Top 5 films better than Marvel’s latest Fantastic Four and Superman | Films

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The Fantastic Four: First Steps official Marvel trailer

Superhero fans are getting excited again about cinema, and with the release of Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps and DC Studios’ Superman, I don’t blame them. Marvel, in particular, has been receiving a lot of backlash since the end of the Infinity saga, which saw us saying goodbye to some of our favourite characters such as Captain America, Iron Man, and Black Widow. Arguably, DC has not released a good film since Man of Steel (unless you liked Aquaman and Wonder Woman…but then I question your taste), so these new additions have been a pleasant surprise for us all.

However, I still think these films could be improved, and we are still very far off from feeling that magic again that we experienced in the golden era of superhero films between 2008 and 2019. The writing is sometimes lazy, the formula is becoming redundant, and characters feel more like parodies for cheap laughs (cough, cough, Superman).

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Superman and Fantastic Four scenes

Superman and Fantastic Four are good movies..but there’s definitely better (Image: AP)

Unpopular belief: Yes, Superman was a fun watch, but it felt like it took sequences and character traits from previous Marvel films and merged them. This makes sense with James Gunn leading the creation of the film, as he also directed Guardians of the Galaxy.

Though I enjoyed The Fantastic Four: First Steps (which shocked me), I found the plot device at the end annoying, and the pacing was a little off. Nonetheless, these recent installments have inspired me to curate a list of my top five favourite live-action superhero films of all time (to keep it simple, I will not be including animation).

As a superhero fanatic who grew up reading comic books and watching action and comedy movies nonstop, I believe these movies are a million times better than anything we see in new-age cinema – but some of my choices may surprise you.

My top 5 Superhero films of all time

5. Spider-Man (2002)

Kicking off with everyone’s favourite friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man, this was such a tough choice for me, as the three versions of Spider-Man we have seen (minus Into The Spider-Verse) have been incredible in their own right. However, I have to go with my first love and the first official superhero movie that got me hooked on the genre: Toby Maguire’s Spider-Man (2002).

Spiderman and Kirsten Dunst in a scene

Spider-Man was my gateway film into the world of superheroes (Image: Getty)

Plot: During a school field trip, Peter Parker is bitten by a genetically engineered spider. The next morning, he discovers he has gained extraordinary abilities. But when his beloved uncle is tragically killed, Peter resolves to use his newfound powers to fight crime and protect the city, but he faces his first major threat: the Green Goblin.

The scene where Spider-Man first climbs a wall and attempts to shoot webs will always be hilarious and nostalgic. The CGI is awful, but that is to be expected for a film released in 2002. But the best aspect of the film is Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin, who is terrifying yet captivating.

4. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Some may view this as a poor choice, given the popularity of Captain America: The Winter Soldier or Captain America: Civil War, but I stand by this pick as one of the greatest! This film is indeed on the longer side, but it is the perfect origin story, packed with action, history, and a charming Steve Rogers who acts as the symbol of what is pure and good.

Plot: The film is set in 1942 at the height of the war. A frail but resolute Steve Rogers is repeatedly denied entry into the military until he’s selected for Project Rebirth. Demonstrating bravery and integrity, he undergoes an experiment that turns him into a super-soldier.

After Dr. Erskine, the project’s creator, is assassinated by a HYDRA agent, Rogers is then sidelined as a propaganda figure. But when his comrades are threatened, he rises to the occasion, becoming Captain America and launching his battle against HYDRA and its ruthless leader, the Red Skull.

Aaron Johnson as 'Kick-Ass'

Kick ass is silly yet gruesome and gritty (Image: Daniel Smith/Publicity Picture)

3. Kick-Ass (2010)

Not all superhero movies have to be dark and serious. I love a ‘dumb’ yet well-executed film that can make you laugh, root for the main character despite their silliness, yet is gritty and violent. With this in mind, some people would have put Deadpool on this list, but I believe Kick-Ass is one of the greatest anti-hero comedy movies of all time.

Plot: « Dave Lizewski is an unnoticed high school student and comic book fan who one day decides to become a superhero, even though he has no powers, training, or meaningful reason to do so, » writes IMDB. A 12-year-old Chloë Grace Moretz, who played Hit Girl, was a standout character.

2. The Dark Knight (2008)

If The Dark Knight is not on your list of the best movies of all time, then are you really a superhero fan? To this day, I applaud Christopher Nolan for this incredibly gritty and thought-provoking film. But as much as I like Christian Bale’s Batman (despite his silly voice), we all know this film belongs to Heath Ledger’s The Joker.

Plot: « When a menace known as the Joker wreaks havoc and chaos on the people of Gotham, Batman, James Gordon, and Harvey Dent must work together to put an end to the madness, » shared IMDB.

Even within the first ten minutes of the film, where we are introduced to The Joker and witness how he manipulates his goons, you are immediately hooked. Despite its pacing and editing, which could have used some work, this movie is beautifully chaotic and gripping.

There are no crazy aliens or monsters; just one very clever and twisted villain who carries the entire film by questioning your morality and being unforgivably violent. I would also like to shout out Aaron Eckhart, who did an incredible job as Harvey Dent/Two-Face.

Shot from Avengers Infinity war

Avengers Infinity war is my favourite superhero film of all time (Image: IMDB)

1. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

You cannot convince me there is a movie that is released right now or planned for the future that would be greater than Avengers: Infinity War. At first, I hesitated to put this down as my number one, as a lot of my emotional attachment to this film has been built on the backs of its predecessors.

However, after much deliberation, I believe that it is still a fantastic stand-alone film (working as a stand-alone film is the key reason why End Game is not on the list). Even if you do not know any of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, you will still be gripped by the plot, the excellent performance from the actors, the stunning cinematography, and the crisp action sequences.

Plot: The Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy discover that the Mad Titan Thanos is hunting the Infinity Stones, which are legendary artifacts of immense power. Realising they can’t stop him alone, the heroes join forces in a desperate bid to prevent Thanos from unleashing his power and wiping out the universe.

Again, this is another film that makes you question what is right and wrong, but arguably in a less chaotic manner than the intentions of the Joker: would you sacrifice half of the population if that means there would no longer be poverty and starvation? This movie heightens your emotions and keeps you on your toes in ways you would not expect, yet makes you laugh in moments you need a break from the darkness; it is utterly perfect.

Honourable mentions:

I took to my Instagram account to ask what the best superhero movies are. Below are popular films my audience shared and a few other favourites of mine.