Top 10 Greatest Versus Movies Ever
#10: “Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (2019)
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An animated crossover pitting two of the most beloved superhero properties of all time, "Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" delivers humor, action, and fan service. As tends to be the case in many of these films, the titular fight only makes up a small portion of the runtime and quickly gives way to a team-up, but Batman and the Turtles still have a pretty entertaining one-sided battle. The gloriously over-the-top plot never takes itself too seriously, but it does make excellent use of each universe's concepts and rogues galleries. Culminating in a wonderful final act, "Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" should please fans of both franchises.
#9: “Freddy vs. Jason” (2003)
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A battle decades in the making, "Friday the 13th's" Jason and "A Nightmare on Elm Street's" Freddy finally faced off in 2003. After Springwood somehow forgets about Freddy, Krueger uses Jason to put some fear back into the town's residents. "Freddy vs Jason" might focus a bit too much on its teenage characters, but the film does at least have some memorable fights between the slasher icons. Whenever Jason and Freddy are trying to decapitate each other, this crossover is a crowd-pleaser; it takes way too long to reach that point, but at least the payoff is worth it.
#8: “Hulk Vs.” (2009)
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A story doesn't always need to be complex to be satisfying; sometimes, all that's needed is a raging Hulk. Divided into two shorts, "Hulk Vs." pits the angry green giant against Thor and Wolverine, although plenty of other Marvel characters make appearances. Hulk is the dominant force in both stories, as the Avenger smashes his way through Asgard and the Canadian wilderness. While both shorts can get a touch repetitive at times, "Hulk Vs." usually throws out a curveball whenever things begin to feel stale. Bloody, well animated, and relentlessly paced, "Hulk Vs." is a blast of pure nuclear energy.
#7: “Borg vs McEnroe” (2017)
For the stoic Bjorn Borg, the only thing that stood in the way of a record-setting fifth Wimbledon win was the volatile John McEnroe. A biopic focusing on the intense rivalry between two of tennis's greats, "Borg vs McEnroe" dives deep into the lives of these players who, to the public, came across as total opposites. While the film doesn't fully capture the brilliance of their match, "Borg vs McEnroe" works well as an intriguing character study and features memorable performances from everyone in the cast. This film does justice to a rivalry that changed tennis.
#6: “Teen Titans Go! vs. Teen Titans” (2019)
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Despite featuring the same core characters, voice actors, and airing on the same network, "Teen Titans" and "Teen Titans Go!" have almost nothing in common. These stark differences serve as the comedic heart of this crossover, as the original Titans find themselves fighting and then teaming up with their silly versions. A familiar plot revolving around Raven and Trigon might not deliver too many surprises, but "Teen Titans Go! vs. Teen Titans" gets by on sharp writing, a memorable cameo or two, and the fact the original Robin seems to be constantly suppressing the urge to punt kick his "Go" counterpart.
#5: “The People vs. Larry Flynt” (1996)
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This biopic focuses on the life of Larry Flynt, the creator of Hustler and other pornographic brands who found himself constantly going in and out of court. "The People vs. Larry Flynt" ultimately comes down to freedom of speech, as Flynt's scandalous material earns the ire of religious figures, leading to many lawsuits, appeals, and speeches. Filled with great performances and fantastic direction, "The People vs. Larry Flynt" shines a light on a controversial figure and the court rulings that played significant roles in shaping the perception of modern media.
#4: “Godzilla vs. Kong” (2021)
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These titans have collided before to decent effect, but their 2021 showdown is the smackdown that everyone has been waiting for (xref). "Godzilla vs. Kong" does not tease the audience by dedicating 80% of its runtime to human characters, opting to deliver the action quickly and as frequently as possible. While there are some distractions such as the introduction of the Hollow Earth, the crossover wisely frames itself around Godzilla and Kong's multiple fights, which do justice to these destructive but beloved movie icons. When it comes to thrill rides, "Godzilla vs. Kong" is better than most movies.
#3: “Ford v Ferrari” (2019)
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This one isn't just for car lovers. "Ford v Ferrari" focuses on the rivalry between the two car manufacturers leading up to the 1966 Le Mans race. The friendship between Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles takes center stage, as the two build the vehicle that would eventually put Ford on a level playing field with Ferrari. Along with some of the best racing sequences ever put to film, "Ford v Ferrari" works extremely well as a drama, an element enhanced by the excellent acting. Despite the title, at times, this film feels more like "Ford v Ford."
#2: “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” (2010)
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Scott really has to earn a date with Ramona. Based on the graphic novel series by Bryan Lee O'Malley, "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" sees the titular ladykiller going up against Ramona's seven evil exes. This generally boils down to a lot of gaming references, crisp editing, and laugh-out-loud moments. Directed by Edgar Wright, "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" moves at an absolutely blistering pace, but it manages to avoid being overwhelming. While primarily an action film, "Scott Pilgrim" has more than enough charm and wit to balance out the mayhem. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Earth vs. the Flying Saucers” (1956) Because Humans Versus Aliens Is a Tale As Old As Time “Tucker & Dale vs Evil” (2010) Because Tucker & Dale Have a Real Doozy of a Day “Joe Versus the Volcano” (1990) Because a Lesser Tom Hanks Movie Is Still a Tom Hanks Movie “Godzilla vs. Destoroyah” (1995) Because Out of the Many Monsters Godzilla Has Fought, Destoroyah Is One of the Best Destoroyah = basically destroyer, “destroyah” “Dracula vs. Frankenstein” (1971) Because It’s a Disjointed But Oddly Entertaining Trainwreck
#1: “Kramer vs. Kramer” (1979)
Even all these years later, this 1979 film still resonates. When Joanna Kramer leaves her family, Ted is left to take care of their son, Billy. More than a year later, Joanna returns to take custody of Billy from Ted, causing the two parents to go to court. "Kramer vs. Kramer" presents complex and ever-changing characters as they struggle within a system that can bring out the worst in people. Touching upon social themes such as the rights of parents, "Kramer vs. Kramer" is well-written, brilliantly acted, and emotionally exhausting.
