Top Ten Super Heros movies

Top 10 Superhero Movies of All Time

 

Everyone loves Superhero movies. They are generally movies which don't require you to invest too much intellect or emotion into the story. You are just expected to sit back and enjoy the experience. Most of these movies are big money-makers, and for good reason. People love to enjoy themselves, if you don't know. Entertainment is, in my opinion, the primary goal of going for a movie. If a movie fails to entertain, then I consider it a bore, and won't watch it a second time.

Superhero movies are like a double-edged sword. If they take themselves too seriously, they bore the hell out of audiences. On the other hand, sometimes they are just too corny for their own good (I'm looking at you, Green Lantern and Captain America!). Making a superhero movie is definitely not as easy as some might think.

So, with two great superhero movies set for release in 2013 (Iron Man 3 and Man of Steel), I decided to make a list of the 10 best Superhero movies till date. These are the movies which define the genre, and sometimes, Cinema in general. These are movies which you can watch time and again, and they will entertain you every single time. So sit back, scroll down, and enjoy this Super List (Bad Joke!).

10. X-Men : First Class

The latest movie in the X-Men Series was also a life saver for the franchise. After the disappointing Wolverine origin story (how they managed to ruin such an awesome character is still beyond me), the fate of the series depended on this movie. And it came through with flying colors.

The movie gives you what you would expect from any superhero movie. It has comedy, a bit of emotion, some semblance of a story and loads of great action. The acting is a surprise here, as this genre is not particularly known for it's stellar acting. The special effects were awesome. However, the main reason why this movie is so good, is because of the chemistry between Charles Xavier, Magneto and Mystique (if you don't know who these people are, you are reading the wrong list). The history and the love-hate relationship between Xavier and Magneto is especially great.

And if all this wasn't enough for you, the blink-and-miss guest appearance of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine is just priceless! Watch it for that!

Jennifer Lawrence: Oh, and Mystique is hot! Just thought I'd mention it!

9. Superman -

This is the origin of all Superhero movies. This where the genre started, and it is fitting that it started off with the most powerful superhero in the world, Superman! Without this movie in the list, the legitimacy of the list can be doubted, and I will not have that!!

This is also the movie that immortalized Christopher Reeves as the titular character. That alone should have been reason enough to include this movie in this list. The only reason why it is so low on the list is because of it's dated Special effects, lack of a credible storyline and the ridiculous ending (You just cannot turn back time by rotating the earth in the opposite direction!!).

Other than that, this movie provides a great watch even today...and is certainly more entertaining than the horrible Superman Returns!

8. Iron Man -

Robert Downey Jr. owned this movie. There is no other way to say it. This was the start of all those Marvel Superhero movies, which now seem endless (Iron Man 2, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America). And it was also the best.

It had some story, which I forget (I didn't say it was a very good story!). It had some great CGI effects, which I remember vaguely. It had the gorgeous Gwyneth Paltrow, who I remember quite clearly. But most of all, I remember the sheer amount of charm Robert Downey Jr. gave Tony Stark in this movie. It is what made this movie so awesome and entertaining.

It quickly made Tony Stark the hero we all hate to love, but are left with no choice but to love him in the end. He is also the only superhero badass enough to reveal his true identity to the world! This movie is one of the most entertaining movie experiences I have had. Never a boring moment!

Iron Man: Fe Male...for all you chemistry nerds!

7. Spiderman 2 -

Sam Raimi really established himself as a credible director with this one. After the fun Spiderman, expectations were set for it's sequel. Spiderman 2 surpassed all those expectations, and how!

This is one of those movies which set a new trend for the genre. The CGI effects were extraordinary (that Train sequence still sends shivers down my spine) and the acting was surprisingly good (Come on, you have Alfred Molina as the villain!). But the real star of this movie was the story. It had a beautifully crafted story, almost rivaling the Dark Knight Trilogy in that department.

Though slightly darker than the first movie, Spiderman 2 retains all the charm and comedy of the first movie. And to top it off, this is the only movie in the franchise that I can still bear to watch (let's not even mention the travesty Spiderman 3 was!).

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Spiderman and Dr. Octavius: I hereby knight you, Sir Spiderman!

6. X-Men 2 -

Wolverine is the best character in the X-Men series. No doubt about it. And the Second part of the X-Men franchise concentrated almost entirely on him and his past. This movie is essentially the crowning achievement of this franchise.

