Ultimate List of Superheroes in TV/Film
How many of us have been thrilled at the recognizable tunes that accompany the Marvel Studios logo, or the cinematic opening credits of the DC Universe?
Comic books and their superheroes have become well established in our cinema, our culture, and our consciousness.
With such a wide array of characters, narratives, and extensive universes, there are so many options for viewers and consumers to immerse themselves in. And with the popularity of films based on comic books and their superheroes, there are so many options to select from when it is time for a movie night.
But how can one keep up with all the superheroes and their domains, especially when there are narrative crossovers, shared plotlines, team-ups, and even changing faces of the actors who portray our heroes on screen?
This is the ultimate guide to superheroes in TV and film—your one stop destination for all things super that you need to know. Strap into your shuttle or shrug on your cape and enjoy your adventure through the world of superheroes.
Comic Books and Graphic Novels
It is no secret that comic books and graphic novels used to be the exclusive domain of any groups branded as ‘nerds’.
But with the surge in popularity of such superhero content, this form of media has enjoyed a more widespread audience base and much less stigma. As the comic books and graphic novels gained a following, their characters were featured in popular culture, video games, and on screen for TV and films.
How did this immense change in perception come to be?
The Origins of Comics
Comics have been around for a very long time, but really only started gaining incredibly popular and serial status in the 20th century, primarily during the Great Depression and World War II. These time periods are interesting: unlike today, partial reasoning for superhero popularity has been affected by external crises and social climates, where people look for stability and moral authority.
But to begin the continued craze, in 1936 a comic strip by Lee Falk debuted to popular acceptance, detailing the adventures of a masked superhero called The Phantom.
Phantom comic strip (1936)
Closely following this success, DC Comics brought out their arguably most popular superhero in 1938—the one and only Superman, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.
This publication became the catalyst for mass excitement around superheroes’ adventures and their rise in immediate popularity.
Thanks to Superman, the world of comic books, graphic novels, and superheroes has become household currency for debates, late night reading, and movie night selections.
Due to their popularity, comic books have actually become somewhat of a precious commodity, for collectors and investors. This has led to a steep rise in their price, but die-hard comic fans remain committed to owning copies that detail their favorite characters’ adventures, keeping the comic book industry alive and well, and definitely less stigmatized than in its ‘nerdy’ past.
Comic Books on Screen
So, where did all the hype around superhero and comic book films and TV shows begin?
While Superman was one of the key figures in comic books’ initial rise to fame, he was also the character that started the comic book film industry as we know it today.
There were other cinema depictions before Superman’s foray into film, of course, including 1941’s episodic Adventures of Captain Marvel, and 1943’s Batman serial.
The Power of Superman
But when Superman: The Movie hit the big screen in 1978, a combination of Richard Donner’s directing skills and Christopher Reeve’s embodiment of the hero made the film rocket to success and fame.
This film single handedly brought superheroes and their adventures into cinema popularity, which would only grow as subsequent superhero films were introduced into the screen canon.
Batman: The Rise of Superheroes
The next big blockbuster for the superhero film industry came with Tim Burton’s take on Batman in 1989, and with that, the genre of superhero films was solidly cemented.
The following installments of the Batman universe may not have hit the same box office levels as the original film, but the genre also saw the rise of anti-hero types as protagonists, which was a foreshadowing of later films with similar bad guy turned maybe-hero types (Suicide Squad in 2016, for one). From this point, superheroes in cinema were a given, and fans could not get enough of them.
Continued Rise Away from Hollywood
America’s Hollywood was not the only country to realize the lucrative potential of this genre. Internationally, there have been several superhero productions that gained popularity in their respective countries of release.
These titles include Finland’s Rendel: Dark Vengeance, Spain’s Faust: Love of the Damned, Italy’s The Invisible Boy, and Russia’s Guardians.
Marvel Studios Helps Build an Industry
But perhaps one of the first names that comes to mind when thinking of superhero movies and their production is Marvel Studios.
This juggernaut became one of the major contenders in the comic book film industry after the release of Blade in 1998, its first hit after beginning to license characters to Hollywood again.
With the box office haul and critical acclaim of the next Marvel film offering with X-Men in 2000, Marvel Studios and the world of comic book films was very much solidified in terms of public appreciation and avid consumption.
Marvel is responsible for creating one of the top two main superhero worlds in media today, known simply as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and stands alongside Warner Brothers’ DC Extended Universe.
Rise in Popularity of Superheroes on Screen
With the rise in popularity of comic books, it is no wonder that their characters made their way to the silver screen. We all enjoy watching the superhuman exploits of our favorite characters in films and TV shows, and it is one of the reasons why comic book cinema is so popular and so lucrative for their production studios.
Reading the comic books is definitely enjoyable but being able to see the action up close and personal in real time is captivating and thrilling.
