WalletHub recently released a 2024 report of the safest US cities.
It ranked cities based on 41 safety indicators, including crime rates and natural disasters.
Vermont has two cities in the list's top five.
Out of 163 countries, the US ranked as the 132nd safest, according to a Global Peace Index 2024 report. Iceland was deemed the safest at number 1 and Yemen was the least safe at 163.
When ranking countries, the index considers everything from weapons imports and exports to homicide rates. Like all countries, though, some regions of the US are safer than others.
For a more granular look, WalletHub, a personal finance site, released a 2024 report listing the safest cities in the US based on 41 factors in three key areas: home and community safety, risk of natural disaster, and financial stability.
The report ranked 182 cities across the country. Mass shootings, murders and assaults, hate crimes, earthquake and fire risks, and unemployment rates all factored into each city's weighted average.
Here are the safest cities in the US, according to WalletHub's rankings.
20. Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville, Alabama.
Denis Tangney/Getty Images
Population of metro area: 225,564
Median household income: $73,319
Climate Vulnerability Index: 54th percentile (average vulnerability). This index shows areas of the US most likely to face climate change-related challenges.
Huntsville is a hub for aerospace and defense and attracts startups in these industries. While US News & World Report noted it has an above-average rate of violent crime, the paper also named it one of the best places to live.
While Honolulu has a low climate vulnerability percentile overall, sea level around Hawaii is projected to rise up to 1.5 feet by 2050, according to the University of Hawaii, likely affecting some areas of the city.
A popular destination for tourists, Honolulu was ranked the "Safest City to Travel to in the World" in 2024 by Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection.
It has relatively low rates of violent crimes but an above-average rate of property crimes, according to FBI data.
In 2023, Vancouver's overall reported crimes dropped by over 9%, according to a report from the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. In terms of natural disasters, the city is most vulnerable to earthquakes, extreme heat, and wildfires.
On average, Juneau had around 900 violent crimes and 1,200 property crimes each year between 2015 and 2023, according to FBI data. Heavy snow, extreme cold, and landslides are a few of the hazards the city's residents face.
Located in New Hampshire โ the safest state in the US, according to US News & World Report โ Nashua has low crime and unemployment rates and ranked well for home and community safety and financial safety in WalletHub's 2024 list.
Located near Montanta's border with Idaho, Missoula has attracted wealthy newcomers to the area in recent years, raising home prices. Meanwhile, it's scrambling to build more housing to address a spike in homelessness.
A recent report found that homes in this growing city have become slightly more affordable. Situated near the Elizabeth River, which flows into Chesapeake Bay, the city experiences flash flooding and hurricanes.
After seeing an uptick in crime in 2022, Fargo's rates dropped in 2023 and 2024, Captain Bill Ahlfeldt of the Fargo Police Department told WDAY Radio in September 2024. The city is vulnerable to some natural disasters but has a number of infrastructure projects aimed at reducing the risk of catastrophic flooding.
Home to several universities, Irvine is just a few miles from Disneyland. Its crime rates were among the lowest of all the cities on this list, based on FBI data. For most of this century, the city has had the lowest violent crime rate in the US for cities of 250,000 or more people.
10. Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Stephen M. Katz/Virginian-Pilot/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
To protect against future hurricanes and rising sea levels, Virginia Beach voters approved a $568 million bond referendum to fund infrastructure projects focused on addressing these risks, PBS reported in 2021. US News and World Report named it the second-best place to retire in the US in 2024.
Maine's biggest city, Portland, is known for its incredible seafood. It has a lower violent crime rate than the national average, per FBI data. In 2024, the city installed flexible poles and added blue paint to some intersections to make them safer for pedestrians and cyclists, The Forecaster reported.
Designed to be a self-sustaining city, Columbia is a planned community and Maryland's second-largest city. In 2024, WalletHub ranked it the top city for women in terms of health and safety and financial well-being.
Iowa's second-largest city experienced a devastating flood in 2008, which caused billions of dollars in damage. Since then, Cedar Rapids has a Community Climate Action Plan aimed at reducing similar events in the future.
As for crime, in 2023, the city's crime rates had dropped compared to the previous year, KCRG reported in January 2024.
Crime rates in Boise, Idaho, have dropped since the early 1990s, per the city's statistics. The Idaho Statemen described the city as car-dependent, though its downtown is walkable. In 2023 Boise had its most traffic fatalities in a decade.
This scenic city is Vermont's largest. A mix of low risk from natural disasters and high financial safety secured Burlington's fourth-ranking spot on WalletHub's list.
It's not completely invulnerable to climate change, though. Warming temperatures are bringing more rain and flooding to the area.
Warwick is the state's third-largest city and has low rates of residents without health insurance, according to WalletHub.
In fact, based on a number of factors, including access, cost, and health outcomes, the nonprofit Commonwealth Fund ranked the state of Rhode Island as having one of the top health systems in the country.
WalletHub cited Casper's low pedestrian fatality rates and comparatively lower risks for earthquakes and tornadoes among the reasons it landed number two on its list. However, the city has dealt with flash floods and nearby wildfires in the past, according to Wyoming Public Media.
South Burlington jumped from the US's third safest city in 2023 to the top spot in 2024. Most of the city's drivers are insured, and it has a low pedestrian fatality rate. It has good financial security, including a very low unemployment rate. Overall, the area has a relatively low risk of natural disasters, securing the highest safety ranking of the cities on the list.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson portrayed his third Marvel character in four movies in "Kraven the Hunter."
Jamie McCarthy/WireImage/Getty Images
There have been 85 theatrically released movies based on a Marvel comic property to date.
From "Howard the Duck" to "Kraven the Hunter," the quality has ebbed and flowed.
Here's how all the Marvel movies โ so far โ compare.
It's been 38 years since audiences saw their very first theatrical movie based on a Marvel comic โ would you believe that 1986's "Howard the Duck" was the first major motion picture based on a character from Marvel?
Since that inauspicious start, Marvel has become one of the most recognizable and successful brands in the movie business. The Marvel Cinematic Universe alone has grossed over $30 billion worldwide, and that's not including mega-hits like "X-Men," "Men in Black," or the "Spider-Verse" films.
While most of these movies made significant chunks of change at the box office, not all were beloved by critics. Here's how each film was received by critics, from worst to best, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
"Fantastic Four" is the second on-screen iteration of the famed Marvel family consisting of Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Miles Teller), his love interest Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Kate Mara), her brother Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Michael B. Jordan), and their friend Ben Grimm/The Thing (Jamie Bell).
After they travel to a different dimension and acquire fantastic, if gruesome, powers, they face off against Doctor Doom, played by Toby Kebbell, a former friend turned homicidal maniac.
"A poorly constructed, ineptly executed, flatfooted piece of Branded Product that plays as though it were written by a piece of software fed every superhero movie script to date and instructed to synthesize them," wrote Flavorwire's Jason Bailey.
After dying at the end of "Daredevil," Elektra, played by Jennifer Garner, is revived by her mentor, Stick, to become a force for good. Eventually, she abandons this lifestyle and becomes a contract killer until an evil organization known as The Hand attempts to kill her.
Tim Robey of The Telegraph called the film "Studio dross of the lowest grade."
The first Marvel film of 2024 (though not part of the MCU) was "Madame Web," which stars Dakota Johnson as Cassandra Webb, a paramedic living in New York City who somehow gains clairvoyance. She teams up with three young women โ Julia (Sydney Sweeney), Anya (Isabela Merced), and Mattie (Celeste O'Connor) โ who each have spider-powers in their future to take down a mysterious foe, Ezekiel Sims (Tahar Rahim).
"Even Johnson has her limits, and 'Madame Web' blows so far past them that you can practically guess which scenes were shot last based on the degree to which its star has given up," wrote Allison Wilmore for Vulture.
As you might've guessed from the title, Howard is a duck. Specifically, a resident of the planet Duckworld, which is like Earth, but inhabited by ducks. When Howard finds himself on Earth in the state of Ohio, he must team up with a woman, Beverly Switzler (Lea Thompson) to try and get home.
"Sound the horns, light the speakers, and cue the marching band, because 'Howard the Duck' is here ... and bad movie historians could not ask for a more mallard-droit venture than this," wrote Michael Burkett of the Orange County Register.
In "Morbius," Jared Leto stars as Dr. Michael Morbius, a highly intelligent doctor dying from a rare blood disease. In his quest to find a cure, he accidentally turns himself into a "living vampire," a being with enhanced strength, sonar capabilities, a psychic connection with bats ... and the unending desire to drink blood.
"'Morbius,' at best, will be remembered as the latest effort on Sony's part to make its nascent Sinister Six franchise happen. And, like 'fetch,' it's hard to see that happening," wrote Liz Shannon Miller of Consequence.
What seems to be the final film in Sony's ill-advised SSU (Sony's Spider-Man Universe) is "Kraven the Hunter," which stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the titular Kraven. In the film, Kraven works to free his brother Dmitri (Fred Hechinger) from the villainous Rhino (Alessandro Nivola).
"'Kraven the Hunter' is a terrible movie, but you almost feel sorry for it," wrote Peter Howell of The Toronto Star.
79. "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance" (2011)
Nicolas Cage in "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance."
Nicolas Cage returns as stuntman-turned-flaming-skeleton Johnny Blaze, who has been in hiding since the events of the first film. When he finds out that the devil himself has fathered a child and is planning to raise him, he rides again as the demonic Ghost Rider in exchange for getting his soul back.
"Cage appears to find his role as this second-tier Marvel Comics antihero alternately silly, tremendously fun, and the means to a decent paycheck for not all that much work," wrote the Austin Chronicle's Marc Savlov.
Sophie Turner plays Jean Grey, who begins to lose control of her psychic abilities, unleashing what's called the "Phoenix Force." The rest of her mutant teammates and some enemies assemble to try to help Jean control her powers, leading to tragedy.
"Outgunned on the action front by box-office rivals and too nervous to tell a more intimate story, 'Dark Phoenix' leaves the franchise running on empty," wrote Michael Hale of Sight & Sound.
77. "Men in Black: International" (2019)
Tessa Thompson and Chris Hemsworth in "Men in Black: International."
Yes, the "Men in Black" franchise is based on the Malibu Comics run of the same name. Malibu was then acquired by Marvel in 1994.
The 2019 stand-alone sequel sees Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson take over for Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, playing two new agents, Agent H and Agent M, who are paired up in London to uncover a mole within the agency.
"For all its oddball aliens and fantastical technology, the most unbelievable thing about 'Men in Black: International' is just how thoroughly it wastes Tessa Thompson and Chris Hemsworth," wrote Mashable's Angie Han.
76. "Blade: Trinity" (2004)
Jessica Biel, Wesley Snipes, and Ryan Reynolds in "Blade: Trinity."
Until Mahershala Ali's "Blade" film is released, Wesley Snipes will be the only big-screen version of Blade, a human-vampire hybrid who has dedicated himself to hunting vampires. In the last film of the trilogy, Blade, played by Wesley Snipes, teams up with two new vampire hunters (Ryan Reynolds' Hannibal King and Jessica Biel's Abigail Whistler) to defeat Dracula.
"This has all the appeal of reheated, congealed blood," wrote Time Out's Nigel Floyd.
Not long after "Howard the Duck," the next Marvel movie was released: "The Punisher." In it, Lundgren plays Frank Castle, a presumed-dead former detective whose family was blown up by a car bomb placed by the Mafia. However, Castle survived the bombing and has now dedicated his life to getting revenge on everyone involved.
This film never got a theatrical release in the US, but it was released internationally, thus qualifying it for this list.
Time Out's Suzi Feay called the film "destructive, reprehensible, and marvelous fun."
Years before he became Captain America, Chris Evans took on the role of Johnny Storm, better known as the Human Torch, in "Fantastic Four." He was joined by Jessica Alba as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Ioan Gruffudd as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, and Michael Chiklis as Ben Grimm/The Thing.
