The 50 Best Superhero Movies Over the Last 50 Years

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Most types of fiction have a long history, stretching back hundreds or even thousands of years. Comedies were popular in ancient Greece, and musicals were a hit in the 1890s. When movies started including sound, they quickly began featuring singing too—in fact, the very first sound movie ever made was a musical!

Unlike myths and legends that have been around for centuries, superheroes are a much newer phenomenon. They first appeared in comic books in the late 1930s, and while a few were made into short movie series in the 1940s, it took a long time for movies to develop the technology needed to truly bring the amazing visions of comic book artists from companies like Marvel and DC to life.

Superhero movies have become incredibly popular recently, especially over the last 20 years with big adaptations from Marvel and DC like Spider-Man and Batman. (Though some, like Jonah Hex, haven’t fared as well!) I decided to rank superhero films from the last 50 years and create a list of the 50 best. This allows me to include not only the top Spider-Man and Batman movies, but also fantastic superhero films that aren’t connected to Marvel or DC, or even based on comics at all. Keep reading to see my picks!

(Spoiler alert: Jonah Hex did not make the cut.)

The 50 Best Superhero Movies of the Last 50 Years

50. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023)

While it might not be a huge compliment, I genuinely think Mutant Mayhem is the best Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie ever made. It’s the funniest, most visually interesting, and has a fantastic cast. Plus, it delivers a positive message to kids about accepting their individuality, and it’s full of hilarious jokes about the turtles’ ooze. It really has everything you could want, and it’s packed with energy!

49. Iron Man 3 (2013)

This movie tells a solid superhero story, but it’s a little weakened by being part of the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe. The plot focuses on Tony Stark giving up the Iron Man persona, but he ended up appearing in several more films afterward. While Guy Pearce’s villain isn’t very memorable, the scenes between Robert Downey Jr. and his young sidekick are excellent, full of witty banter and exasperated charm.

48. The Suicide Squad (2021)

Marvel really misstepped when they briefly fired James Gunn from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. He quickly went to work for DC, completely revitalizing the struggling Suicide Squad franchise. Instead of trying to fix the previous, poorly received film, Gunn focused on the strongest characters – like Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn and Viola Davis’ Amanda Waller – and replaced the rest. (Jared Leto didn’t make the cut!) He injected a lot more humor and introduced fantastic new characters, including Idris Elba as Bloodsport and John Cena as Peacemaker, a hilariously twisted take on the patriotic superhero. The Suicide Squad is a bloody, funny, and surprisingly beautiful movie – it’s the film everyone hoped the original Suicide Squad would be.

47. The Punisher (1989)

The movie features Frank Castle living in a sewer, fighting underwater ninjas, and speaking in a low, mumbled voice reminiscent of Dolph Lundgren. One action sequence takes place in a vintage amusement park where the Yakuza ride a giant slide while shooting machine guns. After Frank destroys a mobster’s home, a reporter exclaims, “Holy cow, it’s the Punisher!” While it might not be the best Punisher movie, it’s definitely one of the most fun and over-the-top.

46. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

Days of Future Past successfully blends the original and newer generations of X-Men, anchored by another strong performance from Hugh Jackman. The film introduces exciting new mutants – Blink’s powers are particularly well-utilized – and features a standout sequence with Quicksilver (Evan Peters) using his speed to rescue Wolverine, Magneto, and Professor X from a Pentagon firefight. The main drawback is how the movie essentially rewrites the events of First Class, with key characters dying off-screen, the mutant school quickly failing, and Xavier unexpectedly regaining his ability to walk.

45. The Batman (2022)

Matt Reeves’s thrilling and smart new film, The Batman, reimagines the iconic hero as a detective, staying true to the spirit of the Detective Comics source material. Robert Pattison stars as Bruce Wayne, two years into his career as Gotham’s Batman, and faces off against Paul Dano’s Riddler, a killer targeting the city’s leaders with a twisted puzzle only Batman can decipher. While other Batman movies have been serious, this one uniquely explores what the character truly represents, both for his devoted fans and the people of Gotham.

