Adria Arjona Joins ‘Man of Tomorrow’ as Key DC Character

Another longtime DC Comics character is joining James Gunn’s DC Movie universe.

According to Variety, Adria Arjona will play Maxima in James Gunn’s upcoming Superman sequel, titled Man of Tomorrow. She was chosen from a group of finalists that also included Eva De Dominici, Sydney Chandler, and Grace Van Patten.

I first learned about Maxima back in the late 1980s, when Roger Stern and George Perez created her for DC Comics. She’s an incredibly powerful alien, and I’ve always found it interesting that she’s sometimes looked to Superman as a possible partner – someone to rule her home planet with. It’s a pretty unique dynamic!

Maxima eventually became a member of the Justice League, fighting alongside Superman and the rest of the team against Doomsday during the well-known “Death of Superman” story arc. Considering Zack Snyder loosely adapted this storyline in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, it’s unlikely James Gunn will revisit it soon. However, that’s where I best remember the character from the comics.

Maxima died during the “Our Worlds at War” comic book arc, but when DC Comics revamped its storyline in the 2010s, she was brought back to life. She’s occasionally appeared since then, usually as the alien character who arrives on Earth hoping to win Superman’s affection.

Arjona has been working on a lot of exciting projects recently. You might recognize her from films like Hitman and Splitsville, or from her role as Bix Caleen in the series Andor. She’s also going to appear in the new version of The Thomas Crown Affair and a television adaptation of the comic book Criminal by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips.

The new movie, Man of Tomorrow, will be released in theaters on July 9, 2027. Filming is expected to start shortly in Atlanta.

Every DC Comics Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best

46. Catwoman (2004)

In the movie Catwoman, Halle Berry plays Patience Phillips, who uncovers a dangerous secret about her beauty company’s new product and is subsequently killed by her employers. However, she’s resurrected by cats, joining a long lineage of feline crime-fighters. As Catwoman, Berry utilizes classic cat abilities – incredible agility, always landing on her feet, and a penchant for stealing jewelry – alongside some unusual skills like being an exceptional basketball player and making terrible puns. While the film’s visual effects aren’t terrible, thanks to director Pitof’s background in that field, the editing is notoriously bad. A glaring example is the entire cast wearing the same outfits for two consecutive days of filming, a result of last-minute recutting without reshoots. This mix of bizarre choices and sheer incompetence makes Catwoman a guilty pleasure for fans of so-bad-it’s-good movies.

45. Jonah Hex (2010)

The movie Jonah Hex had all the ingredients for success – a tough, scarred Western hero like Josh Brolin in a classic gunslinger story. However, the film took a strange turn by giving the character supernatural abilities and overly silly weapons, fitting a needlessly convoluted plot. It’s not the worst comic book movie adaptation, mainly because it’s short. But that brevity comes from heavy editing, leaving the film almost impossible to follow. Jonah Hex is a truly unique disaster – it makes the already-bad Wild Wild West look like a masterpiece.

44. Suicide Squad (2016)

The core issue in this movie is directly tied to the existence of the Suicide Squad itself – the problem wouldn’t exist without them. The villain is a member of the Squad who turns against the team, and much of the movie focuses on rescuing a key figure who, surprisingly, is revealed to be the one who created and leads the Suicide Squad. Essentially, the Squad both creates and resolves the story’s central conflict, much like a self-perpetuating cycle. While director David Ayer may have originally envisioned a cohesive film, the final product felt heavily edited and disjointed. And despite an extended cut being released, adding more footage doesn’t improve the movie – it actually needed to be more concise.

43. Steel (1997)

This adventure film stars Shaquille O’Neal as Steel, a Superman supporting character who briefly took over for the Man of Steel in the comics. The movie is sincere but very goofy, and it significantly changes Steel’s backstory since Superman is mysteriously absent. While O’Neal is physically imposing enough for the role and seems to be enjoying himself, the script is filled with too many inside jokes – like Shaq intentionally missing basketball shots – and the Steel costume is simply awful. The result feels less like a real movie and more like a painfully unfunny, extended sketch from Saturday Night Live.