Instead of traveling to a parallel dimension, this version of the Fantastic Four's origin story sees them interact with a cosmic cloud in space, giving them their powers. But, like in the reboot, their primary nemesis is Doctor Doom, this time a former classmate of Reed and Sue's, played by Julian McMahon.
On the AV Club, Keith Phipps simply called the movie "A garish mediocrity."
In "Ghost Rider," viewers watch as Cage's Johnny Blaze descends into hell as the literal devil's bounty hunter, a power he received after trading his soul to spare his father's life. Now, when he's around an evil spirit, he becomes the Ghost Rider, a flaming skull demon who rides a motorcycle. He gets into a race against the son of a demon to prevent him from unleashing hell on Earth.
"Nic Cage seems comfortable in the role of the flaming-skulled biker, but the plot holes are too deep even for his Herbie-like arachnid motorcycle to negotiate," wrote David Jenkins for Time Out.
"The Punisher" stars Thomas Jane as Frank Castle, a former FBI agent whose entire family is murdered after his cover is blown by the vengeful Saint crime family, the head of which is played by John Travolta. Frank then dedicates his entire existence to getting revenge on those who were involved in the death of his wife and children.
"A comic-book action movie with an unpleasant edge," wrote Nev Pierce for the BBC.
"War Zone" saw its titular role re-cast with Ray Stevenson, whose version of Frank is now five years into his career as the vigilante the Punisher. This time, Frank goes up against one of his most famous adversaries in the comics, Jigsaw (played by Dominic West), while evading the police, who have created a "Punisher Task Force" dedicated to bringing him in.
"You couldn't call it shoddy, exactly, and the actors take it painfully seriously; it's just dispiriting to see all this endeavor in the service of something so humorless and disgusting," wrote Andrew Pulver of The Guardian.
In "Venom," Tom Hardy plays journalist Eddie Brock, who loses his job, his fiancรฉe (played by Michelle Williams), and his reputation after he steals confidential documents and confronts a powerful CEO, played by Riz Ahmed. Simultaneously, he is exposed to an alien symbiote who calls itself Venom, and the two bond together to protect the Earth.
"Not since 'Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance' has a Marvel Comics adaptation centered on such a splendidly weird lead performance," wrote the Chicago Reader's Ben Sachs.
69. "Kick-Ass 2" (2013)
Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Chloรซ Grace Moretz in "Kick-Ass 2."
"Kick-Ass" and its sequel are based on the series of the same name, which was initially published by the Marvel imprint Icon Comics. It has since moved to Image Comics, the third-largest comics brand behind Marvel and DC.
Specifically, "Kick-Ass 2" reunites viewers with the vigilante duo of Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Dave Lizewski/Kick-Ass and Chloรซ Grace Moretz as Mindy Macready/Hit-Girl as they once again face off against Christopher Mintz-Plasse's Chris D'Amico, who has an NSFW alter ego.
"Although the film has the cheap veneer of female empowerment that comes from having a girl assassin, it is rotten with misogyny," Jenny McCartney for The Telegraph.
Now that Disney officially owns Fox, the next X-Men movie we get will likely be an entirely different continuity. For a franchise with high highs and low lows, it's just unfortunate that thisย was the last hurrah.
"New Mutants" stars Maisie Williams, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Heaton, Blu Hunt, Henry Zaga, and Adam Beach as a group of teenage mutants living in a hospital. They were all sent there after causing horrible accidents (or even deaths) with their powers, only to discover that things at the hospital are not what they seem.
"The concept behind 'The New Mutants' is a solid, intriguing one that could've reinvigorated the familiar origin superhero story. Instead, Boone opts for genericism, ending the 'X-Men' franchise with an angsty-teen whimper," wrote Meagan Navarro for Bloody Disgusting.
66 (tie). "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" (2007)
Jessica Biel and Chris Evans in "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer."
The cast from the first film all returns, joined by Doug Jones and Laurence Fishburne, who provide the physical form and voice, respectively, of the Silver Surfer, a herald from outer space who serves to warn a planet of its incoming destruction at the hands of the planet-killing Galactus.
"An off-brand superhero movie, the cinematic equivalent of one of those generic breakfast cereals with a badly drawn squirrel for a mascot," wrote Slate's Dana Stevens.
The 2009 film focuses on Logan, or Wolverine, as played by Hugh Jackman, and what his life was like before he became the X-Man that we knew and loved in the three previous movies. It follows him from the Civil War to the 1970s.
"'Wolverine' starts with a roar before sliding into a chaotic, preachy mess," wrote The Irish Times' Donald Clarke.
65. "Men in Black II" (2002)
Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith in "Men in Black II."
After the events of the first film, Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) has retired and subsequently had his memory wiped of all things alien, but Agent J (Will Smith) drags him back into duty to confront their biggest threat yet.
"This is effective button-pushing sci-fi entertainment, but you won't need to be neuralized to forget it," wrote Andy Jacobs for the BBC.
"Venom: The Last Dance" is exactly what it sounds like: a trilogy-capping film. It stars Tom Hardy as both the human reporter Eddie Brock and his alien symbiote best frenemy, Venom. In "Last Dance," Eddie and Venom must make difficult decisions regarding their relationship and the safety of the planet.
"At least the film ends with a fittingly poignant/ridiculous tribute to the greatest love story ever told about a man and his symbiotic alien goo," wrote Indiewire's David Ehrlich.
"The King's Man" is based on the Icon Comics series "Kingsman" (originally titled "The Secret Service"), telling the story of the very first members of the Kingsman, including Ralph Fiennes' Orlando Oxford, his son Conrad (played by Harris Dickinson), a maid/spy Polly (played by Gemma Arterton), a butler/spy Shola (played by Djimon Honsou), and more as they go up against Russian sorcerer Rasputin, as played by Rhys Ifans.
"It is downright diabolical for Vaughn to make audiences even imagine a sequel to this unnecessary prequel simply to see if can be as outlandish as promised," wrote the Los Angeles Times' Mark Olsen.
Affleck plays Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer with preternaturally sensitive senses and a healthy helping of Catholic guilt who decides to save Hell's Kitchen by becoming Daredevil, the Man Without Fear.
He's joined by Jennifer Garner as Elektra, an assassin with a heart, and Jon Favreau as Foggy Nelson, his best friend and fellow lawyer. They go up against the crime boss Wilson Fisk, aka Kingpin, played by Michael Clarke Duncan, and the unstable assassin Bullseye, played by Colin Farrell.
Joe Morganstern of The Wall Street Journal wrote, "It isn't a great film, or even a greatly original one. Still, it has many grace notes, and interesting oddities."
It's been a tough time for the MCU over the last couple of years, and "Quantumania" seems to be a nadir for the long-running franchise.
In this film, Ant-Man (or Scott Lang), played by Paul Rudd, travels to the microscopic Quantum Realm to save his daughter Cassie (Kathryn Newton), who was sucked in there by a mysterious device. Along for the ride are his girlfriend Hope/The Wasp (Evangeline Lilly), her mom Janet (Michelle Pfeiffer), her dad Hank (Michael Douglas), and various other citizens of this new plane of existence.
"Apocalypse" is the ninth "X-Men" film overall, and the third installment in the prequel trilogy that stars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, and Nicholas Hoult as younger versions of mutants from the original three films.
In "Apocalypse," the team must unite to defeat the world's first mutant, En Sabah Nur, or Apocalypse, as he tries to remake the world when he is awoken after thousands of years.
"This is one of the big dangers for the extended franchise model of filmmaking, that characters and series will be kept alive not because there's a story to tell, but because the franchise must be kept alive," wrote Peter Suderman for Vox.
"Eternals," directed by Oscar winner Chloรฉ Zhao, attempted to introduce an entirely new team of superheroes, an alien race called the Eternals, to the MCU and followed them from prehistoric times through the present day. Your mileage may vary on how successful she was, but "Eternals" didย introduce Harry Styles to the MCU, so there's that.
"Zhao ultimately robs the artist's comic of its sweep by constantly turning a space opera into a repetitive character drama," wrote Ed Gonzalez for Slant Magazine.
58. "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" (2014)
Andrew Garfield and Jamie Foxx in "The Amazing Spider-Man 2."
Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone reunite as Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man, and his doomed girlfriend Gwen Stacy, in this over-stuffed sequel that sees Peter going up against Jamie Foxx's Electro, Dane DeHaan's Green Goblin, and Paul Giamatti's Rhino.
"Over-stuffed with plot and consequently struggles to invest the audience in any of it, since there's so much to get through and so many future films and spin-offs to set up," wrote The Atlantic's David Sims.
"The Golden Circle" stars Taron Egerton once again as Eggsy, a newly minted member of the secret spy organization the Kingsman. After many of its members are wiped out, Eggsy and his colleague Merlin (Mark Strong), travel to the US and meet their American equivalents, the Statesman.
David Edelstein simply wrote, "What a mess it is" in his review for Vulture.
"The Last Stand" is another interpretation of the "Dark Phoenix Saga," this time focusing on Famke Janssen's version of Jean Grey after she's resurrected following her death in "X2." Like the 2019 version of the story, Jean is unable to control her powers and kills people that she cares about until she is ultimately taken out by Logan.
"'The Last Stand' pretty much looks and plays like the first films, though perhaps with more noise and babe action and a little less glum," wrote Manohla Dargis for The New York Times.
"Blade II" might be a little tough to watch in the year 2024, as its plot focuses on a pandemic that turns vampires into Reapers, aka rabid vampires, but the additions of Ron Perlman and a young Norman Reedus are worth the watch.ย Plus, it was directed by horror visionary Guillermo del Toro, which means, at theย veryย least, that it's never boring.
As the AV Club'sย Nathan Rabin wrote, "The world can always use another entertainingly trashy B-movie, and 'Blade II' fits the bill."
"Venom: Let There Be Carnage" is a lean, mean, killing machine. Ostensibly, the movie is about Venom and Eddie working together to defeat the serial killer Cletus Kasady, played by a dialed-in Woody Harrelson ... but, in actuality, it's a romantic comedy between Venom and Eddie trying to figure out how to live together in one body.
"A love story written in blood, sweat, and the slime of half-eaten brains," wrote The Independent's Clarisse Loughrey.
Wesley Snipes makes his debut as Blade, a vampire-human hybrid who has dedicated his life to hunting down vampires in the seedy underworld of his home city, using his unique advantages, like the ability to walk in the daylight.
"'Blade's' stomach-turning special effects, bone-crunching martial arts and cynical humor will more than satisfy any action-film addict's need for a fix of eye-popping escapist adrenaline," wrote the Washington Post's Michael O'Sullivan.
After saving the universe, Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) has once again left Earth to continue saving the rest of the galaxy โ but when her powers get entangled with her best friend's daughter, Monica (Teyonah Parris), and a Captain Marvel superfan who has nicknamed herself Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani), she must return to her home planet to see what exactly is going on, and confront the mistakes of her past.
"It's silly and makes little sense, but it's such a fun time at the movies. And isn't that why we go to see movies in the first place?" wrote Kristen Lopez for The Wrap.
Eric Bana took on the role of Marvel's not-so-jolly green giant in Ang Lee's version of "Hulk" in one of the most faithful comic-book movies, at least aesthetically speaking, even if the character's origin wasn't exactlyย the same as on the page. A supporting cast of Jennifer Connelly, Sam Elliott, and Nick Nolte also elevates this movie.
"Where so many comic-book movies feel as disposable as Kleenex, the passionate, un-cynical 'Hulk' stamps itself into your memory. Lee's movies are built to last," wrote Newsweek's David Ansen.
49 (tie). "Spider-Man 3" (2007)
Bryce Dallas Howard and Tobey Maguire in "Spider-Man 3."
