There are only a select few superhero movies from theMCU, theDCU, and other franchises that stand out as fast-paced enough to keep their audiences on the edge of their seats. Themovies of the MCUhave helped to establish the superhero genre as one of the biggest and most successful in modern cinema. This success did not spring up overnight, with the genre steadily evolving over decades to become the behemoth it is today.
However, not all superhero movies are as well-received as others, as proven by some of themovies of the DCEUand other less popular entries into the genre. The best superhero movies are those that employ relentlessly entertaining stories, keeping their audiences transfixed from start to finish. Comic book movies that can achieve that sort of action-packed entertainment value throughout their run are often the most popular, with the most fast-paced keeping audiences on the very edge of their respective seats.
10Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Director: Taika Waititi
Thor: Ragnarokmight not be the most important movie in terms of the franchise’s wider narrative, but it’s a pivotal part ofThor’s MCU story. Following Thor as he employs the help of Hulk, Valkyrie, and Loki in order to fight his sister Hela and reclaim the throne of Asgard,Ragnarokis often cited as one of the best movies of the MCU’s Infinity Saga. It’s also a tightly paced and thoroughly entertaining movie from beginning to end.
Though the more comedic tone employed byThor: Ragnarokwas somewhat divisive, the movie itself remains a well-written story for the MCU’s God of Thunder. Its opening scenes pay off previous teases involving Loki’s survival then establish Hela as its villain, all before launching into its action, which features multiple heroes, impressive set pieces, and comedic scenes. From start to finish,Thor: Ragnarokis a movie packed with entertainment value, all of which unfolds at breakneck speed.
9Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Director: James Gunn
In themovie timeline of the MCU,Guardians of the Galaxyfollowed two largely unpopular films and one of the franchise’s best efforts, setting a difficult task for the 2014 movie. The film introduced a lesser-known team from Marvel Comics, taking the franchise on a full cosmic sci-fi adventure. Though these elements might have seemed a risk before release,Guardians of the Galaxyproved to be massively popular with fans of the franchise.
What turned out to be the first movie in James Gunn’s MCU trilogy is a fast-paced affair, packing in the origins of its five heroes and establishing three major villains all at once. Considering its lack of tangible connections to previous MCU projects,Guardians of the Galaxyhad a huge task to complete, all of which it did in a packed 122-minute runtime.The resulting movie is a hugely entertaining watch, and remains consistently popular more than a decade after its release.
8Batman (1989)
Director: Tim Burton
1989 saw Tim Burton change the landscape of modern superhero movies forever with the release ofBatman. Starring Michael Keaton as the Dark Knight,Batmanemployed a gothic approach to adapting its eponymous character, pitting him against Jack Nicholson’s Joker in a visually striking iteration of Gotham City.The movie’s runtime of 126 minutes simply flies by, thanks in no small part to the performances of its cast.
Keaton’s Batman and Nicholson’s Joker are truly hypnotic in their screen presence, introducing the pair to a whole new generation in live-action. The movie’s use of light-hearted moments even among its darkest developments helps to keepBatman’s story progressing, upping the entertainment factor in the process. It’s a movie that was able to introduce its hero and villain - as well as establish a whole mythos for them to exist in - alongside telling its own narrative, all in a relatively short runtime.
7The Avengers (2012)
Director: Joss Whedon
2012 saw the MCU change the landscape of the superhero genre forever with the release ofThe Avengers, introducing the superhero team into live-action for the first time. The movie paid off teases from previous films, bringing back six previously established heroes and assembling them into Earth’s first line of defense in the MCU. It was the first superhero movie to really embrace a shared universe setting, establishing a winning formula that has brought the MCU massive success ever since.
Despite a runtime of 143 minutes,The Avengersis one of the MCU’s fastest-paced movies. From its early scenes depicting the recruitment of different heroes to its final triumphant moments,The Avengerstakes its audience on a non-stop thrill-ride through the MCU, featuring an action-packed story and several unforgettable set pieces.The movie did more than just entertain its audience; it highlighted the huge potential of the MCU in terms of its approach to its shared universe.
6Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Director: Joe & Anthony Russo
Widely considered the best individual movie in the MCU,Captain America: The Winter Soldierhelped to solidify the cinematic potential of the superhero genre. Steve Rogers’ solo sequel explored his adjustment to life in the 21st century, while also pitting him against his old foes Hydra and teaming him up with Falcon and Black Widow. As well as being an important chapter inCaptain America’s MCU story,The Winter Soldieris an incredibly fast-paced and massively enjoyable movie.
