DC has always occupied a unique space in the superhero film landscape. The brand is the OG in the superhero genre, from kickstarting the trend in 1951 with George Reeves‘ Superman, leading the pack with Wonder Woman, the first female superhero film, up to its fifth theatrical iteration of the Caped Crusader. DC also boasts a large and rich catalog that’s not only filled with heroes dressed in tight spandex, whose more grounded stories attracted heavyweight talents. While not every DC adaptation hits the mark, the best ones strike a powerful balance between larger-than-life spectacle and deeply personal themes that resonate with the audience.
Here, this list highlights some of the greatest DC films that are consistently strong from start to finish. These aren’t just good comic books movies, but they’re great films, period. Whether they’re dramatic, gritty, or unorthodox, each entry here has left a mark on both audiences and critics. Some reshaped genres, others redefined the iconic characters. Altogether combined, they show just how wide-ranging and powerful DC storytelling can be on the big screen.
10
‘Superman’ (2025)
Directed by James Gunn
Fresh off the theaters, the newest Superman reintroduces the Man of Steel for a new era, in a universe already filled with metahumans. As Superman (David Corenswet) is dealing with the fallout of meddling with international affairs in Boravia and Jarhanpur, the envious Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) devises a plan to take out the Kryptonian for good. In the meantime, Superman himself is still grappling with what it means to be a hero and also his romance with Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan). The film also introduces heroes such as Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi), Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion) and Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced)
Tasked with restarting the DC Universe, James Gunn brings a distinct voice to Superman. The film is refreshingly different from his previous superhero flicks like Guardians of the Galaxy and his Suicide Squad reboot. Instead of populating the film with his trademark irreverent humor, he infuses a lot of heart into this, most evidenced by Clark and Lois’ electric interactions as well as Superman’s relationships with others, including Krypto the dog. The huge ensemble cast, led by David Corenswet, lives up to the high expectations as the film fully realizes Superman’s character for the modern age while also respecting the long legacy that came before. You may call this recency bias, but the future looks bright for the DCU with this mighty film that’s thoroughly entertaining from start to finish.
Superman
- Release Date
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July 11, 2025
- Runtime
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130 Minutes
9
‘Batman’ (1989)
Directed by Tim Burton
In Tim Burton‘s Batman, follows Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton) who fights organized crime and corruption in Gotham City as the Batman. His crusade for justice intensifies when Jack Napier (Jack Nicholson), a gangster, is transformed into the Joker after a chemical accident. The Joker wages a campaign of chaos, forcing Batman to confront his own demons and past as he tries to stop a madman who views life as a cruel joke.
Burton’s Batman was a game-changer in the comic book movie landscape. With its dark aesthetic, operatic tone, and stunning Gothic production design, it broke from the campiness of previous screen incarnations and reintroduced Batman as a brooding, mysterious figure. Michael Keaton’s unexpected casting proved surprisingly effective, while Jack Nicholson’s Joker, both terrifying and theatrical, became an instant pop culture icon and a high bar for future iterations. The film was a box office juggernaut and helped spawn the superhero blockbuster model. Its influence can still be felt today, especially in how seriously filmmakers and audiences began to treat comic book properties.
Batman
- Release Date
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June 23, 1989
- Runtime
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126 Minutes
8
‘The Suicide Squad’ (2021)
Directed by James Gunn
In The Suicide Squad, a group of expendable villains is recruited by Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) once again for a high-risk mission on the island nation of Corto Maltese. Tasked with destroying a secretive lab housing a mysterious alien weapon, Starro the Conqueror, the squad dispatches a chaotic mix of characters: Bloodsport (Idris Elba), Peacemaker (John Cena), Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Polka Dot Man (David Dastmalchian), and others with questionable powers and loyalty.
In his very first DC project, James Gunn injects his signature blend of irreverent humor, love of obscure characters, and surprising heart into this vibrant and unfiltered sequel/reboot. Blessed with creative freedom, unlike the 2016 David Ayer film, the film embraces its R-rating and leans into gonzo comic book energy without losing its nuance, especially through unexpected standout characters like Ratcatcher 2 and Polka-Dot Man. Though its box office was impacted by the pandemic, The Suicide Squad was praised by critics and fans alike for its bold direction and sharp writing. This film’s success proved to be Gunn’s calling card to helm the new DC Universe with his frequent collaborator Peter Safran.
