Simply Marvelous
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has redefined what superhero films can look like…and how much they can earn. But not all, of the top-earning superhero films emerge from the House of Ideas.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2
Worldwide Gross: $708,982,323
Released: 2014
Andrew Garfield’s second outing as the wall-crawling superhero made a respectable sum, but not enough to continue the Amazing Spider-Man series. Like the Tobey Maguire version, Garfield’s web-slinging adventures crumbled under too many storylines in one film.
Columbia, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Worldwide Gross: $714,421,503
Released: 2014
Often considered one of the high points of the MCU, Chris Evans’s second Cap film also introduced the Russo Brothers to the Marvel Universe, hinting at the enormous sums of cash that were about to come.
Marvel Studios, Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
The Matrix: Reloaded
Worldwide Gross: $741,847,937
Released: 2003
The second Matrix film was one of the most highly-anticipated sequels of the early 21st Century. And while it didn’t satisfy everyone’s expectations, it did lean into Keanu Reeves’s Neo embracing his superheroic side in the simulated world of the Matrix.
Warner Bros., The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
X-Men: Days Of Future Past
Worldwide Gross: $746,045,700
Released: 2014
How could a film bringing together the original X-Men actors and their younger counterparts fail to be a hit? This exciting time travel adventure gave Hugh Jackman another chance to shine as Wolverine, and set up the X-Men films to come.
Twentieth Century, X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
Suicide Squad
Worldwide Gross: $746,846,894
Released: 2016
DC Comics may not have had the same kind of success as their Marvel-ous counterparts, but that doesn’t mean they don’t rake in the big bucks with their superhero films. Though audiences were divided over Suicide Squad, it earned enough to merit a James Gunn-directed sequel.
Warner Bros., Suicide Squad (2016)
The Amazing Spider-Man
Worldwide Gross: $757,930,663
Released: 2012
Five years after Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3 fizzled in theaters, British actor Andrew Garfield took up the red and blue costume and swung into action. The film fared well, though another origin film so soon after the previous series was widely seen as a mistake.
Columbia, The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
Thor: Love And Thunder
Worldwide Gross: $760,928,081
Released: 2022
There was a time when director Taika Waititi seemed like he could do no wrong. And then Love and Thunder arrived. Although the film did well at the box office, fans and critics decried its confusing story and uneven tone.
Marvel Studios, Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
The Batman
Worldwide Gross: $770,836,163
Released: 2022
Despite the jokes about Robert Pattinson having played a young Bruce Wayne in the Twilight series, his turn as the Dark Knight met with excellent reviews and a tidy box office showing. A sequel to this tale of the early Batman is reportedly in the works.
Warner Bros., The Batman (2022)
Guardians Of The Galaxy
Worldwide Gross: $773,328,629
Released: 2014
The film that showed that the MCU films could span genres and tones, Guardians of the Galaxy was a surprise hit, given the Z-list heroes that carried the story. It also gave James Gunn the superhero cred that has him taking on Superman in an upcoming film.
Marvel Studios, Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Deadpool
Worldwide Gross: $783,112,979
Released: 2016
Ryan Reynolds was born to play Deadpool, regardless of his terrible, terrible turn as the anti-hero in X-Men Origins. The Merc With A Mouth showed that R-rated superhero films were not only possible but also highly, highly lucrative.
Twentieth Century, Deadpool (2016)
Deadpool 2
Worldwide Gross: $785,046,920
Released: 2018
The Deadpool sequel did everything the first film did, and audiences loved it. Reynolds is obviously loving playing the character, and the addition of Zazie Beetz’s Domino and Josh Brolin’s Cable made this a huge treat for comics fans.
Twentieth Century, Deadpool 2 (2018)
Spider-Man 2
Worldwide Gross: $788,976,453
Released: 2004
One of the earliest superhero blockbusters, this sequel solidified Tobey Maguire as the web-slinger and featured an incredible performance by Alfred Molina as Doctor Octopus. Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man films proved superheroes were a huge box office draw.
Spider-Man
Worldwide Gross: $821,708,551
Released: 2002
Although X-Men was released two years earlier, Sam Raimi’s first Spider-Man film was the first big blockbuster to be as close to the comics as fans had seen since Christopher Reeve’s Superman in 1978. Maguire and co-star Kirsten Dunst made movie magic in this hit film.
Wonder Woman
Worldwide Gross: $821,847,012
Released: 2017
Perhaps the first major superhero film to feature a female lead, Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman tore up the screen and box office. The warrior princess was so successful that she also featured in the Justice League films and her own, less-beloved, sequel, Wonder Woman: 1984.