There are very few MCU movies as action-packed asThe Winter Soldier. From its early scenes until the final credits,Captain America: The Winter Soldierdoes not disappoint, delivering hard-hitting action sequences that combine action movie charm with the familiarity of the Marvel Universe.It’s a delicate blend of action and drama wrapped up in a Marvel spy thriller that truly entertains every step of the way.
5Deadpool 2 (2018)
Director: David Leitch
Ryan Reynolds’ turn as Deadpool has seen the actor hailed as one of the best castings in the history of Marvel movies. His unique ability to bring the wise-cracking Merc with a Mouth to life in live-action was first proven in 2016’sDeadpoolafter the character’s disappointing big-screen debut inX-Men Origins: Wolverineahead of his eventual MCU appearance in 2024. However, it’s the 2018 sequel,Deadpool 2, that serves as the character’s fastest-paced outing.
Deadpool 2edges out its predecessor for the sole reason that it lacks the need for flashback scenes to establish Deadpool’s backstory. The first movie explored the character’s origins as well as his anti-hero story, butthe sequel dived straight into foul-mouthed action spectacle from the very beginning.With an established winning formula and a perfectly cast hero,Deadpool 2is an endlessly entertaining superhero movie.
4The Dark Knight (2008)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Christopher Nolan’sDark Knighttrilogyis often cited as one of the best superhero franchises in history, and 2008’sThe Dark Knightis by far its best movie. Nolan’s Batman sequel picked up whereBatman Begins’ Joker tease left off, establishing Heath Ledger’s version of the iconic villain in its opening bank robbery scene. Despite a runtime of 152 minutes,The Dark Knightbreezes by thanks to being one of the best-written movies in the genre.
The Dark Knightisn’t all action, but its exploration of deeper themes and important character moments makes it feel fast-paced.Its story is one that doesn’t let up for a moment, with developments constantly occurring, bringing the crime-ridden city of Gotham to life in astonishingly realistic fashion.The Dark Knightis a movie that remains well-loved for many reasons, not least of which being its ability to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
3Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
Director: Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, & Justin K. Thompson
Another superhero movie sequel that is fast-paced and utterly exceptional isSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. After the massive success ofInto the Spider-Verse, Miles Morales returned in the much-anticipated sequel, which saw him venture out into other realities and establish himself among the seemingly endless ranks of Spider-People in the Multiverse. The 140-minute movie is hardly short, but its remarkable story and presentation help it feel relentless in its pace.
Across the Spider-Verseemploys the same striking visual style as its predecessor, doubling down on the sensation of bringing a comic book to life on the big screen. The result is absolutely outstanding, and it takes the action-packed and often emotional movie to new heights.Across the Spider-Verseis fast-paced in spite of its runtime, telling an expansive and deeply touching storythat entertains and excites in equal measure.
2Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Though it may not feature as many iconic moments as its immediate sequel,Endgame,Avengers: Infinity Waris arguably the MCU’s fastest-paced movie. The first half of the epic conclusion to the MCU’s Infinity Saga saw an incredibly ambitious roster of heroes unite against Thanos as the Mad Titan attempts to execute his plan to eradicate half of all life in the universe. In its 149-minute runtime,Avengers: Infinity Warundertakes an absolutely mammoth task.
The result is a movie that simply does not let up for so much as a moment. The action is practically non-stop, jumping from conflict to conflict as the heroes of the Marvel Universe desperately battle to stop Thanos.Infinity Wardelivers the most robust live-action Marvel crossover to date, while also serving up some of the MCU’s most emotionally powerful moments,all in the space of a runtime that seems remarkably short considering the movie’s content.
1Dredd (2012)
Director: Pete Travis
Judge Dredd may not be a superhero in the traditional sense, but his best-loved big-screen outing has earned cult status as one of the best comic book movies of the modern era. 2012’sDreddfinally introduced a comic-accurate version of the character into live-action, with Karl Urban’s Dredd tracing a new drug named Slo-Mo to one of Mega-City One’s expansive residential blocks.Dreddsees its hero and trainee Judge Anderson facing an entire army of criminals, fighting their way to the top of the building in the process.
Dredd’s explosive action delivers the thrills necessary to adequately bring the character to life, with its story being delivered at a pace that makes its audience afraid to blink. There’s so much story unfolding in the tightly-paced 95-minute movie that it’s impossible to consider it anything less than a high-octane action spectacle. In terms of fast-paced and exciting action,Dreddis able to surpass even the movies of theMCUand theDCU.