7
‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’ (2021)
Directed by Zack Snyder
Zack Snyder’s Justice League picks up in the wake of Superman’s (Henry Cavill) death, as Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) and Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) work to assemble a team of metahumans to defend Earth from Steppenwolf (voiced by Ciaran Hinds). With Aquaman (Jason Momoa), The Flash (Ezra Miller) and Cyborg (Ray Fisher), who all arrive with their own emotional baggage, they must stop Steppenwolf from uniting the mystical Mother Boxes that will annihilate Earth to prove his loyalty to an even bigger threat, Darkseid.
Driven by enormous fan support and also HBO Max’ need for more subscribers, this extended director’s cut of the superhero team-up film is filled with grandeur, style, and even more stunning action sequences. With an entirely different opening and ending, Zack Snyder‘s version of the film restored deleted scenes and missing character developments from the theatrical edition. The result: The Snyder Cut is a much more cohesive film and an unparalleled achievement that dared to take its superheroes seriously, resulting in mythological storytelling akin to the epicness of films like The Lord of the Rings. The DC Snyderverse may never continue, but this film managed to be the short-lived DCEU’s highest point and a satisfying payoff for fans and for Snyder himself, while also being a unique historical accomplishment in cinema.
6
‘A History of Violence’ (2005)
Directed by David Cronenberg
A History of Violence follows Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen), a quiet, well-liked family man who runs a small-town diner in Indiana. His peaceful life is shattered when he instinctively kills two armed robbers in self-defense, becoming a national hero overnight. But the attention draws the eyes of dangerous men from Philadelphia who claim Tom isn’t who he says he is, that he’s actually Joey Cusack, a former mob enforcer with a violent past.
Directed by acclaimed auteur David Cronenberg, the film strips the comic book genre down to its bones, using its source material to explore deeper psychological and moral themes. Based on the graphic novel released by DC’s imprint Vertigo, the film boasts a powerful performance from Viggo Mortensen who gives a tightly controlled performance that anchors the film’s overall ambiguity. The film was widely acclaimed, receiving Academy Award nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay and Supporting Actor for William Hurt. It’s a rare comic adaptation that doesn’t rely on spectacle but instead offers a haunting meditation on the cost of violence.
5
‘The Batman’ (2022)
Directed by Matt Reeves
In The Batman, Bruce Wayne (Robert Pattinson) is in his second year as Gotham’s masked vigilante. When a sadistic killer known as the Riddler (Paul Dano) begins targeting Gotham’s elite with cryptic clues and gruesome crimes, Batman is drawn into the investigation that uncovers a deep conspiracy tied to the city’s foundations. Aided by Lieutenant Jim Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) and Selina Kyle (Zoe Kravitz), Batman goes deeper into the case and into his own family’s history.
Matt Reeves delivers a grounded, noir take on the Batman that emphasizes detective work and psychological complexity over flashy action. Pattinson’s Batman is raw and flawed as he still figures out his identity behind the mask. With its gorgeous low-light cinematography, brooding score by Michael Giacchino, and tightly focused narrative, The Batman earned widespread praise for reinvigorating the character without retreading familiar ground, making it almost perfect. At 3 hours of runtime, it balances gritty realism with operatic emotion, positioning itself as a serious character study as much as a superhero film. The long-awaited sequel to the film is due to arrive in 2027.
The Batman
- Release Date
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March 4, 2022
- Runtime
-
176 minutes
4
‘Watchmen’ (2009)
Directed by Zack Snyder
Set in an alternate 1985 where superheroes exist, Watchmen begins with the murder of Edward Blake (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), a government-sanctioned vigilante known as The Comedian. His death sets off an investigation by the uncompromising Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley), who suspects a larger conspiracy targeting former costumed heroes. Rorschach reconnects with his estranged allies, including the all-powerful Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup), Nite Owl II (Patrick Wilson), Silk Spectre (Malin Akerman), and the rich Ozymandias (Matthew Goode), to find the truth.
