Now that WONDER WOMAN 1984 (you can read my review HERE) is finally out, I got to thinking about which superhero/comic book movies are the best direct sequels that follow origin films/strong first installments. Here are the top 5…well, at least my top 5.
5) X2: X-MEN UNITED (2003)
An ambitious “superhero movie” for its time, X2 is arguably the first film based on a comic book in which the medium from which it is adapted doesn’t matter. Great cast, solid acting, and a top-notch job of directing by Bryan Singer.
4) SUPERMAN II (1980)
I personally can’t say that SUPERMAN II is better than SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE — though many do — but it’s a damn good film and a classic of the genre.
3) CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER (2014)
An expertly executed political thriller that just so happens to be based on a comic book character. The best of the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies to date.
2) SPIDER-MAN 2 (2004)
Boasting a great villain in Dr. Otto Octavius and a story with an emotional punch, S-M2 tops the original and is one of the best comic book/superhero movies of all time. And that train scene…WOW!
1) THE DARK KNIGHT (2008)
Could it be any other?
While 2005’s BATMAN BEGINS is arguably the greatest superhero origin film (along with WONDER WOMAN and SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE), its follow-up, THE DARK KNIGHT, is not only the best comic book film to date, but it’s also one of the best American films in history. Fittingly, it was recently added to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. What an honor!
So there you have it! How would you rank ’em? Discuss is the comments section below! – Bill “Jett” Ramey