Warner Bros., Wonder Woman (2017)
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3
Worldwide Gross: $845,555,777
Released: 2023
The final entry in the GotG trilogy gave fans a spotlight on the curmudgeonly Rocket Raccoon and capped James Gunn’s genre-redefining series. Everyone seemed to get a happy ending in this movie, but with comic books, and comic book movies, nothing is ever certain.
Marvel Studios, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
Thor: Ragnarok
Worldwide Gross: $853,983,879
Released: 2017
Eschewing the faux-Shakespearean tone of the previous Thor films, Ragnarok gave audiences a rollicking, hilarious science fiction adventure starring Chris Hemsworth’s God of Thunder. The movie was a critical and popular hit and helped cement Taika Watiti’s reputation as an innovative filmmaker.
Marvel Studios, Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Venom
Worldwide Gross: $856,085,151
Released: 2018
Perhaps one of the strangest buddy movies ever made, Tom Hardy’s Venom was a huge hit, spawning two sequels and making the violent anti-hero a beloved icon. Eddie and Venom quickly became a pair that audiences wanted more of, proving that even the weirdest of concepts can find fans.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Worldwide Gross: $859,208,836
Released: 2022
Following up the immense success of Black Panther was never going to be an easy task, especially after the untimely passing of lead actor Chadwick Boseman. This sequel, carried by T’Challa’s sister Shuri, was a fitting tribute to the acclaimed actor.
Marvel Studios, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2
Worldwide Gross: $863,756,051
Released: 2017
After the surprise success of the first film, it’s not surprising that the sequel also did very well at the box office. James Gunn continued to tell a heartfelt and exciting story featuring some of the unlikeliest of heroes in the MCU.
Marvel Studios, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Batman V. Superman: Dawn Of Justice
Worldwide Gross: $873,634,919
Released: 2016
Some very strong performances carried this follow-up to Man of Steel, but the grim’n’gritty nature of Zack Snyder’s DC Universe didn’t sit well with everyone. Regardless, it’s a treat to watch Henry Cavill’s Superman and Ben Affleck’s Batman go toe to toe.
Warner Bros., Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
Spider-Man: Homecoming
Worldwide Gross: $880,166,924
Released: 2017
After his debut in Captain America: Civil War, Tom Holland’s version of the wall-crawler rocketed to success in this first film of the series. Rather than simply re-telling Spider-Man’s origin story, Homecoming dives right into Peter Parker's struggles to maintain his costumed identity and his GPA.
Columbia, Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Spider-Man 3
Worldwide Gross: $890,871,626
Released: 2007
After the high point of Spider-Man 2, audiences flocked to the theaters for the threequel…and were greeted by some of the most awkward superhero sequences ever committed to film. This movie was the final nail in the coffin for Sam Raimi’s first superhero series.
Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness
Worldwide Gross: $955,775,804
Released: 2022
The second Doctor Strange film marked Sam Raimi’s return to Marvel superheroes and carried all the famed horror director’s hallmarks. The visual innovations of the first film brought theatergoers back for this thrilling sequel in droves.
Marvel Studios, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
The Dark Knight
Worldwide Gross: $1,006,222,205
Released: 2008
Christopher Nolan’s second Bat-film will live in infamy for being the final performance of the gifted Heath Ledger. Ledger’s turn as the Joker set the bar for superhero villain portrayals and has yet to be equaled in subsequent Batman movies.
Warner Bros., The Dark Knight (2008)
Joker
Worldwide Gross: $1,078,751,311
Released: 2019
A poignant and different take on Batman’s arch-nemesis, Joaquin Phoenix won wide critical acclaim for this dark film. Critical accolades translated to box office success, making Joker one of DC’s highest-grossing superhero films.
The Dark Knight Rises
Worldwide Gross: $1,081,041,287
Released: 2012
The final chapter in Christopher Nolan’s reimagining of Batman brought audiences to the theater in droves. Facing off against Tom Hardy’s Bane, Christian Bale as Batman provided a successful and satisfying conclusion to one of the most acclaimed superhero series of all time.
Warner Bros., The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Captain Marvel
Worldwide Gross: $1,131,416,446
Released: 2019
Brie Larson wowed audiences with her portrayal of one of Marvel’s most powerful heroes. This entertaining and lucrative film was the first entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to have a female lead, something many noted as being long overdue.
