It’s the classic question that all comic book fans have argued about at some point or another: What is the best superhero movie of all time? From the dark street level of Gotham to the cosmic chaos of the multiverse, everyone’s got one they love. But if you leave personal bias out of it and look just at numbers, Rotten Tomatoes gives a surprising answer—and a solid list of all-time greats.
From pioneering animation to world-changing blockbusters, these superhero movies have won the hearts of critics and audiences alike. These are the top titles that cut, according to their Tomatometer scores and their lasting impact.
1. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
Tomatometer: 97% | Audience Score: 94%
Who would have thought that an animated Spider-Man film would web its way to the front of the pack to become one of the best films ever created—superhero or otherwise? Into the Spider-Verse not only heads the superhero list; it was ranked #21 on Rotten Tomatoes “300 Best Movies of All Time,” outperforming legends such as Citizen Kane and The Dark Knight. With its breathtaking visuals, colorful storytelling, and touching interpretation of Miles Morales’ journey, this movie revamped the genre—and demonstrated that animation can pack just as much of a punch as live action.
2. Black Panther (2018)
Tomatometer: 96%
A superhero film in its function, Black Panther was also a cultural reference point. Its unapologetic Afrofuturist vision, glorious soundtrack, and superb performances made it a sensation. The most highly rated movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Black Panther proved that superhero stories could be steeped in heritage, socially conscious, and yet deliver the grand action aficionados love. Wakanda forever, indeed.
3. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Tomatometer: 94%
Years of building towards this: the film event of a generation. Avengers: Endgame assembled dozens of characters and arcs in a fashion that was both rewarding and emotionally resonant. From climactic sacrifices to Easter egg callbacks, the movie provided fans with the closure they needed and a reminder of why they loved the MCU in the beginning.
4. Iron Man (2008)
Tomatometer: 94%
There’s no exaggeration to how much Iron Man pioneered. With the charismatic introduction of Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, Marvel set in motion everything that came after. The movie so effortlessly blended wit, heart, and high-tech spectacle—and showed that a B-list character could become the face of a franchise worth a billion dollars. Over 15 years later, it remains one of the genre’s most iconic entries.
5. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Tomatometer: 93%
Come on: few people expected Thor to become the MCU’s comedic MVP. Ragnarok flipped that script, however. With its colorful direction by Taika Waititi and cheeky humor, the film reimagines the God of Thunder as a likable, self-deprecating hero riding an intergalactic fantasy rollercoaster. It’s quick, it’s fun, and it’s wonderfully bizarre—all well-deserving its place among Marvel’s best.
6. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Tomatometer: 93%
Three Spider-Men, a multiverse, and a theater packed with joyous fans—No Way Home was a Valentine to two decades of Spider-Man film. But nostalgia was not all it was about. The movie served up an authentic emotional resonance along with its fan service, providing a coming-of-age trajectory that established Tom Holland’s Peter Parker as the hero in his own right. It is crowd-pleasing and cathartic in exactly the best ways.
7. The Dark Knight (2008)
Tomatometer: 94%
Though it doesn’t rule the Rotten Tomatoes charts, The Dark Knight continues to be the gold standard for superhero movies. Christopher Nolan’s dark, realistic interpretation of Batman rewrote the rules for comic book movies. And Heath Ledger’s Joker? One of the most frightening, indelible performances in film history. It’s not a superhero movie—it’s a crime thriller with a cape.
So, What Makes These Films Special?
It’s not only the action scenes or cool costumes. These films innovated the genre—through storytelling, emotional resonance, cultural connection, and stylistic risk.
- Into the Spider-Verse altered superhero animation forever.
- Black Panther raised the bar for representation in a blockbuster universe.
- Endgame and No Way Home demonstrated that extended-form cinematic storytelling can yield actual emotional dividends.
- Iron Man and Ragnarok demonstrated that reinvention and taking risks can be rewarded.
- The Dark Knight established a benchmark for realistic, adult superhero stories that continue to shape the genre to this day.
Superhero movies have come a long, long way from their comic book beginnings. They’re now cultural touchstones, critical favorites, and yes—some of the most well-reviewed films ever. The capes might remain the same, but the tales continue to change.
And with new players entering the field every year, the argument isn’t disappearing anytime soon.