"Spider-Man 3" made the mistake of trying to cram too many villains into one film, a mistake that "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" replicated a few years later. In the film, Peter, as played by Tobey Maguire, faces off against his best friend Harry Osborn (James Franco) as the new Green Goblin, Flint Marko/Sandman (Thomas Haden Church), and Eddie Brock (this time played by Topher Grace), aka Venom.
"Too many villains, too many pale plot strands, too many romantic misunderstandings, too many conversations, too many street crowds looking high into the air and shouting 'oooh!' this way, then swiveling and shouting aaah!' that way," wrote Roger Ebert.
49 (tie). "Thor: Love and Thunder" (2022)
Chris Hemsworth and Taika Waititi in "Thor: Love and Thunder."
The follow-up to smash hit "Thor: Ragnarok" and the first-ever fourth solo film for an MCU hero didn't live up to expectations, at least according to critics. But we did get to see Natalie Portman return to the MCU as her version of the Mighty Thor, a couple of screaming goats, andย a jaw-dropping post-credits cameo.
"Though Chris Hemsworth, as usual, has a lot of fun in the title role, the film around him too often strains to provide excitement and laughs,"ย wrote Wall Street Journal's Kyle Smith.
47 (tie). "Men in Black 3" (2012)
Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith in "Men in Black 3."
A decade after we last saw Agents J and K, viewers were once again treated to the comedic duo of Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, but with a twist.
The film focuses on an alien who travels back in time to kill a young Agent K (Jones) in the 1960s, leading Agent J (Smith) to alsoย travel back and team up with the young Agent K, played by Josh Brolin, to fix the future.
"The movie represents at least a partial return to form, not as inventive as the first, but surely better than the recycled materials that made up the second," wrote The Atlantic's Christopher Orr.
47 (tie). "Thor: The Dark World" (2013)
Natalie Portman and Chris Hemsworth in "Thor: The Dark World."
"Thor: The Dark World," the 2013 sequel to the 2011 film, stars Chris Hemsworth as the titular Norse god, Tom Hiddleston as his mischievous brother Loki, and Natalie Portman as Thor's Earth-bound love interest Jane Foster. It wasn't as well-received as its predecessor, but it has its defenders.
"This feels like a really, really, expensive episode of 'Doctor Who.' In a good way," wrote Larushka Ivan-Zadeh for Metro.
Edward Norton took over for Eric Bana in "The Incredible Hulk," which was plagued with rumors of behind-the-scenes drama, including that Norton rewrote much of the movie while it was shooting, and that there were many clashes between Norton, director Louis Leterrier, and Marvel Studios.
Those dueling visions led to a moderately received comic-book film.
"The climax is a bit of a yawn, but most of what precedes it is vigorous and sharp," wrote Tom Charity of CNN.
"The Wolverine" separates Hugh Jackman's Wolverine from the rest of the X-Men for his own little side quest in Japan. In it, he wrestles with the consequences of his actions (aka killing Jean Grey in "X-Men: The Last Stand") and with his "curse" of immortality.
"Director James Mangold's film features some breathtakingly suspenseful action sequences, exquisite production and costume design and colorful characters, some of whom register more powerfully than others," wrote Christy Lemire for RogerEbert.com.
Released just five years after Tobey Maguire hung up his spider-suit in 2007, "The Amazing Spider-Man" had its work cut out for it. And, largely, the movie succeeds at introducing a new take on our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man and his second-most iconic love interest Gwen Stacy (played by a luminous Emma Stone), while attempting to introduce new lore regarding Peter's parents' disappearance.
"The casting is just right. As if moving back in time, Andrew Garfield is the Spidey Sean Connery, as opposed to Tobey Maguire's Roger Moore," wrote The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw.
In retrospect, "Iron Man 2" had an impossible job: to build upon what is still regarded as one of the finest superhero films of all time.
Perhaps that's why critics weren't too kind to "Iron Man 2," which focused on Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, being rude to everyone around him while covering up his impending death. Oh, and Mickey Rourke is there playing Whiplash, a Russian villain who loves his bird.
"Casting the likes of Downey and Rourke and then imprisoning them in jointed refrigerators is resource-squandering of the highest order," wrote Dana Stevens for Slate.
42. "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" (2022)
Elizabeth Olsen in "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness."
After the events of the Disney+ miniseries "WandaVision," Elizabeth Olsen's Wanda Maximoff has been taken over by the dark forces of the Scarlet Witch, putting her on a collision course with Benedict Cumberbatch's Doctor Stephen Strange as he works to protect a new teenage friend, America Chavez (played by Xochitl Gomez), from Wanda's plans.
"It might be Marvel's multiverse, but 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' is [director Sam] Raimi's plaything. And we wouldn't want it any other way," wrote Kristy Puchko for Mashable.
"Kingsman," based on the Icon Comics run of the same name, is a far bloodier and funnier movie than anything viewers have seen from a comic book movie in some time. Taron Egerton stars as Eggsy, a petty criminal and Royal Marines dropout who is turned into a super-spy with the help of his mentor, Harry, played by Colin Firth.
"On Day One of filming, they must have thrown away the moral compass and taken a group vow to splatter our sensibilities with stylish, gratuitous violence and one 'Wait, what?!' moment after another," wrote Richard Roeper for the Chicago Sun-Times.
40. "Avengers: Age of Ultron" (2015)
Ultron, as voiced by James Spader, in "Avengers: Age of Ultron."
The Avengers team up once again in "Age of Ultron" to take down the nihilistic AI known as Ultron, designed as a "suit of armor around the world" by Tony Stark and Bruce Banner, aka Iron Man and the Hulk, who is hell-bent on destroying the planet at all costs.
"The sharp, interpersonal dramedy that made the first movie such a delight is again present in flashes, but not infrequently it is drowned out by the noisy, inevitable need to Save the World," wrote Christopher Orr for The Atlantic.
Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston were both essentially unknowns when they were cast as Norse gods Thor and Loki (as evidenced by their casting announcement in Deadline), and this movie catapulted them both to the A-list almost immediately.
Both Hemsworth and Hiddleston still have a future with the MCU in 2024 โ Hemsworth's Thor got a fourth solo film (a first for the MCU) that had an open-ended conclusion and Hiddleston's Loki got a second season of his Disney+ series (also a first for the MCU), which also left the door wide open for more Loki in the future. Seeing their chemistry as brothers in this first film explains why.
"The new Marvel Comics movie 'Thor,' directed by Kenneth Branagh, is equal parts trippy, tacky, and monumental, the blend surprisingly agreeable, a happy change from all those aggressively down-to-earth superhero flicks like 'Iron Man,'" wrote David Edelstein for Vulture.
Of course, some of those characters predate the Icon Comics character, but without the on-screen success of "Kick-Ass," it's hard to tell when those adaptations would've come to pass.
"Kick-Ass" stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson โ who is currently suiting up for his thirdย comic-book movie as Kraven the Hunter โย as Dave Lizewski, a normal teenager and comics super-fan who decides to become a vigilante called Kick-Ass. He inspires a movement, and teams up with other vigilantes like Hit-Girl (Chloรซ Grace Moretz) and Big Daddy (Nicolas Cage) to take down organized crime.
"Everything you've likely heard about 'Kick-Ass' is true, providing you've heard it's profane, outlandish, ultra-violent, shocking, funny and wildly entertaining," wrote Tom Long of The Detroit News.
37 (tie). "Deadpool & Wolverine" (2024)
Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman in "Deadpool & Wolverine."
"Deadpool & Wolverine" was released on July 26. Eleven days later, it had made $852 million worldwide, out-grossing the $782 million of the first film and the $785 million of the second film, according to Box Office Mojo.
Besides being a team-up between Deadpool, the Merc with a Mouth, and Wolverine, the best-known X-Man by a mile, "Deadpool & Wolverine" is a love letter to the 20th Century Fox era of superhero films, with cameos from Jennifer Garner, Wesley Snipes, Chris Evans (as Johnny Storm!), Dafne Keen, and more.
"Dotted in among the quips and Easter eggs is the superhero equivalent of 'Toy Story 2,' a mournful goodbye to the things we once held dear, even if some of those things weren't that great to begin with," wrote Slate's Sam Adams.
"Iron Man 3" focuses on Tony Stark dealing with his PTSD after the events of "Avengers," like his near-death experience flying a nuclear bomb through a wormhole in space. But the big twist of this movie, the bait-and-switch identity of the Mandarin, played by Ben Kingsley, remains this movie's biggest legacy.
"A thrilling film and a somewhat satisfying conclusion to the 'Iron Man' trilogy," wrote Nicolรกs Delgadillo for Discussing Film.
Brie Larson stars as Carol Danvers, a former US Air Force pilot who is exposed to a blast of cosmic energy in the '90s, experiences memory loss, and is taken in by an alien race called the Kree. As Carol tries to remember her past, she's introduced to a young(er) SHIELD agent, a digitally de-aged Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury.
"The main strength is a core of female friendship: Carol Danvers is the only Marvel hero you could imagine getting hammered and belting out songs by No Doubt," wrote The Observer's Wendy Ide.
Set between the events of "Captain America: Civil War" and "Avengers: Infinity War," and exactly a decade after her introduction as Natasha Romanoff in "Iron Man 2," Scarlett Johansson finally stars in her own solo film with "Black Widow." The film also introduced actors Florence Pugh, David Harbour, and Rachel Weisz to the MCU, all three of whom we'd love to see again in the future.
"In all the ways that matter to an MCU fan, 'Black Widow' the film meets or exceeds all expectations. It is a killer action flick, and a unique viewing experience... in that I loved it, and the fact that I loved it also makes me livid," wrote Salon's Melanie McFarland.
33. "Captain America: The First Avenger" (2011)
Chris Evans in "Captain America: The First Avenger."
Simply put, Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, is the role that Chris Evans was born to play. Audiences see Evans first as a digitally altered scrawny kid from Brooklyn who, against all odds, is chosen to receive a "super soldier serum" and become Captain America due to his pure heart. With anyone else, it'd be unbearably cheesy, but Evans sells it.
"No clever messages here, just bang-on romance and action, with another fresh twist on 20th-century history woven in for the kids to dive into after the credits have rolled," wrote Ed Gibbs for The Sydney Morning Herald.
31 (tie). "X-Men" (2000)
Patrick Stewart, Anna Paquin, James Marsden, Shawn Ashmore, Famke Janssen, Halle Berry, and Hugh Jackman in "X-Men."
"X-Men" gave us Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, Patrick Stewart as Professor X, Ian McKellen as Magneto, Halle Berry as Storm, Famke Janssen as Jean Grey, James Marsden as Cyclops, Anna Paquin as Rogue, Rebecca Romijn as Mystique ... the list goes on.
While the film is a pretty straightforward origin story/team-up film, the action set the template for what the next 20-plus years of movies would look like.
"The 'X-Men' comic books have spawned a cottage industry of mutant characters, and the movie helps make sense of these legions while offering the established fan base something new to cheer," wrote Jami Bernard for the New York Daily News.
After the galaxy-saving stakes of the first two "Guardians" films, it was refreshing to watch our favorite rag-tag group of heroes come together to just save one of their friends, Rocket (Bradley Cooper), after he was gravely injured by a new threat, Adam Warlock (Will Poulter).
Of course, the film also deals with Peter/Star-Lord's (Chris Pratt) trauma of having to see a new version of his dead ex-girlfriend Gamora (Zoe Saldaรฑa) โ a sentence that only makes sense if you've seen "Infinity War" and "Endgame" โ but if this is the last we see of our nice space friends, it was a great run.
"Now that nearly every other cinematic release reads like a holding pattern until they finally get around to mutants, 'Guardians Vol. 3' is the first sign in a while that Marvel might actually have some genuine enjoyment left in the tank," wrote Jackson Weaver for CBC News.
