The 2020s have been kind to the superhero genre, and Collider has ranked the six best films released since 2020, a list that spans DCU, Marvel, and animation. The ranking, titled “The 6 Best Superhero Movies Released Since 2020, Ranked,” draws on a decade of blockbusters and places James Gunn’s Superman (2025) at the top, with Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) and The Batman (2022) rounding out the top three.
Gunn’s Return to DC Leads the List
James Gunn’s Superman sits at number one. After wrapping his Guardians of the Galaxy franchise at Marvel Studios, Gunn moved to DC Comics, taking on the first theatrical release for the new DCU. The film recaptures what the character had been missing for years: hope, goodness, and pure-heartedness.
The ranking notes that this is the first DC cinematic universe after the controversial DCEU, and Gunn put “all the effort he could muster as a director” into turning it into a smash hit. David Corenswet’s performance as the newest Superman is singled out as phenomenal, giving audiences hope for the character’s next decade.
Guardians of the Galaxy Ends on a High Note
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) closes out Gunn’s run on the franchise at number five. The trilogy-capper follows the origin story of Rocket Raccoon, played by Bradley Cooper, and tells the heartbreaking tale of his death before the Guardians save him.
The film balances humor and lightheartedness with emotional weight and drama, keeping audiences crying and smiling back to back. The ranking calls it “everything that it needed to be, and gives everyone a happy ending—as they all deserve.”
Spider-Man’s Multiversal Triumph
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) lands at number four. The film brings back almost every villain from the previous two live-action Spider-Man franchises, including the previous two Spider-Men, Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire.
The ranking argues that the multiverse approach works without leaning on nostalgia or becoming sloppy. Each villain has a genuine reason to be included, from Sandman to the Lizard. The film also reveals Peter Parker’s identity to the world and spends time exploring the cost of that revelation.
The Detective Finally Gets His Due
The Batman (2022) is at number three. Matt Reeves’ film focuses on Batman’s detective side, a trait the character has not been well-represented on screen over the years.
Reeves wants audiences to figure out the case alongside Batman, played by Robert Pattinson. The plot takes heavy inspiration from Batman: The Long Halloween (1996) and the “Hush” storyline. The ranking calls it “the film that people have been waiting for with this character for quite some time.”
Spider-Man’s Animated Adventure Closes Out the Decade
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) rounds out the top six. As the sequel to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, it is described as a great movie and a great sequel.
The ranking describes it as “not just a great movie, but a great sequel.” The film picks up where the first animated feature left off, continuing the story of Miles Morales and the Spider-Verse concept.
Key Facts
- Superman (2025) — #1
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) — #5
- Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) — #4
- The Batman (2022) — #3
- Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) — #6
What the Ranking Shows
The list is a snapshot of a decade where the superhero genre kept delivering. Gunn’s return to DC with Superman follows his work on Guardians of the Galaxy, while the MCU continues to find new ways to use the multiverse.
The ranking’s placement of The Batman and No Way Home reflects the range of storytelling across the decade. Across the Spider-Verse is the only animated film on the list, and it holds its own among the live-action entries.
| Movie | Year | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Superman | 2025 | #1 |
| Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 | 2023 | #5 |
| Spider-Man: No Way Home | 2021 | #4 |
| The Batman | 2022 | #3 |
| Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse | 2023 | #6 |
The ranking is a reminder that the decade’s best superhero films were not just about spectacle, but about character, story, and emotional payoff.
Source material: “The 6 Best Superhero Movies Released Since 2020, Ranked,” Collider.
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