Zack Snyder’s Watchmen is a bold and faithful adaptation of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ widely celebrated graphic novel, which was long considered unfilmable. As a superhero film aimed at mature audiences, the film recreates the book’s violent sequences, dense visual iconography and philosophical tone, even as it streamlines certain subplots. While it was praised for its production design, ambition and visuals, the film received a mixed critical response at release, criticized for its coldness and perceived lack of emotional connection. But over time, it has gained recognition for its daring approach and thematic weight, becoming a cult favorite. The film’s three-hour director’s cut offers the best experience of the film.
Watchmen
- Release Date
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March 4, 2009
- Runtime
-
163 Minutes
3
‘Road to Perdition’ (2002)
Directed by Sam Mendes
During the bleak winter of the Great Depression, Road to Perdition follows Michael Sullivan (Tom Hanks), a loyal enforcer for the Irish mob, who becomes a fugitive after his son witnesses a murder committed by the boss’s unstable son. When the mob turns on Sullivan to tie up loose ends, he’s forced to flee with his surviving son. As father and son travel across the Midwest, Sullivan attempts to shield the boy from the violence that defines his own life while teaching him about it.
Sam Mendes (Skyfall) crafts a hauntingly beautiful crime drama that elevates its gangster roots into a deeply human story about fatherhood and loyalty. Anchored by an underrated but powerful performance from Tom Hanks, the film also features memorable turns from Paul Newman in his final live-action role, Jude Law as a sadistic hitman, and Daniel Craig as the reckless son who sets the story in motion. Conrad L. Hall’s Oscar-winning, rain-soaked cinematography gives the film an artistic, somber texture, perfectly complementing its quiet emotional weight. Though based on a DC graphic novel, Road to Perdition defies the expectations of a comic book film and shows that comics are not just about superheroes.
2
‘Superman’ (1978)
Directed by Richard Donner
Superman tells the origin story of Kal-El, the last son of Krypton played by Christopher Reeve, who is sent to Earth as a baby before his planet is destroyed. Raised as Clark Kent by kindly farmers in Kansas, he eventually moves to Metropolis and becomes Superman, using his powers for good. As he builds a double life as a bumbling reporter and an awe-inspiring hero, Superman faces his greatest challenge when Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) threatens millions with a nuclear plot designed to reshape the nation.
Richard Donner’s Superman was a groundbreaking achievement that proved a superhero film could be grand, sincere, and emotionally resonant. Reeve’s portrayal became instantly iconic, with his ability to distinguish Clark’s awkwardness from Superman’s strong poise bringing the character to life with heart. The film’s visual effects were revolutionary for the time, and John Williams’ soaring theme song became as synonymous with the character as the cape itself. The film’s climactic scene where Superman turns back time to save Margot Kidder‘s Lois Lane is simply stunning and immensely memorable. Critically acclaimed and a massive box office success, Superman legitimized the superhero genre on the big screen and set the gold standard for it.
Superman
- Release Date
-
December 15, 1978
- Runtime
-
143 Minutes
1
‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
The Dark Knight first sees Batman (Christian Bale), Lieutenant Gordon (Gary Oldman), and ambitious District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) teaming up and making serious progress in cleaning up Gotham from the mob. But in turn, the Joker (Heath Ledger) appears, a mysterious agent of chaos who’s more interested in ripping the city apart than money. As the Joker terrorizes the city and threatens Batman’s existence, Bruce Wayne is pushed to the limits to save the people he loves and the city he cares about.
Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece isn’t just a comic book movie, it’s also searing crime epic. Doubling down on the grittiness and realism introduced in Batman Begins, the sequel becomes a cultural touchstone that reshaped the superhero genre. With its relentless storytelling pace and character-driven plot, The Dark Knight proved that a superhero film could achieve the same gravitas as classic cinema. Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker is legendary, earning him a posthumous Academy Award. The film became a box office juggernaut, crossed the billion-dollar mark, and played a key role in pushing the Academy to expand its Best Picture category after it was snubbed. It’s not only one of DC’s best movies, but also one of the best movies of all time.
