Best Superhero Movies of 2025 (So Far)

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Superhero movies had a tough year in 2024, but 2025 has been a fantastic comeback for the genre. After a period where superhero films felt predictable and uninspired, this year’s releases have reignited the excitement and reminded audiences what makes these movies so enjoyable. Here’s a look at the best superhero films of 2025.

What are the best superhero movies of 2025?

Despite a relatively quiet year for official announcements from DC and Marvel, the movies we did get were excellent. We saw a strong and diverse range of films, including James Gunn’s take on Superman, a promising Fantastic Four reboot, a new Captain America with a fresh lead actor, the edgy Thunderbolts team-up, and a surprising animated superhero hit that became the year’s biggest blockbuster, earning over $2 billion.

Ne Zha 2

Jiaozi wrote and directed Ne Zha 2, a Chinese animated film designed for families. It blends mythology with superhero elements, creating a unique adventure. As a sequel to the popular 2019 film Ne Zha, it had high expectations – and it delivers! The original proved international audiences were eager for new kinds of animated heroes, and this follow-up doesn’t disappoint.

This film revisits the story of Ne Zha, a spirited and defiant boy born to humans, which worries the gods. When a shadowy threat disrupts the celestial order, Ne Zha must face formidable foes and his own internal struggles as he’s destined to protect people. Though filled with exciting action and battles, the movie also focuses on meaningful relationships and the value of family and friends. Be prepared for some silly, childish humor – it is about a superpowered kid, after all!

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Captain America: Brave New World

I have to admit, Captain America: Brave New World didn’t quite hit the same high notes with audiences as some other Marvel films, but I was still excited to see it! And it’s clear others were too, because it made a fantastic $415 million worldwide – proving Captain America still matters to us. What I really loved was seeing Anthony Mackie truly become Captain America as Sam Wilson, taking on the shield. It felt like a natural progression, especially after seeing his journey in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. It was great to see a fresh take on the character with a new actor leading the way.

Brave New World centers on Sam as he adjusts to being a worldwide icon and uncovers a government conspiracy. The film features returning characters alongside new threats, and introduces Harrison Ford as President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, taking over the role from the late William Hurt. Ross has a different vision for controlling superheroes, which clashes with Sam’s beliefs about liberty and responsibility. While blending political intrigue with the action fans expect from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Brave New World isn’t perfect, but it’s still worth checking out. Critics were largely negative, though audiences tended to enjoy it.

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The Fantastic Four: First Steps

This year’s ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ is being hailed as a major success – a true comeback story, not just for the characters, but for the entire series. After a disappointing reboot in 2015, Marvel took over and delivered a film that really works. As the first ‘Fantastic Four’ movie integrated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the improvement is immediately noticeable.

“First Steps” transports viewers to a stylish, 1960s-inspired future and introduces Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they develop superpowers following a failed space mission. The film quickly establishes the basics and then dives into a conflict with the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). While full of action, the movie truly shines because of its well-developed characters. Unlike many Marvel team-up movies, each member of the Fantastic Four gets a significant, impactful scene with at least one other teammate. You can find a more detailed look at this in Superherohype’s review. Beyond the strong storytelling, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” also boasts some of the most impressive visual effects Marvel has produced in years.

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Thunderbolts*

The strength of Thunderbolts* lies in its willingness to break from the typical Marvel formula and try something new. It’s a refreshing change of pace for the MCU, similar to the original Guardians of the Galaxy, with a focus on a quirky, makeshift family dynamic. This movie delivers a team-up, but with a twist – the heroes are all characters who used to be villains or are at least morally ambiguous.

The series features a surprising team-up of characters including Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Taskmaster, and John Walker (also known as U.S. Agent), all brought together by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. The casting of Julia Louis-Dreyfus as a villain is particularly interesting – imagine the ruthless political operator Selina Meyer embracing the dark side! Don’t forget Bob, too. When the team finds itself caught in a dangerous trap, they must work together to face a new threat and also grapple with their troubled histories.

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Superman

Everyone had high hopes for the new Superman movie, and it could have easily fallen flat. Luckily, director James Gunn delivered, and the film didn’t disappoint. While some people might disagree, it’s a really fun and engaging start to the new DC Universe.

Okay, so this Superman movie doesn’t bother with the usual origin story – thank goodness! We’re thrown right into the action with Superman (David Corenswet) already established, though he’s clearly been through a lot – I won’t spoil what, though. The very first scene is wild: he’s stranded on a wrecked Krypton, looking pretty beat up, and desperately needs help. And who comes to the rescue? His super-powered dog, Krypto! It’s a totally bizarre and funny moment that immediately tells you this isn’t going to be your typical superhero film. Honestly, anything goes, and I’m completely on board for whatever crazy ride they’re taking us on. You can find more details about the movie if you’re curious.

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How we picked the best superhero movies of 2025 (so far)

This year didn’t offer a huge number of superhero movies, although we considered a few others that were close. To decide on our top picks, we focused on films that fans loved, brought something new to the genre, and were simply enjoyable to watch.

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2025-11-13 00:09