Best Superhero Movies For Every Month Of The Year
A list ranks the top superhero film for each calendar month, based on critical and commercial success, cultural impact, and franchise importance.
ScreenRant has compiled a list of the 12 best superhero movies, one for each month of the year. The selections were determined by factors including box office performance, critical and fan reception, story quality, cast, and importance to their respective franchises.
Several months are historically packed with major superhero releases, particularly the summer blockbuster season. Studios have also strategically placed films around holidays like Valentine's Day and Christmas. However, some months, such as January, have far fewer notable entries in the genre.
January - Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2
January has the fewest superhero movie releases. The animated film Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 is selected as the best for the month. It adapts the conclusion of Frank Miller's iconic DC Comics story. The film features a resurgence of The Joker and culminates in a brutal fight between Batman and Superman. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 94% audience score.
February - Black Panther
February offered several major choices, including Deadpool. The list gives the spot to Black Panther due to its significant cultural impact. The Marvel Cinematic Universe film grossed $1.35 billion worldwide. It received seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, which was a first for the MCU. The movie established the detailed world of Wakanda.
March - Logan
The choice for March was between The Batman and Logan. The Wolverine film edges out the competition due to the importance of its release. Logan presents a poignant story about the mutant hero's final days, adopting a Western tone. It earned an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. Hugh Jackman has since reprised the role in Deadpool & Wolverine.
April - Avengers: Endgame
While Captain America: The Winter Soldier was considered, Avengers: Endgame is chosen for its historical impact. The film was once the highest-grossing movie of all time and currently ranks second with a global box office of $2.8 billion. It concluded the MCU's Infinity Saga by bringing together numerous characters for an emotional, action-packed finale. An Avengers: Endgame Encore release is scheduled for September 25.
May - The Avengers
May is one of the most crowded months for superhero films. The original The Avengers claims the spot for its groundbreaking role in the genre. This 2012 crossover event was the first of its kind in modern cinema and proved the viability of shared cinematic universes. According to the source, seeing the Avengers team up for the first time remains an epic moment.
**June - Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse**
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is described as an achievement for animation. It built upon the visual innovation of its predecessor by integrating distinct art styles for different Spider-People and their worlds. The source specifically highlights the shifting animation style of the Spider-Punk character as "nothing short of a miracle." The film delivers a mature story for Miles Morales with high stakes and a personal arc.
**July - The Dark Knight**
Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight is selected for July and is called perhaps the best superhero movie of all time. The film features Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker, for which he won a posthumous Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Christian Bale's portrayal of Batman and Bruce Wayne and Aaron Eckhart's turn as Harvey Dent/Two-Face are also noted. The source describes the movie as incredibly rewatchable.
**August - Guardians of the Galaxy**
James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy turned obscure comic book characters into household names. The 2014 film is credited with infusing immense heart into its story, making audiences care deeply about Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, and the rest of the team. Its blend of humor, action, and space opera style helped it stand out within the MCU.
**September - Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings**
September is another month needing more superhero releases, but Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings claims the spot. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the film is praised for having some of the best hand-to-hand combat in the MCU, rivaling Daredevil and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Its success is also attributed to fantasy elements and the fun inclusion of Ben Kingsley's Trevor Slattery alongside the real Mandarin's debut.
**October - Joker**
The 2019 film Joker is selected for October. It grossed over $1 billion worldwide and was a major awards contender, earning 11 Academy Award nominations. Joaquin Phoenix won the Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal of Arthur Fleck. The film provides a grounded and tragic origin story for the iconic Batman villain, exploring his fractured psyche with nuance. The source calls it one of the genre's most powerful releases.
| Month | Movie | Studio/Universe | Key Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 | DC | 94% Rotten Tomatoes audience score |
| February | Black Panther | Marvel (MCU) | $1.35 billion box office; 7 Oscar noms |
| March | Logan | Marvel (Fox) | Oscar nom for Adapted Screenplay |
| April | Avengers: Endgame | Marvel (MCU) | $2.8 billion box office |
| May | The Avengers | Marvel (MCU) | First major modern crossover |
| June | Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse | Sony/Marvel | Acclaimed animation styles |
| July | The Dark Knight | DC | Ledger's posthumous Oscar win |
| August | Guardians of the Galaxy | Marvel (MCU) | Made obscure characters popular |
| September | Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings | Marvel (MCU) | Top-tier MCU hand-to-hand combat |
| October | Joker | DC | $1 billion box office; Phoenix Best Actor Oscar |
The list also mentions upcoming superhero films. It notes that 2026 is a major year for the genre, with Marvel's Avengers: Doomsday potentially being another $2 billion hit. For DC, the body horror film Clayface is described as an upcoming test.