44. Teen Titans Go! To the Movies (2018)

If you enjoy comedies that poke fun at themselves, you’ll want to check out the movie version of the Cartoon Network show about DC’s teen sidekicks. It’s surprisingly clever about the whole superhero movie trend – even more so than The LEGO Batman Movie. (Will Arnett voices the villain, Slade, again!) The story starts when Robin realizes everyone in the Justice League is getting their own movie… except him. So, he and his team head to Hollywood and learn the only way to get a spinoff is to eliminate the competition. Naturally, they decide to travel back in time and stop Superman, Batman, and the rest of the Justice League from becoming heroes in the first place. And get this: Nicolas Cage plays Superman! It’s a really good movie that doesn’t get enough credit.

43. Captain America: Civil War (2016)

The plot falls apart if you think about it for even a moment, and the entire movie feels like it’s leading up to the epic fight between Iron Man and Captain America. However, that airport battle? It’s absolutely amazing.

42. Sky High (2005)

Before Disney owned Marvel, they actually tried to make their own superhero universe with a movie called Sky High. It was kind of like a mix of X-Men and Harry Potter – basically, a high school for kids with superpowers! The movie cleverly divided students into ‘heroes’ and ‘sidekicks,’ which was a fun way of showing the popular kids versus the nerds. What I really loved was that it had a lot of heart, and the supporting cast was amazing – Kurt Russell, Lynda Carter, Cloris Leachman, and even Bruce Campbell were all in it! Sadly, it didn’t make enough money for a sequel, but honestly, I think it’s just as good as many of the big-name Marvel movies we see today.

41. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

As a big Spider-Man fan, I’d say Jon Watts’ third film is pretty similar in quality to Sam Raimi’s third outing – both movies try to do a lot with their villains, honestly. But what really works here is how well the film understands Peter Parker. They nail that part of him – the guy who messes up, but always gets back up and tries again. And it’s also a huge deal for the MCU, because it really opens the door to the multiverse in a major way.

40. The Old Guard (2020)

Inspired by a comic book by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernández, The Old Guard has many elements you’d expect from a superhero story: a team of immortal warriors, powerfully portrayed by Charlize Theron, who fight a never-ending battle against evil. This time, they’re up against a greedy pharmaceutical executive (played brilliantly by Harry Melling) who wants to discover the source of their extraordinary abilities. What makes The Old Guard different is director Gina Prince-Bythewood, who adds depth and thoughtfulness to a genre often focused solely on action. Unlike many similar films that simply showcase powers without explanation, The Old Guard explores the difficult emotional and psychological consequences of living forever.

39. Wonder Woman (2017)

Wonder Woman successfully blends Gal Gadot’s captivating performance as Princess Diana with director Patty Jenkins’ dynamic action. The film follows Diana as she leaves her peaceful island home, Themyscira, and enters the brutal battlefields of World War I Europe. Along the way, she finds love with a charming spy (Chris Pine) and demonstrates her incredible strength. It’s a complex character—both innocent and powerful, courageous but not reckless—and Gadot portrays her perfectly.

38. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

I’m still confused by all the negativity towards this movie. It’s true it isn’t as good as the first Avengers film, and the storyline with Wanda and Pietro is a bit confusing – though WandaVision did a clever job of building on it. However, the ending, with the Avengers teaming up to save everyone in Sokovia, is classic Marvel at its best.

37. Big Hero 6 (2014)

Big Hero 6 successfully combines the heartwarming style of Disney with the action of Marvel, though it leans more heavily into the Disney side. The story gets a bit tangled with a villain stealing technology from a young inventor, overshadowing the touching themes of dealing with grief and loss. However, the film proves a point: soft, huggable robots are the best, and Baymax is the ultimate example.

36. Shazam! (2019)

Just as the DC Extended Universe seemed to be struggling, Warner Bros. delivered a clever and unexpected take on the classic Captain Marvel story (now known as Shazam!). The film reimagines the superhero origin as a funny body-swap comedy, similar to the movie Big. Asher Angel plays Billy Batson, an orphan who gains the power to transform into the powerful, but often awkward, superhero Shazam, played by Zachary Levi, simply by saying the word “Shazam!” Featuring strong villains, a playful sense of humor, and an exciting climax, Shazam! could very well be the best film in the DCEU so far.

35. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

I just really like when Jeff Goldblum plays a space god who DJs his own parties.

34. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

The final film in Nolan’s Batman trilogy is both its most complex and most impactful, often simultaneously. This is perfectly embodied by Bruce Wayne’s difficult recovery in a seemingly inescapable prison – a massive pit. The story slows considerably as Batman physically and emotionally recovers after losing to Bane, but this section also delivers one of the series’ most powerful moments: his climb out of the pit, which visually echoes the well where he first discovered the Batcave as a child. While the plot feels overstuffed and somewhat awkward – a departure from Nolan’s usually precise pacing – and Bane’s voice (delivered by Tom Hardy) and plan to destroy Gotham are over-the-top, The Dark Knight Rises still builds on the themes introduced in The Dark Knight, further blurring the lines between hero and villain.

33. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

Tom Holland returns as Spider-Man in Marvel’s second film starring the character, and it’s almost as good as the first. It delivers a fun mix of romance, action, humor, and emotional moments. While the famous line about responsibility isn’t spoken, the movie perfectly captures that theme as Peter Parker struggles to balance his feelings for MJ (played with great wit by Zendaya) and his mission from Nick Fury (a delightfully exasperated Samuel L. Jackson) to defeat a series of elemental villains.

32. The LEGO Batman Movie (2017)

For a while, my oldest daughter was obsessed with The LEGO Batman Movie. We must have watched it dozens of times over two years—it’s easily one of the most rewatchable films of the last two decades. It’s packed with visual jokes, puns, and references for Batman fans, and Will Arnett is fantastic as the voice of LEGO Batman. I’ve seen a lot of kids’ movies over the years, and this one is by far the funniest. What’s great is that it doesn’t make fun of Batman; instead, it’s a really loving tribute to everything that makes the character special.

31. Unbreakable (2000)

M. Night Shyamalan’s film after his hit The Sixth Sense does things very differently from typical superhero movies—and that’s likely why it still feels original and impactful two decades later. The film stars Bruce Willis as David Dunn, an ordinary security guard who finds out he can’t be harmed after surviving a devastating train wreck. Shyamalan cleverly reimagined superhero stories, and in doing so, he foreshadowed how big-budget movies and fan culture would evolve.

30. The Incredibles (2004)

Even after more than 20 years, Brad Bird’s first Pixar film remains excellent. The story of a family concealing their superpowers sparked debate due to its suggestion that a world where ‘everyone is super’ could be problematic – a world where no one would be special. However, some viewers overlook the fact that this idea comes from the movie’s villain. Furthermore, when the hero worries about his children being held back, he’s actually revealing his own anxieties and disappointments, offering a surprisingly relatable look at a superhero going through a midlife crisis.

29. The Rocketeer (1991)

Disney had high hopes for The Rocketeer, a movie based on the popular indie comic book by Dave Stevens. Unfortunately, the film didn’t perform well in theaters, despite receiving positive reviews. Had it been a success, continuing the story of hero Cliff Secord (played by Billy Campbell) would have been a natural step. However, low ticket sales ended those plans. Years later, Disney briefly brought The Rocketeer back as an animated series for children, reimagining the hero as Cliff Secord’s great-granddaughter. My daughters really enjoyed the show, but it was also canceled after just one season. It seems The Rocketeer just hasn’t been able to find lasting success in any form.

28. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)

James Gunn ended his Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy on a high note, delivering a film that perfectly captured what makes Marvel great: exciting action, imaginative visuals, and characters you truly care about. Volume 3 especially elevates Rocket Raccoon from a minor character to a compelling and heartbreaking hero. After a series of underwhelming Marvel movies, Gunn made it all seem effortless. It’s a shame he’s now working with DC instead.

27. Darkman (1990)

Despite being a significant early superhero film, Darkman is often overlooked in discussions of the genre’s best. This is likely because it wasn’t based on an existing comic book character, and perhaps also because the main character is more of a frightening figure than a traditional hero. However, Sam Raimi’s first superhero effort was a big hit, skillfully combining elements of horror, action, and comedy.

