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The best and worst superhero movies of 2024, according to critics

A composite of stills showing Dakota Johnson in "Madame Web," Hugh Jackman in "Deadpool & Wolverine," and Joaquin Phoenix in "Joker 2."
"Madame Web," "Deadpool & Wolverine," and "Joker 2" were the most talked-about superhero movies of 2024.

Beth Dubber / Jay Maidment / Warner Bros.

  • Seven superhero movies came out in 2024.
  • "Deadpool & Wolverine" was the only superhero film to get a Rotten Tomatoes critic score above 50% this year.
  • Sony released three new movies in their Spider-Man universe, including the universally panned "Madame Web."

"Deadpool & Wolverine" may have made a whopping $1.3 billion at the box office but, overall, 2024 has been a bad year for superhero movies.

Disney's Marvel Studios and Warner Bros' DC Studios released a film each in 2024 in response to superhero fatigue criticism over the last couple of years and as they prepared to enter a new phase in their respective franchises.

This left space for Sony and other studios to enter the market. But critics panned most of this year's superhero movies, with only Marvel's "Deadpool & Wolverine" receiving a Rotten Tomatoes score above 50%.

Here are all seven superhero movies ranked from lowest to highest, according to their Rotten Tomatoes critic scores.

"Madame Web"
Dakota Johnson as Cassandra Webb in "Madame Web."
Dakota Johnson as Cassandra Webb in "Madame Web."

Jessica Kourkounis/Sony Pictures

Rotten Tomatoes score: 11%

Sony has made several blunders in its attempt to build its own Marvel Spider-Man universe (without any Spider-Man appearances), but "Madame Web" is possibly the biggest misfire.

Critics said the film was a mess.Β Dakota Johnson and Sydney Sweeney, the two biggest stars in the film, distanced themselves from it after it received bad reviews and did not do well at the box office.

Fans mocked it, too, and generally didn't turn up to see the film in theaters. It is the lowest grossing film in the Spider-Man franchise, making $100 million.

"Kraven the Hunter"
A still from "Kraven the Hunter" showing Aaron Taylor Johnson wearing a sleeveless brown leather vest and leather wristcuffs.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson stars as Sergei Kravinoff in "Kraven the Hunter."

Jay Maidment / Sony Pictures

Rotten Tomatoes score: 15%

Sony's Spider-Man universe ended on a low this year with "Kraven the Hunter" debuting with the lowest domestic opening weekend for a Sony Spider-Man movie ever.

It earned $11,000 in North America, which is roughly $4,000 less than "Madame Web" and roughly $70,000 less than "Venom," the first spin-off Spider-Man movie that Sony released.

Critics were not as hard on "Kraven the Hunter" as they were on "Madame Web," but still thought the film had a dull story and poor special effects. While some critics thought the film was so bad that it was entertaining, others thought it was a waste of time.

"The Crow"
A man with black hair with dark eye makeup in a black leather jacket is covered in blood.
Bill SkarsgΓ₯rd as Eric Draven in "The Crow."

Lionsgate

Rotten Tomatoes score: 22%

1994's "The Crow" is widely regarded as a cult classic. However, its reputation was marred after Brandon Lee, the lead actor, was shot and mortally wounded by a prop gun that wasn't supposed to contain bullets, eight days before shooting wrapped.

Lionsgate's attempt to revive the superhero franchise failed critically and commercially. This time, Bill SkarsgΓ₯rd starred as Eric Draven, a recovering drug addict who gains supernatural abilities after being resurrected from the dead and seeks revenge on the people who killed him and his lover.

Some critics defended "The Crow" reboot, saying it wasn't unwatchable, but most reviews were more negative, saying the film was incoherent and not better than the original film.

2024's "The Crow" made $23 million in ticket sales on a reported $50 million budget. The 1994 version made $50 million.

"Joker: Folie a Deux"
Joaquin Phoenix dressed as Joker in a white suit
Joaquin Phoenix as Joker in "Joker: Folie a Deux."

Warner Bros.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 32%

There were big hopes for "Joker: Folie a Deux." Its predecessor made over a billion dollars, and Oscar and Grammy winner Lady Gaga took on the part of the hugely popular villain, Harley Quinn.

It was also a musical, following Joaquin Phoenix's Arthur Fleck as he stands trial for the multiple murders her committed in the first film, and begins a relationship with Lee Quinzel (Gaga).

But somehow, "Joker: Folie a Deux" disappointed both fans and critics and only made $206 million in ticket sales. Variety reported that Warner Bros. spent $200 million on the film and roughly $100 to market it, meaning the film likely did not turn a profit.

"Hellboy: The Crooked Man"
A red man with shaved horns is wearing a long coat in a poorly-lit church pointing a pistol at something off-camera.
Jack Kesy as Hellboy in "Hellboy: The Crooked Man."

