In 2019 the superhero movie landscape shifted noticeably. Major studios balanced tentpole blockbusters with smaller, riskier projects, producing one of the most varied years for the genre in recent memory. Nine major feature releases from six studios gave audiences a mix of billion-dollar hits, darker character studies, horror-tinged experiments and the MCU’s first female-led origin film. That year culminated with Avengers: Endgame becoming a landmark box-office phenomenon.
In this ranked list, we evaluate those nine 2019 superhero-related releases, ordering them from least to most successful based on artistic quality and cultural impact.
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9. Hellboy
Lionsgate
Director: Neil Marshall
Starring: David Harbour, Milla Jovovich, Ian McShane, Sasha Lane, Daniel Dae Kim, Thomas Haden Church
The 2019 Hellboy reboot aimed for a grittier, blood-soaked tone but struggled to match the creative vision and character depth of earlier adaptations. Arriving nearly 15 years after the original big-screen versions, this remake leaned heavily on gore and shock value while offering less memorable creature design, story coherence and action choreography. Comparisons with the Guillermo del Toro films were inevitable and rarely flattering. Ultimately, the film failed to justify a new franchise and sits at the bottom of this list for its uneven tone and missed opportunities.
8. Brightburn
Sony Pictures
Director: David Yarovesky
Starring: Jackson A. Dunn, Elizabeth Banks, David Denman
Brightburn marketed itself as a “what if Superman were evil?” premise and initially excited genre fans with that clever hook. The film ultimately behaved more like a possession/haunting movie than a fully realized dark superhero tale, with thin world-building and shallow character development. While the concept was bold and worth attempting, the execution left audiences wanting more depth and imagination. Brightburn was an intriguing misstep: admirable for its ambition but limited in payoff.
7. Dark Phoenix
20th Century Fox
Director: Simon Kinberg
Starring: Sophie Turner, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Jessica Chastain, Tye Sheridan, Nicholas Hoult, Alexandra Shipp, Kodi Smit-McPhee
Dark Phoenix arrived amid studio transitions and reshoots that harmed its cohesion and scale. The film contains flashes of strong filmmaking—a convincing train-sequence and moments of emotional weight—but it also suffers from derivative beats and an uninspired finale. As the closing chapter of two decades of X-Men films, it felt underwhelming. Dark Phoenix had potential and sparks of quality, but production issues and a lack of fresh perspective left it short of a satisfying send-off.
6. Spider-Man: Far from Home
Sony Pictures
Director: Jon Watts
Starring: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jake Gyllenhaal, Jacob Batalon, Samuel L. Jackson, Marisa Tomei and others
Released shortly after Avengers: Endgame, Far from Home offered a lighter, teen-focused continuation of Peter Parker’s journey. It delivered clever visual sequences, strong performances, and a charming coming-of-age core while also exploring the franchise’s meta-commentary on the superhero industry through its antagonist. At times the film felt like a modest coda rather than a major MCU event, with some dragged pacing and forced universe-building. Still, it’s a solid and entertaining Spider-Man entry that balances humor and heart.
5. Glass
Universal Pictures
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis, James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, Sarah Paulson
Glass concludes a 20-year spiritual trilogy that began with Unbreakable and continued with Split. Divisive among viewers, Glass is notable for attempting to subvert superhero tropes within a grounded, original universe. James McAvoy’s performance—portraying multiple personalities—stands out, and the film earns points for taking bold narrative risks. While the conclusion polarized audiences and some felt it wrapped things up too neatly, Glass remains a distinctive and thought-provoking alternative to mainstream comic-book spectacle.
4. Captain Marvel
Marvel Studios
Directors: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck
Starring: Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Jude Law, Ben Mendelsohn, Gemma Chan, Lashana Lynch
As Marvel Studios’ first female-led superhero film, Captain Marvel was culturally significant and introduced a powerful new presence in the MCU. Brie Larson anchors the film with a confident lead turn, and the production showcased strong technical achievements, including effective de-ageing work. At times the film relies on nostalgia and leans close to standard MCU beats, but it still represents an important step for representation and an enjoyable origin story with moments of real emotional resonance.
3. Shazam!
Warner Bros.
Director: David Sandberg
Starring: Zachary Levi, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Mark Strong
Shazam! surprised many by delivering a joyful, family-friendly take that recalled the spirit of 1980s adventure films. Its heart, humor and focus on the innocence of childhood set it apart from darker superhero fare. Though the action sequences are not the film’s strongest asset, the charm, effective comic timing and warm character relationships make it one of the year’s most pleasant and memorable entries. Its box office success suggests a sequel is likely, and for good reason: Shazam! found the right tone for its story.
2. Joker
Warner Bros.
Director: Todd Phillips
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Frances Conroy
Joker was one of 2019’s most controversial and talked-about films. Framed as a dark character study, it explores the descent of a marginalized man into violent infamy. Joaquin Phoenix delivers one of the year’s most lauded lead performances, immersing himself in the role and anchoring a film that intentionally unsettled critics and audiences. While some debate whether it belongs within the superhero canon, its thematic ambition, cultural resonance and box-office success make it one of the most significant cinematic events of 2019.
1. Avengers: Endgame
Marvel Studios
Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth and an ensemble cast
Avengers: Endgame stands as the peak of a decade-long narrative experiment in blockbuster filmmaking. Serving as the culmination of more than twenty prior MCU films, Endgame balanced emotional payoff, large-scale action and character-driven moments across a sprawling three-hour runtime. It offered satisfying resolutions to long-running arcs, memorable set pieces, and a sense of closure that resonated with global audiences. For many viewers and critics, Endgame represented the high-water mark of modern superhero cinema.
This ranking reflects a year when the genre explored new tonal ground while also delivering huge mainstream spectacles. Which of these films is your favorite, and how would you reorder this list? Share your thoughts in the comments below or on social platforms.