Since The Phantom emerged from Skull Cave in purple tights, superheroes have ruled the comic book universe, box office, and now streaming services. If you’re channel-flipping for high-octane entertainment, you’ve come to the right place.
Here’s our pick of top superhero films to stream right now - the latest releases, classic movies, and cult favorites you won’t want to miss.
Avengers Endgame (2019)
Robert Downey’sIron Mankicked off the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2008 and Avengers Endgame brings closure, answering many unanswered questions that emerged over the decade. This isn’t a stand-alone film so first-timers may want to rewind to see Iron Man (2008), among others, before going further. As the endgame unfolds, the Avengers hope to undo their defeat at the hands of villain Thanos. (Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube, Apple TV)
Darkman (1990)
Darkman is a cult classic and quite possibly one of the best superhero movies you’ve never seen. It was a critical and box office success starring (at the time) two unknowns - Liam Neeson and Frances McDormand. The story revolves around a scientist disfigured when gangsters destroy his lab. (YouTube, AppleTV, Google Play, Prime Video)
Logan (2017)
Hugh Jackman pulled off arguably the best of the 10 X-Men films he’s made with Logan with some critics even calling Logan one of the greatest superhero films of all time. The movie is set in the future where Logan, seeking a quiet life, helps Laura, a mutant child (played by Dafne Keen) pursued by scientists. (Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV, Google Play)
Black Widow (2021)
Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow set a box office record during the Covid-19 pandemic - grossing more than $200m in its first weekend - and the movie is also available to stream. Natasha Romanov (Johansson) deals with her history as a spy and her family before becoming an Avenger. (Disney+, YouTube, Google Play, Prime Video, Apple TV)
The Suicide Squad (2021)
Starring Margo Robbie, The Suicide Squad sees Harley Quinn, Bloodsport, and Peacemaker join the ultra-secret Task Force X for black ops. The film was critically acclaimed. Why not stream it and decide for yourself? (HBO Max)
Project Power (2021)
Project Power is an unusual superhero flick starring Jamie Foxx in a tale about an ex-soldier who teams up with a cop to find the source behind a dangerous pill that provides temporary superpowers. (Netflix)
Superman (1978)
With hats off to Henry Cavill’s terrific Justice League Superman, it is difficult to recreate the magic of Christopher Reeves as Clark Kent battling Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) with Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) at his side. It’s a must-watch classic. (YouTube, Google Play, Microsoft Store, HBO Max)
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Since The Phantom emerged from Skull Cave in purple tights, superheroes have ruled the comic book universe, box office, and now streaming services. If you’re channel-flipping for high-octane entertainment, you’ve come to the right place.
Here’s our pick of top superhero films to stream right now - the latest releases, classic movies, and cult favorites you won’t want to miss.
Avengers Endgame (2019)
Robert Downey’sIron Mankicked off the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2008 and Avengers Endgame brings closure, answering many unanswered questions that emerged over the decade. This isn’t a stand-alone film so first-timers may want to rewind to see Iron Man (2008), among others, before going further. As the endgame unfolds, the Avengers hope to undo their defeat at the hands of villain Thanos. (Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube, Apple TV)
Darkman (1990)
Darkman is a cult classic and quite possibly one of the best superhero movies you’ve never seen. It was a critical and box office success starring (at the time) two unknowns - Liam Neeson and Frances McDormand. The story revolves around a scientist disfigured when gangsters destroy his lab. (YouTube, AppleTV, Google Play, Prime Video)
Logan (2017)
Hugh Jackman pulled off arguably the best of the 10 X-Men films he’s made with Logan with some critics even calling Logan one of the greatest superhero films of all time. The movie is set in the future where Logan, seeking a quiet life, helps Laura, a mutant child (played by Dafne Keen) pursued by scientists. (Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV, Google Play)
Black Widow (2021)
Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow set a box office record during the Covid-19 pandemic - grossing more than $200m in its first weekend - and the movie is also available to stream. Natasha Romanov (Johansson) deals with her history as a spy and her family before becoming an Avenger. (Disney+, YouTube, Google Play, Prime Video, Apple TV)
The Suicide Squad (2021)