A lot darker than the first movie, the lack of comedy is very notable. The movie is filled with great acting from established actors like Hugh Jackman and Sir Ian McKellen. The action sequences are great, and enough references are made to the Comic Books to keep the nerds happy.

This is one of those movies which may seem a little heavy on the first watch, but it is the movie which you'll watch again and again. Without this movie, X-Men would have been an entirely forgettable franchise!

5. Watchmen -

This isn't a very famous movie (Well, not as well-known as the other movies on this list!). But it should be. It is one of the most unique superhero movies I have ever seen. Right from the ambiguity of the story, the great acting and the superb music....this movie is different. The direction by Zack Snyder is great, and the movie, though slow, always has a sense of purpose.

Based on the Graphic Novel by the legendary Alan Moore, this story is set in a world where USA and Russia are on the verge of a nuclear war, and the lines between good and evil have faded completely. It asks the audience whether the means justify the end, and whether justice is more important than mercy. This is a Superhero movie which asks the audience to get involved and rewards them for it.

Watchmen is a movie which I watch rarely. Not because I don't like it. But because it takes a toll on my emotions. Rest assured, you must watch this movie at least once. It is the darkest superhero movie you'll ever see, and it will change your perception of the genre forever.

 Dr. Manhattan: This blue dude is naked for the entire goddamn movie...Dark Stuff!

4. Superman II -

Ah! Another Sequel which is better than the Original, They seem to be popping up in this genre, don't they? But what can I do? Superman II took things to a whole new level. For one thing, Superman was overmatched by three Kryptonian villains, headed by their leader, General Zod.

While Christopher Reeves was the star of the first movie, Terrence Stamp was the star of the sequel. His presence, and his awesome voice, overshadowed everybody else. The story was definitely there, but it was not very strong. The special effects were surprisingly good, and hold up well even today. The music by John Williams is, of course, legendary.

This was the movie that ultimately provided the blueprint for Superhero movies, and established it as a credible genre. This is the movie which has stood the test of time, and is a must-watch for any fan of the genre!

General Zod: Legendary!

3. Batman Begins -

Here it is at last! In the Top 3! That's how high I rate Nolan's vision of Batman's origin story. This movie is an origin story in the truest sense. Nolan explained in great detail how Bruce Wayne became Batman, and where he learned to fight like a ninja (because he is a goddamn ninja!).

This is the movie that embarked us on a journey to see what Batman really was. Make no mistake, this was a completely serious movie. The comedy and the jokes were few, and served to break the tension at the right places. The cast was chosen perfectly, and the action sequences were choreographed brilliantly. The story was as realistic as it could be for a superhero movie. This was Batman as we had never seen before, and Batman as he was always meant to be seen!

Christopher Nolan made a superhero movie unlike any other. It could have failed miserably. Thank God...audiences loved every bit of it!

2. The Avengers -

This is how Superhero movies were meant to be. Fun! And it doesn't get any more fun than The Avengers. After a series of Marvel movies, each more disappointing than the last, I was apprehensive about how good this movie would be. It seemed to be too ambitious for it's own good.

I was wrong. This movie doesn't have a single dull moment within it. It has some semblance of a story, but that is unimportant. Filled with loads of jokes (courtesy Tony Stark), a good villain (Tom Hiddleton was surprisingly good in this role), and extravagant action sequences, this movie is one hell of a ride from start to finish. And Joss Whedon has done an excellent job at writing and directing.

Another reason why this movie is so great is because it broke the trend. While Superhero movies were getting darker and darker (thanks to Nolan), this movie went back to entertaining it's audiences in the most obvious and in-your-face manner. I love this movie, and I'm sure any fan of the genre will love it too!

The Avengers: Tony Stark owns this movie...these are just fillers!

1. The Dark Knight -

The Number 1 spot! And what better movie to award it to, than The Dark Knight? Is there a better superhero movie? NO! Is there a better movie at all? Very few!

This movie is for our generation, what Superman II was for the last generation. This is the movie which will be the blueprint for future movies in this genre. This is the movie which is now the Gold Standard, and all other superhero movies will be judged against this one. A great storyline, one of the best movie villains of all time, and awesome direction is what makes this movie great. This is one of those rare movies where the limelight is not on the hero, but on the villain.

Christopher Nolan has excelled himself as a director, keeping the tension tight right till the end. This is less of a superhero movie, and more about an analysis of human nature. If you haven't watched this one (yeah, all three people in the world), then you are lucky. You have something great to look forward to!

The Dark Knight: Look...even the poster has only The Joker on it!