Disney has accumulated some of the highest grossing movies of all time, and that’s largely due to the unstoppable MCU. It has truly been a perfect storm of artistry, innovation and long-term investment. They reliably wield mass appeal, trademark comedy, and blockbuster money. As a result, nearly everyone has aimed to imitate the great experiment, and establish their own shared universe.
It has been fascinating to watch the superhero genre evolve after so many annual capes and fireworks. But with the MCU’s undeniable dominion of the arena, it can be easy to forget their memorable competitors. Many of which have achieved equal financial success, and found their own striking voice.
Wonder Woman - $821,847,012
While Man of Steel was a middling foundation for the DCEU, this entry is almost universally loved. The female-led blockbuster was long owed, and a tremendous success with a distinct vision. It is thematically poignant, effortlessly discussing broad matters like the flaws of humankind without forthright preaching.
The action is visually bold, and hard-hitting as that instantly iconic music. Diana herself is realized with a perfect balance of charm, positivity, innocence, and determination. And although her romance begins rather awkwardly, that quickly finds its stride and develops endearing sincerity. While fans of the exciting comics are surely appeased, this movie transcends its genre. The sequel will undoubtedly climb the peaks of this list.
Spider-Man (2002) - $825,025,036
Alongside a certain group of mutants, the superhero craze was certainly cemented by this monumental step in pop culture. It took many years for Spider-Man to return to Marvel, and for an entire generation, he’ll be known for Tom Holland.
However, many will always remember Tobey Maguire and director Sam Raimi’s innovative adventures. True, some of the archetypes and effects haven’t dated particularly well. And the tone is also rather distant from today’s expectations. But longtime fans still appreciate the unfiltered personality in Raimi’s interpretation of the wall-crawler. Like everything else, it wore its heart on its sleeve, and any goofiness is rendered charming. The action is still exciting, the music instantly recognizable, and the cast largely enjoyable. This became a definitive root of modern superhero storytelling.
Venom - $856,085,151
This was a highly unexpected victory for Sony’s cinematic universe, whose collaboration with Marvel seemingly left them floundering. Instead, they capitalized on a most famous Spider-Man villain that had previously muddied up Raimi’s final outing. Venom feels more familiar this time around, albeit strangely juvenile—much like the rest of the film.
But Tom Hardy’s struggle to carry this movie was apparent. The critics almost ubiquitously disowned this oddity, but audiences embraced it. Even when Hardy’s performance swings for the fences, his bouts with a parasitic Venom are hugely entertaining. So, it’s a shame the final act is such a mess.
Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice - $873,634,919
It was expected that the mere conceptual strength would be enough. Unfortunately, the response from critics and audiences alike were largely negative. The DCEU’s attempts to play catch-up against their MCU adversaries resulted in a rushed universe. Superman hadn’t become his true self yet, and so the allegedly conflicting ideologies make less sense.
Last we left Superman, he snapped Zod’s neck. And now, Batman is killing everything in sight. The characters simply needed a better foundation to spring from. Audiences responded brightly to Wonder Woman, and Batman’s physicality. The imagery and mythology are catchy, but the execution was just muddied. It needed a clearer plot, established characters, and certainly fewer of them.
Spider-Man 3 - $894,983,373
Yet another financial leviathan that was critically wrung, and perhaps for the same reasons as the preceding film listed here. Apparently due to studio interference, there were numerous storylines being hopelessly juggled in the final entry of Raimi’s trilogy.
Naturally, the direction is still spectacular, with incredible fight sequences and engaging iconography. But the film’s pacing badly suffers, and even the tone seemed to have gone awry. It feels as though Venom never quite fit into Raimi’s vision for the film, which instead sought closure for Peter. The Sandman finally allowed him to confront Uncle Ben’s death and find resolution.
The Dark Knight - $1,004,934,033
Director Christopher Nolan’s extreme verisimilitude, slick camerawork and thematic resonance have unquestionably made this one of the greatest film superhero achievements. Further, this film introduced the incomparable Heath Ledger’s iteration of the Joker, which will remain timeless. He drives the movie throughout, perfectly embodying the flip side of Batman’s coin.
Even today, The Dark Knight could still be argued for the crown of best superhero movie. The Joker’s comedy is organically hilarious and creative. The action sequences are mesmerizing, and the sheer thematic heft is genuinely thought-provoking. Matters of surveillance and fate alike are cleverly handled. True, that Batman-voice hasn’t dated well, but everything else has.
Joker - $1,073,940,971
This R-rated psychological spectacle is an absolutely transfixing, performance-driven thriller with some of Joaquin Phoenix’s greatest work. A distinct nod to Martin Scorsese, with inspirations from The King of Comedy and Taxi Driver, it wields similar political and societal themes.
It’s actually a shame that modern problems could relate so well. One could unpack something new with every viewing, and its approach to mental illness is anything but a gimmick. The film is deeply tragic, sincerely poignant, and proudly vocal in its convictions. The emotional and narrative escalation is all superbly paced, and permanently haunting.
The Dark Knight Rises - $1,081,041,287
The plot has more armor than Batfleck did, and there would always be sharp comparisons to the prior chapter. For some, this movie could be considered controversial. The runtime is gargantuan, and the plausibility is stretched beyond Nolan’s established universe. Far worse, the absence of Heath Ledger’s genius is deeply missed.
However, Nolan still made an intriguing story about an aging, weathered Batman and his legacy. The story may not be especially tidy, but Nolan does tie up every loose end. The action and cinematography remain searing, the performances are solid, and the resolution is fulfilling. More than anything, this is an enormously ambitious movie, which perhaps only Nolan could muster.
Aquaman - $1,148,461,807
A brisk, dizzying movie with enough visual wonders to rival James Cameron’s arresting Pandora. This underrated DCEU entry delivers unexpected fun with its artistic haymakers. Every character, image and theme is approached with unapologetic size and a boisterous attitude. This allowed the story to feel considerably accessible, succeeding so well by owning its personality.
Director James Wan has recently reached beyond his terrifying universe of Conjuring movies to flaunt a wide range of abilities. Atlantis feels both majestic and lived-in. It’s clear that Wan’s influence invoked a unique, addictive world, even prompting a horror-based spinoff. Fans are surely left primed for the sequel.
Incredibles 2 - $1,242,805,359
Between the original and its sequel, countless superheroes had flooded theaters, even daring to use capes! Brad Bird’s exploration of gender themes feels sincere, if not nuanced. After all, this is hardly the first comedy to keep a dad home with the kids.
Still, the relationships and motivations of the characters remain intriguing. The action sequences are thrilling, and well-earned. Michael Giacchino’s score is riveting again, save an indulgent nod to Bond. Ultimately, it’s remarkable that the writers mustered such an inviting sequel. One immediately forgets just how much time has passed since the original. It is a natural, endlessly rewarding progression of the story, with the same personality and wit. True, it may not live up to the first chapter, and hardly redefines the genre. But even in a sea of annual supers, it certainly transcended expectations yet again.
