Has the superhero movie bubble finally burst? Film writers and commentators have debated this for years, but 2023 felt different. Several high-profile comic-book adaptations failed to meet expectations, suggesting that familiar intellectual properties no longer guarantee box-office success. Even tentpole characters like Batman couldn’t ensure profitability: at the time of writing, five of the nine major 2023 comic-book films reportedly lost money for their studios.
Part of the problem stems from studios shifting focus toward exclusive streaming content, but the broader lesson is clear: audiences still care about superheroes, but they’re tired of the same formulas. To thrive, future projects must offer fresh perspectives on power, responsibility, and character—new tonal mixes, surprising stakes, or inventive visual approaches.
Below is a ranked look at 2023’s superhero films, judged on craft, inventive use of genre tropes, critical reception, and box-office performance. Which films suggest the genre still has vitality, and which reinforce the theory that superhero cinema is on a decline?
10. Shazam! Fury of the Gods
Once a charming surprise, the Shazam sequel squandered much of its goodwill. The original Shazam! offered a bright, irreverent counterpoint to the dour tone of earlier DC films. Fury of the Gods reunites Billy Batson/Shazam and his foster family as they face aging, family tensions, and formidable mythic foes.
There are flashes of the first film’s cheeky humor and some genuinely unnerving mythological creature designs, but the sequel piles on extraneous genre elements and struggles with inconsistent tone. Despite some memorable moments, the movie often feels overreaching and misjudged, losing the relative uniqueness that made the original so enjoyable.
9. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
This entry marked a visible misstep for the MCU. The concept—Ant-Man and his family shrunk into the Quantum Realm to confront Kang the Conqueror—offers imaginative pulp-sci-fi possibilities. Yet the film can’t settle on a consistent identity. Is it a fantastical sci-fi adventure, an intimate character piece, or a sitcom stretched into blockbuster scope?
Solid performances from the leads are hindered by a messy story and uneven visual and thematic execution. Ambition is present, but the execution makes this installment feel only partially successful.
8. The Flash
The Flash endured a troubled production and an inevitably mixed reception. Adapting the “Flashpoint” storyline, the film follows Barry Allen as he travels back in time to stop his mother’s murder, fracturing reality in the process.
While the cast and action sequences are entertaining, the film suffers when its best moments are allocated sparingly—strong supporting turns get limited screen time—and its ambitious multiverse visuals and fan-service set pieces undermine rather than elevate the story. The result is a fun but flawed blockbuster that couldn’t fully capitalize on its potential.
7. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
James Wan’s sequel tried to give DC a rousing, visually bold send-off as the studio prepared for a broader reboot. Five years after Arthur Curry claimed the throne of Atlantis, Aquaman must balance fatherhood and leadership while teaming with a reluctant Orm to stop Black Manta from unleashing an ancient evil.
The plot leans on familiar sequel tropes and some hokum, but Wan’s striking visuals and audacious action sequences—complete with fantastical sea creatures and horror-inflected designs—make it an entertaining, if uneven, piece of blockbuster escapism. Jason Momoa’s charisma keeps this underdog Justice League member enjoyable and memorable.
6. Blue Beetle
Blue Beetle is a well-intentioned, back-to-basics superhero film that aims to center family and Latino cultural authenticity. The story follows Jaime Reyes, a working-class law student who bonds with an alien scarab, bringing both new powers and new danger to his family’s doorstep.
Though it’s warm, funny, and modestly ambitious, uninspired story beats and forgettable villains kept it from making a larger impact. The movie’s heart—particularly its portrayal of family dynamics—is its biggest asset, supported by engaging performances from the ensemble cast.
5. The Marvels
The Marvels failed to catch fire at the box office, but it contains strengths that are often overlooked. Director Nia DaCosta stages lively character interactions, and the film focuses on a smaller-scale, personal story about three connected heroes—Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel, and Monica Rambeau—whose powers cause them to swap places across the galaxy.
Despite narrative and editing issues that dilute dramatic weight, the trio’s unconventional sibling-like dynamic and the film’s playful tone make it a breezy, character-driven entry that deserved a fairer reception.
4. Merry Little Batman
An unexpected holiday delight, this animated Batman tale skews younger and trades darkness for warmth and gentle satire. Damian Wayne, eight years old, must learn what it means to be a hero when his father is tricked away and Gotham’s rogues converge around the holidays.
The animation is intentionally rougher and the humor often childish, but the film’s heart and lessons about family and responsibility make it a genuinely charming, rewatchable seasonal offering for younger fans and families.
3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Jeff Rowe’s fresh take injected new life into a franchise that has often struggled on the big screen. Mutant Mayhem follows four teenage mutant turtles battling other mutant gangs in New York, aided by aspiring journalist April O’Neil.
Energetic, intentionally rough animation and kinetic action give the film a distinctive voice aimed squarely at pre-teen audiences, while strong vocal performances and bold stylistic choices make it an unexpectedly delightful reinvention.
2. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
James Gunn’s final Guardians chapter delivers emotional payoff and creative ambition. After Rocket suffers a catastrophic injury, the Guardians confront their pasts and a scientist connected to Rocket’s origin.
The film leans into darker themes—animal experimentation and trauma—while still delivering sharp humor, memorable action, and character-focused catharsis. It’s a satisfying farewell that underscores Gunn’s talent for blending heart and irreverence.
1. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Across the Spider-Verse is a triumph of imagination and emotional depth, expanding the bold visual language of the first film while deepening its thematic stakes. Miles Morales grapples with allegiance, conscience, and the consequences of choices that could imperil the multiverse.
The film’s wildly inventive animation styles, abundance of Spider-Man variants, and complex emotional storytelling set it apart from nearly every live-action multiverse effort. It stands as 2023’s best example of how the superhero genre can evolve—visually daring, thematically rich, and deeply human.
Are you still a fan of superhero films, or has the genre worn thin for you? How would you rank this year’s comic-book adaptations? Share your thoughts below. This roundup highlights how 2023 produced both creative triumphs and disappointing misfires—evidence that superhero cinema remains capable of reinvention, but only if filmmakers and studios are willing to take risks and rethink tired formulas.