10 Best Standalone Superhero Movies, Ranked

Not every superhero film has a sequel or is connected to a cinematic universe. Sometimes, a cape flick gets released and never sees a sequel of any sort, which can sometimes be even better than wearing the franchise down. A good standalone superhero movie can be incredibly charming and almost better to look back on, knowing that there’s nothing else and this is the only iteration of the project.

Some of these movies were simply meant to be one-and-done, while others had canceled sequels. Whatever the reason is, a plethora of movies are one singular project, and in a world with the MCU, DCEU and DCU, there’s something beautiful about that. These are the standalone superhero projects to watch that don’t require additional viewing to understand, ranked based on their individual qualities and entertainment value.

10

‘Super’ (2010)

Directed by James Gunn

Before he absolutely took the world by storm, James Gunn directed another superhero film with a far smaller budget. Still containing the heart, soul and comedy that typically are present in the director’s projects, Super is far more of a spoof than the outings the director would come to make in the superhero space. It’s a subversive and underrated movie that, while funny, also has a lot of emotional depth as it follows the vigilantism of a man who took up the job because his life is not going in a great direction.

Funny enough, the protagonist’s wife leaves him for Kevin Bacon, who plays an infamous drug dealer and brings the drama to a peak. Much like James Gunn’s other superhero movies, the main character is very flawed, but he gets the audience to root for the poor guy regardless. The cast is also great, with Bacon, Rainn Wilson, Elliot Page, Liv Tyler, Linda Cardellini, Nathan Fillion, and more.

9

‘Mystery Men’ (1999)

Directed by Kinka Usher

Mystery Men, much like Super, is another cape-flick that finds itself being more parody than dramatically-led. Before The Boys led the charge for superhero satire, 1999’s Mystery Men did it very well. Not to mention, it stars comedy titans like Ben Stiller and William H. Macy, which both enhance the comedy and bring compelling performances.

When Champion City’s iconic hero, Captain Amazing (Greg Kinnear), is captured by a nefarious supervillain, a group of seven misfit crime fighters use the capture as a chance to take to the streets and show the world the heroes they are. The protagonists are outsiders not just because of their wacky personalities but because they also have some of the most unique powers in superhero cinema, like throwing silverware. If one is looking for a one-off hero journey that will have their guts wrenched in laughter, then Mystery Men is the way to go.

8

‘Hancock’ (2008)

Directed by Peter Berg

Another movie that does the “flawed and raunchy superhero” trope years before it became as popular as it is today is Hancock. The film follows the titular superhero, played by Will Smith, who has good intentions but can’t shake his nasty habits, like drinking and slacking. While he may not care that the public thinks of him as a bit of a failure and bum, he gets the chance to renew his image when he saves a PR guy named Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman).

While many consider the third act to fall apart, Hancock is still really enjoyable, especially with Will Smith’s great performance and his dynamic with the ever-talented Jason Bateman. The comedy is hilarious as he tries to be a better hero despite his terrible habits and personality traits. Hancock is a breath of fresh air worth checking out. It also happens to be one of the highest-grossing non-Marvel or DC superhero films.

7

‘Eternals’ (2021)

Directed by Chloé Zhao

Eternals is a bit divisive among audiences. Some consider it an underrated gem that never got its shot (due to the pandemic), while others claim it’s boring and tried to do too much in one movie. Regardless, Eternals is one of the only Marvel Cinematic Universe movies that has yet to receive a sequel of any sort, with no apparent plans to do so (unlike Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings).

No matter if one thinks that the movie’s story is good or bad, it cannot be denied that the directorial prowess of Chloé Zhao is astounding and genuinely some of the best in the MCU. The camera work is inspired, the performances are great, and the visual effects are very well executed, with the speedster Makkari’s (Lauren Ridloff) powers ranking as one of the best displays of super speed in cinema. Eternals is one of Phase 4’s better projects, and it’s time people acknowledge it.

6

‘The Incredible Hulk’ (2008)

Directed by Louis Leterrier

The Incredible Hulk is another MCU film that the fans have mixed reactions to. The unique thing about this entry into the Marvel universe is that it most likely would have gotten a sequel of some sort, and the only reason the character hasn’t led another project is solely due to the Hulk’s film distribution rights.

