Defines the superhero origin movie for decades to come. You'll believe a man can fly.

Tim Burton makes Batman serious and universally beloved and also starts his merchandise empire.

Props and practical special effects make things we thought only possible in the pages of comics tangible. Cultural touchstone for Gen X and Millennials.

Bruce Timm transcends TV and receives critical acclaim (reliant on the mob elements of Batman which both hurts and benefits it)

Great stand alone buddy cop film that spawns a franchise.

Duh

The first Marvel success. Adapted for its premise more so than its character.

Defines the superhero origin film of the 21st century.

Most direct attempt at translating comic book panels to film.

Auteur director tackles indie comic and promotes him to semi-household name. Ground breaking special effects.

Pixar's take on superheroes: the Fantastic Four movie we've always wanted.

Movie people forget is based on a comic. First good Alan Moore adaptation.

Writer plays key role in making of the film and incredibly unique visual aesthetic.

Self contained non-superhero comic adapted by a universally applauded director.

Birth of the MCU.

Pinnacle of DCAMU by strictly following source material and simultaneously having dynamic animation. Best female led superhero movie.

Closely adapting source material while trying to maintain being commercial. Alan Moore resists collaboration with the filmmakers.

X-Men symbolize the soap opera nature of many 60s and 70s Marvel comics (that becomes inherent to the DNA of many superhero stories) and this movie does it best. X-Men also always had great inherent subtext that relates to a specific political climate (period piece).

Pop culture overdose (which is inherently very comic book)

Superhero satire, could be swapped for any of the <i>Deadpool</i> films.

MCU's era of combining superhero genre with another genre (spy thriller) to make something more unique done its best. Same is done with <i>Ant-Man</i> (combining superhero movie with heist flick).

Radical changes to the source material while still getting to the point of the character.

Taste of the Jack Kirby cosmic (there isn't a proper Kirby adaptation in my opinion although <i>Fantastic Four: First Steps</i> was arguably on the right track). Most consistent superhero trilogy OAT.

Hero we've seen for years now done gritty and "serious."

When a comic book movie becomes a cultural phenomenon. Enhances the source material by implementing real world African and African-American culture.

Arguably the greatest comic book film of all time

Shonen as a franchise phenomenon. Adds to the anime's universe, no recap or filler.

The pinnacle of the superhero craze and the movie that broke the box office. The culmination of a decade of storytelling and world building.

Adapting a comic book straight to steaming.

Taking a frequently adapted superhero and applying "mature" sensibilities with a mob movie inspired script, Greig Fraser cinematography, and star-studded cast.

Studio Mappa adapts manga with their own unique aesthetics while staying incredibly close to the source material.

Starting a cinematic universe in an era where "superhero fatigue" is rampant.