Rudd plays Scott Lang, a white-collar criminal who is enlisted to take on the mantle of Ant-Man, a shrinking superhero who used to be Michael Douglas' Hank Pym.
But, as Pym is too old to suit up, he and his daughter Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) teach Lang how to control ants, shrink and grow at will, and later break into Pym's lab to take down Darren Cross (Corey Stoll).
"Paul Rudd stars in a formulaic but consistently entertaining and likable Marvel summer blockbuster," wrote NME's Nick Levine.
"Deadpool 2" expanded the universe of Wade Wilson, aka Deadpool, a mutant mercenary who has a tendency to break the fourth wall. In addition to bringing back Teenage Negasonic Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand), Colossus (Stefan Kapiฤiฤ), and Vanessa (Morena Baccarin), "Deadpool 2" adds Josh Brolin as Cable and Zazie Beetz as Domino, two welcome additions.
In "Deadpool 2," Deadpool teams up with an X-Force (of sorts) to find young Russell Collins, a mutant with fire capabilities, who is the target of the time-traveling assassin Cable, who wants to kill Russell as a teen before he becomes a serial killer in the future.
"'Deadpool 2' goes bigger than the first, but the shockingly touching family theme pulls all of the new characters and big set pieces together well. Another wild, hilarious ride for the character with just enough honesty and heart," said Perri Nemiroff in a Collider video review.
28 (tie). "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" (2022)
Letitia Wright in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever."
After the tragic (and unexpected) death of Chadwick Boseman in 2020, the highly anticipated "Black Panther" sequel was rewritten to be a story of grief and mourning, while also setting up the future of Wakanda in the MCU for years to come.
Angela Bassett, Lupita Nyong'o, Letitia Wright, and Winston Duke all put in stellar performances, while Tenoch Huerta introduced viewers to the underwater king Namor with a bang.
"A thoughtful and mature exploration of communal grief in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' is a fitting tribute to the legacy of Chadwick Boseman,"ย wrote Chicago Reader's Sheri Flanders.
The whole gang reunited in 2003 for "X2," which sees the X-Men go up against Brian Cox's William Stryker, an anti-mutant military scientist who is planning to commit genocide against all mutants.
"'X2' is pretty much all that you'd ever want out of a comic book movie. It's smart, it's breathlessly paced, the characters have at least 2 1/2 dimensions, and the action sequences are jaw-droppers, even on the small screen," wrote The Advocate's Alonso Duralde.
After playing Deadpool in the 2009 "X-Men" spin-off "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," Reynolds was determined to do the character justice in his own film with a completely redesigned version of him.
Seven years later, Reynolds starred in "Deadpool," which tells the story of mercenary Wade Wilson who embarks on a journey to cure himself of terminal cancer with some unintended consequences, like when he becomes immortal and scarred across his entire body.
"'Deadpool' is obnoxious and puerile and infantile and has an irritating meta tone so snide that it's constantly in danger of nullifying the entire movie, and I still got a pretty big kick out of it," wrote Will Leitch in The New Republic.
"GOTG Vol. 2" delves into the true parentage of Peter Quill, aka Star-Lord, as played by Chris Pratt. In addition to the rest of the stellar returning cast, Kurt Russell was added to play Peter's biological father, Ego the Living Planet, and Pom Klementieff joined the team as the empathic alien, Mantis.
"In Marvel lingo, 'Guardians 2' feels like a great six-issue arc, the kind of storytelling that used to be the backbone of superhero comics," wrote The Atlantic's David Sims.
"Avengers: Infinity War" is the first part of the culmination of the first 10 years of the MCU, which concluded one year later in "Avengers: Endgame."
"Infinity War" follows Thanos, an alien who is dedicated to erasing half of the universe's population, as he scours space for the six Infinity Stones. Meanwhile, the Avengers stop at nothing to prevent him from getting all six with disastrous consequences.
"The conclusion of 'Infinity War' is so shocking because it doesn't feel like a cliffhanger, more like a drastic wiping clean of the slate before the whole cycle starts again, with whatever reversal of fortune or comprehensive reboot it may be," wrote Film Comment Magazine's Jonathan Romney.
"First Class" will go down in history as the film that introduced audiences to young Professor X and Magneto, played by James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender, respectively.
The film takes place in the '60s, as a young Magneto tracks down the Nazi scientist who killed his mother, and a young Professor X has yet to be confined to his wheelchair.
"For reasons arising from the way the 'X-Men' film franchise has developed, this is the first Marvel movie set in the period when the characters were created, and thus able to embrace the Rat Pack cool that was part of their original charm," wrote Kim Newman of Sight & Sound.
By adding the Wasp to the title of the film, Evangeline Lilly is theย trueย first woman to play a titular superhero in the MCU, though she still shares top-billing with Paul Rudd as Ant-Man.
In "Ant-Man and the Wasp," the two insect-themed heroes reunite to rescue Hope's mom, played by the radiant Michelle Pfeiffer, from the mysterious quantum realm after an accident decades prior.
"Its intent is limited to amusing and diverting for a couple of hours of high-summer fun. That it does," wrote Matthew Norman of the London Evening Standard.
Cumberbatch joined the MCU to play Dr. Stephen Strange, a hot-shot surgeon who loses the use of his hands after a brutal car crash and seeks out sorcerers who can help him regain his strength.
As Richard Bailey wrote in The New Yorker, the film "lives up to its title, in mostly good ways."
For a generation of movie fans, Tobey Maguire will forever beย theirย Spider-Man, and director Sam Raimi's trilogy, beginning with 2002's "Spider-Man," will always be the best on-screen representation of the most famous wall-crawler in movie history.
"Spider-Man" stars, as previously stated, Maguire as Peter Parker, and he's supported by an all-star cast of Kirsten Dunst, Willem Dafoe, Cliff Robertson, Rosemary Harris, and more. The story watches Peter go from a gawky teenager to the super-powered, spandex-clad Spider-Man as he faces off against the Green Goblin (Dafoe), who is determined to take away everything that matters to Peter.
"At its best, 'Spider-Man' takes the adolescent yearning at the heart of most superhero sagas and gives it a lovely swing. The script, by David Koepp, isn't inspired, but it keeps the emotional beats clean, and director Sam Raimi treats his hero tenderly: He gives him space to watch and think as well as act," wrote Slate's David Edelstein.
16 (tie). "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" (2014)
Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson in "Captain America: The Winter Soldier."
If "Captain America: The First Avenger" was Marvel's take on a WWII drama, "Winter Soldier" is the MCU's version of a tense, political thriller as Cap uncovers multiple layers of conspiracy within the US government, and must go on the run from his presumed-dead best friend Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), now brain-washed into the murderous assassin the Winter Soldier.
"'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' delivers the superhero movie goods, but it does so with a grin and a wink, and that seems more and more like the right way to approach these things," wrote Jason Bailey for Flavorwire.
16 (tie). "X-Men: Days of Future Past" (2014)
Nicholas Hoult, James McAvoy, and Hugh Jackman in "X-Men: Days of Future Past."
"Days of Future Past" reunites the original "X-Men" cast from the first three movies with the younger versions of themselves introduced in "First Class" by taking Hugh Jackman's Wolverine and sending him back in time to prevent a great tragedy in the present day.
"A pleasingly coherent, plot-driven action movie, positively streamlined by the standards of today's superhero blockbusters," wrote The Independent's Laurence Phelan.
Yes, "Big Hero 6" is based on the Marvel team of the same name, which began in the late '90s. When Disney purchased Marvel in 2009, it was only a matter of time before the House of Mouse merged their two powerhouses, animation and Marvel.
And, with the success of "Big Hero 6," there's a strong argument for more Disney Animation comic-book movies. This one focuses on Hiro Hamada, a teenage robotics prodigy living in San Fransokyo.
After the death of his older brother Tadashi, Hiro connects with Tadashi's invention, a healthcare robot named Baymax, to save the city, along with Tadashi's friends Fred, Go Go, Wasabi, and Honey Lemon.
"An origins story ripe with innocence and loss, this anime-inflected treat harks back to Disney's big-hearted heritage even as it looks forward towards new worlds of innovation," wrote The Observer's Mark Kermode.
16 (tie). "Captain America: Civil War" (2016)
Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Paul Bettany, and Tom Holland in "Captain America: Civil War."
Essentially an "Avengers" movie, "Captain America: Civil War" sees Captain America team up with his friends Falcon (Anthony Mackie), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen), and Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) to save his friend Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) from getting wrongfully convicted for a bombing at the United Nations.
Cap goes up against Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Vision (Paul Bettany), and War Machine (Don Cheadle) to save his friend.
Of course, this movie is also famous for introducing Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa, aka Black Panther, and Tom Holland as the MCU's version of Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man.
"It is one of the best movies to ever come out of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, balancing engaging action set pieces and witty dialogue with intelligent character studies and ethical debates," wrote Salon's Matthew Rozsa.
"Men in Black" follows Will Smith as James Edwards, an NYPD officer who becomes convinced that aliens are real, leading him to join the Men in Black, a secret government organization dedicated to monitoring and protecting alien refugees that live on Earth. He's partnered with Agent K, played by Tommy Lee Jones.
It's a loose adaptation of the Malibu comic series of the same name.
"'Men in Black' is the wryest, sharpest, most entertaining special effects film in recent memory, a simultaneous participant and mocking parody of the more-bang-for-your-buck behemoth genre," wrote CNN's Paul Tatara.
13 (tie). "The Avengers" (2012)
Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Jeremy Renner, and Robert Downey Jr. in "The Avengers."
After four years of teasing out the six main Avengers (Iron Man, Captain America, Black Widow, Thor, Hawkeye, and Hulk), they all met up on the big screen for the first time in "The Avengers."
Under the watchful eye of Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury, viewers saw Earth's mightiest heroes team up for the first time to take out Thor's brother Loki as he attempted to conquer the world on behalf of a mysterious purple alien.
"A mega-budget action extravaganza that succeeds on just about every level, and it's one you should certainly go and see as soon as possible," wrote Luke Holland for NME.
Picking up a few months after the events of "Avengers: Endgame," Peter Parker/Spider-Man must figure out how to balance his life as a web-slinging superhero and a simple teenager with a crush on his friend MJ, played by a delightful Zendaya.
Add in a truly unhinged Jake Gyllenhaal performance as Quentin Beck/Mysterio, and you have the makings of a solid Spidey film.
"The stakes this time turn out to be considerably lower, and your friendly neighborhood Spider-Teen is arguably just the guy to bring things down to Earth and reestablish a human scale," said NPR's Bob Mondello.
10 (tie). "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" (2021)
Simu Liu in "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings."
Simu Liu tweeted Marvel back in 2018 asking if they were "gonna talk or what #ShangChi." Three years later, Liu debuted as Shang-Chi in "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings."
In it, Shang-Chi comes to accept his past as a member of his father's (played by the always wonderful Tony Leung) criminal organization, the Ten Rings, while protecting his mother's village from the attacks of a demon known as the Dweller-in-Darkness.
"It's a good movie. It's got a plausibly fearsome villain by way of Leung, a nice ensemble of heroic personalities, and a dose of actually-poignant family drama undergirding all the rest," wrote K. Austin Collins for Rolling Stone.
At the time, it was aย hugeย swing for Marvel to entrust writer/director James Gunn with bringing one of the lesser-known superhero teams into the MCU. But, as we know, it was one of the smartest gambles Marvel ever made.
"Guardians," led by the ever-charming Chris Pratt as Peter Quill, combines hilarious jokes with a genuinely sweet story about found family: In this case, Peter finds Gamora (Zoe Saldaรฑa), Drax (Dave Bautista), Groot (Vin Diesel), and Rocket the Raccoon (Bradley Cooper).
"Blessed with a loose, anarchic B-picture soul that encourages you to enjoy yourself even when you're not quite sure what's going on, the scruffy 'Guardians' is irreverent in a way that can bring the first 'Star Wars' to mind," wrote Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times.