Starring Margo Robbie, The Suicide Squad sees Harley Quinn, Bloodsport, and Peacemaker join the ultra-secret Task Force X for black ops. The film was critically acclaimed. Why not stream it and decide for yourself? (HBO Max)
Project Power (2021)
Project Power is an unusual superhero flick starring Jamie Foxx in a tale about an ex-soldier who teams up with a cop to find the source behind a dangerous pill that provides temporary superpowers. (Netflix)
Superman (1978)
With hats off to Henry Cavill’s terrific Justice League Superman, it is difficult to recreate the magic of Christopher Reeves as Clark Kent battling Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) with Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) at his side. It’s a must-watch classic. (YouTube, Google Play, Microsoft Store, HBO Max)
The first superhero was The Phantom, according to the Guinness World Book of Records. So if you’re feeling nostalgic, snuggle up with the 1996 film version of the comic strip starring Billy Zane as the immortal crimefighter and in a battle against evil. Keep an eye out for Treat Williams and Catherine Zeta-Jones. (Apple TV, Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube)
Jack Snyder’s Justice League
Jack Snyder’s Justice League is well worth streaming. This is the 2021 director's cut of the 2017 American superhero film Justice League. (Prime Video, HBO Max, Sky in the UK)
Batman: The Dark Knight (2008)
Picking a favorite Batman movie is nigh impossible so the choice came down to the brilliant combo of director Christopher Nolan, Christian Bale as the Caped Crusader, and the unforgettable Heath Ledger as The Joker. Honorable mention to the dynamic duo of Tim Burton and Michael Keaton in the 1989 film Batman. (Hulu, Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play, Apple TV)
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Spider-Man broke ground by portraying a teenage superhero, Peter Parker, with feelings of rejection, inadequacy, and loneliness. Spider-Man: Homecoming is notable as a stand-alone movie but all of the franchise’s films are worth watching again and again. (Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Microsoft Store)
Glass (2019), The Unbreakable Trilogy
If you’re looking to settle in with an excellent trilogy check out Bruce Willis as David Dunn, an everyman superhero and ex-college football prodigy making ends meet as a security guard. Dunn reluctantly discovers he has superhuman abilities. Willis’ star turn starts with Unbreakable (2000), a cameo in Split (2016), and his major role in Glass (2019). (Disney+, Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube, Microsoft Store)
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) wants to do his patriotic duty in the midst of a war but the US military rejects him because of his size. That prompts Rogers to try an experimental program that turns him into a super-soldier who fights the Nazi-backed HYDRA organization. SPYSCAPE True Spies host Hayley Atwell stars as Peggy Carter. (Disney+, Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play)
Akira (1988)
For the more experimental movie fans, Akira is worth a look. This animated, post-apocalyptic cyberpunk action film from Japanese director Katsuhiro Otomo is another cult favorite and an excellent introduction to anime with a plot revolving around secret government psychological experiments and a bomb dropped on Tokyo. Warning: Animated violence. (Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV, Microsoft Store)
Deadpool (2016)
Ryan Reynolds, star of X-Men Origins: Wolverine, is back as Wade Wilson, a Special Forces officer turned mercenary with a snarky sense of humor and a mission to track down the man who ruined his good looks. If you can’t get enough, there’s also Deadpool 2 and a script for Deadpool 3 is in the works. (Netflix, Apple TV, Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube, Microsoft Store)
Wonder Woman (2017)
Gal Gadot shines as Wonder Woman, kicking off the trilogy in 2017. Gadot plays Diana, an Amazonian warrior in training, who has yet to discover her destiny. Wonder Woman 1984 (2021) is a light-hearted romp and Wonder Woman 3 is in the works. (Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube)
Black Panther (2018)
Black Pantherrevolves around T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), King of Wakanda, Black Panther and protector of his people. The movie is more than a superhero tale of good versus evil, however. Black Panther examines moral and political questions, elevating the film. (Disney+, Prime Video, GooglePlay, YouTube, Apple TV, Microsoft Store)
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
Critics are calling Shang-Chi ‘phenomenal’. Shang-Chifollows Simu Liu's hero, a martial artist and assassin, who leads a normal life until he confronts the clandestine Ten Rings. Shang-Chi will debut in cinemas in September 2021, but Disney has hinted that itmay be available to stream from mid-October 2021 so keep an eye out. (Disney+)
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