Superheroes: The Early Beginnings
The idea of superheroes takes its root back in the days of the epics by ancient authors such as Homer and Virgil—the journey of a hero protagonist, battling against adversity and struggling through trials, in order to achieve an eventual end victory over an enemy or his own strife.
Homer
Virgil
A classic story model, it is no wonder that similar narrative arcs were adopted by the writers of superhero comics. It really was only a matter of time before the film industry became paired with comics, given the perfect, made-for-movie structure that such adventure narratives have.
Marvel Vs DC: An Industry Divided
Today, the comic book film industry is a massive success, both commercially and popularly. The fanbase of such films is fiercely loyal and delight in all the details of their favorite franchise and its characters.
In fact, between the two major comic universes of Marvel and DC, you can find fans sharply divided into each camp, often debating why their chosen universe is best.
Whether it is Iron Man or Batman, Captain America or Superman, fans of comic books and their films have strong opinions.
Pop Culture & The Role of Superheroes
So, it is no wonder that comic book films and superheroes have infiltrated pop culture and social consciousness in its entirety.
Of course, superheroes have been a part of pop culture since their origin in comic strips, but with today’s wide use of media, social platforms, and convenience of viewing films and TV shows, superheroes films have carved out their own foothold there. And there is no shortage of them—between Marvel and DC, there is an almost endless amount of superheroes and characters to explore backstories, share in the adventure, and defeat the bad guys.
And hand in hand with this franchise comes the production of superhero merchandise, yet another lucrative aspect to the comic book film genre.
Awards, Awards, Awards
In fact, superheroes are so popular that comic book films have joined animated cartoons in the realm of unlikely genres to win awards. We all anticipate the year’s greatest dramas, thrillers, and comedies to take home one of the coveted trophies from award shows, but comic book movies have become another contender in this arena.
So far, only nine superhero films have managed to win achievements at the Oscars, one of the most prestigious events for cinema and film lovers.
The most recent winner was 2019’s Joker, which also holds the record for most Oscar nominations for a comic book movie.
Joker had eleven nominations, with actor Joaquin Phoenix taking home the Oscar for Best Actor, and composer Hildur Guðnadóttir winning Best Original Score.
Other Oscar winners in comic book films include:
Black Panther
Music, Costume Design, and Production Design
Suicide Squad
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Big Hero 6
Best Animated Feature
Spider-Man 2
Visual Effects
Superman
Visual Effects
With their immense popularity, it is no wonder these films have taken their place in the spotlight, both in pop culture and even in award shows. But what else is there to know about superheroes and comic book films? Read on to find out.
The Making of Superhero Films: CGI
With the rise of computers and computer graphics, special effects have become incredibly realistic. That is a good thing for the comic book film industry, as many storylines rely on creatures and actions which can only be put onscreen through the magic of special effects.
Whether it is creating an inhuman villain, fantastical setting, and atmosphere, or needing the superhero to do something that is not physically possible, computer graphics are essential to making a superhero film.
Today’s digital imaging can produce believable superhero action scenes through the manipulation of pixels on the computer, making it easy and swift for producers to add those special touches to the film. The technology has come a long way from a simple green screen or replica model, and it is now easier than ever for comic book films to take their visuals to the next level and wow viewers with their computer-generated material.
Meet the Superheroes
Superheroes are undoubtably some of the most popular characters to ever be created.
They have amassed a following and fanbase of people across the globe, have sparked an entirely new film industry in comic book movies, and have brought in an incredible amount of revenue for production companies and actors alike. With all the immense popularity of superheroes, though, there are some who have captured the hearts of audiences and readers in particular.
Names like Batman, Superman, Iron Man, and Captain America are all so familiar because they are characters who have earned a particular spot in audience appreciation.
Certain superheroes stand out from the rest, and have become the most beloved out of their fictional peers, and you can find merchandise focussed on them, solo films, important cameo appearances, and more. So, with all the hype, let us get to know some of the most popular superheroes from both Marvel and DC.
Here are some introductions to popular superheroes:
Batman
Unarguably one of the most famous and beloved superheroes in history, philanthropist and billionaire Bruce Wayne takes on his alter-ego of Batman to fight crime and defend the city of Gotham. DC has more information on Batman here.
Superman
Another one of the most popular and loved superheroes is the man in blue and red himself, Superman. Originally an alien being from the planet Krypton, he takes on the alias of Clark Kent to avoid recognition as the hero that he is. DC has more information on Superman here.
Wonder Woman
Her real name being Diana, Wonder Woman is an immortal Amazonian goddess from the island of Themyscira. She fights injustice and champions mortals, firmly dispelling any notion of being a damsel in distress. DC has more information on Wonder Woman here.