"Spider-Man: Homecoming" was the third reboot of Spider-Man in 15 years, but somehow, once again, the powers that be managed to find a third actor who was just as qualified as his predecessors Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield to bring Spidey to life.
After his introduction in "Civil War," "Homecoming" focuses on Peter Parker's sweet bond with Tony Stark/Iron Man, and his realization that being a hero is about more than a cool suit.
"The youthful vibe of this character reset, with its sense of humor and its light touch, makes 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' one of the most enjoyable Marvel movies in years," wrote Chesapeake Family Magazine's Roxana Hadadi.
For many years, "Spider-Man 2" was considered, at least by critics, to be the best Spider-Man movie. From the iconic subway fight against Alfred Molina's Doc Ock to the tear-jerking hero speech by Aunt May to an almost exact replication of one of Spider-Man's most iconic comic panels, "Spider-Man 2" remains genuinely enjoyable, even 20 years later.
"It's unusual and gratifying to find a multimillion-dollar movie that's been put together with some thoughtfulness, that doesn't neglect subtlety in between delivering the smash-bang-wallop," wrote Anthony Quinn of The Independent.
"Ragnarok" was one of the most impressive feats in MCU history. After all, two "Thor" movies are among some of the lowest-rated MCU movies, while "Ragnarok" is in the top 10 of all Marvel movies, period.
This comes down to director Taika Waititi, who was able to infuse his signature style and tone into the MCU in this cosmic adventure that's also a straight-up comedy, following Thor on his journey to prevent the destruction of his home world, Asgard.
"Beautifully filmed with serious kinetic energy by director Taika Waititi, with a crackling script, 'Thor: Ragnarok' is a heap of fun. Cue 'Immigrant Song,'" wrote Kristen Lopez for Culturess.
At this point, you've probably heard that "Logan" is more of a Western than a traditional superhero movie, which is correct.
"Logan" follows a beaten-down Logan whose powers are leaving him, all his friends are dead or dying, and he's living in secret as a limo driver. But when a mysterious young mutant with powers like his shows up, he musters his strength one last time to help her escape.
This was supposed to be Hugh Jackman's last hurrah as Wolverine, but you might have heard of a little movie called "Deadpool & Wolverine" which made Jackman change his tune.
"Make no mistake, 'Logan' earns its tears. If Jackman and Stewart are serious about this being their mutual 'X-Men' swan song, they could not have crafted a more heartfelt valedictory," wrote Rolling Stone's Peter Travers.
6 (tie). "Spider-Man: No Way Home" (2021)
Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Holland in "Spider-Man: No Way Home."
"Spider-Man: No Way Home" now has the distinction of sharing the third-best Spider-Man movie crown with "Spider-Man 2" (more on the top Spidey films later). But "No Way Home's" charms are impossible to deny, even if the plot has more holes than Swiss cheese.
For Marvel movie fans, it's hard to imagine something more satisfying than seeing Tom Holland, Andrew Garfield, and Tobey Maguire together on screen, discussing their rogues' galleries, Tobey's weird web situation, or how with great power comes great responsibility.
"Throughout all of it, the weird and complex history of Spider-Man as a cinematic icon isn't a hindrance to the story; instead, it's an enhancement, using the quirks of the character's legacy as a source of illumination into why he has endured so long," wrote Liz Shannon Miller of Consequence.
The reason that pop culture is what it is today can be boiled down to the mega-success of this movie, which set up an entire cinematic universe, revived Robert Downey Jr.'s career and boosted director Jon Favreau's status so high that he's now basically one of the auteurs of the entire "Star Wars" universe.
But this film is simple: Billionaire weapons manufacturer Tony Stark (Downey) is kidnapped by a group of terrorists, which leads him to discover his weapons are landing in the wrong hands. So, he builds a suit of armor and becomes a superhero.
"Led by Downey's career-resurrecting performance as billionaire weapons peddler Tony Stark, it proves just as indispensable to the movie's giddy escapist appeal as the seamless CGI effects and eye-popping pyrotechnics," wrote Craig Outhier of the Orange County Register.
"Endgame," as a movie, is a magic trick. Somehow, this movie crams in 11 years of MCU storytelling and every major character from all of the films, and travels back in time to essentially walk through the universe's greatest hits, has real stakes, and makes a three-hour movie fly by.
When the Avengers decide to try to undo Thanos' universe-shattering snap, the original crew from the 2012 movie (with a few notable additions like Karen Gillan's Nebula, Paul Rudd's Ant-Man, and Don Cheadle's War Machine), travel through Marvel history to find the Infinity Stones.
"Eleven years of Universe building, and this is the crescendo. It really pays off, I've never seen anything quite like it," said James Luxford on the BBC.
3. "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" (2023)
Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy in "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse."
"Across the Spider-Verse," the sequel to "Into the Spider-Verse," takes the story of Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) and levels it up in every way.
Now, Miles is up against not just an extra-dimensional villain known as the Spot (voiced hilariously by Jason Schwartzman), but also an entire society of spider-people, including his old friends Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson) and Spider-Gwen (Hailee Steinfeld), as they are told by Spider-Man 2099 (Oscar Isaac) that Miles isn't even meant to exist.
"'Across The Spider-Verse' truly explodes the idea of what a comic book movie can be. This is thanks to the boundlessly exuberant and adventurous way it both constructs and captures its world(s) during this jaunt through the multiverse," wrote Uproxx's Jason Tabrys.
After Chadwick Boseman, who died in 2020, was introduced in "Captain America: Civil War" as Black Panther, fans were waiting with bated breath for his solo film, and they weren't disappointed.
"Black Panther" is a riveting story in which the "villain" (a supremely cast Michael B. Jordan as Killmonger) has aย compelling point and even gets the hero, T'Challa, to change his mind.
Supported by all-stars like Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, Daniel Kaluuya, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, and Sterling K. Brown, along with newer finds like Letitia Wright and Winston Duke, "Black Panther" is special.
To date, it's the only Marvel movie to be nominated for best picture at the Academy Awards.
"'Black Panther' is a revelation, the first film from the Marvel Cinematic Universe that truly feels like an of-the-moment masterwork that also happens to be a comic-book movie," wrote Roxana Hadadi of Chesapeake Family Magazine.
1. "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" (2018)
Miles Morales in "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse"
"Into the Spider-Verse," which took home best animated feature at the 2019 Oscars, is a movie that has to be seen to be believed. Spider-Men (and -Women!) travel from all over the multiverse to help teenager Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) grow into his own as his universe's new Spider-Man.
It proves you don't have to be Peter Parker to be Spider-Man, anyone can wear the mask, as Miles says. The upcoming two-part sequel has a lot of hype to live up to, but we'll always have the greatness of "Into the Spider-Verse" to fall back on.
"Maintaining a breathless pace, the filmmakers pile up sci-fi conceits, one-liners, and a melange of animation styles; as opposed to lots of other comic book adaptations, this actually captures the sensation of getting absorbed in a comic book," wrote the Chicago Reader's Ben Sachs.
Synopsis: "The Holiday Calendar" follows Abby Sutton (Kat Graham), a photographer who doesn't quite know what she wants out of life and is afraid to go after her dreams.
However, when her grandfather (Ron Cephas Jones) gives her a magical advent calendar, it helps her gain the confidence she needs to be herself.
"Kat Graham (of 'The Vampire Diaries') brings almost too many acting chops for a good holiday rom-com, but the film is still cheerily nonsensical," Lea Palmieri wrote for Decider.
"A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby" (2019) is the lowest-rated movie in the film series.
Ben Lamb and Rose McIver in "A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby."
Synopsis:ย The third installment in the "Christmas Prince" series returns to Aldovia as the kingdom prepares for the holiday season, and Amber (Rose McIver) and Richard (Ben Lamb) prepare to welcome a royal baby.
However, before they can relax for their parental leave, they must restore a 600-year-old treaty between Aldovia and Penglia.ย
Synopsis: Ten years after an ill-timed proposal ended in heartbreak, exes Avery (Lohan) and Logan (Harding) unexpectedly reconnect when they discover their respective partners are siblings.ย
In an effort to impress her new boyfriend's mother (Kristin Chenoweth) over the holidays, Avery begs Logan to keep their past relationship a secret.ย
"A typically formulaic seasonal sugar rush that's only blandly mediocre, rather than so-bad-it's-good," John Nugent wrote for Empire magazine. "But Lindsay Lohan's romcom-dominance cannot be denied."
"Best. Christmas. Ever!" (2023) is a funny holiday romance.
Heather Graham, Brandy Norwood, and Madison Validum in "Best. Christmas. Ever!"
Synopsis:ย In "Best. Christmas. Ever!" Charlotte (Heather Graham) sets out to prove that her old college friend Jackie (Brandy Norwood) doesn't actually have the perfect life she brags about in her annual Christmas newsletter.ย
"'Best. Christmas. Ever!' is not the most splendiferous Christmas movie ever, but it will satisfy those hungry for new sentimental holiday movies," Ferdosa Abdi wrote for Screen Rant.ย
"Scrooge: A Christmas Carol" (2022) is a musical retelling of the classic tale.
Synopsis: In the animated, musical retelling of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," Ebenezer Scrooge (voiced by Luke Evans) is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve who help he see the error of his ways.ย
The star-studded cast also features the voices of Olivia Colman, Jonathan Pryce, and Johnny Flynn.ย
"'Scrooge: A Christmas Carol' isn't the best addition to the collection of adaptations, not by a long shot. But it's surely the glitziest," Bill Goodykoontz wrote for the Arizona Republic.ย
"Holiday in the Wild" (2019) is a cheesy, light-hearted Christmas romance.
Kristin Davis and Rob Lowe in "Holiday in the Wild."
Synopsis:ย "Holiday in the Wild," previously called "Christmas in the Wild," follows Kate Conrad (Kristin Davis) as she goes on her "second honeymoon" alone after her husband suddenly ends their relationship.
Throughout the African safari, Kate rediscovers herself and falls for Derek Holliston (Rob Lowe).ย
Synopsis: In "Christmas Inheritance," Ellen Langford (Eliza Taylor) has to travel to her father's hometown and hand-deliver an important Christmas letter in order to become the CEO of her family's gift business.
Along the way, she's surprisingly charmed by the small town's friendliness and the handsome, down-to-earth inn manager (Jake Lacy).
Dana Schwartz wrote for Entertainment Weekly, "Unlike 'A Christmas Prince,' my favorite movie of 2017, it seems to have a self-satisfied earnestness that makes you want to sit it down and go, 'Hey 'Christmas Inheritance.' What exactly do you think you're doing here?'"
Britt Robertson casts Chad Michael Murray in her all-male stage show in "The Merry Gentleman" (2024).
Synopsis: To save her parent's small-town performance venue, Broadway dancer Ashley (Robertson) produces an all-male dance revue to bring money in.
As the Christmas-themed show comes together, Ashley finds herself falling for local handyman-turned-dancer Luke (Murray).ย
"There's nothing distractingly bad about this one and there are perhaps enough boxes ticked for undemanding Christmas movie completists but because of the overcrowded space, there's also nothing here that's worth a click," Benjamin Lee wrote for The Guardian.
Emma Roberts lent her star power to "Holidate" (2020).
Synopsis:ย In "Holidate," strangers Sloane (Emma Roberts) and Jackson (Luke Bracey) agree to be each other's plus-ones for every gathering in the coming year to avoid the constant judgment of their families.
But things get more complicated when it starts to become more than just a platonic agreement.ย
Lisa Kennedy wrote for Variety, "'Holidate' won't change your mind about the tread-worn challenges of romantic comedies, but its leads leverage their charms nicely."ย
Critics were entertained, but not wowed, by "Operation Christmas Drop" (2020).
