On July 18, 2008, performance for the ages by Heath Ledger as Joker, The Dark Knight truly set the bar for superhero movies - a bar so high most cinephiles would argue it hasn't been cleared to this day.
Prior to The Dark Knight, however, there were numerous other superhero films that were viewed as the standard-bearers in their own right. Popular with critics and audiences alike, these movies were considered the cream of the crop before The Dark Knight changed everything.
Superman (1978) - 7.3
1978's triumphant score from the inimitable John Williams, and a pitch-perfect lead performance by the late Christopher Reeve.
It remains a landmark cinematic achievement more than 40 years since its release and a turning point in superhero movie history.
Spider-Man (2002) - 7.3
The '90s were a middling decade for superhero films, but the 2000s would be a major era for the genre. Among the first smash superhero hits of the decade was director Sam Raimi's Spider-Man, released to rave reviews in 2002. Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst bring youthful charm to their performances, giving the film a heart and soul that audiences look for in any coming-of-age story.
While Spider-Man isn't necessarily the best superhero title of its era, it can certainly be argued that it revitalized the genre and inspired a renaissance of superhero movies.
Spider-Man 2 (2004) - 7.3
2004's Spider-Man 2 received even better reviews than the original and boasts just as high an IMDb rating. Critics and audiences both appreciated the emotional depth of the storyline, as well its fantastic villain performance by Alfred Molina as Dr. Octopus.
Dramatically speaking, it also contains compelling storylines including Peter Parker's dwindling powers and confidence, and a complicated love story arc involving Peter Parker, Mary Jane, and a wealthy astronaut.
X-Men (2000) - 7.4
2000's X-Men is another landmark superhero film that was both a fitting homage to the comic books, as well as a dramatically compelling human story. The mutants' struggles to fit in with society make the film a metaphor for intolerance and xenophobia, giving the film a certain relevance beyond the escapist fun often associated with comic book films.
Hugh Jackman's performance as Wolverine would establish him as a bonafide star, even though he was mostly unknown to mainstream audiences before the film's release.
X2: X-Men United (2003) - 7.4
Like the first two Spider-Man films, the first two X-Men efforts are held in equally high regard. In X2: X-Men United, the X-Men are forced to unite with their arch-nemesis, Magneto, when Professor X is kidnapped by a genocidal villain whose aim is to annihilate all mutants.
Some critics considered this an even better film than the original, praising its ensemble cast, its visual effects, and its storyline, which raises the stakes in every way possible. Audiences loved it too, as evidenced by its box office haul.
Batman (1989) - 7.5
Another undeniable landmark film, Tim Burton's 1989 Batman remains a game-changing superhero movie more than 30 years later. Whereas the original series starring Adam West, as well as the corresponding film version, is a lighthearted, almost slapstick show, Burton's film brings the noir aspects of the original comics to life with tremendous style and skill.
Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson are iconic in their performances as Batman and Joker, respectively. The film even won an Oscar for art direction, owing to its brilliantly detailed realization of Gotham City.
Batman: Mask Of The Phantasm (1993) - 7.8
This short and sweet 76-minute animated Batman film is among the best-reviewed movies of its kind. The animation allows moviegoers to experience Gotham City in a way that's both new and inventive from a cinematic standpoint while harkening back to the original comics.
Mark Hamill voices the Joker, and Stacy Keach voices the Phantasm, a mysterious villain who authorities mistake for Batman himself. Dark, stylish, fast-paced, and endlessly entertaining, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is a surprise triumph.
Iron Man (2008) - 7.9
Released just a couple of months before The Dark Knight, 2008's Iron Man both reignited Robert Downey Jr.'s career and began the juggernaut Marvel Universe franchise.
Acclaimed for its terrific action sequences and witty sense of humor, Iron Man is a true crowd-pleaser in every sense of the word. Its near-unanimous praise and excellent box office showing was a proof of concept that the Marvel universe was a perennial winner, and it's proven so ever since.
The Incredibles (2004) - 8.0
Director Brad Bird's The Incredibles is the story of a suburban American family who just so happen to be superheroes. The government has banned the use of superpowers, and so they must assume a more mundane lifestyle. When Mr. Incredible is called into action to battle a giant robot on a distant island, his family must provide the necessary backup to rescue him and defeat their common enemy.
The Incredibles is yet another Pixar classic that was lauded by critics and audiences alike for its creativity and wit that is sure to appeal to both younger and older audiences.
Batman Begins (2005) - 8.2
Since The Dark Knight is widely considered the game-changing superhero film of the century, it stands to reason that its predecessor, 2005's Batman Begins, would be the best-received superhero film to predate it.
Christopher Nolan's brilliant direction and Christian Bale's brooding performance as Bruce Wayne brought a seriousness to the Batman franchise that many thought was sorely lacking in the two Joel Schumacher films that predated this reboot. As both an origin story and a superhero blockbuster, Batman Begins is a truly great film in its own right, from beginning to end.