There’s a large section of the fan base that doesn’t like Mark Ruffalo‘s version of the Hulk as he’s evolved in the MCU and commonly calls back to The Incredible Hulk as the ideal live-action interpretation of the not-so-jolly-green-giant. The strongest Avenger’s design in this project is masterfully done and left many wishing the folks over at Marvel Studios had kept this direction in The Avengers. The Incredible Hulk fans can at least rest easy as they anticipate two of the film’s main characters returning in the MCU’s 2025 slate.

Watch on Disney+

5

‘Sky High’ (2005)

Directed by Mike Mitchell

Not many would expect an early 2000s, low-budget Disney flick to be among some of the best standalone superhero films, but Sky High defies the odds. For those growing up in the early 2000s, Sky High was a huge deal. It’s a ton of fun and has seemingly endless charm and heart that can only be found in a Disney film.

While it does feature some of the classic Disney cheesiness, it feels like the writers really took making a compelling screenplay seriously. And, for such a low-budget film (only about $35 million), the VFX work is quite good. While it’s obviously not much compared to what is around today, with all the restraints put against it, Sky High does quite a good job. It’s a very underrated superhero flick and a crucial part of many millennials’ youth.

4

‘Chronicle’ (2012)

Directed by Josh Trank

Before he suffered from critical smack talk, thanks to his iteration of Fantastic Four, Josh Trank actually directed an incredible superhero movie. Upon release in 2012, Chronicle received mass praise and success from both audiences and critics across the board. It’s very inventive, executed in a “found footage” format that had never been done in superhero cinema before, thus making it an essential 2010s watch.

Paired with the relatability found in the teenage protagonists, this approach makes for a super entertaining film. Watching Andrew Detmer’s (Dane DeHaan) descent into madness as he begins to embrace his power is thrilling and keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. A sequel was apparently planned but never came to anything. It seems as if it’s for the best, though, as Chronicle works perfectly as it is.

3

‘Blue Beetle’ (2023)

Directed by Angel Manuel Soto

2023 was a rough year for Warner Brothers and the DC Extended Universe, with The Flash‘s notorious failure. As such, Blue Beetle, which was already a developing underdog story, had a lot going up against it. Sadly, not many saw this superhero movie due to how horrendous The Flash was. Those who did see the movie actually adored it, giving it a second life on digital. It’s not like it bombed at the box-office, either, it still made an impressive $130 million during its theatrical run.

People liked Blue Beetle so much that James Gunn promised everyone that Xolo Maridueña would return as the character in the new DCU film universe. The movie has a soul that reminded audiences of Sam Raimi‘s first Spider-Man film. Blue Beetle exists in its own little corner of the DC world and left people enchanted by a character many didn’t even know about before seeing it.

2

‘V for Vendetta’ (2006)

Directed by James McTeigue

While the film’s protagonist, V (Hugo Weaving), may not be what many consider a typical “hero,” his extraordinary abilities help him become an anti-hero of sorts. To this day, V for Vendetta is widely praised for being a dystopian ride that is enjoyable throughout its 2-hour and 12-minute runtime. The project has a social commentary that makes it not just some fun action flick but a movie that gets people thinking.

There are no official plans for a sequel. However, Natalie Portman has publicly stated she would definitely be interested in returning to her role in the series. It’s a hot topic regarding whether V for Vendetta should have a second entry, because it’s pretty much a perfect superhero movie as it is. No matter what, the project stands on its own with flying colors.

1

‘Big Hero 6’ (2014)

Directed by Don Hall & Chris Williams

Releasing the same year as some of the superhero genre’s biggest titans, like Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Guardians of the Galaxy, and The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Big Hero 6 took everyone by surprise. Coming from the one and only Walt Disney Animation Studios, the film introduced young Hiro Hamada (Ryan Potter) and his new hero friends, who captured the hearts of audiences all over the world.

At the time, Big Hero 6 was the best example of a perfect family-friendly superhero movie since The Incredibles. Pretty much everyone adored it and, to this day, is begging for a theatrical follow-up. While it may have received a small streaming series, Big Hero 6 remains a standalone. Maybe it’s for the best so as not to potentially taint the movie’s legacy, as it’s pretty much perfect as it is.

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