26. Blade (1998)

Wesley Snipes recognized the potential of Marvel stories long before many in Hollywood. He famously said, while playfully speaking as his character Blade, that playing a comic book hero allows for complete creative freedom – inventing a unique voice, appearance, and way of moving and speaking. Snipes’ Blade film essentially served as a preview of what would become the Marvel Cinematic Universe, laying the groundwork for the interconnected world of superheroes and villains we know today.

25. Superman (2025)

Many fans strongly resist comparing the two Superman movies, but I’d say the original 1978 film by Richard Donner is slightly better. However, James Gunn’s Superman is remarkably strong. Nicholas Hoult delivers a fantastic performance as Lex Luthor – he’s brilliantly self-centered and easily offended. The supporting cast is also excellent, with Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific and Krypto, Superman’s mischievous and scene-stealing superdog.

The new film features a wonderfully relatable and charming Superman, played by David Corenswet, making him easy to root for. It’s a fun, exciting, and romantic movie, and it even manages to include some thoughtful social commentary. Importantly, it raises the bar for future DC films, which is promising since it’s intended to be the first in a whole series of interconnected movies.

24. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

Tom Holland excels as Spider-Man, bringing humor, courage, and determination to the role, and also perfectly captures Peter Parker’s awkwardness, loneliness, and vulnerability. Spider-Man: Homecoming not only introduced the character to the Marvel Cinematic Universe but also grounded him in his high school life, focusing on Peter’s struggles as a teenager trying to protect his neighborhood from a determined villain (Michael Keaton as Vulture). The film also feels genuinely New York, capturing the city’s everyday details in a way previous movies hadn’t – like a quick stop for a bodega sandwich!

23. Batman Begins (2005)

When Batman Begins came out in 2005, it felt like a welcome fresh start for the series. It wisely removed the unnecessary baggage that had built up over the years, focusing instead on Batman’s core story and origins. The film introduced Christian Bale as a new Bruce Wayne and featured a particularly well-developed villain, played by Liam Neeson. While director Christopher Nolan would later surpass this film with a sequel, Batman Begins remains one of the best Batman movies ever made.

22. X2 (2003)

X2 might be the most significant superhero movie of the 21st century. While the first X-Men and Spider-Man films showed that comics could be successfully adapted for the screen, X2 proved that movies could actually improve upon them. The action sequences, like Nightcrawler’s attack on the White House, were particularly groundbreaking – his teleportation looked even more amazing in motion than it ever did in comic book panels. The film’s climactic dam burst signaled the start of the modern superhero movie boom, and things were never the same afterward.

21. Logan (2017)

Hugh Jackman’s third attempt at a solo Wolverine movie finally hit the mark with Logan. The film fully embraced the character’s brutal and heartbreaking side. Its R-rating allowed for a much grittier and more impactful story, fitting for a tale about the hero’s last days. It also smartly simplified the plot by focusing on just a few key characters, including a fantastic performance by Patrick Stewart as an elderly Professor X struggling with failing mental and physical control of his immense power.

20. Superman (1978)

Putting aside the iconic performances of Marlon Brando and Glenn Ford, and ignoring the mispronunciation of ‘Krypton,’ this movie would be much better if it started when Clark Kent reaches Metropolis. By 1978, most viewers already knew Superman’s origin story – or at least enough to follow the plot. What still makes this film special, even with aging special effects, is Christopher Reeve. Few comic book movies have featured a performance as strong as his, both as Clark Kent and as Superman – and he plays both roles equally convincingly.

19. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

The first Guardians of the Galaxy movie showed that Marvel could draw audiences to lesser-known characters. Many dedicated Marvel fans hadn’t even heard of the Guardians before the film came out – they were a relatively obscure team before James Gunn’s movie made them a big hit. And, just for the record, Rocket is the best Guardian – that’s simply a fact!

18. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

While the plot feels a bit rushed – an entire war is quickly summarized – Chris Evans’ portrayal of Captain America is arguably the best comic-book character adaptation in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This film transformed a hero often criticized as being boring or outdated into a compelling, likable, and complex man with strong, genuine values. The First Avenger is the perfect movie to watch when you need a boost of inspiration.

17. Batman (1989)

As a huge film fan, I still think Tim Burton’s Batman is a masterpiece, even after all these years. It completely changed how Hollywood approached comic book movies, and for that alone it deserves recognition. But it’s more than just influential – it genuinely holds up. Everyone talked about Jack Nicholson’s Joker back then, and rightly so, he was fantastic and stole every scene. But revisiting the film now, it’s Michael Keaton’s Batman that really stays with you. He plays Bruce Wayne as this wonderfully unhinged, eccentric character. And as Batman, his movements – which were actually limited by that incredible suit – create this incredibly imposing, almost otherworldly presence. Every time he appears on screen, you just feel the dread, and it’s amazing.

16. Spider-Man (2002)

With so many Spider-Man movies being released now, it’s easy to forget how groundbreaking Sam Raimi’s first film was. At a time when most comic book movies tried to distance themselves from the original stories—even good ones like X-Men—Raimi’s Spider-Man nailed everything: the costume, action, special effects, the emotional impact of Uncle Ben’s death, and Peter Parker’s complicated relationships with Norman and Harry Osborn. Its record-breaking opening weekend changed how audiences and studios viewed comic book adaptations, and essentially launched the era of interconnected cinematic universes we see today.

15. Avengers: Endgame (2019)

No superhero film faced a bigger challenge than Avengers: Endgame. It needed to deliver a satisfying conclusion to a major cliffhanger, tie up storylines from over 20 previous Marvel movies, and still be a great film on its own. Remarkably, Kevin Feige, the Russo brothers, and the team at Marvel Studios succeeded. Despite being packed with references for fans, the movie doesn’t let these details distract from the story, action, or the emotional end to Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Tony Stark.

14. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

Building on the success of Into the Spider-Verse, this sequel introduces Miles Morales to Spider-Man 2099 and his team, the “Spider Society.” They’re dedicated to safeguarding the multiverse from threats like the Spot, a new villain who can open portals to different dimensions. Across the Spider-Verse is visually even more stunning and creative than its predecessor – Spider-Gwen’s world looks like a living watercolor painting, and Spider-Man India comes from a vibrant, colorful city called “Mumbattan.” The main drawback is that it’s only the first half of a two-part story, and it sometimes feels incomplete as a result.

13. Black Panther (2018)

Many Marvel films try too hard to tie into the overall universe, but Black Panther proves that focusing on its own story can be more effective. The first film brilliantly centers on the character of Black Panther, powerfully played by the late Chadwick Boseman, and its supporting characters, rather than simply advancing the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe plot. Although the sequel faced challenges dealing with Boseman’s passing, the original Black Panther remains one of Marvel’s best movies.

12. The Mask of Zorro (1998)

Before superhero movies became dominant, The Mask of Zorro set a new standard. It functioned like a sequel to a story that hadn’t happened yet, with Anthony Hopkins playing the original Zorro who mentors and passes his skills to Antonio Banderas. The film boasts exciting action directed by Martin Campbell (later known for Casino Royale), witty performances from Hopkins, and introduced Catherine Zeta-Jones in a star-making role as the daughter of the first Zorro.

11. The Avengers (2012)

Even with all the movies that came after Infinity War and Endgame, the original Avengers still feels incredibly special. The characters work together seamlessly, the story is well-written, and the massive Battle of New York is a standout action scene in superhero movies. While Marvel has made bigger films since then, it’s hard to say if they’ve ever topped it. Can anything really beat iconic lines like “Puny god” or “That’s my secret, Captain. I’m always angry”? That’s open for debate.

10. RoboCop (1987)

Each year, the movie RoboCop feels less like a futuristic fantasy and more like a realistic portrayal of current events. Sure, the detail about someone falling into toxic waste and becoming a monster is far-fetched. But beyond that, we’re increasingly living in a world much like the one depicted in the film – filled with constant advertising and surrounded by artificial intelligence. It’s a shame real life isn’t as entertaining as Paul Verhoeven’s version.

9. Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)

The Golden Army is a significant improvement over the first Hellboy movie, which was based on Mike Mignola’s comics. It gets rid of the uninteresting characters from the original and introduces much more compelling villains – villains who, with their belief that humanity is flawed, are almost sympathetic. The special effects are better, the creature designs are even more imaginative and reflect Guillermo del Toro’s style, and every character has more at stake. Even the usually quirky Abe Sapien gets his own story arc, complete with a love interest! Many believe del Toro deserved an Oscar for this film, even more so than for The Shape of Water.

8. Spider-Man 2 (2004)

The second Spider-Man film was a standout success that helped define the modern superhero movie. It built on the first film’s story, creating a grand tale of love, friendship, and doing what’s right. Alfred Molina is fantastic as the villain, Doctor Octopus, and the scene where Spider-Man saves the out-of-control train is still one of the best action sequences in any superhero movie.

7. Iron Man (2008)

Looking back, I think the first Iron Man was so great because it stood on its own – it didn’t have to worry about setting up a huge universe. And honestly, those scenes where Robert Downey Jr., as Tony Stark, was testing out the suit and then finally took flight? They captured the pure excitement of superpowers better than almost anything I’ve ever seen, not just in a Marvel movie, but in any superhero film.

6. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)

Even before The LEGO Batman Movie, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm proved that animation was a perfect fit for the Batman story. Made by the creators of the beloved Batman: The Animated Series, the film captured everything that made the show special—stunning visuals, smooth animation, and memorable voice acting—into a fantastic 75-minute movie. Over 30 years later, the film still holds up beautifully. The show’s distinctive art style—a mix of Art Deco and futuristic designs—was intentionally timeless, even when it first came out in 1993. And the love story between Bruce Wayne and Andrea Beaumont is more compelling than any of the tragic romances found in the live-action Batman films.

5. Batman Returns (1992)

Tim Burton surprisingly persuaded Warner Bros. to let him create a sequel to Batman that was even more gloomy, bizarre, and melancholic than the original. This time, Michael Keaton faces off against two iconic Gotham villains: Danny DeVito’s over-the-top Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer’s sleek Catwoman. The biggest disappointment with Returns is that it turned out to be the final Tim Burton-directed Batman movie, rather than just the first of many.

4. The Dark Knight (2008)

While many Batman and superhero films have been well-made, The Dark Knight still stands out as exceptional. Its thrilling action, stunning visuals (especially in IMAX), and incredible performances – particularly Heath Ledger’s iconic portrayal of the Joker – set a new standard. The film also makes you think about what truly defines a hero and a villain. It’s likely to remain the benchmark for all future superhero movies, possibly for a very long time.

3. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

Just because there are a lot of something doesn’t mean it’s good, but Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is truly excellent – it could even be the best Spider-Man movie ever made (though Across the Spider-Verse gives it a run for its money!). The film features a large group of Spider-People, including the new hero Miles Morales, the courageous Gwen Stacy, and a surprisingly down-to-earth, older Peter B. Parker. It also powerfully captures the original message from the 1960s Amazing Spider-Man comics: that anyone can be a hero if they use their abilities responsibly. The film beautifully brings this idea to life with stunning animation.

2. RRR (2022)

This Indian film is a thrilling, three-hour ride packed with stunning visuals, romance, music, and over-the-top action. Think of it as a South Asian take on a classic John Woo action movie, featuring two strong men on opposite sides of the law who unexpectedly team up. Those men are Bheem, a warrior from the Gond tribe, and Rama, a soldier for the British Empire. Bheem travels to Delhi to rescue a kidnapped girl, while Rama is tasked with tracking down whoever is looking for her. They should be enemies, but a chance encounter leads to an instant friendship.

Though they don’t have superpowers, the film RRR is heavily inspired by superhero stories. Director S.S. Rajamouli even called it an “imaginary friendship between two superheroes.” With its energy and sense of adventure, RRR takes the superhero genre to new heights.

