Top 5 Best and Worst Fox Superhero Movies

Somehow, Elektra returned… and somehow, she’s even lamer. We don’t blame Jennifer Garner, who’d finally get to do the character justice 19 years later. Fox, meanwhile, never seemed to get what Elektra is all about. Although she’s built up as a badass who can handle herself, “Daredevil” downgraded her to a love interest for Matt Murdock to avenge. Even Elektra’s spinoff erased most of the character’s darker elements, turning her into a more maternal figure. Aside from failing to understand the titular character, the film is draped in silly imagery. This includes cheesy CGI animals emerging from peoples’ bodies and rooms that inexplicably become windy whenever a poorly choreographed fight scene happens. Are you posing for a superhero movie or a Neutrogena commercial?

Coming out on the heels of its game-changing predecessor, “X2” established that superhero movies are here to stay with a sequel that improved upon virtually everything. From the thrilling opening scene where Nightcrawler storms the White House, it’s established that nowhere is safe. This extends to Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, requiring our heroes to go on the run and form alliances with some old enemies. The film further demonstrated to mainstream audiences that superheroes could not only exist in a more grounded world, but also mirror real-life struggles like coming out to one’s parents. Unlike some X-Men films that followed, “X2” is an ensemble piece that gives almost every major character a chance to shine, earning the “United” in its title.

After botching “The Dark Phoenix Saga” once, Simon Kinberg got a second shot… to screw it up again. Adding to the disappointment, this was a farewell for several cast members. The writing was on the wall as Fox merged with Disney, meaning these characters would soon be in new hands. Watching “Dark Phoenix,” you sense that everyone involved figured this ship was sinking. Why bother trying to stay afloat? Even aboard the Titanic, though, the band played on until the end. As an adaptation of an iconic comic storyline and a sendoff for this generation of X-Men, the action lacks scale, the story lacks closure, and the whole production lacks heart. Rather than rise like a phoenix, it blows by like a pile of ashes.

Its big screen journey started strong, but by 2011, “X-Men” desperately needed an overhaul. Although this prequel would be set in the same continuity, “First Class” at times plays like a soft reboot. Despite maintaining some of the more grounded elements, director Matthew Vaughn leans heavier into the bright colors, quippy humor, and eccentric personalities the comics are known for. This balance signified a new era of “X-Men” and superhero movies in general. While the characters are no longer ashamed to be seen in yellow spandex, the film doesn’t lose sight of its deeper themes. This might be the best cinematic portrayal of Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr’s dynamic, seeing a friendship turn to rivalry as their worldviews force them to choose sides.

We bet you forgot this was a Fox release. Unfortunately, “Turbo” has plagued our memories since 1997. This was the point where many 90s kids asked, “I am getting too old for Power Rangers?” The answer is, no, you’re never too old. The franchise just hit an all-time low point. Some might point to little Justin as a shark jumping point. We guess this character was supposed to bring in a younger demographic, although “Power Rangers” has always catered to kids. While Justin didn’t help, he’s far from “Turbo’s” only problem. With even worse effects than the last movie and villains who look like they belong at a birthday party, it’s clear why the Rangers didn’t revisit the silver screen for almost two decades.

Bridging two generations of “X-Men” cast members, “Days of Future Past” was a benchmark for the Fox era. That’s not to say this is the franchise’s absolute best movie, but it arguably comes the closest to epitomizing what “X-Men” is. Although Wolverine gets top billing, “Days of Future Past” is truly about the ensemble. Every mutant plays an essential role in a story with world-ending stakes and the theme of prejudice again at the core. Yet, it doesn’t skimp on the fun with Evan Peters’ Quicksilver partaking in one of the franchise’s most inventive and visually arresting sequences. The film looks to the past in more ways than one, correcting some of the series’ missteps and cleverly tying everything together in a satisfying package.

“X-Men Origins” fails in so many ways that it’s almost fascinating. Given the title, you’d think this film would dig deep into Wolverine’s psyche, allowing Hugh Jackman to explore new dimensions. The movie fast-forwards through key moments in Wolverine’s life, though, never taking the time to flesh out his relationships. On that note, for a story that’s supposed to focus on Wolverine, the filmmakers shoehorn in more side characters they know what to do with. At best, the characters are underdeveloped. At worst, the film betrays everything that a beloved character stood for. You know the one we’re talking about. Throw in laughable effects and predictable plot twists, this is the “X-Men” movie that Fox wanted us to forget. Of course, Deadpool would remind us!

Speaking of which, it’s funny to think that the “X-Men” film Fox was the most apprehensive to make wound up being the franchise’s highest-grossing entry at the time. With a smaller budget, “Deadpool” had fewer cooks in the kitchen, giving Ryan Reynolds and company the freedom to get the character just right. “Deadpool” might not have been the first R-rated superhero movie or the first meta one. Unlike a few of its predecessors, though, “Deadpool” managed to be edgy without trying too hard and self-aware without veering into straight-up satire. Although it takes a village to make any movie, it’s safe to say “Deadpool” wouldn’t have worked without Reynolds, who was born to play this character in sequels and beyond… most likely until he’s 90.

Once upon a time, Tim Story’s “Fantastic Four” movies were considered the worst of the worst and Josh Trank was a promising young director, having made the superhero thriller “Chronicle.” Nowadays, those other “Fantastic Four” films feel like warm memories and Trank has struggled to shake the 2015 movie’s reputation. Trank can’t carry all the blame, as Fox ordered reshoots without his involvement. Whether or not Trank’s vision would’ve been better, the disjointed end product defines everything wrong with modern moviemaking. “Fantastic Four” is devoid of joy, passion, and virtually anything that made comic book fans fall in love with these characters. Fox forever has an important place in superhero movie history, but when it came to this team, they always dropped the ball.

Suffice it to say, Fox’s superhero track record was a mixed bag. For all the blunders, Fox was more open to experimentation than some other studios, paving the way for “Logan.” Reteaming Hugh Jackman and director James Mangold, “Logan” is equal parts superhero movie and Western, which blend more naturally than you might assume. After all, before superheroes, cowboys were once all the range. “Logan” leaves playtime in the past, though, plunging us into a bleak future. Amidst all the doom and gloom, there’s still hope to be unearthed in an emotional story about parenthood and redemption. It was considered a risk when Fox first cast Jackman as Wolverine. It’s only fitting that his Fox tenure would end with another risk that paid off spectacularly.

What’s your favorite Fox superhero movie? Which do you think bombed the hardest? Let us know in the comments.