Superhero Action backdrop

Superhero Action movies

Action powered by super abilities, secret identities, and larger-than-life threats, with civilians and cities on the line.

Wonder Woman

81. Wonder Woman

Action Adventure Animation Fantasy Science Fiction
7.3

20091h 14min

United States

Director: Lauren Montgomery

On the mystical island of Themyscira, a proud and fierce warrior race of Amazons have raised a daughter of untold beauty, grace and strength: Princess Diana. When an Army fighter pilot, Steve Trevor, crash-lands on the island, the rebellious and headstrong Diana defies Amazonian law by accompanying Trevor back to civilization.

Themes

Duty versus desire, Gendered power dynamics, Empowerment through action, Isolation and discovery, Leadership and sacrifice, Divine influence on war

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Peter Parker is an outcast high schooler abandoned by his parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben and Aunt May. Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. As Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his parents' disappearance – leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr. Curt Connors, his father's former partner. As Spider-Man is set on a collision course with Connors' alter ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero.

Themes

Vigilante justice, Loss of loved one, Social outcast tension, Genetic engineering ethics, Briefcase mystery, Teenage angst

Available on

Netflix
Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Thor

83. Thor

Adventure Fantasy Action Mythological Fantasy Superhero Action
7.0

20111h 55min

United States

Director: Kenneth Branagh

Against his father Odin's will, The Mighty Thor - a powerful but arrogant warrior god - recklessly reignites an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Legitimacy versus rebellion, Exile and belonging, Hubris and responsibility, Duty and sacrifice, Power and governance

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut

84. Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut

Science Fiction Action Adventure Superhero Action Alien Invasion Sci-Fi
7.6

20061h 56min

United Kingdom, United States

Director: Richard Donner

Superman agrees to sacrifice his powers to start a relationship with Lois Lane, unaware that three Kryptonian criminals he inadvertently released are conquering Earth.

Themes

Deception and manipulation, Trust under suspicion, Authority under siege, Responsibility and sacrifice, Power loss vs humanity, Time and consequences

Available on

Amazon Video
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Superman/Batman: Apocalypse

85. Superman/Batman: Apocalypse

Science Fiction Action Adventure Animation Superhero Action
7.1

20101h 19min

United States

Director: Lauren Montgomery

Batman discovers a mysterious teen-aged girl with superhuman powers and a connection to Superman. When the girl comes to the attention of Darkseid, the evil overlord of Apokolips, events take a decidedly dangerous turn.

Themes

Belonging and identity, Power and responsibility, Duty and sacrifice, Brainwashing and autonomy, Suspicion of outsiders, Leadership and allegiance, Mentor-protégé trust

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

For Peter Parker, life is busy. Between taking out the bad guys as Spider-Man and spending time with the person he loves, Gwen Stacy, high school graduation cannot come quickly enough. Peter has not forgotten about the promise he made to Gwen’s father to protect her by staying away, but that is a promise he cannot keep. Things will change for Peter when a new villain, Electro, emerges, an old friend, Harry Osborn, returns, and Peter uncovers new clues about his past.

Themes

Relationships under pressure, Power vs responsibility, Ethical boundaries of science, Loss and consequence, Obsession with power

Available on

Netflix
Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

United States President Lex Luthor uses the oncoming trajectory of a Kryptonite meteor to frame Superman and declare a $1 billion bounty on the heads of the Man of Steel and his ‘partner in crime’, Batman. Heroes and villains alike launch a relentless pursuit of Superman and Batman, who must unite—and recruit help—to try and stave off the action-packed onslaught, stop the meteor Luthors plot.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Abuse of power, Deception in leadership, Accountability under crisis, Weaponized authority, Public distrust in governance

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Thor: The Dark World

88. Thor: The Dark World

Action Adventure Fantasy Superhero Action Mythological Fantasy
6.7

20131h 52min

United States

Director: Alan Taylor

Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos… but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all.

Themes

Deception and impersonation, Norse mythology, Hostile takeover, Ancient threat resurgence, Duty vs sacrifice, Interrealm conflict, Cosmic scale danger

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Wolverine

89. The Wolverine

Action Science Fiction Adventure Superhero Action Adventure Epic
6.7

20132h 6min

United States

Director: James Mangold

Wolverine faces his ultimate nemesis - and tests of his physical, emotional, and mortal limits - in a life-changing voyage to modern-day Japan.

Themes

Loyalty versus manipulation, Duty and repayment, Control of healing power, Burden of near-immortality, Visions shaping choices, Corporate hubris and exploitation

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

During World War II, Steve Rogers is a sickly man from Brooklyn who's transformed into super-soldier Captain America to aid in the war effort. Rogers must stop the Red Skull – Adolf Hitler's ruthless head of weaponry, and the leader of an organization that intends to use a mysterious device of untold powers for world domination.

Themes

Power and responsibility, Duty under pressure, Technological arms race, Propaganda and public image, Loyalty under hardship, Transformation and identity

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.