42. Supergirl (1984)

Before the original Superman films lost steam, a spinoff was created about Kara Zor-El (Helen Slater), Superman’s cousin. She escapes her home city of Argo City – a strange place existing within an inner space accessible only at the bottom of an Earth lake – to find a powerful object that keeps it running. The movie establishes Superman is away on a mission in another galaxy, so Christopher Reeve only appears in photos. The connection to the Superman films is further hinted at by a brief, unnecessary cameo from Jimmy Olsen (Marc McClure). While Helen Slater looks like Supergirl, the movie itself is largely forgettable, unless you’re entertained by Faye Dunaway’s over-the-top performance as a mystical villain. And there’s plenty of that.

41. Green Lantern (2011)

Comic book fans often get upset when movies or shows change things from the original stories. A good example of why sticking too closely to the source material doesn’t always work is the Green Lantern movie. It tries to fit a huge amount of backstory about the DC universe’s space police and their power rings into just over an hour and a half, but ends up feeling crammed. While you see many characters like Tomar-Re, Kilowog, and Sinestro, you don’t really learn much about them, which leaves little time to develop Ryan Reynolds’ character, Hal Jordan, and his life before and during his transformation. Peter Sarsgaard is convincing as the villain Hector Hammond, despite his character’s unusual appearance, but the age difference between him and Blake Lively, who plays Carol Ferris, is noticeable and makes their supposed shared history less believable.

40. Justice League (2017)

The movie Justice League had the potential to be a fantastic finale to a connected series of films, but unfortunately, it ended up being a major disappointment and a low point for the DC cinematic universe. Director Zack Snyder had to step away during production, and when Joss Whedon took over, the final product didn’t really reflect either of their visions. The editing felt rushed, the movie’s overall mood was inconsistent, and the villain was a forgettable, computer-generated character with no compelling reason for wanting to take over the world. Although Zack Snyder’s original vision is now available on HBO Max, the theatrical cut of Justice League remains one of the weakest entries in the DC film series.

39. Superman IV: The Quest For Peace (1987)

Okay, so this one’s surprisingly decent, especially considering its history. By the time this film came around, the Superman rights had landed with Cannon Films, known for churning out low-budget flicks. And you definitely feel that $17 million budget – a huge drop from the original’s $55 million! But honestly? Gene Hackman is fantastic as Lex Luthor, there are some genuinely enjoyable action sequences, and Christopher Reeve really gives it his all. This isn’t just a superhero brawl; it’s Superman tackling a seriously relevant issue – the very real fear of nuclear war. It’s better than it’s often given credit for.

38. Superman Returns (2006)

The scene of Superman saving a crashing airplane is one of the most impressive in any superhero film. However, the rest of Superman Returns spends too much time trying to feel like the original Superman movies directed by Richard Donner, despite being made years later with a completely new cast. This makes the film feel a bit like a museum exhibit – respectful, but lacking energy. To make matters worse, a potentially fascinating storyline is unexpectedly abandoned late in the movie. If the film had focused on that plotline, it could have been truly great.

37. Batman and Robin (1997)

Though often blamed for ending the 1990s Batman films, Batman and Robin has a certain appeal. It’s a classic example of a movie that’s so bad, it’s actually fun. Sure, Arnold Schwarzenegger makes a ton of ice-related puns, and Uma Thurman’s Poison Ivy is over-the-top. And George Clooney plays Bruce Wayne with a surprisingly relaxed attitude. But who doesn’t enjoy all of that? You can criticize it all you want, but I never tire of watching it. Plus, even though the costumes from that era—especially the prominent nipples—are famously mocked, Chris O’Donnell’s Nightwing suit is actually one of the best designs in any DC movie.

36. Batman Forever (1995)

Okay, so Batman Forever is a weird one. It’s stuck right between Tim Burton’s dark, spooky Gotham and the total camp of Batman & Robin. Everything’s turned up to eleven – the Batmobile’s got bigger fins, Batman’s suit is…well, extra rubbery. But the real battle isn’t just between Batman and the villains, Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones) and the Riddler (Jim Carrey). It’s between Jones and Carrey themselves, both clearly trying to out-ham each other! Seriously, Jim Carrey wins that competition. Val Kilmer is actually a pretty interesting Batman – he’s colder and more reserved than Keaton, but less flashy than Clooney. You really wish they’d given him a better movie to work with, honestly.

35. Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)

This sequel doesn’t quite live up to the first Wonder Woman, but it’s a welcome return for Gal Gadot and Chris Pine, even if their reunion doesn’t entirely make sense. The story follows Diana as she fights against the villainous Max Lord (Pedro Pascal) and Cheetah (Kristen Wiig) in the 1980s. While there are some exciting moments, like a desert chase, much of the film feels slow and unfocused.

34. Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023)

This sequel doesn’t live up to the charm of the first Shazam! The original movie was fun because it showed a teenager discovering and playfully experimenting with his superpowers. Now that he’s experienced, Fury of the Gods feels unnecessary, relying too much on special effects and missing the mark with its comedy. However, Helen Mirren seems to be enjoying herself playing one of the Daughters of Atlas.

33. The Return of Swamp Thing (1989)

Ever wonder why Swamp Thing, a creature made of plants, has teeth? That’s the kind of question this campy sequel to Wes Craven’s original brings up. With Louis Jourdan and Dick Durock returning as Arcane and Swamp Thing, the movie has a unique energy—imagine if Jack Nicholson and Michael Keaton starred in Batman and Robin and really leaned into the silliness. It’s consistently funny, and often deliberately so!

32. Constantine (2005)

This movie is a stylish and darkly humorous supernatural thriller, but it’s quite different from the original Hellblazer comics and its cynical main character. If you’re a fan of the source material, that might be a drawback. However, it’s still an enjoyable film with a quirky sense of humor. Keanu Reeves does a decent job, but the movie would have benefited from more of Tilda Swinton’s portrayal of the angel Gabriel.

31. Joker (2019)

Despite any awards it might win, this Batman villain origin story feels like a gloomy Martin Scorsese imitation that goes too far. While Joaquin Phoenix is certainly intense and frightening as Arthur Fleck, the troubled clown, he’s delivered similar, strong performances in other roles about isolated, mentally ill characters who become violent. Honestly, I found at least two other movie Jokers more compelling.

30. Joker: Folie à Deux (2024)

It’s difficult not to acknowledge, even if you dislike it, how intentionally this film challenges viewers who enjoyed watching Arthur Fleck become a hero in Gotham. Instead of more chaos and hardship, we get lengthy courtroom scenes and elaborate musical numbers. While putting the first film ‘on trial’ and featuring Lady Gaga as an obsessed Joker fan are intriguing concepts, Folie à Deux doesn’t really develop them, and the songs, perhaps intentionally, feel flat.

29. Black Adam (2022)

Without the contrast of the cheerful and hopeful Shazam, Black Adam comes across as a bleak and irritable antihero. Dwayne Johnson spent years wanting to play this role, and he definitely embodies the physical presence of someone who could destroy a jet with his own strength. However, that’s largely all the movie Black Adam offers – impressive action sequences within a rather depressing superhero origin story, hinting at the idea that power justifies any action.

28. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

In their first meeting within the DC Extended Universe, Batman and Superman immediately start fighting. Batman is angry with Superman for the destruction caused in Metropolis during the events of Man of Steel, and he has a valid reason to be. However, their rivalry in Batman v Superman becomes overly focused on proving who is stronger, resulting in some scenes that feel like a joke. The movie also made it impossible to view a character named Martha with any seriousness.

27. Man of Steel (2013)

Young Clark Kent famously complains, “The world’s too big!” and his mother responds, “Then make it small.” Director Zack Snyder could have benefited from that advice. Man of Steel is overwhelmed with massive threats – world-ending machines, collapsing structures, and enraged Kryptonians – making it hard to focus on Superman himself. Perhaps Snyder intentionally portrayed Superman not as a symbol of hope, but as a potentially dangerous alien outsider. Even if that wasn’t the goal, it’s certainly a different take on the character.

26. Superman III (1983)

Most superhero films these days aim for universe-ending stakes and dazzling effects, which makes Superman III stand out. It’s surprisingly small-scale and intentionally silly, feeling more like a quirky slice-of-life story about life in Metropolis than a typical superhero epic. Beyond the humor, the movie also offers a subtle criticism of capitalism – something Superman has often fought against. And it’s hard to forget a film where Superman briefly becomes a villain and his first act of mischief is straightening the Leaning Tower of Pisa, just to annoy a local shopkeeper. He’s a real super-jerk in that moment!

25. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom feels like a disappointing end to the DC Extended Universe. Instead of a grand finale, it’s a messy sequel that occasionally shines thanks to the dynamic between Arthur (Jason Momoa) and Orm (Patrick Wilson). It often feels like two different movies were stitched together, leaving plot points and characters—like Mera and Atlanna—underdeveloped or appearing randomly. While not the ending fans hoped for, it’s arguably a fitting conclusion considering the overall trajectory of the DCEU.

24. Superman II (1980)

Everyone loves Terence Stamp and the iconic line “Kneel before Zod!” so much that they often overlook how flawed the rest of the movie is. Even the charming dynamic between Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder, which worked so well in the first Superman film, feels awkward here. The movie focuses so much on Superman showing Lois Lane his Fortress of Solitude that he doesn’t even notice three powerful Kryptonians taking over Earth! It’s strange, considering he has super-hearing. This version introduces new powers like memory-altering kisses, teleportation, and shooting his emblem from his chest, making the lack of super-hearing even more noticeable. (Just a heads-up: both versions of the film have their problems.)

23. Superman and the Mole Men (1951)

This early DC Comics movie served as a test run for the popular 1950s Adventures of Superman TV show with George Reeves. While the special effects are pretty bad – the villains, dubbed ‘Mole Men,’ are simply little people wearing silly costumes – the film captures what Superman is all about: defending the underdog and standing up to injustice. George Reeves perfectly embodies Clark Kent’s kind and compassionate nature, arguably better than anyone else who has played the role.

22. Birds of Prey (2020)

While Suicide Squad seemed like Warner Bros. trying to copy the playful style of Guardians of the Galaxy, Birds of Prey feels like their attempt to create a DC version of Deadpool. Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn is a delightfully mischievous, foul-mouthed, and self-aware antihero who evolves into a slightly better person while protecting a young girl, aided by a group of unlikely allies. Harley is a fresh take on a hero, and the movie has a cool, rebellious vibe. However, it would be stronger if it concentrated more on developing its main characters. The constant references to the Joker, despite his absence, create a strange distraction, making it feel like everyone is talking about someone who isn’t even present.

21. Watchmen (2009)

Zack Snyder’s film adaptation of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ iconic comic is similar to Gus Van Sant’s remake of Psycho – it’s a very faithful, but ultimately lifeless, recreation, though still occasionally interesting. The best part remains the opening sequence, which cleverly shows how the Watchmen superheroes could have changed 20th-century history. However, much of the movie feels less impactful now, thanks to the recent and much better HBO series created by Damon Lindelof.

20. The Flash (2023)

Though The Flash was intended to wrap up the DC Extended Universe, it actually serves as a solid homage to its highlights. It features a welcome appearance by Ben Affleck as Batman and lots of connections between different DC properties. While it’s billed as a Flash movie, it feels more like a large-scale team-up across dimensions. Ezra Miller does a good job playing two versions of Barry Allen, but Michael Keaton truly shines with his return as Batman after 30 years.

19. Swamp Thing (1982)

Trailers for the movie boldly proclaimed the enduring legacy of the comic book character. Released two years before A Nightmare on Elm Street, this film was directed by Wes Craven and adapted from the popular DC horror comic. It stars Ray Wise as a scientist who, after a lab accident, transforms into a living, thinking swamp creature. While Craven aimed high, the film’s budget limitations are noticeable – the Swamp Thing costume is surprisingly better in the sequel. However, this first Swamp Thing movie successfully blends scares, humor, and thoughtful themes about nature.

18. Blue Beetle (2023)

Many of the superhero moments in Blue Beetle felt familiar, echoing scenes from other films like Shazam! and the original Iron Man. What set it apart – and made it slightly better than some other DC movies – was its emphasis on family. Unlike most superhero stories that focus on keeping a secret identity, Blue Beetle showed how Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña) discovering a powerful scarab dramatically changed the lives of his entire family, especially his standout grandmother (Adriana Barraza). Maridueña played Jaime well, but Adriana Barraza was so impressive that many viewers, including myself, would love to see her as the superhero in her own movie!

17. Aquaman (2018)

Did James Wan and Jason Momoa manage to make Aquaman, the superhero who talks to fish, into a genuinely enjoyable and visually imaginative worldwide adventure? Absolutely!

16. Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)

Though not a perfect film, Zack Snyder’s Justice League is a significant upgrade from the original theatrical release. It features a more understandable plot and more developed characters, especially Cyborg. At four hours long, it’s a bit excessive – the original was too short, but this version goes on for too long. Nevertheless, this cut is the best DC movie Zack Snyder has directed and will likely be remembered as his defining work for the company.

15. Teen Titans Go! To the Movies (2018)

If you enjoy comedies that poke fun at themselves, you should check out the movie based on the Cartoon Network series about DC’s teen heroes. It playfully examines the trend of superhero movies, even more so than The LEGO Batman Movie. (Will Arnett also voices the villain, Slade.) The story starts when Robin realizes everyone else in the DC universe is getting their own film, and he’s left out. So, his team goes to Hollywood and learns the only way to get a spin-off is if no other heroes exist. Naturally, they decide to travel back in time and stop Superman, Batman, and the rest of the Justice League from becoming heroes in the first place! And, Nicolas Cage plays Superman – it’s a surprisingly good movie that doesn’t get enough credit.

14. Batman (1966)

As a huge Batman fan, I absolutely love the 1966 movie! It really feels like the best moments from the first season of the Adam West show, bringing back Adam West and Burt Ward as Batman and Robin, and pitting them against a fantastic lineup of villains – Catwoman (Lee Meriwether), Penguin (Burgess Meredith), Riddler (Frank Gorshin), and Joker (Cesar Romero). Honestly, people who criticize it for being campy just don’t get it. The show and the movie were meant to be parodies, specifically of the older, 1940s Batman serials that most people haven’t even seen. Let’s be real, there are two kinds of people: those who think it’s brilliant that Batman carries Bat-Shark Repellent just in case, and those who are mistaken.

13. The Suicide Squad (2021)

As a huge movie fan, I think Marvel really dropped the ball when they briefly fired James Gunn from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. It was a massive win for DC, though! Gunn immediately took over the struggling Suicide Squad and completely turned it around into something genuinely exciting. He smartly kept the best parts – Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn and Viola Davis’ Amanda Waller were fantastic – and thankfully ditched everything that didn’t work. (No offense to Jared Leto, but it was the right call!) Then, he infused the movie with so much more humor and introduced some incredible new characters, like Idris Elba as Bloodsport and John Cena as Peacemaker. Cena’s Peacemaker is just perfect – ridiculously fit and with this wonderfully twisted, over-the-top patriotism. Honestly, The Suicide Squad is everything we all hoped the first movie would be: bloody, hilarious, and surprisingly beautiful.

12. The Batman (2022)

Matt Reeves’ The Batman reimagines the iconic hero as a detective, grounding the DC Comics character in a dark and intelligent thriller. Robert Pattinson portrays Bruce Wayne in his second year as Gotham’s Batman, facing off against Paul Dano’s Riddler, a killer targeting the city’s elite with complex, twisted puzzles. While previous Batman films have taken the character seriously, The Batman uniquely explores the meaning of Batman—both for his audience and the people of Gotham. The film’s lengthy and ambitious conclusion is comparable in scope to the finale of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

11. The LEGO Batman Movie (2017)

After being made to watch The LEGO Batman Movie countless times by my daughter, I’ve come to believe it’s possibly the funniest superhero film ever made. Will Arnett’s hilariously self-centered Batman discovers the importance of friendship, and the movie playfully pokes fun at – while also honoring – nearly every iteration of the character throughout Batman’s history. (And I still can’t stop humming the song!)

10. Wonder Woman (2017)

Wonder Woman successfully blends Gal Gadot’s captivating performance as Princess Diana with director Patty Jenkins’ exciting action. The film follows Diana as she leaves her secluded island home and enters the brutal battlefields of World War I Europe. Along the way, she falls in love with a charming spy (Chris Pine) and demonstrates her incredible strength and fighting skills. Playing a character who is both naive and powerful, courageous but not reckless, could have been challenging, but Gadot delivers a fantastic performance.

9. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

It’s amazing to think that the Batman of the 1966 TV show and the one in The Dark Knight Rises are essentially the same character, which really shows how flexible the Batman concept is. The Dark Knight Rises was a generally exciting, though somewhat overlong, ending to Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. In trying to top The Dark Knight, it might have bitten off more than it could chew. However, if more superhero movies aimed for something more meaningful than just entertainment, that would be a good thing.

