Liputan6.com, Jakarta - The world of cinema has been filled with captivating tales of heroism, but not all superhero movies achieve universal critical acclaim.
Metascore, a leading review aggregator, serves as an important benchmark for assessing the quality and critical reception of a film, providing an objective picture of the films that truly stand out in the genre.
Superhero films not only offer thrilling action, but also often feature in-depth narratives, strong character development, and relevant moral messages.
Advertisement
This article will review the five best superhero films of all time, based on the highest Metascores.
The Dark Knight (2008)
The Dark Knight, directed by Christopher Nolan, is a sequel to Batman Begins and the second installment in The Dark Knight trilogy.
This superhero film was released on July 18, 2008, in the United States.
The plot follows vigilante Batman, police lieutenant James Gordon, and district attorney Harvey Dent, who form an alliance to dismantle organized crime in Gotham City.
However, their efforts are thwarted by the Joker.
The film received a Metascore of 84 out of 100 based on 39 critics, indicating "universal acclaim," and grossed over $1 billion worldwide.
Advertisement
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Directed by Sam Raimi, Spider-Man 2 is the second installment in Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy and was released on June 30, 2004, in the United States.
In the film, Peter Parker struggles to stop scientist Dr. Otto Octavius from recreating a dangerous experiment, while facing trouble in his personal life, with his girlfriend Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst).
The superhero film received a Metascore of 83 out of 100 based on 41 critics, indicating "universal acclaim."
Superman (1978)
Superman, also marketed as Superman: The Movie, is a 1978 superhero film based on the DC Comics character Superman, portrayed by Christopher Reeve.
The film was directed by Richard Donner and released on December 15, 1978.
The film depicts Superman's origins, including his childhood as Kal-El of Krypton, son of Jor-El (Brando), and his young years in the rural town of Smallville.
Disguised as reporter Clark Kent, he adopts a gentle demeanor in Metropolis and develops a romance with Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) while battling the villainous Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman).
The film received a Metascore of 82 out of 100 based on 21 critics, indicating "universal acclaim."
Advertisement
Iron Man (2008)
Iron Man is a 2008 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name.
Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Paramount Pictures, it is the first installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).Directed by Jon Favreau, the film was released on May 2, 2008, in the United States.
In the film, after escaping captivity by a terrorist group, world-renowned industrialist and master engineer Tony Stark builds a suit of mechanical armor and becomes the superhero Iron Man.
Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is an industrialist, genius inventor, and playboy who is the CEO of Stark Industries, a major weapons manufacturer for the U.S. military.
The film received a Metascore of 79 out of 100 based on 38 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
The Dark Knight Rises is a 2012 superhero film based on the DC Comics character Batman. Directed by Christopher Nolan, who co-wrote the screenplay with his brother Jonathan Nolan, it is the final installment in Nolan's The Dark Knight trilogy.
The film was released on July 20, 2012, in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Set eight years after the events of The Dark Knight, the film follows a retired Wayne Rooney forced to return to the role of Batman to save Gotham City from nuclear destruction at the hands of the terrorist Bane (Hardy).
Bane, an imposing terrorist, attacks Gotham City and disrupts its eight-year period of peace.
The film has a Metascore of 78 out of 100 based on 45 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.
Advertisement
:strip_icc()/kly-media-production/avatars/3882201/original/089958900_1753245613-Softcopy_of_photograph.jpeg)
:strip_icc()/kly-media-production/medias/5498758/original/096230800_1770717597-superman-1978-imdb.png)
:strip_icc()/kly-media-production/medias/5498744/original/002283800_1770715973-video-game-sam-pak-unsplash.jpg)
:strip_icc()/kly-media-production/medias/5498729/original/035403200_1770715669-MV5BMDM3Y2MxY2EtNDMyOS00ZDQ1LWIxN2YtM2EwMzhkMWEyZGEwXkEyXkFqcGc_._V1_FMjpg_UX1000_.jpg)
:strip_icc()/kly-media-production/medias/5498667/original/099734400_1770714073-pizza-shourav-sheikh-unsplash.jpg)
:strip_icc()/kly-media-production/medias/5498630/original/037521000_1770712957-megan-oldham-instagram.jpeg)
:strip_icc()/kly-media-production/medias/5498566/original/078007100_1770711386-jutta-leerdam-instagram.jpeg)
:strip_icc()/kly-media-production/medias/5498512/original/046707700_1770709639-unfamiliar-netflix-series.jpeg)
:strip_icc()/kly-media-production/medias/5498655/original/027913700_1770713785-pexels-daisy-anderson-5590092.jpg)
:strip_icc()/kly-media-production/medias/5498471/original/013952800_1770708095-lincoln-fox-bad-bunny-nfl.jpg)
:strip_icc()/kly-media-production/medias/5498555/original/080803400_1770711062-19093.jpg)
:strip_icc()/kly-media-production/medias/5498436/original/092516500_1770706739-teen-smartphone-daria-nepriakhina-unsplash.jpg)
:strip_icc()/kly-media-production/medias/5498451/original/076013700_1770707037-2149335733.jpg)
:strip_icc()/kly-media-production/medias/5498375/original/016847600_1770705652-lindsey-vonn-x.jpeg)