10 Best Comic Book Movies
Comic book movies are becoming more popular by the year as audiences are always craving action-packed, high-powered entertainment. Many of these movies feature a superhero or an iconic villain, but others are just some good animated fun.
So in honor of National Comic Book Day, I’m ranking 10 of the best comic book movies (some that you may have forgotten that originated from a drawing and a wild imagination). Sorry to tell you that The Avengers didn’t make this list ONLY because they’re in a league of their own.
The first superhero that DC Comics introduced to the world was no other than Superman. Since 1938, this iconic action comic hero has seen his fair share of movies, toys, books, and even days dedicated to this beloved character. Over 10 actors have suited up as this action hero including Henry Cavill, Tyler Hoechlin, Christopher Reeve, and Tom Welling!
This won’t be the first superhero that Ryan Reynolds takes on, but it will be the one that he’s most known for. Deadpool made his comic appearance in 1991 in The New Mutants #98. Since then, this witty, fearless, chaotic bad boy has graced the world in 4 movies with Deadpool 3 coming some time in 2024!
Artist Mike Mignola brought Hellboy to life in 1993 and the world has never been the same. Hellboy is a half-demon and can be easily recognized by his red skin, tail, horns, and circular stumps on his head. Three Hellboy movies have been created with a 4th rumored to be coming soon!
Scott Pilgrim was introduced into the world with a series of graphic novels by author and artist, Bryan Lee O'Malley. Now we all know the cult following that Scott Pilgrim vs. the World has in the cultural impact of this 2010 film starring Michael Cera, Anna Kendrick and more. And to add fuel into this magically realistic world, the cast is reuniting to film the animated anime series - Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.
In 1940, The Joker made his debut into the DC Comics world as the first true villain in this universe. From there, we’ve seen Joker rain chaos and terror in everything from appearing in movies alongside Batman and having solo films of his own. There is an extensive list of actors that have taken on this super villain role, my favorites include Jared Leto and Joaquin Phoenix.
We can all agree that Kick-Ass is the most unhinged spandex vigilante out there. First published in 2008, Dave Lizewski went from high school student to Kick-Ass - secret crime fighter. The best part of this story is that it was adapted to a movie in 2010 where Nicolas Cage and Aaron Johnson took center stage in this action comedy. And don’t forget that this one got a sequel too!
The Mask started as a comic book series created by Doug Mahnke and John Arcudi in 1991. 4 issues had been published that followed the story of this Detective with many aliases. Enter the year of 1994 where Jim Carrey took on this role and made this manic superhero into the mysterious green-faced goon.
I’m not going to lie here, but Howard the Duck seriously freaks me out. This Marvel Comics character was introduced in 1973 as a semi-humanoid duck. In 1986, Howard the Duck took the title of the first feature film that starred a Marvel character. Since then, you can find him in all three of the Guardians of the Galaxy movies and Avengers: Endgame.
The syndicated comic strip written by Michael Fry showcased the story of a raccoon, a turtle, a squirrel and their woodland friends beginning in 1995. We all know how this story turned out as it was made into an animated movie in 2006 that had actors Bruce Willis, Steve Carrell, Wanda Sykes and movie voicing these family of characters.
Ryan Renyolds is back again and he’s rounding out my top 10 list! We’re taking in back to 1940 again when this DC character entered the world in All-American Comics #16. Now it took until 2011 until Hal Jordan got his own movie. And for my romance love story besties, this is the movie where Ryan and Blake met so I’m forever grateful for this superhero.