The sequel to the successful 2017 film, Wonder Woman 1984 transported Diana Prince to the excess and glamour of the 1980s. This installment features new villains in Maxwell Lord and Cheetah, and brings back Steve Trevor in an unexpected way. The film aimed for a different tone than its predecessor, leaning into the era's aesthetic and exploring themes of truth and consequences related to a magical artifact. While visually distinct, it received a more mixed reception compared to the first movie.

Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) sees Margot Robbie reprising her role as Harley Quinn in a stylish, R-rated romp. After breaking up with the Joker, Harley navigates Gotham's criminal underworld, eventually teaming up with a group of female anti-heroes. The film stands out for its unique visual flair, action sequences choreographed by the John Wick team, and Robbie's charismatic performance. It's a chaotic, colorful, and distinctly Harley Quinn-centric story about finding your own way after a toxic relationship.

Shazam! brought a refreshing dose of pure fun and wish fulfillment to the superhero genre. The story of a teenage foster kid who can transform into an adult superhero by uttering a single word is inherently charming. Zachary Levi perfectly captures the childlike wonder and excitement of having superpowers, while Asher Angel grounds the film with a relatable performance as Billy Batson. It's a film that embraces the inherent silliness of its premise, offering a lighthearted and genuinely funny adventure with a strong emphasis on family.

Captain Marvel introduced Carol Danvers to the MCU, a powerful Kree warrior with a mysterious past who finds herself caught in an intergalactic conflict. Set in the 1990s, the film features a fun throwback aesthetic and a scene-stealing performance from Samuel L. Jackson as a younger, two-eyed Nick Fury. Brie Larson brings a confident and determined energy to Captain Marvel, a hero whose immense power makes her one of the strongest individuals in the universe. The film serves as a crucial setup for later MCU events.

Todd Phillips' Joker offered a dark, gritty, and controversial character study centered on Batman's most infamous foe. Joaquin Phoenix delivers a mesmerizing, unsettling performance as Arthur Fleck, a struggling comedian whose descent into madness is portrayed with disturbing realism. The film is less a traditional superhero movie and more a psychological thriller examining societal neglect and mental illness through the lens of a comic book villain. It sparked much discussion and earned Phoenix an Academy Award for Best Actor, a rare feat for a performance in a comic book adaptation.

Wonder Woman finally brought the iconic Amazonian warrior to the big screen in a standalone film, and it was a resounding success. Gal Gadot embodies the role with strength, grace, and compassion, making Diana Prince a truly inspiring hero. Patty Jenkins crafted an origin story that felt both classic and fresh, particularly its powerful sequence set during World War I. The film highlighted Diana's idealism and her journey to understand humanity. It was praised for its earnest tone and Gadot's compelling performance, establishing Wonder Woman as a major cinematic force.

Deadpool broke the mold for superhero movies with its R-rated humor, excessive violence, and fourth-wall-breaking protagonist. Ryan Reynolds fought for years to get this film made, and his dedication paid off, delivering a faithful and hilarious adaptation of the Merc with a Mouth. The film leans heavily into meta-commentary and self-awareness, poking fun at superhero tropes and its own production challenges. It was a massive box office success, proving that R-rated superhero films could find a wide audience. The film's relatively modest budget compared to other superhero blockbusters also contributed to its impressive profitability.

Guardians of the Galaxy took a relatively obscure comic book team and turned them into household names with a quirky, irreverent charm. James Gunn's distinct voice is all over this film, blending space opera adventure with laugh-out-loud comedy and an absolutely killer soundtrack of classic pop hits. The chemistry between the unlikely team of Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, and Groot is infectious. It proved that Marvel could take risks with lesser-known properties and succeed wildly. Did you know Chris Pratt actually stole his Star-Lord costume from the set so he could visit sick children in character at hospitals?

Black Panther was a cultural phenomenon, celebrated for its groundbreaking representation, stunning visuals, and compelling story. Set in the technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda, the film introduced T'Challa, a noble king and formidable hero. Ryan Coogler crafted a powerful narrative exploring themes of identity, legacy, and isolationism versus global responsibility. The costume design, production design, and Ludwig Göransson's score, incorporating traditional African instruments, were all highly praised, contributing to its seven Academy Award nominations and three wins. The film's impact extended far beyond the superhero genre.

The Avengers was the culmination of Marvel's Phase One and the moment the shared superhero universe concept truly paid off. Seeing Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye finally assemble on screen was incredibly exciting. Joss Whedon balanced the large ensemble cast effectively, giving each hero moments to shine while also building compelling team dynamics and witty banter. The Battle of New York sequence remains an iconic superhero movie moment. Did you know the now-famous shawarma scene was filmed after the movie's premiere during reshoots, and Chris Evans had to wear a prosthetic jaw because he had grown a beard for another film?

Iron Man kicked off the Marvel Cinematic Universe in spectacular fashion, largely thanks to Robert Downey Jr.'s pitch-perfect portrayal of Tony Stark. His charisma and wit breathed life into the billionaire genius, making him instantly lovable and complex. The film is an excellent origin story, showing Stark's transformation from a selfish arms dealer to a reluctant hero building his suit in a cave. The practical effects used for the early Iron Man suits were surprisingly extensive, adding a tangible weight to the technology. It's a foundational film that proved audiences were ready for interconnected superhero stories.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is a groundbreaking animated masterpiece that completely revitalized the Spider-Man mythos. Its unique visual style, blending traditional animation with comic book aesthetics like Ben-Day dots and thought bubbles, is simply stunning and earned it an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. The story follows Miles Morales, a relatable and engaging new hero, as he teams up with alternate-reality versions of Spider-People. It's funny, heartfelt, and action-packed, with a killer soundtrack and a genuine love for the source material. Did you know the animation team developed new techniques specifically for this film to achieve its distinct look, sometimes animating at 12 frames per second instead of the standard 24 to give it a choppier, comic-book feel?

The epic conclusion to a decade-long saga, Avengers: Endgame delivered on its promise of an emotional and action-packed finale. This film wasn't just a superhero movie; it was a cultural event, bringing together an unprecedented number of iconic characters for one last stand against Thanos. The scale is absolutely massive, but the film never loses sight of the individual journeys and sacrifices of its core heroes. The payoff moments, built over 21 previous films, land with incredible impact, eliciting cheers and tears from audiences worldwide. Fun fact: The final battle sequence included over 1,000 visual effects shots, making it one of the most complex sequences ever created.

Often cited as one of the greatest films of the 21st century, superhero or otherwise, Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight redefined what a comic book movie could be. Heath Ledger's portrayal of the Joker is legendary, winning a posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. His chaotic energy and chilling performance are truly captivating, creating a villain for the ages. The film dives deep into complex themes of justice, morality, and chaos, grounded by Christian Bale's stoic Batman. It's a masterclass in filmmaking, blending intense action sequences with a compelling, dark narrative that still resonates powerfully today. Did you know Ledger kept a diary filled with disturbing art and writings as part of his preparation for the role? It's a testament to his dedication.