2020 delivered several superhero movies in theaters and on streaming, so here's every superhero movie released this year ranked from worst to best. Superhero movies have been part of the Hollywood system for decades, but the appetite for them has grown exponentially over the last decade or so. This has come as the Marvel Cinematic Universe became the biggest franchise of all-time, DC began increasing their output with the DC Extended Universe, Fox continued reinventing the X-Men franchise, and Sony rebooted Spider-Man for the third time.
Heading into 2020, the year was packed with superhero movie offerings. However, the coronavirus pandemic shut down movie theaters and resulted in several highly-anticipated comic book films getting delayed. While some of these still managed to be released later in 2020, the changes made this Morbius to next year. Although many are anxious to see these delayed movies, there were still several superhero films released in 2020.
With the popularity of superhero movies and the interest from every major studio and streaming service to take advantage of the interest, there were eight superhero movies released in 2020. The year brought a few such offerings from Netflix, another from Disney+, the final installment of Fox's X-Men franchise, the hopeful launch of Valiant's Cinematic Universe, and multiple installments of the DCEU. But, how do the movies stack up against one another? Here's our ranking of every superhero movie of 2020.
8. Project Power
One of Netflix's big forays into superhero movies in 2020 came with the original idea of Project Power underutilizes its premise and underdelivers on the type of action expected. Although the main performances are fine, Fishback is the shining star. It's just a shame the rest of Project Power doesn't do enough to make any of the characters all that interesting.
7. Secret Society of Second-Born Royals
Disney+ also delivered an original superhero movie in 2020 with third act reveal that doesn't quite work. Luckily, the charming cast led by Lee helps lift the film.
6. Bloodshot
Vin Diesel is no stranger to playing superhero-like characters, but might just launch the Valiant Cinematic Universe.
5. The New Mutants
2020 brought the conclusion of the X-Men franchise with romance between Dani Moonstar (Blu Hunt) and Wolfsbane (Maisie Williams) did come through. Meanwhile, the horror angle did give the film a freshness, which is saying something for a franchise that spanned two decades. And although New Mutants is far from an action-packed blockbuster, it does deliver some good action by the end with Magik (Anya Taylor-Joy).
4. We Can Be Heroes
Netflix's other original piece of superhero content, grown-up versions of Sharkboy and Lavagirl of the Heroics. The plot turns the focus on a group of superpowered children after their parents, the of Heroics, are kidnapped by aliens invading Earth. The young cast, Rodriguez's direction, and collection of superpowers makes We Can Be Heroes a very silly film but one that is very family-friendly. And even though the overt political references to America's current istration feel out of place, We Can Be Heroes ultimately delivers a hopeful message about the next generation making the world a better place.
3. The Old Guard
Netflix's biggest and best superhero movie of 2020 is unquestionably mythology of the world is also quite fascinating. Some might be frustrated with the movie bying answering several big questions, which now will rely on a sequel to flesh out.
2. Wonder Woman 1984
Following several release date changes in 2020 alone, explanation for Steve Trevor's return might not satisfy everyone, it is difficult not to enjoy their adventure in the moment. The sequel leans hard into a new tone to fit the 1980s setting, but it mostly works once the film settles in. The action sequences and villains are hit and miss though. And while there are other areas to nitpick, Wonder Woman 1984 came at the right time to deliver such a hopeful message about the goodness of people.
1. Birds of Prey (And The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)
For 2020, the best superhero movie just so happened to be the first one that was released. Margot Robbie's return to the DCEU as Harley Quinn for Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Huntress immediately became fan-favorite characters. Plus, with Ewan McGregor fully embracing the maniacal villain turn to be Black Mask, Birds of Prey is dark and fun at the same time. Director Cathy Yan and writer Christina Hodson brought a clear vision to the DCEU, and even though the box office performance left much to be desired, the quality of Birds of Prey warranted a great reception.