Storm
One of the more prominent characters in the X-Men series, Storm is a powerful superhero in her own right, able to manipulate the elemental forces that determine the weather. Marvel has more information on Storm here.
Wolverine
Part of the X-Men, Wolverine’s body is fortified with the fictional element of adamantium, making him nearly invincible and able to regenerate quickly after being wounded. Wolverine’s characteristic gruff and no-nonsense attitude makes him seem grumpy, but he is always ready to save the world. Marvel has more information on Wolverine here.
Iron Man
An industrialist and master engineer, as well as billionaire and philanthropist, Tony Stark builds his mechanized suit of armor and fights crime and saves the world repeatedly as Iron Man. Marvel has more information on Iron Man here.
Captain America
A super-soldier who fought against the Nazis, Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, is a staunch defender of life and liberty for all. He becomes an all-American hero with a rigid moral compass and the bravery to boot. Marvel has more information on Captain America here.
Spiderman
After receiving his superpowers through a radioactive spider bite, the aptly named Spiderman is one of the youngest superheroes, whose real name is Peter Parker. He uses his web slinging ability to swing in to save the day, and sometimes, the whole world. Marvel has more information about Spiderman here.
Other popular superheroes and duos include:
Famous Actors who Play Superheroes
Casting the correct actor for the role is an important part of not only making a movie, but also in ensuring the viewers stay engaged with the film and remember it.
We can all relate to the strange feeling of watching a film where the casting of a recurring character has changed, and a new face is portraying the same character. It can be uncomfortable and disruptive to the experience of the film, so studios like to get their casting right the first time around.
When it comes to superhero films, it is no different.
Studios like Marvel and DC do not always have consistent casting for their superhero roles; for instance, Batman has been portrayed by at least eight different actors, and most recently, Robert Pattinson will be taking over the role of the caped crusader.
Similarly, Spiderman has been played by Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and lately Tom Holland, who, after Marvel got the rights to the character, will be the face of the superhero for the foreseeable future.
But apart from this, Marvel and DC both do seem to have a knack for casting the perfect actor for their superheroes.
Here are some of the top casted actors who give these superheroes life on the big screen:
Chris Evans
After joining the world of Marvel in 2011, Chris Evans gave super-soldier and superhero Captain America a chiseled face to go with the name. After signing a multi-film deal with the studio, Evans’ first film as the hero was Captain America: The First Avenger, the fifth film in Marvel’s superhero line-up and Captain America’s first solo film. Since then, viewers have watched his character fight off villains and maintain his moral compass right to the end.
Chris Hemsworth
It is difficult to imagine any other actor portraying the Norse god of thunder and superhero Thor apart from Chris Hemsworth. Giving Thor a deep, Australian-accented voice, blonde locks, and massive muscles, Hemsworth is widely agreed to be the perfect casting for the superhero. Hemsworth joined his fellow Marvel actors in 2011 with his stand-alone film Thor.
Gal Gadot
Israeli-born actor Gal Gadot joined the DC universe as Wonder Woman, an immortal Amazon warrior goddess. Her portrayal of the character shies away from previous depictions of her that focussed on the character’s sex appeal, instead showing her to be a strong, capable, brave, and selfless hero. Her first appearance in a DC comic film was as Wonder Woman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in 2016, and later in her solo film Wonder Woman in 2016.
Henry Cavill
Henry Cavill gained the attention of the entire world when he donned the blue suit and red cape of the beloved hero Superman. With his nuanced portrayal of the Krypton-born superhero, a more serious and brooding defender of Gotham was created. One of the most popular actors to play him since Christopher Reeves’ classic depiction of the hero, Cavill’s slicked back hair and toned musculature give a distinctive look in his emergence in Man of Steel (2013).
Brie Larson
One of the newest actors to join the Marvel team of superheroes, Brie Larson shot into cinemas as the enigmatic and superpowered Captain Marvel. Larson as the superhero was a popular success when her first solo film, Captain Marvel, came out in 2019. In Marvel Studio’s first female-led film, Larson’s portrayal of Captain Marvel as a strong, independent leader was well appreciated by audiences worldwide.
Ryan Reynolds
In another case of perfect casting, who else could play ‘the merc with a mouth’, Deadpool himself, but Canadian-born Ryan Reynolds. With his snarky attitude and constant jokes, Deadpool is one of those heroes who aren’t quite completely heroic. And Reynolds captures this slight ambiguity perfectly in his role, channelling Deadpool’s comic essence and mostly intact superhero qualities with charm and wit, all while behind the red and black mask.
Superheroes on Screen
As previously mentioned, the world of superheroes is primarily split in two: the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC’s Extended Universe.
Each of these is controlled by their parent companies, Walt Disney and Warner Brothers, respectively.
