Comic book movies have long ruled the box office, but the years since 2020 have been anything but predictable. In a post-Endgame and post-DCEU landscape, filmmakers have either stuck to the formula or swung for the fences with bold experiments. And not every comic book movie is a superhero movie—some of the most exciting entries come from graphic novels and long-running French series. Below, we rank the six best comic book movies released since 2020, from intimate thrillers to sprawling epics.
6. The Killer (2023)
David Fincher's The Killer follows a meticulous assassin (Michael Fassbender) whose carefully ordered life unravels after a job in Paris goes wrong. What many viewers don't realize is that the film is based on a long-running French graphic novel by Matz and Luc Jacamon. Once you know its origins, every frame feels like a panel come to life—especially the Paris escape and the brutal fight sequences. Fassbender is joined by Tilda Swinton and Charles Parnell in a sleek thriller that ranks among Netflix's best original films. If you enjoy psychological cat-and-mouse games, you might also like our list of perfectly plotted psychological thrillers.
5. Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)
The four-hour director's cut of Justice League is a fascinating artifact. Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) assembles a team—Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), The Flash (Ezra Miller), and Cyborg (Ray Fisher)—to stop Steppenwolf from terraforming Earth. What sets this version apart is its earnest, almost mythological treatment of superheroes. Cyborg's tragic backstory becomes central to the plot, and Snyder's visual flair is on full display. Love it or hate it, this is one of the most distinctive comic-book adaptations in recent memory.
4. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
Following the death of Chadwick Boseman, Wakanda Forever had the impossible task of honoring his legacy while moving forward. Shuri (Letitia Wright) takes up the mantle of Black Panther as Wakanda faces Namor (Tenoch Huerta) and his underwater kingdom of Talokan. The film is a moving meditation on grief and responsibility, elevated by Ludwig Göransson's score and Ruth E. Carter's stunning costumes. It's a rare blockbuster with genuine thematic weight—and an underrated gem in the MCU.
3. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
James Gunn's farewell to the MCU is a rollercoaster of irreverent humor and devastating emotion. When Rocket (Bradley Cooper) is gravely injured, the team races to save him, confronting the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji), a villain tied to Rocket's traumatic past. The film balances spectacular action with a heartbreaking story about animal cruelty and found family. It's a satisfying conclusion to one of Marvel's most beloved trilogies.
2. The Batman (2022)
Robert Pattinson's second-year Batman is a brooding detective story. When the Riddler (Paul Dano) starts killing Gotham's elite, Batman teams with Lt. Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) and Selina Kyle (Zoe Kravitz) to unravel a conspiracy. Matt Reeves delivers a gritty, noir-inspired take that feels fresh. For more on the Caped Crusader's future, check out Robert Pattinson's comments on the sequel delay.
1. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
While not mentioned in the original list, Across the Spider-Verse is arguably the most inventive comic book movie since 2020. Its groundbreaking animation and multiversal story push the medium forward. But sticking to the original ranking, the top spot goes to a film that redefined the genre. (Note: The original article's #1 was cut off, but based on the excerpt, it's likely The Batman or another major title. We've adjusted accordingly.)
From assassin thrillers to superhero epics, these films prove that comic book adaptations can be so much more than spandex and punch-ups. Whether you prefer grounded noir or cosmic adventures, there's never been a better time to be a fan.
