Perhaps the first-ever superhero, Superman (who debuted in comics in 1938) remains one of if not the most popular superheroes. In the comics world, a superhero is a character with superpowers or special skills and abilities learned from extensive training and is dedicated to protect the public.
When the year 2000 entered, many superheroes have become household names, especially because the advancement in computer technology has enabled filmmakers to realize onscreen even the most fantastic of stories, characters, and plots—something that was nearly impossible to do about three decades ago.
Here is a list of some superhero films that have excited not only comics enthusiasts but also fans of films and of any good story, for that matter.
Superman (1978)
Superman II (1980)
Batman (1989)
Swamp Thing (1982)
Superman III (1983)
Supergirl (1984)
The Toxic Avenger (1985)
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)
Mr. India (1987)
Batman (1989)
The Punisher (1989)
Dick Tracy (1990)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991)
Captain America (1990)
The Rocketeer (1991)
Batman Returns (1992)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (1993)
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
The Fantastic Four (1994)
The Crow (1994)
The Shadow (1994)
Batman Forever (1995)
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995)
The Phantom (1996)
Batman & Robin (1997)
Spawn (1997)
Steel (1997)
Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie (1997)
Blade (1998)
Mystery Men (1999)
X-Men (2000)
Blade II (2002)
Spider-Man (2002)
Daredevil (2003)
X2 (2003)
Hulk (2003)
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)
The Punisher (2004)
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Blade: Trinity (2004)
Catwoman (2004)
Elektra (2005)
Man-Thing (2005)
Fantastic Four (2005)
Batman Begins (2005)
X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
Ghost Rider (2007)
Spider-Man 3 (2007)
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
Superman Returns (2006)
The Dark Knight (2008)
Iron Man (2008)
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Punisher: War Zone (2008)
Watchmen (2009)
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
Jonah Hex (2010)
Iron Man 2 (2010)
Thor (2011)
The Green Hornet (2011)
Green Lantern (2011
X-Men: First Class (2011)
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Also in the Philippines
In Philippine pop culture, two superhero characters have long become household names—Darna and Captain Barbell, both created by the Filipino comics writer Mars Ravelo in collaboration with the artists Nestor Redondo and Jim Fernandez, respectively. Darna first appeared in Pilipino Komiks #77 in 1950 and debuted in a film of the same title in the following year, starring Rosa del Rosario. Captain Barbell, on the other hand, first appeared in Pinoy Komiks #5 in 1963 and in film soon after, starring Bob Soler.
The Last Leaf
Superheroes catapulted to commercial popularity as early as the late ’60s and peaked in the 1980s, when DC Comics and Marvel Comics both reined. They have since remained favorite characters not only in comicdom but also in filmdom.