1. The Matrix (1999)

While not taken directly from a comic book, The Matrix draws heavy inspiration from superhero stories, manga, anime, and dystopian novels. The film essentially tells an unusual superhero origin story: a mild-mannered Thomas Anderson becomes Neo, the prophesied hero destined to liberate humanity from a world controlled by deadly robots. Though the sequels haven’t reached the same heights, the original Matrix remains a landmark achievement in cyberpunk action cinema.

Sequels That Switched Genres

Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)

The original First Blood (1982) is an action drama that delves into the emotional struggles of Vietnam veteran John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone). Unlike typical action films, it ends with Rambo surrendering to the police after powerfully expressing the trauma of war and his difficult homecoming. The sequel, Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985), shifts gears, presenting Rambo as a heroic figure who is freed from prison to return to Vietnam and rescue American prisoners of war. While First Blood was successful, Rambo: First Blood Part II became a massive hit, earning $300 million globally and launching a long-running franchise with many copycats.

Aliens (1986)

The original film Alien (1979) is a sci-fi horror movie. Its sequel, Aliens (1986), falls into the sci-fi action genre. Director James Cameron famously pitched the sequel to Fox with a simple visual: he wrote “alien” on a piece of paper, added an “s” to make “aliens,” and then stylized it as “ALIEN$”. He got the job and went on to create one of the most celebrated sequels ever made. While Ridley Scott’s Alien was tense and contained, Cameron’s Aliens is much larger in scope and more explosive. Instead of a single terrifying creature, Cameron’s film features a full-scale invasion by an army of xenomorphs.

Back to the Future Part III (1990)

The original Back to the Future (1985) is a sci-fi comedy where a teenager accidentally travels back in time and meets his parents as young adults. The sequel built on the story and added more futuristic elements. However, Back to the Future Part III (1990) took a surprising turn into the Western genre. While playfully poking fun at Western tropes like gunfights and horses, the film also embraced and celebrated them, even including a thrilling runaway steam train sequence.

Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)

The original Gremlins (1984) was a surprisingly dark film for children, which actually led to the creation of the PG-13 movie rating. Its sequel, Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990), didn’t cause the same kind of stir. Director Joe Dante intentionally moved the second film away from scary and towards a more cartoonish, Looney Tunesstyle of comedy—he even brought in legendary animator Chuck Jones to create new Looney Tunes shorts for it. The Gremlins themselves became less frightening and much sillier (one even parodies a scene from Marathon Man*!), and the movie embraced a chaotic, over-the-top energy, including appearances from people breaking the fourth wall like wrestler Hulk Hogan and film critic Leonard Maltin.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

The original Terminator (1984) was a sci-fi horror film. Its sequel, Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), shifted gears to become a sci-fi action movie. Director James Cameron often reinvents his sequels, as he did with Aliens after Ridley Scott’s Alien. With T2, he leveraged the success of the first film to get a much larger budget, transforming the franchise from a low-budget production into a blockbuster spectacle.

T2 is bigger and more action-packed than the original, featuring more special effects, chases, and even more Terminators – not just Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character, but also Robert Patrick as the shape-shifting T-1000. T2 redefined the series, and most subsequent sequels have tried to emulate it, with the exception of Terminator Salvation, which is a war film set in the future and could also be considered a standout installment.

Army of Darkness (1992)

The original film, The Evil Dead (1981), was a traditional horror movie. Its sequel, Evil Dead II, combined horror with slapstick comedy. Army of Darkness (1992) took things even further, feeling like a mix of classic Three Stooges shorts and the special effects work of Ray Harryhausen. While some scary elements remain, Army of Darkness largely focuses on putting Bruce Campbell through outrageous physical gags and showcasing over-the-top special effects. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable film, but a significant departure in tone from the earlier, more serious installments.

The Chronicles of Riddick (2004)

The movie The Chronicles of Riddick (2004) was created as a large-scale sci-fi action film for Vin Diesel, following the success of the first Fast & Furious movie. While it was a sequel to Pitch Black (2000), this connection wasn’t heavily emphasized. Pitch Black was a smaller, more horror-focused film about a group of space travelers, including Diesel’s character Riddick, who become stranded on a dangerous planet. After the massive success of The Fast and the Furious, Diesel and director David Twohy were able to significantly increase the scope and budget for the sequel, transforming it from a survival horror into a grand space war epic.

