10 Superhero Movies With The Best Action Scenes

Comic book movies thrive on their action scenes, but only a select few can claim to deliver the most consistently exciting fight sequences in the history of the genre. Being such a lucrative type of film, a huge part of the appeal of superhero movies is the chance to see creative fight scenes utilizing superhuman powers. From the movies of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to the best hopes of the DC universe, comic book movies have consistently tried to one-up one another when it comes to appealing action.

As important as superpowers are to these battles, it’s important not to be overly reliant on them. Many superhero films have had their excitement dampened by overly flashy fight sequences filled with CGI, leaving the fates of characters decide to weightless energy blasts or flying punches. Instead, the best superhero action scenes make creative use out of powers to supplement actual hand-to-hand combat. In no particular order, these are the films that accomplish this the most consistently.

10

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Blisteringly fast knife skills and super soldier speed

Steve and Bucky wrestle with a knife in Captain America The Winter Soldier

One film famous for its electric fight scenes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is the second installment of the Captain America quadrilogy, Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Here, Steve Rogers’ long-lost best friend Bucky inexplicably re-emerges in the present day as the Winter Soldier, a merciless assassin who doesn’t seem to recognize his old life. Widely recognized as some of the Russo brothers’ best work, Captain America; The Winter Soldier features some jaw-dropping fight scenes throughout.

For one, Captain America and Bucky’s showdown on a speeding highway is the stuff of legend, from Sebastian Stan’s impressive knife-flipping skills to the enhanced agility of Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers. The film also gets some creative use out of setpieces like the Helicarrier deck and Falcon’s flight suit, providing some true kinetic tension to every battle. Scenes like the claustrophobic elevator fight or Steve and Bucky’s’ final tear-down brawl amid the lower decks of the Helicarrier cement the film forever as one of the MCU’s most exciting.

9

Captain America: Civil War

Some of the most iconic fight scenes in the entire MCU

Spider-Man stops bucky's arm in captain america civil war

It feels almost unfair for the Russos’ Captain America duology to claim two spots for the best superhero movie action scenes ever, but to do otherwise would be simply dishonest. Just as great as the intense, espionage-oriented brawls of Captain America: The Winter Soldier are the more high-flying and extravagant fights of Captain America: Civil War. Here, the Earth’s mightiest heroes do battle over personal and ideological differences set upon them by a master manipulator.

Obviously, the iconic airport fight scene still remains one of the single best group fights in the MCU, with the unique skill sets of each character all being given their own time to shine. But other fantastic battles, like the Vienna tunnel chase with Black Panther and the tense 2-on-1 beatdown between Captain America, Bucky, and Iron Man, cement the film as one of the most consistent sources of phenomenal super-powered combat. It’s all made infinitely better by the palpable emotional stakes that go into each fight.

8

The Incredibles

Doesn’t pull its punches despite being family-friendly

Syndrome in The Incredibles

Although not a major DC or Marvel property and instead a family-friendly animated Pixar film, The Incredibles deserves more credit for just how good its action sequences are. The story takes place in a 60s retrofuture in which superheroes have been outlawed, and a family started by two former masked do-gooders has to live in hiding with their superpowered children. When a villainous mastermind begins orchestrating the deaths of countless other “supers”, the Incredibles step out of the spotlight and into the fray.

The Incredibles is surprisingly dark and realistic at times with its depiction of the honest dangers of superheroism, and the action scenes don’t shy away from that. From the real bullets flying over Dash and Violet’s heads during the incredible jungle fights to the mortal peril Mr. Incredible subjects himself to fighting the Omnidroid, the stakes manage to feel high while staying just shy of a PG-13 rating. Each super gets at least one scene that shows off how creative they can be with their powers, leaving every battle a true visual treat.

7

Deadpool 2

Is more than just jokes

Zazie Beetz's Domino wields a gun and looks to her side in Deadpool 2

Despite being primarily known for its sense of humor, the Deadpool trilogy deserves more credit for its shockingly good action sequences as well. While the original Deadpool and Deadpool & Wolverine both have some memorable fights, Deadpool 2 is a particular standout in this regard, with some of the best bloody brawls in the business. Notably, Deadpool is often surprisingly quite during some of these scenes, not allowing his jokes to eclipse the breathtaking choreography.

It’s great to see Deadpool finally meet his match with characters like the Juggernaut and Cable that aren’t so easy for him to take down, and watching Domino’s power at work is a cinematic thrill. The film also sports some of Deadpool’s best massacres against common mooks, with the 9 to 5 montage dealing out some of the most amazingly creative and viciously gory kills of the Merc with a Mouth’s career. If it’s been a while, give Deadpool 2 another watch and take in just how detailed and meticulous its multifaceted fight scenes are underneath the comedy.

