I don’t know about you, but I’m a massive superhero movie buff. As a child, I’ve always been a fan of heroes flying and kicking butts on screen. Here is the list of superheroes from respected DC and Marvel adaptations that completely nailed their roles.
DC
Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne in The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005-2012)
Batman has two sides to him—well, arguably three, in my opinion. There’s the Bruce Wayne that is shown to the world and the Bruce Wayne that lost his parents. And, of course, Batman is the third side to him—the dark knight.
Christian Bale nailed the Bruce Wayne side on its head because we were able to see him grow before he officially put on the mask. He can easily crank up the charm with the ladies as a presumed bachelor but then portrays the deep and thoughtful Bruce when he’s with Alfred and Rachel. You feel for this character through and through. He doesn’t need a mask to show who he really is.
Michael Keaton as Batman in Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992)
Now I never thought of Michael Keaton as a good Bruce Wayne. He’s a little too silly for me. But as Batman… that’s a wholly different story. His voice is amazing! Deep, but not like a demon (sorry, Bale, I still love you), but it shows enough distinction that he is something else. Not to mention, Keaton has nailed the Batman stare of ‘I’m about to kick your ass into the next year.’ It’s not a shock that Keaton will be reprising his role as Batman in the oncoming superhero movie The Flash.
Tom Welling as Clark Kent in Smallville (2001-2011)
I grew up watching Smallville, so maybe I’m a tad biased… but do I care? No! Like Bale, Tom Welling was able to show the beginning of his hero’s journey. It was the first successful superhero show that aired on television. And honestly, it’s still the best, and that’s simply because Welling was able to show the different sides of Clark Kent. Superman has always been deemed as the boring superhero because he’s all-powerful, so what if you jumped back in time before he donned the red cape?
You would get a hero who is still trying to figure out his place in the world, battling hormones, and fighting off bad guys. Welling is my Clark Kent.
Henry Cavill as Superman in the DCEU (2013-2022)
We didn’t see Cavill much as Clark Kent, but as Superman, he nailed that part. His Superman is near indestructible, but he has a heart. Visually speaking, Cavill looks the most like Superman and his voice is exactly how I would imagine it to be, as well. It’s sad to see Cavill will no longer reprise his role as the Man of Steel, but our fingers are crossed that a miracle happens to bring him back.
Christopher Reeves as Clark Kent and Superman in The Superman Movies (1978-1987)
We can’t talk about Superman without talking about the OG Superman movies. Christopher Reeves paved the way, quite literally. Reeves was near perfect as the dorky, clumsy, nerdy journalist while being the poised, romantic, and daring cape crusader.
Fun Fact: He gave his stamp of approval for Welling to play Superman in the 2006 Superman Returns before he passed away.
Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman in the DCEU (2014-2020)
I had my doubts that Gal Godot could play Wonder Woman. All my life, I’ve dreamt Rebecca Romajin would play her. However, when I went to the movie theatres to watch the standalone film, I was deeply wrong. Gadot showed different sides to Wonderman. Cunning, brave, resilient, curious, and understanding—Gadot can do no wrong in the role. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like she will play Wonder Woman again anytime soon.
Grant Gustin as Barry Allen and the Flash in the Arrowverse (2013-2023)
Another CW star, another perfect portrayal. Grant Gustin is the Flash. Plain and simple. He easily shows his dorky side and romantic side with Iris West as Barry Allen and the red hero we all know in love. It was speculated that he may take over Ezra Miller’s spot as the Flash after the actor was steeped in legal issues—which just shows how much Gustin is looked up to. I wouldn’t mind—in fact, I wish Gustin could make it onto the big screens because he’s a respectable actor and character.
Marvel
The Entire Avengers Cast from the MCU
I mean, is this even a question? What kind of person would I be if I didn’t include the tried and true original Avengers cast?
Robert Downey Jr. is TONY STARK. Sometimes I even forget he’s acting because of the vigor and mere talent of Downey.
Chris Evans embodies the soulful Captain America and kills it every time.
Scarlet Johansson in three descriptions. Badass. Cunning. And sexy as hell.
Chris Hemsworth is hilarious, sexy, and such a relatable character. Would you ever believe that about Thor?
Jeremy Renner has always been a hero in my eyes.
Mark Ruffalo is a charming Hulk through and through.
Chadwick Boseman T’Challa and Black Panther in the MCU
If I had to pick the three best superhero portrayals, Chadwick Boseman would surely be in the running. The Black Panther is a hero everyone should look up to and because Boseman embodied this role so well, you can’t help but look up to him. Wakanda forever!
Hugh Jackman as Logan and Wolverine in the X-Men Franchise
As of now, Hugh Jackman has played the superhero in most live adaptations, and for good reason! Jackman cannot seem to outrun Wolverine. By all accounts, his own admission included, he retired the role after Logan. Except now, in a teaser trailer ad with Ryan Renolds, Deadpool, Jackman appears to be making a comeback as Wolverine in Deadpool 3. Jackman does what not many can: Humanize a character that appears and acts like an animal. You feel the pain, anguish, and hurt through the screen whenever he plays Wolverine. So when Logan “died” in his presumably last time on screen, we not only mourned the death of Wolverine but also the farewell of Jackman.
Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson and Deadpool in the Deadpool Films
Ryan Reynolds was born to play Deadpool. No one can convince me otherwise! Since his debut, it’s hard not to think about Deadpool without thinking about Reynolds’ charismatic, hilarious, and heartwrenching portrayal. Breaking the fourth wall never looked so cool.
Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man Trilogy
I grew up with Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man, like many of us did. Sam Raimi and Maguire were able to give us the first successful live-adapted movie. His Peter Parker is equal parts relatable, dorky, nerdy, sweet, romantic, brave, and selfless. Personally, I thought that his Spider-Man was as equally well embodied because his persona is all of those characteristics as well. Parker and Spider-Man’s personalities are separated by a mask only. But some will argue his Spider-Man doesn’t have the charisma he does in the comics. I’m sorry, but Maguire’s take on Spider-Man takes the cake of a realistic portrayal. But I digress…
Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man in The Amazing Spider-Man Films
On the flip side, Garfield is a terrible Peter Parker. Sorry if you disagree, but he is! It’s not his fault considering the writer to be so “cool,” but you know what he is—a great Spider-Man. He has the wit, comedic timing, and overall strong voice of Spider-Man.
Tom Holland as Peter Parker and Spider-Man in the MCU
Tom Holland is a grand mixture of the two. He has the dorky side with his easy-going, determined Spider-Man. He impressed everyone from his first appearance in Captain America: Civil War and has not disappointed since!
If you think we’ve missed your favorite on the list, make sure to let us know! For more superhero content, click here.