Kat Graham and Alexander Ludwig in "Operation Christmas Drop."
Synopsis:ย "Operation Christmas Drop" follows Erica (Graham), a congressional aid who gets sent to an Air Force base with a festive pet-project to assess whether it should remain open.
She's set on crunching numbers and cutting budgets until the base's self-proclaimed Christmas expert, Captain Andrew Jantz (Alexander Ludwig), helps her find a little holiday cheer.
Kyle Turner wrote for The New York Times, "Everything in 'Operation Christmas Drop' falls predictably into place like children nestled all snug in their beds. Each plot point and character dynamic appears predetermined, and not in a seasonally charming way."
"A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding" (2018) didn't hold up to the original.
Rose McIver and Ben Lamb in "A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding."
Synopsis: In the sequel to "A Christmas Prince," Prince Richard (Lamb) and Amber (McIver) prepare for their royal wedding. But scandal rocks the kingdom when money disappears and the citizens of Aldovia grow increasingly angry with their royals.
"It's cheesy, it's cringey, but most importantly, it's harmless โ and worth a watch if you're in the mood for some mindless holiday cheer," Libby Torres wrote for The Daily Beast.
Nina Dobrev and Jimmy O. Yang came together for "Love Hard" (2021).
Nina Dobrev and Jimmy O. Yang starred in "Love Hard."
Synopsis: At the beginning of "Love Hard," Josh (Jimmy O. Yang) catfishes Natalie (Nina Dobrev) from across the country. But when she surprises him for Christmas everything blows up in his face.ย
In order to try to right his wrong, Josh helps Natalie get together with Tag (Darren Barnet) while keeping up the ruse of their relationship for his family.ย
Courtney Howard wrote for Variety, "The ensuing shenanigans not only do our heroine a massive disservice by letting men manipulate her agency โ they also cause us to question what exactly we're rooting for."
"The Princess Switch: Switched Again" (2020) introduced a third look-alike to the story.
Vanessa Hudgens played three characters in "The Princess Switch: Switched Again."
Synopsis:ย In the sequel to "The Princess Switch," Duchess Margaret (Vanessa Hudgens) and Kevin (Nick Sagar) are going through a rough patch, so Stacy (also Hudgens) swoops in to help. But things take a turn when another look-alike, party girl Fiona (also Hudgens), screws with their plans.
Dennis Harvey wrote for Variety, "Though inevitably the formula wears a little thinner in spots this time, it's a frothy fantasy that should satisfy viewers' itch for confectionary-looking Christmas fluff."
Vanessa Hudgens returned to her leading roles in "The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star" (2021).
Vanessa Hudgens in "The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star."
Synopsis: In the third installment of the "Princess Switch" franchise, Queen Margaret (Hudgens) and Princess Stacy (also Hudgens) have to team up with Margaret's scheming cousin Fiona (also Hudgens) to save the stolen Christmas star on loan from the Vatican.ย
"Anyone who has seen one of these movies can just take over for the characters and guess their lines as easily as the three cousins can swap clothes and accents to impersonate one another," Helen T. Verongos wrote for The New York Times.ย
"Falling for Christmas" (2022) marked Lohan's return to film.
Lindsay Lohan and Chord Overstreet in "Falling for Christmas."
Synopsis: In "Falling for Christmas," heiress Sierra (Lohan) gets in a skiing accident after her influencer boyfriend (George Young) proposes to her, and it leaves her with no memory of her life โ not even her name.ย
Luckily, local inn owner Jake (Chord Overstreet) nurses her back to health throughout the week before Christmas.ย
Noel Murray wrote for the Los Angeles Times, "The overall mood is warm and cheery, and Lohan brings a spontaneous sincerity to even the corniest scenes. The movie's wrapping is shiny and plastic, but its star quality is genuine."
Critics were surprisingly charmed by "The Princess Switch" (2018).
Synopsis:ย In "The Princess Switch," Chicago-based baker Stacy (Hudgens) travels to Belgravia for the Royal Christmas Baking Contest.
But when she meets Duchess Margaret (also Hudgens), who could be her twin, Stacy agrees to switch places with her so the princess can see what "normal" life is like before she takes the throne.ย
"'The Princess Switch' is a delight. If you told me last year that I would thoroughly enjoy โ nay, crave โ another 'Parent Trap'โlike movieย but starring Vanessa Hudgens ... I would have told you exactly what to do with your Christmas pastries," Emily Tannenbaum wrote for Cosmopolitan.
Reviewers called "Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square" (2020) a fun and campy holiday flick.
Dolly Parton in "Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square."
Synopsis: "Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square" centers on a small town on the brink of extinction.
Scrooge-like town owner Regina (Christine Baranski) is planning on selling the town without a spare thought for its residents โ until an angel (Dolly Parton) steps in to try and change her mind.
Synopsis: In "Christmas With You," pop star Angelina (Aimee Garcia) feels like she's getting pushed out by younger singers at her record label. In order to get her name trending again and connect with her fans, she decides to grant Cristina's (Deja Monique Cruz) Christmas wish to meet her in person.ย
After spending time with Cristina and her family, Angelina gets wrapped up in writing a new song with Cristina's father, Miguel (Freddie Prinze Jr.).
Courtney Howard wrote for Variety, "It's a holiday trifle for sure, but there's enough to feel satiated โ if just temporarily โ by the festivities on display."
"That Christmas" (2024) hits all the right spots for a festive family film.
Synopsis: Narrated by Santa (Brian Cox) and based on a trio of children's books by "Love Actually" director Richard Curtis, the animated holiday film centers on residents of a small seaside town as a blizzard hits on Christmas Eve.ย
"'That Christmas' may not be the most revolutionary holiday film, but there's enough heart, silliness, and prime messaging in this animated film to give it its wings," Sarah Musnicky wrote for But Why Tho? A Geek Community.
"The Christmas Chronicles 2" (2020) brought back the cast of loveable characters.
Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell in "The Christmas Chronicles 2."
Synopsis:ย In the second installment of the "Christmas Chronicles" series, Kate (Darby Camp) is reunited with Santa (Kurt Russell) as a cynical teenager. But she ends up helping to save Christmas (again) when a mysterious troublemaker threatens to steal it.ย
Owen Gleiberman wrote for Variety, "At a harmless piece of hokum like this one, you giggle and grin a few times, you see the ruptures healed by Christmas, and you get to hang out with a Santa who's traditional but nearly cool."ย
Kurt Russell delivered as Santa Claus in "The Christmas Chronicles" (2018).
Kurt Russell as Santa in "The Christmas Chronicles."
Synopsis: In "The Christmas Chronicles," after two kids try to trap Santa (Russell) and end up losing his precious bag of gifts, the hunt is on to save Christmas โ and Santa is charmingly sarcastic all along the way.
Melanie McFarland wrote for Salon, "The film's no great shakes, but Russell's star power in 'The Christmas Chronicles' is a gift anyone should be happy to claim."
Most critics found "A Very Murray Christmas" (2015) to be a surprisingly poignant holiday special.
Synopsis: In "A Very Murray Christmas," Bill Murray's (playing himself) Christmas special gets canceled because of a snowstorm. Instead, he seeks shelter in a bar where the fellow patrons are more than willing to sing a few holiday songs with him.
Jeff Jensen wrote for Entertainment Weekly, "Murray has surprising resonance. It may not be the yuletide cheer you want in a season darkened by terrorism and fear, but it does have a message that meets the moment."
Critics were charmed by the leads in "Meet Me Next Christmas" (2024).
Devale Ellis and Christina Milian in "Meet Me Next Christmas."
Synopsis: When Layla (Christina Milian) has a meet-cute at the airport with James (Kofi Siriboe), they promise to attend next year's Pentatonix Christmas concert together if they're both single.
A year later, Layla rushes to find tickets to the concert with the help of Teddy (Devale Ellis) โ who soon develops feelings for her.ย
"This movie was a fun ride, with countless jokes, great characters, a compelling story, and overall, a feel-good time," Brandon Avery wrote for Just My Opinion Reviews. "Don't sleep on this one because you'll be missing out on something good."
"Single All the Way" (2021) follows a best friends-to-lovers arc.
The movie centers on best friends who fall for each other.
Synopsis:ย In "Single All the Way," Peter (Michael Urie) convinces his best friend Nick (Philemon Chambers) to come home with him for Christmas to trick his family into thinking he's in a relationship.ย
But thanks to his family's constant meddling, before long, Peter is stuck in a real and unexpected love triangle with Nick and townie James (Luke MacFarlane).
"Veteran TV writer Chad Hodge's self-aware script acknowledges all the tropes โ gay and holiday โ while continuing to employ them effectively," Carla Meyer wrote for the San Francisco Chronicle.ย
"The Knight Before Christmas" (2019) is a holiday romance with a fantasy twist.
Josh Whitehouse and Vanessa Hudgens in "The Knight Before Christmas."
Synopsis:ย In "The Knight Before Christmas," small-town teacher Brooke (Hudgens) helps a time-traveling, medieval knight (Josh Whitehouse) fulfill his quest.
But the more time they spend together, the more Sir Cole wonders if he really wants to succeed and return home.ย
Ian Sandwell wrote for Digital Spy, "'The Knight Before Christmas' has every possible festive ingredient you could want, even a puppy in a stocking. Cynics need not apply, there's nothing here for you."
"The Noel Diary" (2022) is a touching holiday homecoming story.
Justin Hartley and Barrett Doss in "The Noel Diary."
Synopsis: Based on the novel by Richard Paul Evans, "The Noel Diary" follows successful author Jake Turner (Justin Hartley) as he returns to his hometown for the holidays to settle his mother's estate.ย
But after finding an intriguing diary, he teams up with Rachel (Barrett Doss), who's on her own investigative journey to uncover her family's past.ย
Noel Murray wrote for the Los Angeles Times, "Ditch the mistletoe and holly and it would still be a well-crafted, well-balanced character sketch, following two lost souls as they discover what they've been missing."
"A Christmas Prince" (2017) kicked Netflix's holiday film series off with a bang.
Synopsis: "A Christmas Prince" centers on Amber (McIver), a journalist gunning for her big break, as she goes undercover to write about the royal family of Aldovia.
Along the way, she ends up discovering a huge secret that could throw a wrench in the whole Aldovian line of succession, while also falling for the prince (Lamb).ย
"It's everything you want a holiday film to be: cheesy, hopeful, a little bit ridiculous, and overall as warm and toasty as the fireplace you're watching it next to," Lea Palmieri wrote for Decider.
"A Castle for Christmas" (2021) earned winning reviews.
Synopsis:ย In "A Castle for Christmas," an American writer named Sophie (Brooke Shields) sets off on a holiday vacation to Scotland in search of the castle her grandfather told her stories about as a child.
After falling in love with the property and putting an offer in on it, the only thing standing in her way is the grumpy duke (Cary Elwes) who owns it.ย
"Its sincere, aspirational sentiments about it never being too late to write your own second chapter feel genuinely meaningful," Courtney Howard wrote for Variety.ย
Despite its silly premise, "Hot Frosty" (2024) was a sweet surprise for many critics.
There are several Netflix original Christmas movies.
Synopsis: Kathy Barrett (Lacey Chabert), a recently widowed cafรฉ owner, is shocked when she magically brings a snowman (Dustin Milligan) to life with a simple scarf.ย
As they evade questions from small-town cops, Kathy and Jack (the snowman) begin to bond as she opens herself up to the magic of the holiday season.ย
"There's a sincere pleasure in slipping down the ludicrous slide that is 'Hot Frosty''s premise, in which a hot, naive, but very sweet man is the perfect Christmas wish โ for Kathy and for any of us who may need a bit of comfort from a cold, cold world," Kristy Puchko wrote for Mashable.
"A Boy Called Christmas" (2021) is a fantasy holiday film full of adventure and heart.