But the world of superheroes goes so much deeper than this, as will become evident. These universes contain interconnected films, time hops, team-ups and collaborations, and much more.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe
Being one of the big names in comic book movies, Marvel has created some of the most memorable characters and superheroes in history.
While their first forays into the world of comic book cinema were at times hit and miss, with their primary successes being Blade and X-Men, Marvel has now become one of the juggernauts of the industry, both on screen and in print.
But Marvel’s superhero-rich universe did not start out with a cohesive structure.
Actually, Marvel Studios’ concerted effort to create an interconnected series of films, all with separate narratives that built off each other, began in 2008 with the release of
Iron Man.
This film starring Robert Downey Jr. was an immediate success at the box office and set out a lot of elements that would become hallmarks of Marvel superhero films, like character-based humor, copious amounts of action, and cameo appearances by other heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The interconnected superhero films are broken down into ‘phases’, with the most recent being Phase 3, which wraps up the narrative that the previous twenty-three films had been telling, under the title of The Infinity Saga.
PHASE 3
consists of 23 films
All upcoming productions are similarly separated into phases, starting with Phase 4, which began in January of 2021 with the release of the Disney+ series WandaVision.
PHASE 4
began January 2021
Marvel’s universe also includes select TV shows in the interconnected continuity arc. This includes Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, Agent Carter, and Inhumans. Other Marvel TV shows, like Daredevil, are still under the Marvel superhero umbrella, but do not necessarily have overt cross-overs to other installments in the greater continuity arc.
The newest addition to the Marvel family is Spiderman, a property previously maintained by Sony Pictures to have sole rights in using that character.
Sony did create five films featuring Spiderman, between 2002 and 2014, but the two companies made a deal that allowed Spiderman to be featured in Marvel films. Which is why we get the first appearance of Tom Holland’s Spiderman in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War, and subsequently, the newest Spiderman solo films.
The DC Extended Universe
Without a doubt, DC’s most famous film franchises are Superman and Batman. But like Marvel, DC’s films did not follow an overarching continuity narrative originally.
After the success of Marvel’s cross-overs and greater multi-film narrative, however, DC launched their own version of it, starting in 2013 with Superman in Man of Steel.
DC’s approach to a multiverse is much looser than Marvel’s, with their superheroes and characters intended to exist in the same universe as each other, and occasionally team up like in 2017’s Justice League, or even tangle with each other like in 2016’s Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, but they do not cross-over as much as Marvel superheroes.
Justice League
Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice
Also, like some of Marvel’s TV shows, DC characters in their TV shows do not exist in the continuity world of the films.
While there might be mentions and cross-overs, these TV characters are separate from any of their feature film counterparts, often with different backstories and played by different actors.
The next stage of DC superhero films seems to be in concentrating on specific characters and their stories, without worrying too much about tying in other heroes or narratives.
This is seen at work in the latest DC superhero offering, Wonder Woman 1984, released in December of 2020.
Where to Watch Superheroes in TV/Film
Thanks to all the options available in streaming services, finding something to watch has never been more easy or convenient. Whether you have Prime Video, Netflix, Roku, or even YouTube, you have an extensive catalog of titles ready to play at the touch of a button or the tap of a finger.
Here are some places to watch superhero films:
The official Netflix superhero genre category.
The official NowTV superhero genre category.
Superhero films on Prime Video.
Best superhero films on Hulu.
Never Enough Superheroes
So, you have watched the films and read the comics for your favorite characters and universe. What now? Well, luckily enough for fans of superheroes and comic books, there are options for more enjoyment beyond the screen and the page!
Here are some ideas for going beyond your viewing or reading and getting even more involved:
Comic Conventions
Attending a comic convention is a great way to meet other comic book lovers and superhero fans. Conventions typically have merchandise for sale, panels and talks, and even visiting actors for Q&As.
Merchandise
Superheroes and comic books have a large foothold in the market of merchandise, so there are many options for getting yourself some superhero swag. From clothing to home décor, kitchen ware to kitsch and general knick-knacks, you can find anything you could ever want and more.
Superhero Tours
If you want to see locations from your favorite superhero films, why not take a tour that will show you around to iconic sites straight out of the film. Most big cities offer either a walking or bus tour of superhero filming locations.
Superheroes in TV/Film
With the rise in popularity of comic books and superheroes, it is no wonder that superheroes began to leave their mark on the film industry. There is a fandom and franchise for everyone when it comes to comic superheroes and their adventures—including entirely separate ‘universes’, intertwining narratives, anti-heroes and sympathetic villains, rigid morality and malleable standards. And once someone finds their niche in the comic world, they seem ready to defend their favorites to the end.
Hopefully this guide to the world of superheroes helped you find your own favorite!
More Film Information Here:
How to watch the Marvel movies in order.
How to watch the DC movies in order.
How to watch the X-Men movies in order.