Yana Blajeva/Millennium Media/Ketchup Entertainment

Rotten Tomatoes score: 37%

If you missed the latest "Hellboy" movie, you're not alone. Millennium Media, the production company that owns the rights to the Hellboy character, did not heavily promote "Hellboy: The Crooked Man," releasing the first teaser three months before it premiered in the US.

"Hellboy: The Crooked Man" takes Hellboy (Jack Kesy) back to his horror roots as he tries to take down a group of witches and their sinister demon leader, the Crooked Man.

Critics were divided on this film. Some said it was dull and had a messy script, while others praised it for actually being scary.

"Venom: The Last Dance"
A still from "Venom" showing Tom Hardy in an informal outfit in a desert with a black gooey monster coming out of his shoulder.
Tom Hardy plays Eddie Brock and Venom in "Venom: The Last Dance."

Sony Pictures

Rotten Tomatoes score: 41%

"Venom: The Last Dance," the final film in the "Venom" trilogy, follows Eddie Brock and his alien symbiote Venom, who fleeing the world's military and a group of aliens working for Knull, Venom's creator

The "Venom" films are the only commercially successful movies from Sony's Spider-Man spin-off universe. Critics panned the series, and "Venom: The Last Dance" has the lowest-grossing of the three films.

But audiences still loved the film, which had the eighth-highest ticket sales of the year with a total of $475 million.

"Deadpool & Wolverine"
Hugh Jackman as Logan/Wolverine and Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson/Deadpool in "Deadpool & Wolverine."
Hugh Jackman as Wolverine and Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool in "Deadpool & Wolverine."

Jay Maidment/Marvel Studios

Rotten Tomatoes score: 78%

Since 2009, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman have been engaged in a playful rivalry over who plays Canada's greatest Marvel superhero. Now they bring this feud to the big screen with "Deadpool & Wolverine."

In the multiversal movie, Deadpool (Reynolds) and Wolverine (Jackman) work together to save Deadpool's universe, find redemption for Wolverine, and lead a team of misfits to take down Professor X's powerful sister, Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin).

The final film was not only a finale to the R-rated hit "Deadpool" movie trilogy, but it was also a heartfelt goodbye to Fox's Marvel franchise, which ended when Disney bought Fox.

"Deadpool & Wolverine" also dispelled the myth that audiences were bored with superhero movies. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and became the highest-grossing movie in the trilogy.

Read the original article on Business Insider

The new 'Superman' trailer gives a first look at David Corenswet's new Man of Steel. Here's who's in the cast.

An image showing a man flying in a blue and red superhero costume. It is mainly light blue with a red cape. On his chest is a red and yellow "S" symbol. He has red trunks on with a yellow belt.
David Corenswet on the poster for "Superman."

Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios

  • The first trailer for James Gunn's "Superman" gives a first look at David Corenswet's hero.
  • It also introduces a handful of other heroes, villains, and monsters.
  • Here is the cast of the new DC movie and who they play.

It's been over a decade since audiences last saw a solo "Superman" movie in theaters, but director James Gunn has finally revealed the first trailer for his new DC reboot.

The film stars "Twisters" actor David Corenswet as the new version of the Man of Steel, as he takes over the role from Henry Cavill. The trailer starts with Superman crashing down in the snow before calling his dog, Krypto, for help.

It then introduces audiences to the new iteration of the DC Universe as Clark Kent balances his life as a young reporter at the Daily Planet and as a superhero. It puts some of the focus on his relationship with Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) a fellow reporter, as well as Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), a nefarious tech billionaire.

The action also sees Superman fighting a huge monster and a mysterious black-suited figure. Take a look below.

David Corenswet plays the new Superman, taking the mantle from Henry Cavill.
A composite image of two photos of the same man. On the left, he is dressed in a gray suit with a black tie, he's wearing glasses and has messy black hair. On the right he's dressed in a blue superhero outfit with a red cape. There is a symbol on his chest that is dirty from a fight. He has slicked back black hair and with a fringe curl. He also has a dirty face.
David Corenswet as Clark Kent and Superman.

Warner Bros Pictures/DC Studios

Corenswet is known for his roles in "Pearl," "The Politician" and "Look Both Ways." He also starred in 2024's "Twisters" alongside Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones.Β 

He told the "Manly Things (Sort Of)" podcast that he bulked up significantly for the role.

Corenswet said: "Getting to bulk up for 'Superman'Β was...Β I was looking for an excuse to really throw on some weight. I thought 210 was going to make me happy, but then I got up to 238... I wasn't 238 when we started shooting. 238 was my max."Β 

He added: "It didn't feel great... I did it so quickly that my body just hadn't adjusted to the extra weight... But that was at the peak of my bulk, and then I slowly lost weight before we started shooting.Β 

"I started shooting at about 228. I put on one of those sweatshirts, and I was like an XL or double XL, and I was like, 'I fill this out. This is amazing.' I didn't fit into any of my pants."