The Devil’s Rejects (2005)

Rob Zombie’s House of 1000 Corpses (2003), a slasher film, features a group of teenagers terrorized by a disturbing family. The sequel, The Devil’s Rejects (2005), which leans more towards a psychological thriller, flips the script by portraying that same family as the main characters – though they are still brutal and violent. While I personally think The Devil’s Rejects is a strong film, it’s very different in tone and focus from House of 1000 Corpses, so it’s understandable why someone might enjoy the first movie but not the second.

Cars 2 (2011)

The original Cars (2006) was a road movie focused on racing and a bit of small-town life. The sequel, Cars 2 (2011), took a sharp turn into the spy genre. While the first film centered on the racing world, Cars 2 unexpectedly made Mater, the comedic tow truck, a central character and a secret agent. It raises a lot of questions: why is a talking tow truck a spy? Why do these cars even need to eat or use the bathroom? It’s a bizarre shift that still doesn’t quite make sense.

The Hangover Part III (2013)

As a big fan of the original Hangover, I loved how it kicked off – three guys waking up in Vegas with no memory and a friend missing! The second one was fun, taking that same craziness to a new place. But Hangover Part III? That was a real shift. They ditched the whole mystery and the big laughs, and it felt more like a dark, gritty adventure than a comedy. Basically, the Wolfpack found themselves working for a gangster, John Goodman, because of stuff they did in the first two movies. I get that director Todd Phillips didn’t want to just repeat the same joke, but audiences weren’t thrilled with the darker tone, and it definitely didn’t do as well at the box office as the previous films.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Let’s look at the Captain America movies. The first one, Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), is a classic war story with superhero and science fiction themes, taking place in the 1940s. The sequel, Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), is quite different. It shifts gears to become a modern spy thriller, reminiscent of films like Three Days of the Condor and The Bourne Identity, while still maintaining the signature Marvel style. While all Marvel movies share certain traits, the Captain America series demonstrates how much a franchise can evolve.

Split (2016)

The movie Unbreakable (2000), a drama, and Split (2016), a psychological horror film, are connected in an unusual way. Director M. Night Shyamalan intentionally kept their connection a secret, revealing at the end of Split that its villain, “The Horde,” exists in the same universe as Bruce Willis’ character, David Dunn, from Unbreakable. While Unbreakable was a suspenseful drama, Split leaned more into horror. Both storylines eventually converged in a final sequel, Glass, completing the trilogy.

Army of Thieves (2021)

The original film, Army of the Dead (2021), is a survival horror. Its sequel, Army of Thieves (2021), falls into the crime genre. While technically a prequel, Army of Thieves offers a different story set before the events of Army of the Dead. Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead combined survival horror with military action, following mercenaries attempting a casino heist during a zombie outbreak. Army of Thieves, released shortly after, focuses on one of the characters from Army of the Dead (played by Matthias Schweighöfer) and details a more traditional heist, with less emphasis on zombies.

Joker: Folie à Deux (2024)

The original film, Joker (2019), was a psychological thriller. Its sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux (2024), takes a surprisingly different turn as a musical. Director Todd Phillips, like James Cameron, enjoys challenging audience expectations with his sequels. While it’s admirable that he took a risk with Joker: Folie à Deux – portraying the character on trial and reimagining it as a musical – the change in direction didn’t resonate with viewers. The sequel flopped, in stark contrast to the massive success of the original Joker.

M3GAN 2.0 (2025)

The original film, M3GAN (2022), was a surprisingly successful horror movie, praised for its witty humor and its use of a timely villain – artificial intelligence gone wrong. The sequel, M3GAN 2.0 (1990), attempted a similar transformation to Terminator 2, aiming for a larger-scale, action-packed film with some horror elements. However, unlike T2, this approach didn’t work for M3GAN 2.0. The sequel lacked sufficient humor and excitement to support its silly plot and the significant change in the film’s overall tone and style.

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2026-01-28 20:43