2o years ago today, X2: X-Men United hit theatres. The original X-Men from 2000 was instrumental in resurrecting the comic book movie after they were all but killed off in the 90s. With X2, it was clear that comic book franchises were back in a big way. The sequel took everything great about the first and improved on it. Today, in celebration of the film’s 20th anniversary, we will be taking a look at some of the greatest superhero sequels of all time.
10. X2: X-Men United (2003)
As mentioned above, X-Men was one of the most important movies in the resurrection of the comic book film. The sequel, released three years later, is far superior in the eyes of many fans. A villainous former army commander, Stryker, launches a full-scale invasion against the mutants. Stryker attacks Xavier’s School For Gifted Youngsters and causes the young mutants to scramble. Stryker is also a key player in the mysterious past of Wolverine, making the battle personal for the fan-favorite character. The X-Men are then forced to team with Magneto to stop Stryker from eradicating mutants. What follows is a thrilling battle with action, humor, and sacrifice.
9. The Suicide Squad (2021)
While technically a stand-alone movie, James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad has enough references to connect it to the similarly named Suicide Squad from 2016. The movie is a fun and bloody action film that isn’t afraid to go all out in its zaniness. The infamous Task Force X is sent to the deadly war-torn island of Corto Maltese for a search and destroy mission. The horribly mismatched team soon learns that Amanda Waller, the head of the task force, has other motives in mind. The movie is filled with laughs and stylish action and has quickly become regarded as one of the best superhero sequels. A vast majority of fans claim this film far surpasses the original and makes it clear James Gunn is worthy of heading the DCU going forward.
8. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
The first two Thor movies were, to many, the weakest entries in the early MCU. There were fans, but many critics claimed the films were dull and uninteresting. This all changed when the third entry Thor: Ragnarok, changed the tone of Thor’s solo films. The third movie leaned far heavier into comedy than the previous two movies. It allowed Chris Hemsworth to show he can be a comedic lead as well as head a superhero movie. The MCU was about to turn dark with Avengers: Infinity War, so this movie and its lighter tone was a perfect calm before the storm, and it still holds up today.
7. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
X2: X-Men United may have been a fantastic sequel, but many fans claim X-Men: Days of Future Past is the best sequel in the franchise. After the somewhat disappointed reactions to X-Men: The Last Stand, the franchise was softly rebooted into a prequel series of sorts. This movie was a crossover between the younger cast of the First Class movie with the original films. In the far future, mutants are all but extinct. They are hunted by the Sentinels, highly intelligent killing machines designed with the sole purpose of wiping out mutants. The remaining X-Men send Wolverine back in time to prevent them from being invented. The film served as a great ending to the X-Men series, although there were several sequels that followed.
6. Hellboy II: The Golden Army
While Marvel and DC are the heavy hitters in comic book movies, they aren’t the only examples. Dark Horse has also enjoyed big-screen success, especially with Guillermo del Toro’s Hellboy. As great as the first film was, Hellboy II: The Golden Army quickly became the gold standard for superhero sequels. The titular Hellboy and his team must stop Prince Nuada. Nuada believes humans are lesser than fantasy creatures and looks to raise an army of killing machines to wipe out humanity. The film is full of action, wit, and breathtaking effects. Fans were disappointed when the franchise was rebooted, but this is a great high for a series to end on.
5. Batman Returns (1992)
Tim Burton’s Batman from 1990 was a pop culture phenomenon. It made Batman into a series character again and ensured audiences that superhero movies were the next big thing. In 1992, a sequel was released that caused some controversies. The movie was darker than the last film, and this caused some concern among fans, particularly parents. Today, the film is considered a classic, with some even preferring it to the first movie. Michael Keaton reprises his role as the Dark Knight and is joined by Danny DeVito as The Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman. Batman Returns has become one of the best DC movies among fans, and they are excited to see the world revised in The Flash.
4. Superman II (1980)
Superman The Movie was the film responsible for bringing comic books to the big screen. While not the first comic book movie, it was the first to be released on a large scale with a huge budget. The sequel, too many, is the best movie to feature the Man of Steel. Superman and Clark Kent’s lives are merged when Lois Lane figures out his secret. Wanting to live out his days as a human with Lois, Superman gives up his powers. This couldn’t have been done at a worse time, as a vengeful Kryptonian named Zod and his followers come to Earth to take it over. The movie is a perfect representation of who Superman is as a character and is one of the greatest superhero sequels of all time.
3. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
X2: X-Men United isn’t the only example of a Marvel sequel that surpassed the original. Spider-Man: No Way Home is the third movie in the MCU Spider-Man series, although it is bigger than that. After Mysterio outs Spider-Man’s secret identity as Peter Parker, his life is completely upended. Not only is Peter suffering, having been framed as a murderer, but his friends’ lives are altered as well. Desperate to change the past, Peter goes to Doctor Strange for a spell to ensure nobody remembers he is Spider-Man. Things quickly go south when people from other realities are pulled over with one goal in mind, to kill Spider-Man. While the film is heavy on fan service, it is, to many, one of the best live-action Spider-Man movies.
2. Spider-Man 2 (2004)
While X-Men was important in the resurrection of the comic book movie, Spider-Man from 2002 was what propelled the genre into superstardom. The sequel, released two years later, is still known as one of the greatest comic book movies of all time. Peter Parker is struggling to juggle his life as a college student and a superhero. He is failing classes, losing jobs, and cannot maintain a relationship with Mary Jane. While struggling with his double life, Otto Octavius has become Dr. Octopuss, a crazed scientist looking to build a reactor that could destroy the city. The film is a perfect showcase of what makes Spider-Man so beloved and is one of the gold standards for comic book movies.
1. The Dark Knight (2008)
When discussing great superhero sequels, The Dark Knight is almost in a league of its own. Batman Begins gave the character new life after 1997’s infamous box office bomb Batman & Robin. The sequel, released in 2008, changed the game. The movie is frequently called one of the greatest movies of all time, not just in the superhero genre. While Batman is becoming better known as Gotham’s protector, Harvey Dent is working to become the city’s white knight. Bruce Wayne is beginning to think Dent is the future of Gotham. And it could be time to hang up the cowl. Before he gets the chance, a crazed psychopath calling himself The Joker is rising to power. The movie is a masterclass of acting and action and will forever be known as one of the best comic book movies ever.