Henry Lawfull as Nikolas in "A Boy Called Christmas."
Synopsis:ย In "A Boy Called Christmas," Nikolas (Henry Lawfull) sets off on an adventure to try to find his father โ who's on his own journey searching for a mystical village of elves.ย
But along the way, Nikolas discovers much more than what he set out for.ย
Natalia Winkleman wrote for The New York Times, "Magic abounds in 'A Boy Called Christmas,' Netflix's first prestige holiday movie of the season, but pulsing through this winning adventure tale is something even stronger: the immersive power of storytelling."
The interweaving stories in "Let It Snow" (2019) won many critics over.
Jacob Batalon, Matthew Noszka, Mitchell Hope, and Kiernan Shipka in "Let It Snow."
Synopsis: Based on the short stories by John Green, Lauren Myracle, and Maureen Johnson, "Let It Snow" follows a group of teenagers living in a small, Midwestern town during the holiday season. All of their stories lead to a Christmas Eve party at the local Waffle Town.ย
Molly Freeman wrote for Screen Rant, "In 'Let It Snow,' Netflix delivers a cute young adult holiday romance that's comforting in its cheesiness, even if it doesn't break new ground."
Critics called "Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey" (2020) a new holiday staple.
Madalen Mills and Forest Whitaker in "Jingle Jangle."
Synopsis: The musical holiday film centers on inventor/toymaker Jeronicus Jangle (Forest Whitaker) decades after his apprentice (Keegan-Michael Key) betrayed him by stealing his prized creation.
It's up to his granddaughter Journey (Madalen Mills) to reignite the magic in his shop and heal the wounds of his past.
"The many pleasures of this overflowing Christmas stocking of a film are sure to make it a family favorite, and most likely a family tradition," Nell Minow wrote for RogerEbert.com.
"Klaus" (2019) is an animated flick filled with Christmas myth.
J.K. Simmons voiced the title character in "Klaus."
Synopsis:ย In "Klaus," after struggling mail carrier Jesper (voiced by Jason Schwartzman) gets reassigned to an island above the Arctic Circle, he meets mysterious carpenter Klaus (voiced by J.K. Simmons).
Their unlikely friendship melts a years-old feud in their cold town of Smeerensberg and sparks a new holiday tradition.ย
"It's awkward and weird, and yet all that awkwardness and weirdness give it personality and charm and a freewheeling, nonsensical quality that feels refreshing," Bilge Ebiri wrote for Vulture.
"Alien Xmas" (2020) is the highest-rated Netflix-original holiday film.
Synopsis:ย In "Alien Xmas," when a group of extraterrestrials comes to Earth to try and steal its gravity โ and then everything else on the planet โ the only things that can save the world are the gift-giving spirit of Christmas and a small alien named X.ย
"It's a bit of a sloppy plot, but also kind of endearing in its loosey-gooseyness," John Serba wrote for Decider.
Note: All scores were current on the date of publication and are subject to change. Films without critical ratings were not included. Netflix's originals generally consist of both content created by the streaming service and contentย exclusive to the platform.
This story was originally published in December 2018, and most recently updated on December 23, 2024.ย
Amy Adams is best known for films like "Enchanted" (2007) and "Arrival" (2016).
According to critics, her highest-rated movies are "Catch Me If You Can" (2002) and "Her" (2013).ย
But critics didn't love "Serving Sara" (2002) or "The Wedding Date" (2005).
Amy Adams is a six-time Oscar nominee who has wowed critics with her comedic talent and dramatic range.ย
Business Insider took a look back at the actor's successful career. Here's how all of Adams' movies rank from worst to best based on critic scores on Rotten Tomatoes.
Adams' lowest-rated film is "Serving Sara" (2002).
Summary: In "Serving Sara," attorney Joe Tyler (Matthew Perry) works with Sara (Elizabeth Hurley) to get back at her husband (Bruce Campbell) and his new girlfriend Kate (Adams) during their unexpected divorce proceedings.
Although "Serving Sara" is a comedy, reviewers thought the laughs were few and far between.ย
Summary: After Kat's (Debra Messing) sister Amy (Adams) sets a date for her wedding and she realizes that her ex-boyfriend will be the groom's best man, she decides to hire a male escort (Dermot Mulroney) as a wedding date to make her ex jealous.ย
Most critics wrote "The Wedding Date" off as a forgettable and boring affair.ย
"This is a charmless, lifeless affair that had me leaving the theater in a mood more appropriate to a funeral than a wedding," James Berardinelli wrote for ReelViews.
Summary: After a lab accident, a beagle (voiced by Jason Lee) becomes a crime-fighting superhero overnight. With his newfound powers, Underdog defends his home of Capitol City and falls for Polly Purebred (voiced by Adams).ย
The majority of film critics thought that "Underdog" was cute but too formulaic.ย
"At just over 80 minutes it feels not so much like a proper film as a piece of extended filler for slow afternoons on Disney's TV channels," James Rocarols wrote for BBC.
Summary: In the prequel to "Cruel Intentions" (1999), Kathryn Merteuil (Adams), the daughter of a wealthy socialite, attends an upscale prep school and plays mind games with her new stepbrother Sebastian Valmont (Robin Dunne).ย ย ย
The direct-to-video prequel was originally meant to be a TV series. When the show was canceled, the footage was reconfigured into a film, and critics agreed that the movie suffered because of the format change.ย
"If he intended to produce a straightforward two-hour original prequel, the writer-director would have made certain that the script was less meandering," Ted Murphy wrote for Baseline Hollywood.
Summary: In "The Ex," Tom Reilly (Zach Braff) starts a new job to support his family but soon realizes that his boss (Jason Bateman) was his wife's (Amanda Peet) high-school sweetheart.ย
Adams had a brief appearance as Abby March.
Although some critics admired the leading cast's acting ability, "The Ex" was largely panned for its over-the-top plot.
Summary: When Anna (Adams) learns of an Irish tradition in which women propose to their partners on leap day, she flies to Ireland to surprise her boyfriend (Adam Scott). But along the way, Anna meets the cynical Irishman Declan (Matthew Goode), who makes her rethink her relationship.ย
Most critics considered "Leap Year" to be a generic romantic comedy that wore thin toward the end, but Adams' performance was seen as a silver lining.ย
"The bright spot in this boggy botched mess is Amy Adams, a fine and always interesting actress who sparkles and shines here despite the stilted storyline," Neil Pond wrote for American Profile.
The actress starred as Bev in "Hillbilly Elegy" (2020).
Summary: Based on the memoir by JD Vance, "Hillbilly Elegy" centers on three generations of an Appalachian family โ Mamaw (Glenn Close), Bev (Adams), and JD Vance (Gabriel Basso) โ through the perspective of the youngest member as he's forced to return home from Yale Law School.ย
Critics weren't impressed with the Netflix film, citing its unlikable characters and uneven performances as some of its downfalls.ย
"'Hillbilly Elegy' isn't as terrible as the trailers make it look, but as an enterprise it's just all โ around sad, a movie that courts sympathy for its characters yet ends up only as a requiem for itself," Stephanie Zacharek wrote for Time magazine.
Summary: Based on the novel by AJ Finn, "The Woman in the Window" follows agoraphobic child psychologist Anna Fox (Adams) as she accidentally witnesses a crime while keeping tabs on the family across the street through her window.ย
Most critics found the thriller to be lacking in substance.ย
"As it is, you get a good cast working with a good director and screenwriter on a story that just doesn't have enough to offer," Linda Holmes wrote for NPR.ย
Adams appeared in the movie musical "Dear Evan Hansen" (2021).
Summary: Based on the Broadway musical of the same name, "Dear Evan Hansen," follows anxious high schooler Evan (Ben Platt) as he navigates fitting into his social-media-driven world.ย
Adams appeared in the film as Cynthia Murphy.ย
Most critics didn't think the successful musical adapted well to the big screen.ย
"An adaptation that's alternately baffling and cringeworthy, with only the occasional emotional highpoint for balance," Caroline Siede wrote for AV Club.ย
The actress played Lois Lane in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" (2016).
Summary: In the aftermath of Clark Kent's (Henry Cavill) citywide battle in Metropolis, Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) starts to view the superhero as a threat and plans a way to take out his new adversary.ย
Critics felt like their senses were bombarded by the endless action in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice."ย
"If only the film actually had depth, along with a little levity to lighten the bulk in the script, the visual murk and the sonic overkill," Peter Howell wrote for The Toronto Star.
She was Emily in the family drama "Lullaby" (2014).
Summary: After his father (Richard Jenkins) announces his plans to take himself off life support, Jonathan (Garrett Hedlund) uses his precious time left with his dad to reconnect with his family and his lost love Emily (Adams).ย
Critics blamed the poor reception of "Lullaby" on its low-level cinematography and cardboard-thin characters.ย
"A film like 'Lullaby' should both enlighten and inspire debate," Christy Lemire wrote for Roger Ebert. "Instead, it feels simultaneously superficial and overbearing, albeit with a few moments that do indeed resonate."
In the comedic drama "Pumpkin" (2002), she appeared as Alex.
Summary: In "Pumpkin," sorority girl Carolyn McDuffy (Christina Ricci) tries to score brownie points at school by helping athletes with disabilities. Although her mission is initially misguided, she soon falls for shot-put athlete Pumpkin Romanoff (Hank Harris).ย
Adams had a small supporting role in the film.
Unapologetically profane, "Pumpkin" was largely panned for grossly mishandling its subject matter.ย
Film critic Emanuel Levy wrote, "Rambling and diffuse, this debut film vacillates between the Farrelly brotthers' gross-out comedy and a softer, kinder message film, an incoherent blend that proves frustrating and not particularly enjoyable either."
She reprised her leading role in "Disenchanted" (2022).
Amy Adams and Gabriella Baldacchino in "Disenchanted."
Summary: "Disenchanted" picks up a few years after "Enchanted" as Giselle (Adams), Robert (Patrick Dempsey), and Morgan (Gabriella Baldacchino) start a new life in the suburb of Monroeville. But things quickly turn sinister after Giselle wishes their lives were more like her fairy-tale upbringing.ย
Many critics felt like the sequel's story didn't fit with the original world, but others enjoyed seeing the actors back together on the screen.ย
"Does 'Disenchanted' live up to the lightning-in-a-bottle magic of 'Enchanted?' No," Hoai-Tran Bui wrote for Inverse. "But does it lose the magic of the original? Not quite."
The actress returned as Lois Lane in "Justice League" (2017).
Summary: In "Justice League," Batman (Affleck) calls upon Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), the Flash (Ezra Miller), and Cyborg (Ray Fisher) to face off against the supervillain Steppenwolf (Ciarรกn Hinds)
Adams returned as Clark Kent/Superman's girlfriend, Lois Lane.ย
Although most film critics liked "Justice League" more than its prior installment, "Batman v Superman," they still found it overlong and imperfect.ย
"'Justice League' clears the spectacularly low bar set by 'Batman v Superman,'" Matthew Norman wrote for the London Evening Standard. "Whether bare adequacy is a compelling reason to extend the franchise is another matter."
Adams played Elise in the comedy "Standing Still" (2005).
Summary: In "Standing Still," old friends come together to celebrate the wedding of Elise (Adams) and Michael (Adam Garcia) during a weekend packed with wild bachelor parties and a whirlwind of secrets.ย
The majority of critics said that "Standing Still" plodded along with a drawn-out narrative.ย
Summary: In "Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian," Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) returns to help the living exhibits โ including Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams), Amelia Earheart (Adams), and Ahkmenrah (Rami Malek) โ at the Smithsonian when the source of their magic is threatened.ย
The "Night at the Museum" sequel earned mixed reviews from critics, but many welcomed Adams' presence in the film.ย
"Amy Adams is the lone saving grace to be found herein, which is a nice way of saying she's all that kept me from pondering 'to be or not to be,'" Rob Humanick wrote for The Projection Booth.
