Key Takeaways
- Superhero movies encompass various themes, with epic fights and iconic quotes, establishing their own genre.
- Some superhero films prioritize action sequences over story or character, creating memorable moments.
- Unique action styles, intense choreography, and confrontations make superhero movies standout in the genre.
The superhero movie genre has been expanding greatly for the last few decades, having become a part of current cinema as it has slowly mutated into its own thing. Although there is a clear formula that usually involves a tragic origin story, evil villains and a third act filled with hope, the genre encompasses a lot of different stories.
One of the aspects that is usually attached to such movies are the epic action sequences, usually involving a hero attempting to defeat the big bad villain. Among its broad catalog, certain installments put the fights and battles above all else, making them more action focused, rather than story or character focused. From well-done major CGI battles to incredible hand-to-hand martial arts choreography, the genre has brought so many action-filled stories filled with impressive scenes and memorable moments.
10 Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice
An Action-Filled Confrontation To Make Up For Lack Of Content
- Release: March 12, 2016
- Director: Zack Snyder
- Runtime: 151 minutes
There are a lot of reasons to not like this movie, including some miscasting and lazy writing. Yet it does have one saving grace: the epic nature of the confrontation between two major superheroes. The action scenes might just make this flop an entertaining watch, especially when considering the Dark Knight’s martial arts practices.
Bringing the iconic fight between Batman and Superman to a live-action film, the fighting and action sequences might just be the movie’s biggest redeeming quality.
9 Deadpool
A Combination Of Humor And Action
- Release: February 10, 2016
- Director: Tim Miller
- Runtime: 108 minutes
While its most recent installment, Deadpool and Wolverine, ruled with its many shocking cameos, the original Deadpool movie did focus on the action and humor amalgamation that makes up the franchise. Just like the comics, the Deadpool movies have many aspects that make them unique, standing out among other superhero scenes.
In the case of the first movie, its dark comedy works with the bloody and brutal action sequences to create one-of-a-kind scenes. From its opening sequence with the moving freeze-frame of an intense fight to the brutal last fight scene, Deadpool uses humor and action to make up for a simple storyline in an entertaining movie.
8 Wonder Woman
Combat, Abilities, And Artifacts Build Up Great Confrontations
- Release: May 25, 2017
- Director: Patty Jenkins
- Runtime: 141 minutes
Gal Gadot’s entrance as the powerful Wonder Woman was well regarded by audiences, especially because she was able to encapsulate the true strength of the Amazons. As a race of immortal super-women, the movie captured the Amazon’s combat and abilities through Wonder Woman’s many action sequences.
Not only that, the heroine’s artifacts, like the Bracelet’s of Submission, provide that extra intensity to the scenes that gives Wonder Woman an edge against her opponents.
7 Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings
A Polarizing Movie With Incredible Fighting Choreography
Shang-Chi might have received some polarizing opinions when it was first released, but it still managed to make a big impression in the MCU. While some may complain about its deviation from usual superhero movies, it does have one of the most important aspects of the genre: intense action scenes.
With a Kung-Fu-based fighting style, the choreography of the movie is unlike any movie in the cinematic universe. Audiences are treated to epic scenes and beautiful hand-on-hand combat that make this movie truly unique.
6 The Dark Knight Rises
An Epic Ending To A Brutally Dark Trilogy
- Release: July 16, 2012
- Director: Christopher Nolan
- Runtime: 164 minutes
The Dark Knight might be considered one of the best superhero movies ever due to its combination of epic action and a great story, while Batman Begins stands out among superhero origin stories. Yet, The Dark Knight Rises might just be worth watching for its action sequences alone.
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The different brutal confrontations between Bane and Batman, as well as the many intense action sequences are only enhanced by the cinematography of the film, making this a riveting watch.
5 Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Thrilling Action Accompanies A Great Spy Story
- Release: March 13, 2014
- Director: Anthony Russo and Joe Russo
- Runtime: 136 minutes
Captain America: The Winter Soldier is adored for many reasons, including bringing a unique original story to the MCU. It also became a reference point for its incredible action scenes. The Winter Soldier starts off with a great opening action sequence, but it also brought many other iconic fighting scenes, like the revered elevator scene with Steve Rogers.
The intense fighting choreography is only partially responsible for the movie’s adored status. This spy thriller’s intricate storylines rely on its thrilling action sequences.
4 Batman The Dark Knight Returns Part 2
An Action-Filled Showed Down Between Heroes
- Release: January 29, 2013
- Director: Jay Oliva
- Runtime: 76 minutes
As the second part of the intense adaption of Batman The Dark Knight Returns, there is a reason this is regarded as one of the best animated DC movies. As the Joker makes his return to fight Batman, Superman is tasked with stopping The Dark Knight, which leads to an unforgettable showdown between the two heroes.
The animated movie actually inspired a lot of the action seen in Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice, which was not very well received. However, the animation delivers on its promises of epic action.
3 X2: X-Men United
An Action-Packed Highlight In The X-Men Franchise
- Release: April 28, 2003
- Director: Bryan Singer
- Runtime: 134 minutes
The X-Men franchise impacted the genre tremendously, impressing fans with so many incredible moments that make the movie still well regarded among superhero movies. With gripping action sequences, X-Men 2 is still considered one of the best movies in the franchise, surviving in many ways the time test.
While it may not have the most innovative structure, it gave fans a group of mutants with diverse abilities fighting together against a greater threat. Notwithstanding its great Wolverine action sequences, it also managed to bring action scenes that showcased the other heroes’ abilities.
2 Captain America: Civil War
Confrontations Showcase Captain America’s Fighting Range
- Release: April 12, 2016
- Director: Anthony Russo and Joe Russo
- Runtime: 147 minutes
Captain America’s powers give him a more down-to-earth fighting style that usually comes with great combat, while also being a part of the big leagues. Civil War proves exactly that.
Captain America fights against regular guns, but also against other superheroes. With the epic airport battle with the Avengers and the iconic showdown between Captain America, Winter Soldier and Iron Man at the end, Civil War has no shortage of incredible action scenes, even if it may lack in other respects.
1 Avengers: Endgame
A Finale Filled With Epic Scenes On An Unprecedented Scale
- Release: April 22, 2019
- Director: Anthony Russo and Joe Russo
- Runtime: 180 minutes
There is no denying the impact that Avengers: Endgame had on the superhero genre, despite it not having the best story in the MCU. This installment is the culmination of so many other interconnected movies in a monumental battle to save the universe in an unparalleled third act.
It might not be filled with action to its brim, but the movie manages to deliver an epic ending to the saga in a theatrical release like no other. Avengers: Endgame relied heavily on its action sequences, which managed to bring so many superheroes together in a glorious battle filled with fan service and iconic moments on an unprecedented scale.
