were left out in favor of more artistically praised or influential entries.
Esquire’s Top 25 Superhero Movies:
- Superman (1978)
- Spider-Man 2 (2004)
- The Dark Knight (2008)
- The Avengers (2012)
- The Incredibles (2004)
- Black Panther (2018)
- Wonder Woman (2017)
- Unbreakable (2000)
- X2 (2003)
- Batman (1989)
- Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
- The Batman (2022)
- Logan (2017)
- The Crow (1995)
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
- Hellboy (2004)
- Shin Kamen Rider (2023)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
- Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- Superman II (1980)
- Watchmen (2009)
- Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
- Super (2010)
- Shazam (2019)
- Thunderbolts (2025)
The list underlines how superhero films have grown to explore deeper themes—such as identity, grief, and justice—while maintaining mass appeal and global influence.
Esquire’s full article is available on their official website and social media platforms.
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