Top 10 Superhero Origin Story Movies
Every hero has to start somewhere. Welcome to watchmojo.com and today we're looking at the Top 10 Superhero Origin Story Movies. For this list, we're looking at movies that depict the origins and backstories of superheroes that originally made their debut in comic books.
Special thanks to our users Steven Jaramillo for submitting the idea using our interactive suggestion tool at http://www.WatchMojo.comsuggest
Watch on Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ61de4aPXg
#10: “Ant-Man” (2015)
Top 10 Dysfunctional Superhero Relationships
It took years to get this guy off the ground, but it was well worth the wait. Probably the most interesting thing about this movie is that Scott Lang isn’t the first person to wear the shrinking suit, showing the original Ant-Man, Hank Pym as a now retired superhero. The action comedy film depicts Pym passing down the title to reformed con man Lang, so he can redeem himself and stop Pym’s protégé Darren Cross from using Pym’s technology for personal gain. As a bonus, the movie also sets up the origin of Ant-Man’s partner The Wasp, set to be taken up by Pym’s daughter Hope in a future film.
#9: “Man of Steel” (2013)
Top 10 Super Embarrassing Superhero Movies
How do you properly update the backstory of the most iconic superhero of all time, one who already has a near perfect film? Zack Snyder tried his hand at it in 2013, tweaking many of the details about Supes’ origin that we take for granted. Spending a lot more time on superman’s homeworld of Krypton, we learn a lot more about the people who live there and how their planet came to fall. Besides that, the film shows Clark Kent’s upbringing and eventual debut as Superman by way of a non-linear narrative, resulting in a radically different and interesting version of one of the most famous origins in pop culture.
#8: “The Crow” (1994)
Top 10 Movies with Historically Inaccurate Premises
While nowadays the quality of the film is overshadowed by it being the last work of actor Brandon Lee, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Alex Proyas’s adaptation of the 1989 comic is an outstanding backstory for an iconic cult character. A visually arresting comic book film, it depicts the story of vigilante Eric Draven who is brought back from the dead to avenge the murder of his fiancé, becoming the titular dark, vengeful hero. While the film spawned a sequel that was… not great, the impact and depth of the original should not be overlooked.
#7: “X-Men: First Class” (2011)
Top 10 Movies That Were Shot In Secret
While breakout character Wolverine got his own… let’s just say less than stellar origin movie in 2009, it wasn’t until two years later that we were given a proper cinematic backstory for Marvel’s merry mutants. Bolstered by great performances from James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender as Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr respectively, this 60’s set movie shows the genesis for the entire X-Men universe. We are shown the origins of characters like Mystique and Beast, and Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. Even better, this sublime installment brought the X-Men series out of the rut it was in and restored it to glory after the complete disaster that was X-Men 3.
#6: “Captain America: The First Avenger” (2011)
Top 10 Greatest Captain America MCU Moments
Marvel definitely had their work cut out for them with this one. This 2011 film had to pull double duty, providing not only a believable backstory for the character that would become the moral center of The Avengers, but also setting up the beginnings of SHIELD and other key elements of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Thankfully, director Joe Johnston was able to craft an explosive World War 2 action-adventure film; successfully adding in all the requisite exposition, and casting the great Chris Evans as the quintessential American hero.
#5: “Deadpool” (2016)
SPOILER ALERT!! Deadpool 2 Review ft Double Toasted! (Mojo @ The Movies)
It was good, thank god, it was good. After sodomising Wade Wilson in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Ryan Reynolds brought Fox kicking and screaming into the light. It’s absolutely incredible that the 2016 movie even happened, let alone the fact that we all got him uncensored and unapologetic. The insanity of Deadpool was finally translated onto the big screen as if they just ripped out pages of Rob Liefeld’s classic comics and threw them into a projector. After two attempts, Ryan Reynolds finally stuck the superhero landing.
#4: “Guardians of the Galaxy” (2014)
Top 10 Guardians of The Galaxy Villains
Among the crazier things Marvel Studios have done with their movies was expecting audiences to fully embrace some of their more outlandish characters. Enter this bunch of a-holes in 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy. But thanks to the killer direction of James Gunn and the performances of Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana and Dave Bautista, we bought into the weird world of the Guardians hook, line and sinker. The movie is basically cosmic Avengers, showing how the titular team of misfits comes together to defeat a powerful evil, while being endlessly enjoyable and quotable. Bonus points for brining the Marvel movies into the uncharted territory of outer space.
#3: “Spider-Man” (2002)
Top 10 Times Spider-Man Went BEAST MODE
Spidey’s iconic origin was finally done justice in 2002 with Tobey Maguire playing what is still the best movie version of Peter Parker. Having to deal with new superpowers and the guilt over the death of his father figure Uncle Ben, this movie had a hell of a lot of bases to hit in order to keep audiences satisfied. Everything comes together however and the personal drama and web-slinging action that the character represents is on full display in this classic.
#2: Iron Man” (2008)
Top 10 Greatest Iron Man MCU Scenes
People often forget that unless you were a comic book reader, Iron Man really wasn’t a big deal. However, in 2008 this movie not only cemented Iron Man’s place in mainstream pop culture but also kicked off the Marvel Cinematic Universe that is still going strong today. Robert Downey Jr. absolutely nails it in the fascinating and enjoyable tale of how Stark becomes Iron Man, while also introducing Pepper Potts and James Rhodes into the mix. Few will ever forget how refreshing and truly marvelous this movie was. Before we reveal our top pick, here are a couple honorable mentions: “The Amazing Spider-Man” (2012) “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (1990) “Kick-Ass” (2010) And for good measure, here’s a dishonorable mention: -“Steel” (1997)
#1: “Batman Begins” (2005)
Top 10 Batman Movies - Best of WatchMojo
If there was ever a costumed superhero that truly deserved a dark and atmospheric movie it’s the World’s Greatest Detective. Tim Burton’s 1989 film did a great job at getting the Dark Knight out of cheese and camp only to have him fall back into it several years later. Nolan’s 2005 Batman Begins however introduced audiences to a Batman that many people hadn’t seen yet and really took the time to explore the complexities of the caped crusader. The film expertly depicts all the major beats of Bruce Wayne’s life, from his parents murder, to his training, to his first victories as the Batman, culminating in a comic book film whose effects are still being felt today. Do you agree with our list? What do you think are the best origin story films? For more original top tens posted every day, be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com.