Marvel Studios, Captain Marvel (2019)
Spider-Man: Far From Home
Worldwide Gross: $1,131,927,996
Released: 2019
Serving as an unofficial epilogue to the Infinity Saga, Tom Holland’s second Spider-Man film was as exciting and successful as his first effort. Audiences responded positively to the first look at a post-Blip MCU through the everyman eyes of Peter Parker.
Columbia, Spider-Man: Far from Home (2019)
Aquaman
Worldwide Gross: $1,148,161,807
Released: 2018
DC’s highest-grossing superhero film to date stars Jason Momoa as the titular hero. Despite not being as well known as Batman or Superman, Aquaman blended heroics and humor seamlessly, which was reflected in its box office success.
Captain America: Civil War
Worldwide Gross: $1,153,304,495
Released: 2016
Affectionately considered Avengers 2.5, this hero-filled blockbuster adapted a well-loved comic book story, pitting Captain America against his former friend, Iron Man. The film also introduced Tom Holland’s Spider-Man into the MCU, which is only one of the reasons this movie was such a financial success.
Marvel Studios, Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Iron Man 3
Worldwide Gross: $1,215,577,205
Released: 2013
The first film of Phase Two of the MCU, Iron Man 3 gave audiences a look at the post-Avengers world, and how even self-assured characters like Tony Stark can suffer from the difficulties of PTSD. An engrossing story and incredible effects made this movie a success at the box office.
Marvel Studios, Iron Man 3 (2013)
The Incredibles 2
Worldwide Gross: $1,242,805,359
Released: 2018
Following up the love letter to classic superheroes that was The Incredibles, The Incredibles 2 continued the first film’s blending of child-friendly action and antics with deeper story beats that appealed to adults. Its financial success is a testament to how well the two were meshed.
Walt Disney, Incredibles 2 (2018)
Deadpool & Wolverine
Worldwide Gross: $1,334,640,330
Released: 2024
Featuring two of the most perfectly cast superhero actors of all time, it’s no surprise that this third film in the Deadpool series has been its most successful. Audiences were thrilled to see Hugh Jackman return as Wolverine, especially in the company of Ryan Reynolds’ irascible Deadpool.
Marvel Studios, Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
Black Panther
Worldwide Gross: $1,346,913,171
Released: 2018
Financial success aside, this film was considered a watershed moment in superhero filmmaking for featuring an African American lead and director. Chadwick Boseman’s performance was widely celebrated, and Black Panther is considered one of the most important films in the MCU.
Marvel Studios, Black Panther (2018)
Avengers: Age Of Ultron
Worldwide Gross: $1,402,809,540
Released: 2015
Joss Whedon’s follow-up to The Avengers suffered a bit from studio interference, but still delivered an action-packed superhero team-up of everyone’s favorite heroes. James Spader’s Ultron became an instant classic villain, who is set to return, somehow, in an upcoming Disney+ series.
Marvel Studios, Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
The Avengers
Worldwide Gross: $1,518,812,988
Released: 2012
Often nearing the top of many “Best of” lists for superhero movies, the first Avengers film proved that the interweaving narrative of the MCU was not only possible, but profitable. Captain America. Iron Man. Thor. The Hulk. Black Widow. Hawkeye. As Stan Lee says, “‘Nuff said”.
Marvel Studios, The Avengers (2012)
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Worldwide Gross: $1,926,899,310
Released: 2021
Though audiences loved Tom Holland’s take on Spider-Man, much of the success of this film came from the revelation that both Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield would be reprising their web-slinging roles for this threequel. The triple threat Spideys paid off big.
Columbia, Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Avengers: Infinity War
Worldwide Gross: $2,048,359,754
Released: 2018
The first part of the Russo Brothers’s Infinity Saga capper was easily, when it was released, the biggest, boldest superhero film audiences had ever witnessed. Featuring virtually every hero from the MCU, it was hard to imagine anything surpassing this financial juggernaut. Until…
Marvel Studios, Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Avengers: Endgame
Worldwide Gross: $2,799,439,100
Released: 2019
Avengers: Endgame broke box office records, and raised the bar to almost unreachable heights for emotional, action-filled, satisfying superhero movies. The final chapter of The Infinity Saga hit all the right marks. The top-grossing superhero movie of all time, nothing has come close to its record in the five years since its release.
However, while everyone loved the movie, the writers did have one major regret about it. Stephen McFeely and Christopher Markus have expressed their remorse over not giving Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes more scenes together. Given how closely they’ve been tied together across the Marvel films, many fans agreed with that sentiment and there have even been calls for a whole movie on Barnes and Rogers’ heartwarming friendship.
Marvel Studios, Avengers: Endgame (2019)
