Esquire Picks the Greatest Superhero Movies of All Time: From Superman to Batman (Part 1)

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According to Esquire, superhero cinema isn't just spectacle—it's the defining genre of the 21st century. However, truly worthy films are few and far between.

The publication's editors have selected films that changed how we see caped and masked heroes. Among them — the immortal classic "Superman" from 1978, the acclaimed 2008 hit "The Dark Knight," and surprisingly, Shyamalan's "Unbreakable." Let's take a closer look at the top ten.
Actor Heath Ledger with green hair and clown makeup, actor Christopher Reeve in a blue-red costume with cape lying on railroad tracks
Frames from "The Dark Knight" (2008) and "Superman" (1978)
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"Superman" (1978)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%

Starring: Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman
"Superman" (1978) trailer
The film many consider the best movie about this superhero. Christopher Reeve became the perfect embodiment of Superman, and the film itself — not just a blockbuster, but a romantic comedy with the most memorable opening credits in history. Even if it had remained the only one, the genre would already be justified.

"Spider-Man 2" (2004)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Alfred Molina
"Spider-Man 2" (2004) trailer
One of those rare cases where the sequel surpassed the original. Peter Parker loses his powers, loses Mary Jane, and questions whether it's worth sacrificing himself for strangers' lives. While his former idol transforms into Doctor Octopus, Peter searches for answers. One of the best films about heroism — touching, human, powerful.

"The Dark Knight" (2008)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%

Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger
"The Dark Knight" (2008) trailer
Nolan transformed Batman into epic police cinema. Ledger's Joker is terrifyingly realistic — chaos made flesh. The film feels closer to reality than comics, and that's exactly where its power lies. Superhero cinema at its finest.

"The Avengers" (2012)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson
"The Avengers" (2012) trailer
Marvel's first big crossover. Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and Hulk in one frame — it seemed impossible. But it worked. And it didn't just work — the film became a billion-dollar hit and opened a new era for the studio. The beginning of the Marvel age.

"The Incredibles" (2004)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%

Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter
The Incredibles (2004) Trailer
Pixar and superheroes — it's a match made in heaven. The story of a former hero trying to get back into the game while juggling family life hits every mark. Bright, witty, with an absolutely stunning score. This is the rare film that genuinely works for kids and adults alike.

"Black Panther" (2018)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%

Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan
Black Panther (2018) Trailer
"Black Panther" changed everything. Afrofuturism, political weight, heroes who feel completely fresh. This isn't just another superhero movie — it's about legacy, identity, and power. One of the decade's biggest cultural moments, and it earned every bit of that status.

"Wonder Woman" (2017)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

Starring: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine
Wonder Woman (2017) Trailer
The film that proved female superheroes don't just work — they can dominate the box office and win hearts. Diana's journey into the world of war feels both mythic and blockbuster-ready. Epic scale with genuine soul.

"Unbreakable" (2000)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 70%

Starring: Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson
Unbreakable (2000) Trailer
Before the MCU, before Nolan's Batman — Shyamalan crafted this dark parable about a man who doesn't know who he really is. Minimalist, tense, and almost art-house in its approach to the genre. The perfect anti-superhero film, years before that became trendy.

"X2: X-Men United" (2003)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen
X2: X-Men United (2003) Trailer
The sequel that actually topped the original. The mutant team has to join forces with their enemies just to survive. Social metaphor meets blockbuster spectacle perfectly. One of the best — if not the absolute best — films in the entire franchise.

"Batman" (1989)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 77%

Starring: Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson
Batman (1989) Movie Trailer
Burton brought gothic sensibility to mainstream cinema. A criminal clown terrorizing the city, and a masked man who's equally terrifying. Dark visuals, dark humor, and Danny Elfman's equally dark score — all of this shaped Batman's image for decades to come.

Earlier, we at zoomboola.com covered the scariest zombie movies of the past 50 years, as selected by ScreenRant.