Rachel Brosnahan joins Corenswet as Lois Lane, Superman's love interest and colleague.
A woman with shoulder-length black hair in a white top and a black waistcoat. She's holding a newspaper and a white coffee mug.
Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane in "Superman."

Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios

Rachel Brosnahan plays Lois Lane, a determined reporter at the Daily Planet and the love interest of Superman/Kent.Β 

The actor is known for her roles in "House of Cards" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," she reportedly beat actors like "Sex Education" star Emma Mackey, "Bridgerton" lead Phoebe Dynevor, and "Ready or Not" actor Samara Weaving to the role.

In February, Brosnahan told Variety what drew her to the role, saying: "I have always loved Lois Lane. She's smart, ambitious, and can be funny. She knows she's the smartest person in the room more often than not."

Nicholas Hoult is on villain duties as Lex Luthor.
A composite image of a man. On the left he's wearing an all brown suit and has brown hair. On the left, h's dressed in a black suit and a white shirt, he is completely bald and he's holding a silver gun.
Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor in "Superman."

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images/Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios

British star Nicholas Hoult originally auditioned to play Superman in the film, but Gunn decided to cast him as the hero's archnemesis, Lex Luthor, instead.Β 

Hoult told The Hollywood Reporter that he enjoyed working with Gunn on getting Luthor right.

He said: "I was like, 'Oh, this is exciting where he imagines this character being, and hopefully I can bring the energy that he wants to what he's written on the page.'Β Yeah, you do want him to be imposing and dangerous. That's something about that character. Whenever you're playing the villain, I suppose you want people to feel that they are dangerous."

Nathan Fillion plays Guy Gardner, one of the many Green Lantern superheroes in DC comics.
A composite image of the same man. On the left he is wearing a gray suit with a black shirt, he has long dark hair. On the right he has blond hair that his cut with a straight fringe. He's wearing a black leather jacket.
Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner in "Superman."

Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios

Nathan Fillion voiced the Hal Jordan Green Lantern in several animated movies and starred in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" and "The Suicide Squad."

In "Superman," he's playing Guy Gardner, a hot-headed member of the Green Lantern Corps.

Isabela Merced plays another superhero called Hawkgirl.
A composite image. On the left is a woman with tied back brown hair and a braided fringe. She's wearing a purple glittery outfit. On the right is a woman in a white and black leather outfit, with a gold and black helmet on. She is flying through the sky with wings that stem from her back, she is also carrying a large metal mace.
Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl in "Superman."

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images/Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios

Isabela Merced is playing Hawkgirl, a hero with a complicated backstory involving reincarnation. She also appeared in the Sony Marvel movie "Madame Web" as another superhero, Anya Corazon, and had a very gross role in "Alien: Romulus."

Edi Gathegi plays Mr. Terrific, whose intelligence is said to rival Batman's.
A composite image of a Black man. On the right he's wearing a gray suit with a black shirt. On the right he's weaing a black and red leather jacket, there is a black mask across his face in a "T" shape.
Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific in "Superman."

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images/Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios

Edi Gathegi is playing Mr. Terrific, a tech genius who uses his inventions to fight injustice. The actor has also played a superhero before β€” Darwin in "X-Men: First Class."

Anthony Carrigan plays another new DC hero named Metamorpho.
Anthony Carrigan plays another new DC hero called Metamorpho
Anthony Carrigan and his counterpart, Matamorpho.

John Shearer / Getty Images / DC Universe Infinite

Carrigan can briefly be seen as Metamorpho toward the end of the trailer β€” although he's easily mistaken for another character, Brainiac, due to the alien-like design of his face.

But it is definitely Metamorpho due to his purple crystal shoulder that can be seen on the right of the screen.

β€”Jorge (@djodjeee_) December 19, 2024

The character is typically a hero in the comics, but this ominous shot might suggest he has a villainous role to play in the film.

Carrigan is best known for his role in "Barry" but he has played two supervillains in DC shows "Gotham" and "The Flash."

Krypto the Superdog as himself.
A small white fluffy dog with a cape barking at a superhero in a red and blue outfit lying in the snow.
Krypto the Superdog in "Superman."

Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios

James Gunn previously told fans on Instagram that his version of the character was inspired by his rescue dog, Ozu.

He wrote: "Gosh, how difficult would life be if Ozu had superpowers?" - and thus Krypto came into the script & changed the shape of the story as Ozu was changing my life."

Read the original article on Business Insider
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