8. Shazam (2019)

Just when it looked like the DC movie universe was failing, Warner Bros. delivered a clever and unexpected take on the classic Captain Marvel story (now known as Shazam!). The film reimagines the superhero tale as a funny body-swap comedy, similar to the movie Big. Asher Angel plays Billy Batson, an orphan who becomes the powerful, but somewhat awkward, superhero Shazam (played by Zachary Levi) simply by saying the word “Shazam!” With strong villains, a playful sense of humor, and an exciting, twist-filled climax, Shazam! could be the best DC movie yet.

7. Superman (2025)

Many fans strongly resist comparing the two Superman movies, but I’d say the original 1978 film by Richard Donner is slightly better. However, James Gunn’s Superman is remarkably strong, featuring a fantastic Lex Luthor – brilliantly played by Nicholas Hoult as a deeply self-involved and easily offended villain – and a wonderful supporting cast. Edi Gathegi shines as Mr. Terrific, and Krypto the super-dog steals every scene with his playful disobedience.

This new Superman also boasts a particularly endearing and vulnerable portrayal of the hero by David Corenswet, making him easy to root for. The film is genuinely fun, exciting, and romantic, with a touch of social commentary. Importantly, it feels like a fresh start for DC movies and sets a high bar for the future, especially since it’s intended to launch a whole new universe of films.

6. Batman Begins (2005)

With Batman Begins, the franchise received a much-needed reboot. It moved away from the excess baggage of previous films, focusing on the core of Batman’s story and his beginnings. The film introduced Christian Bale as a new Bruce Wayne and featured a surprisingly nuanced villain portrayed by Liam Neeson. While director Christopher Nolan would later surpass it with a sequel, Batman Begins remains one of the best Batman films ever made.

5. Superman (1978)

Putting aside the iconic performances of Marlon Brando and Glenn Ford, and ignoring the mispronunciation of ‘Krypton,’ this movie would be much better if it started when Clark Kent reaches Metropolis. By 1978, most viewers already knew Superman’s backstory, so that part wasn’t essential. Even today, what really makes this film special is Christopher Reeve. Few comic book movies have featured an actor who played both Clark Kent and Superman as convincingly and brilliantly as he did.

4. Batman (1989)

Tim Burton’s Batman wasn’t just impactful – it fundamentally changed how Hollywood approached comic book movies. Even if it felt dated today, that alone would earn it a high ranking. But surprisingly, the film still looks great. While Jack Nicholson’s Joker initially stole the show, it’s Michael Keaton’s Batman that truly resonates now. Keaton portrays Bruce Wayne as a convincingly eccentric and troubled man, and his slightly awkward movements in the restrictive Batsuit create a powerfully imposing and almost otherworldly presence that makes every appearance genuinely frightening.

3. Batman Returns (1992)

Tim Burton surprisingly persuaded Warner Bros. to let him create a Batman sequel that was even more gloomy, bizarre, and melancholic than the original. In this film, Michael Keaton faces off against two iconic Gotham villains: Danny DeVito as the chaotic Penguin, and Michelle Pfeiffer as the sleek and dangerous Catwoman. The biggest disappointment with Returns is that it turned out to be the final Batman movie directed by Tim Burton, rather than just the beginning of a five-film series.

2. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)

Even before The LEGO Batman Movie, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm proved that animated films were a perfect fit for the Batman story. Made by the creators of the beloved Batman: The Animated Series, Mask of the Phantasm captured everything that made the show special – stunning visuals, smooth animation, and memorable voice acting – into a fantastic 75-minute movie. Over 25 years later, the film still looks great, thanks to its unique art style – a mix of classic Art Deco and futuristic designs – which felt timeless even when it was first released in 1993. The romance between Bruce Wayne and Andrea Beaumont is also more compelling than any love story in the live-action Batman films.

1. The Dark Knight (2008)

Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight is still considered the benchmark for Batman – and even superhero – films. It offered incredible action and visuals, especially in IMAX, which it popularized, while also raising thought-provoking moral and philosophical questions. The movie also gave us several now-famous quotes, including the iconic line, “You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” It’s remarkable that such a brilliant line came from a 2008 Batman film. From Heath Ledger’s unforgettable performance as the Joker to Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard’s powerful score, and the sleek Bat-pod, the film is packed with legendary moments. Over a decade later, The Dark Knight remains unmatched.

2026-04-14 22:37