4 Superhero Movies Stephen King Actually Likes

Stephen King doesn’t really enjoy superhero movies. He’s spoken out against them several times, most recently in September 2025. In an interview with The Times UK about his novel The Long Walk, he shared the one requirement he had for the director, Francis Lawrence, before agreeing to a film adaptation: he insisted the movie show characters being shot. King then explained that superhero films often avoid showing the consequences of violence. “These superhero movies have villains destroying entire city blocks, but you never see any blood,” he said. He went on to add that this lack of realism feels inappropriate, comparing it to something deliberately avoiding showing its true nature.

While King raises a valid point, most superhero movies and shows avoid excessive violence for a good reason: a large portion of their audience is children, and studios are aware of this. Even if someone isn’t a fan of the genre, they can still appreciate it occasionally. The author, known for horror films, doesn’t often recommend superhero movies, but he does from time to time.

Here are a few superhero movies Stephen King actually likes.

‘Blue Beetle’ (2023)

Originally planned for HBO Max, Blue Beetle got a theatrical release after the studio was impressed with director Ángel Manuel Soto’s vision. The film follows Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña), who returns home after college to find his family facing financial hardship. His life changes when he’s chosen by an ancient alien artifact called the Scarab, which gives him a powerful suit of armor and incredible powers. Now, Jaime must learn to control these new abilities while also avoiding Victoria Kord (Susan Sarandon), a determined businesswoman, and her dangerous enforcer, Carapax (Raoul Max Trujillo).

High Praise

Stephen King recently saw an advance screening of Blue Beetle and told Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav he thought it was the best DC film since The Dark Knight. While many fans might not agree – movies like Wonder Woman and James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad have generally received better reviews – it’s easy to understand King’s enthusiasm. The film’s story, about a young person with special abilities being pursued by bad guys, shares similarities with his novel Firestarter. King also consistently expresses a preference for stories that center on ordinary people, and Blue Beetle seems to fit that bill.

Overall, the film is a standout success within the often inconsistent DC Extended Universe. Director Manuel Soto, working with writer Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, skillfully avoids the pitfalls of previous installments, maintaining the exciting action, vibrant visuals, and clever humor. This led to award nominations, including recognition from the Visual Effects Society and the Saturn Awards. Importantly, James Gunn has indicated that Xolo Maridueña’s character will continue in the new DC Universe, similar to Peacemaker, because Blue Beetle exists largely on its own and isn’t heavily connected to the previous DC storyline.

‘The Flash’ (2023)

Still mourning the loss of his mother and his father’s unjust imprisonment, Barry Allen (Ezra Miller) learns he can use his super speed to travel through time. He attempts to save his parents by going back to the past, but this creates a broken timeline where the villain General Zod (Michael Shannon) returns, and many super-powered individuals never exist. Now stuck in this altered reality, Barry teams up with an older Batman (Michael Keaton) and Supergirl (Sasha Calle) to fix the timeline. Will they be able to resolve these complicated problems in The Flash?

Ghosts of Ezra Miller

Despite the controversies surrounding Ezra Miller, The Flash is a surprisingly great movie, especially for fans of multiverse stories. It kicks off with a fantastic opening and includes some wonderful cameos. This isn’t your typical DC film; it’s visually inventive and fast-paced, keeping you completely engaged. The story builds steadily, and while you sense a big event is on the horizon, the first part of the movie unfolds at a comfortable pace after a chaotic start.

Stephen King recently saw an early screening of The Flash and was very impressed. While he’s not usually a fan of superhero films, he found this one to be genuinely moving, funny, and visually exciting. He shared his positive reaction on X, and the film lives up to the hype. Michael Keaton’s return as Batman is a highlight – he perfectly portrays a tired, reluctant hero who’s drawn back into action. The dynamic between The Flash, Supergirl, and Keaton’s Batman, as they navigate the complexities of the multiverse, is particularly well done.

‘Spider-Man 2’ (2004)

Peter Parker is facing a lot of challenges in Spider-Man 2. He’s worried about his Aunt May losing her home, and his girlfriend, Mary Jane, is pushing him away – she’s even considering marrying J. Jonah Jameson’s son! To make matters even worse, a dangerous accident turns scientist Dr. Otto Octavius (played by Alfred Molina) into the formidable Dr. Octopus. It’s a tough situation, but Spider-Man is determined to save the day.

Greatest Superhero Movie… to Some

Being a superhero isn’t all fun and games, and Spider-Man 2 realistically shows the challenges that come with it. It follows a familiar pattern: one moment you’re living a normal life, the next you’re battling villains while trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy. You hope each villain will be the last, but they always keep appearing. This movie does a great job of making Spider-Man’s struggles relatable, and Tobey Maguire delivers a strong performance. He might not be imposing, but underestimate him at your own risk.

Stephen King called the film “very cool,” but jokingly doubted he’d recall many specifics by the following June when new summer blockbusters came out. He compared it favorably to movies like Troy, Dodgeball, I, Robot, and The Day After Tomorrow, calling it “a pretty good movie,” as he told Entertainment Weekly years ago. It’s clear King doesn’t typically love superhero films, but he recognized the quality of this Sam Raimi movie. Of course, a master storyteller like King probably remembers everything!

‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)

In The Dark Knight, Batman, played by Christian Bale, joins forces with Lieutenant Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) to fight crime in Gotham City. Their efforts are complicated by the Joker (Heath Ledger), a dangerous criminal who wants to break Batman’s principles. The situation worsens when the Joker’s actions transform Dent into the villainous Two-Face.

Ledger the Great

The Christopher Nolan film was highlighted because Stephen King praised it as the best DC movie since The Dark Knight. That earlier film, a sequel to Batman Begins, is widely beloved, and King clearly agrees. It was also visually groundbreaking, being one of the first big movies filmed with high-resolution IMAX cameras. Nolan famously minimized the use of computer-generated effects, opting for real-life stunts – like flipping a semi-truck and demolishing a factory – to create memorable scenes, including the famous hospital sequence.

This movie features what many consider to be the best villain in any DC film: Heath Ledger’s Joker. He’s cruel and without pity, yet incredibly captivating. Ledger rightfully received a posthumous Academy Award for his performance as the Joker. Since then, most actors playing the Joker have tried to imitate Ledger’s portrayal, but few have reached his level of brilliance.

2025-11-05 02:07