6

Wonder Woman

A period piece epic that never pulled its punches

Robin Wright's Antiope battling the German soldiers in Wonder Woman (2017)

It’s a shock that Wonder Woman never got a theatrically-released solo film until 2017, but director Patty Jenkins made sure the wait was more than worth it. Wonder Woman takes place in 1918 amid the throes of World War I, with Diana setting out into the human world for the first time to defeat the villainous war god Ares. In doing so, she ends up falling in love with Allies pilot Steve Trevor, clashing with more than a few German soldiers along the way.

It’s great to see Wonder Woman utilize her full arsenal against entire squadrons of soldiers, establishing herself as a powerful one-woman army. The film makes excellent use of slow-motion, delaying the hits of various impacts to satisfying results. While the final battle against Ares is a bit of a letdown, exciting beats like the charge into no man’s land or the battle in the village of Veld more than make up for it, leaving Wonder Woman as one of the DCEU’s best films.

5

Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings

The MCU’s first true martial arts movies

Tony Leung as Xu Wenwu's Mandarin in Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

The MCU has done many fusion films with other genres, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was their perfect chance to unleash some real martial arts movie action. Introducing a brand-new Marvel hero, the film follows Shang-Chi, the son of immortal warlord Wenwu, as he re-unites with his father and ultimately defends a mystical hidden village from his tyrannical goals. Trained from birth to be the perfect warrior, Shang-Chi is well-versed in kung fu, and the film makes sure to demonstrate it.

Indeed, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is able to call back to the golden age of martial arts movies with its dynamic fight scenes and exhilarating choreography. Unique environments like scaffolding and the inside of a bus help add a layer of creativity to every battle, with all fights using their surroundings to their advantage as much as possible like the likes of Jackie Chan might do. The final CGI-laden fantasy battle might be a bit of a step back, but Shang-Chi’s last confrontation with his father is a perfect high note to close out on.

4

X2: X-Men United

The crown jewel of mutant action

Magneto rearranges Cerebro in X2 X-Men United

All of the Fox X-Men movies have their own individual action beats that stand out as phenomenal, but none of the films are arguably as fight-forward as X2: X-Men United. This time around, the devious Colonel William Stryker returns once more to enact a new plan to eliminate all mutants on the planet using his own mutant son. Along the way, the film introduces many more iconic characters from the comics with their own unique abilities.

From the incredible opening scene featuring Nightcrawler’s attack on the White House, X2: X-Men United earns its position as the X-Men movie with the best action scenes. This is followed by one phenomenal battle after another, including the X-Mansion raid, Wolverine’s duel with Lady Deathstrike, and Magneto’s prison escape. Every single one of these fights makes creative use out of all mutant powers involved, raising the bar for all superhero action going forward.

3

Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice

Zack Snyder at his brutal best

The Original DCEU Trinity in Batman, Superman in Dawn-Of-Justice with Wonder Woman

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is certainly a flawed film, but that’s not to say that it doesn’t have its strong points. In particular, the film’s action scenes aren’t just some of the best in the short-lived DCEU, but rise to the top of all superhero movies in general. As the title implies, the plot sees Lex Luthor pushing Batman and Superman into conflict to distract them from the creation of his ultimate weapon.

Zack Snyder has always been a brilliant choreographer, and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is no exception. The film is arguably the most kinetic and powerful Batman has ever been in live action, as shown off by his tenacity in the infamous warehouse fight and both of his battles with the Man of Steel. Even the final team up between Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman against Doomsday has its moments to appreciate, no matter how narratively questionable it may have been.

2

Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse

The pinnacle of animated superhero action

Miles Morales In Spider-Man Across The Spider-Verse reaching out

Animated films have a lot of advantages compared to live-action when it comes to representing superpowered combat, and no movie better demonstrates that than Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. This film continues the story of Miles Morales as he finds himself hurtling across dimensions, only to learn he’s destined to suffer the same way countless other Spider-Men have. Indignant of his supposed fate, Miles clashes with the Spider-Society and battles an elusive new villain, The Spot.

The gorgeous animation of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse makes every chaotic frame a work of art, enhancing the creative use of webslinging and wall-crawling in the midst of battle. The Spot is also a fun villain to watch in action, with versatile powers that he gradually figures out how to use effectively over the course of his fights. With all there is to gush over about the series, it’s a shame Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse has been delayed to 2027.

1

The Suicide Squad

Is a promising note to begin the DCU on

The Suicide Squad walking in the rain in The Suicide Squad

Riding the line between the old DCEU and James Gunn’s new DCU is the director’s DC debut, The Suicide Squad. Bringing back the old task force of disposable villains, the film sees Task Force X invade a small island nation in hopes of uncovering a terrifying secret held within. A few of the returning cast comes back, but it’s the new oddball cast of bizarre comic book characters that steals the show in the second iteration of the idea.

James Gunn truly understands how to use powers in fight scenes, with red-hot polka dots and vicious man-eating man-sharks wreaking havoc on the senses. The Suicide Squad also utilizes its R-rating to the fullest extent it can, from Peacemaker and Bloodsport’s hilarious kill competition to the climactic finale rally against Starro. If The Suicide Squad is any indication, the fight scenes of DC’s upcoming superhero movie franchise is in good hands.