Comic books aren't for everyone. First and foremost, they can be quite intimidating for newcomers. Especially with the more popular heroes like Superman, Batman, and Spider-Man, it can seem overwhelming to jump into an ongoing series without any prior knowledge of the characters and their sometimes lengthy histories. Sometimes comic books can also seem very fatuous and juvenile, especially to outsiders.
Luckily, the film industry has done a great job at popularizing superhero stories for a wider audience. And as a result, there are a handful of superhero movies that are perfect for casual viewers who are neither interested nor invested in the whole comic book scene.
10 The Incredibles-A great family-friendly superhero movie that isn't associated with Marvel or DC
It can be easy to forget that the full gamut of superhero movies doesn't just include DC and Marvel characters. There are other superhero films that don't relate to either of these two cinematic universes; Pixar's The Incredibles is one of the greatest examples.
The Incredibles is a fantastic family-friendly film that doesn't follow the traditional superhero storylines established by the DCEU and the MCU. The film does an excellent job humanizing its family of superheroes, exploring the more mundane aspects of their lives away from all the action but still delivering amazing action.
9 Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings- An Atypical superhero origin film that focuses on East Asian culture and Martial Arts
For those who are jaded with the traditional superhero origin story (i.e. the orphan rich kid, the nerd who gains superpowers, and the space alien), Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is the movie for you. What makes Shang-Chi so different from other superhero films is that it's based on East Asian culture and mythology. Thus, the movie has a distinct martial arts/Bruce Lee vibe.
It's almost like watching a Chinese action drama. The story and ambiance of the film are extremely different from other MCU movies since it explores more traditional East Asian themes such as cultural identity, family, and legacy. Because of this, the film doesn't have as much of that typical MCU comic book feel to it.
8 Superman (1978)- A great jumping-on point if you want to get into Superman
The 1978 Christopher Reeve Superman film is an excellent cinematic re-creation of Superman's origin story. Although Superman's origins have changed somewhat over the years, this film is, and maybe always will be, a good starting point for people who want to get into Superman comics but don't know much about his history.
Superman covers the essentials of Superman's history including his flight to Earth, his early years in Smallville, and his romance with Lois at the Daily Planet. At its crux, the movie's a coming-of-age story and Christopher Reeves does a great job at making Superman relatable but still larger-than-life.
7 Logan-A very mature superhero film that doesn't hold back on violence
Unless Hugh Jackman decides to reprise his role as Wolverine again, this film was his last portrayal of the mutant he's become synonymous with in recent years. Logan tells the story of a dystopian X-Men future where no mutants have been born for 25 years. A handful of mutants remain, including Caliban, an aging Wolverine, and a frail and dying Professor X.
This movie does not hold back when it comes to the action and violence, and Wolverine uses his adamantium claws to the fullest of their abilities. It is not the traditional superhero film with the capes, the tights, and the masks. It is dark, violent, and brutal. It's the perfect movie for those who find the current trends in superhero movies unrealistically death-free.
6 Deadpool- A ridiculous movie about a superhero who takes nothing seriously
For those unfamiliar with Deadpool, all you really need to know about him is that he's a ridiculously overpowered X-Man who's notorious for breaking the fourth wall. He knows he's a comic book character and is happy to act like one. And as you might have guessed, the film's hilarious and turns the superhero genre on its head.
This R-rated superhero film is everything fans looking for a good laugh and ridiculousness could ask for. Ryan Reynolds does an impeccable job of portraying a hero who couldn't care less about abiding by the standards of his family-friendly comic book world.
5 Guardians of the Galaxy- Action and comedy rolled up in a sci-fi package
The Guardians of the Galaxy was by far one of the lesser-known characters/teams in the Marvel universe, at least prior to this film's enormous success. Chances are, viewers who aren't big on Marvel's lore won't know much about this superteam coming in. This can be good if it lets them watch the movie without any expectations.
The Guardians of the Galaxy has a star-studded cast, great music, and comedy for all ages. It's non-stop jokes for its entire 2 hours. James Gunn, the director, makes it such a fun movie that almost anyone can enjoy it. Viewers don't have to like comics to laugh at Dave Bautista's Drax the Destroyer, or the antics of a weapon-crazed raccoon.
4 Spider-Man 2- Manages to tell an amazing story about an iconic comic book hero
Sure Spider-Man long history can be intimidating but Spider-Man 2 is a film everyone should watch. To many, this is the epitome of an excellent superhero movie. Spider-Man 2 tells an intriguing story about Peter Parker's journey to redemption.
The story invites the audience to care about Spider-Man in a way that's not often seen, even in the comics. Spider-Man is humanized and better developed as a character because of this movie. Whether viewers are longtime Spider-Man readers or not, this film is important to superhero cinema's past and future.
3 Watchmen-The film deconstructs the hero complex, blurring the lines between heroes and villains
Zack Snyder's Watchmen is based on a seminal 12-part comic book series by Alan Moore. Much like Alan Moore's other works, Watchmen is a thought-provoking and metaphysical story about the realities of heroism in a wicked world. Unlike most other superhero films, the characters in this movie aren't entirely good or evil. It's all shades of grey.
It's not a film with a lot of room for humor or optimism. Instead, it tends to be brutal and uncomfortably realistic. Watchmen is a rewarding movie to watch, and an even better comic to read, as it challenges the viewer to come to their own conclusions about real unanswerable non-comic-related dilemmas.
2 Joker-Explores the psychology and origins of an infamous comic book villain
The Joker's origin story in comics is convoluted and contradictory. This movie attempts to provide another rendition of the Joker's origins. This film's focus isn't on his more famous adversary and centers instead on a failed comedian's life before he became the Joker.
This movie is perfect for anyone looking for a mature supervillain film. Joaquin Phoenix delivers a strange-yet-satisfying performance as the Joker. Phoenix and the cinematic team do a great job at setting up the iconic character by exploring his tragic past.
1 The Dark Knight-A cinematic masterpiece that everyone should watch
The Dark Knight is a cinematic masterpiece that everyone should watch, regardless of whether they are comic book fans, Batman fans, or Christopher Nolan fans. From the cinematography to the soundtrack to the acting, this film has many highlights that every film fan should experience.
What makes The Dark Knight so spectacular is that it understands the medium that it's using to tell the story. This was a Batman story that was meant to be told in theatres, not within the panels of a comic book. As a result, The Dark Knight should be enjoyed as a piece of cinema, unassociated with the comics, as much as is possible.
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