Summary: Based on the real-life experiences detailed in the novel by Jack Kerouac, "On the Road" follows writer Sal Paradise (Sam Riley), Dean Moriarty (Hedlund), and Marylou (Kristen Stewart) as they embark on a cross-country road trip.ย
Summary: In the dark comedy "Drop Dead Gorgeous," beauty contestants in the small town of Mount Rose, Minnesota, vie for the crown in a cut-throat competition.
Adams appeared as contestant Leslie Miller, starring alongside Kirsten Dunst and Brittany Murphy.
Critics fell in love with the cast of "Drop Dead Gorgeous" but felt like some of the dark humor fell flat.ย
"Energetically acted but too in love with its own outrageousness, 'Drop Dead Gorgeous' goes for the jugular of beauty pageant culture and ends up leaving only a hickey," Brian Farnham wrote for Citysearch.
The actress played Mickey in "Trouble With the Curve" (2012).
Justin Timberlake and Amy Adams in "Trouble With the Curve."
Summary: In the sports drama "Trouble With the Curve," Mickey (Adams) joins her father, Gus Lobel (Clint Eastwood), on a scouting trip to North Carolina to recruit new baseball players.ย Along the way, they meet rival scout Johnny (Justin Timberlake).
Although the script and story left something to be desired, the star-studded cast elevated the film, in critics' opinions.ย
"The narrative feels almost intentionally hokey and diagrammatic, a framework that gives the actors freedom to display their best-known qualities," Jake Wilson wrote for The Age.
She had a small cameo in "Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny" (2006).
Jack Black starred in "Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny."
Summary: In "Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny," wannabe rock stars JB (Jack Black) and KG (Kyle Gass) set their sights on fame and stardom after JB is inspired by Black Sabbath front man Ronnie James Dio.ย
Adams had a brief cameo in the film that was credited as "Gorgeous Woman."
Film critics had mixed feelings about "Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny," which was called enthusiastic, lazy, and overtly silly.ย
"'The Pick of Destiny' ain't going to win any awards, and the girls don't get much of a look-in, but it will strike a few power chords with a certain generation that is too old to disco and too young to die," Paul Arendt wrote for the BBC.
Adams played Marvel Ann in "Psycho Beach Party" (2000).
Summary: Set in 1962, the slasher comedy "Psycho Beach Party," follows Florence "Chicklet" Forrest (Lauren Ambrose) as she flirts and surfs in a small beach town. But when Florence starts blacking out while severed body parts start popping up on the beach, she wonders if she's responsible.ย
Adams had a supporting role as Marvel Ann, the girlfriend of surfer dude Starcat (Nicholas Brendon).ย
"Psycho Beach Party" split critics down the middle, with some loving the campy humor and others feeling like the satire was laid on a little too thick.ย
Summary: In "Man of Steel," superhuman Clark Kent (Cavill) discovers more about his past as he takes on his role as Superman on Earth. At the same time, news reporter Lois Lane (Adams) tries to piece together the man behind the myth.ย
Serviceable but hardly a crowd-pleaser, "Man of Steel" had a lot of critics longing for the earlier versions of Superman.
Summary: Based on the novel by Rachel Yoder, "Nightbitch" follows a new stay-at-home mom (Adams) who's looking to change up her life. However, things quickly become surreal when she starts to think she's a dog.ย
Although not every critic praised the film's somewhat odd plot, the consensus was that Adams' acting talent shone.ย
"Though oddly restrained at times, 'Nightbitch' is a bold, thoughtful, and often funny exploration of a side of parenthood that's rarely shown," Linda Marric wrote for HeyUGuys.ย
The actress portrayed Lynne Cheney in "Vice" (2018).
Summary: The partially biographical drama "Vice" details the political career of former Vice President Dick Cheney (Christian Bale), including the influence of his wife Lynne Cheney (Adams).ย ย
Some critics were unimpressed with the winding direction of "Vice," but most praised the range of the lead performances.ย
"What is perhaps most remarkable about Bale's and Adams's performances is that they supply depth and nuance to a film whose director appears to have had no appetite for either quality," Christopher Orr wrote for The Atlantic.
She played Susan in the comedy "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" (2006).
Summary: In the comedy "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby," NASCAR driver Ricky Bobby (Will Ferrell) has to crawl his way back to the top when his record-winning streak is broken by French rival Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen).ย
Adams starred alongside Ferrell as Susan, Ricky Bobby's former assistant.ย
Relentlessly silly and full of heart, "Talladega Nights" was best enjoyed by critics when they turned their brains off and just went with it.ย
"Broad but not crude, dumb but not witless, clever but still snot-spittingly funny," wrote the staff of Time Out magazine. "Stupidly brilliant, in other words."
She played Lois Lane in "Zach Snyder's Justice League."
Summary: "Zack Snyder's Justice League" is director Zack Snyder's cut of the 2017 superhero movie and follows Batman (Affleck), Wonder Woman (Gadot), Aquaman (Momoa), Cyborg (Fisher), and the Flash (Miller) as they come together to save the world.ย
Adams once again played Lois Lane in the superhero flick.ย
Critics preferred this cut of the film over "Justice League," but it still didn't win over everyone.
"Four-plus hours is plenty of time for Snyder to have his say, yet he doesn't appear willing to let it go. But justice has been served, and it's time to move on," Adam Graham wrote for The Detroit News.ย
Summary: Based on a true story, "Big Eyes" centers on painter Walter Keane (Christoph Waltz) and his meteoric rise to fame in the art world after he claimed ownership of the paintings created by his wife Margaret (Adams).ย
Critics admired director Tim Burton's more subtle approach to directing and the nuanced performances he captured from his leads in "Big Eyes."
"It's not the kind of performance that screams for attention," Wendy Ide wrote for The Times. "But as the artist Margaret Keane, Amy Adams is quietly extraordinary."
She played Susan Morrow in "Nocturnal Animals" (2016).
Summary: In the romantic thriller "Nocturnal Animals," based on the book by Austin Wright, gallery owner Susan Morrow (Adams) tries to move on from a hidden past with her new husband. But after her ex, Edward Sheffield (Jake Gyllenhaal), releases a haunting novel, Susan finds old secrets rising to the surface.ย
Some reviewers felt like the narrative of the film was messy, but the majority of critics marveled at the cinematography and visual spectacle of "Nocturnal Animals."ย
"Just in case the theme isn't clear, midway through Adams becomes unnerved while standing in front of a painting with 'Revenge' sprawled on it," Mara Reinstein wrote for Us Weekly.
The actress starred as Rose in the independent drama "Sunshine Cleaning" (2009).
Summary: In the dramatic comedy "Sunshine Cleaning," Rose (Adams) and her sister Norah Lorkowski (Emily Blunt) make extra cash by cleaning up crime scenes. Although they couldn't be more different, the tough job helps them grow closer as siblings.ย
Several critics felt like the film could have benefited from better plotting, but most lent particular praise to Adams' strong lead performance.ย
"'Sunshine Cleaning' will be the sleeper of this year, a movie soon to be talked about in the same breath as 'Sideways,' 'Juno' and 'Little Miss Sunshine.'" Andrew O'Hagan wrote for the London Evening Standard.ย
In "The Slaughter Rule" (2002), she played Doreen.
Ryan Gosling, Amy Adams, and Eddie Spears in "The Slaughter Rule."
Summary: After receiving devastating family news and getting cut from his high-school football team, Roy Chutney (Ryan Gosling) gets a chance at redemption when a local semipro coach recruits him for a six-man team.ย ย
Adams had a supporting role in "The Slaughter Rule" as Roy's classmate, Doreen.ย
Critics were blown away by the debut effort of the directors and impressed with the young but talented cast at the helm of "The Slaughter Rule."ย
Summary: Based on the autobiographical novel by Julie Powell,ย "Julie and Julie" compares the interconnected lives of chef Julia Child (Meryl Streep) in 1950s Paris and writer Julie Powell (Adams) in 2002 New York as Julie tries to tackle every recipe in Child's famous cookbook within a year.ย
With a pair of lovable leads and witty writing, "Julie and Julia" received high praise from critics.ย
Summary: After governess Guinevere Pettigrew (Frances McDormand) is unceremoniously let go from her job, she quickly picks up a secretary position working for American actor Delysia Lafosse (Adams). As Delysia builds up Miss Pettigrew's confidence, she helps the actor sort out her love life in return.ย
Although the film was light and airy, sometimes to a fault, critics still adored McDormand and Adams in the romantic comedy.ย
"It's lucky that Amy Adams and Frances McDormand lend their best charms to 'Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day,' otherwise this featherweight Art Deco fancy might drift away like a soap bubble, and go 'pop!'" Anthony Quinn wrote for the Independent.
The actress played Sister James in the religious drama "Doubt" (2008).
Summary: In "Doubt," elementary-school instructors Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Streep) and Sister James (Adams) receive backlash from the congregation after they accuse Father Brendan Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman) of sexual assault.ย
Critics said the film's slow buildup rewarded patient viewers with an emotional conclusion.ย
"It is an acting showcase with big questions and few answers, but for those willing to take the journey, it is an experience well worth having," wroteย film critic Matthew Lucas.
She was Bonnie Bach in "Charlie Wilson's War" (2007).
Summary: Set in the early 1980s, "Charlie Wilson's War" details the real-life efforts of US Congressman Charlie Wilson (Tom Hanks) and CIA operative Gust Avrakotos (Hoffman) to help Afghan freedom fighters during the Soviet-Afghan War.ย
Adams had a supporting role in the film as Wilson's assistant, Bonnie Bach.ย
With strong writing and a well-balanced script, "Charlie Wilson's War" was received as a winning picture.ย
"Aaron Sorkin has written an acute, hilarious, and informative screenplay which is rich with character, and is perfect fodder for director Mike Nichols, who has a knack for meshing comedy and drama," wrote film critic Matthew Pejkovic.
Adams starred as Peggy Dodd in "The Master" (2012).
Summary: In the aftermath of World War II, veteran Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix) thinks he's returning home to an empty future until charismatic cult leader Lancaster Dodd (Hoffman) and his wife Peggy (Adams) welcome Freddie into their community.ย
Critics said that although "The Master" was a heavy drama, the story and performances made it worth watching.ย
"In the end it may not have the emotional uplift the Academy or a popular mainstream audience craves, but make no mistake, this is an enthralling drama about a peculiarly American restlessness, and the striving for insight and grace," Tom Charity wrote for CNN.
Summary: In "Junebug," art curator Madeleine (Embeth Davidtz) experiences culture shock when she visits her husband's large Southern family in North Carolina and befriends her new sister-in-law Ashley (Adams).ย
Critics clamored to praise Adams' performance in "Junebug," a role that led to her first Academy Award nomination.ย
Summary: In the sports drama "The Fighter," welterweight boxer Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) hires his half-brother Dicky Eklund (Bale) as his boxing coach to train for the Intercontinental Lightweight title.ย
Adams starred alongside Wahlberg as Micky's girlfriend, Charlene Fleming.ย
With brutal action sequences and breakneck pacing, "The Fighter" was a hit with critics, mostly due to its talented cast.ย
Summary: Inspired by a true story, "American Hustle" follows 1970s con artists Sydney Prosser (Adams) and Irving Rosenfeld (Bale) as they find themselves in hot water with the mafia and are forced to cooperate with FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper).
Critics called "American Hustle" an imperfect but electrifying crime film.ย ย
"The story stumbles ever so slight but it is ultimately fun, brilliantly acted and incredibly stylish," wrote film critic Katie Smith-Wong.
Adams starred as Princess Giselle in "Enchanted" (2007).
Summary: When she falls from the magical land of Andalasia into the chaotic world of Manhattan, bubbly Princess Giselle (Adams) struggles to adapt to life in the city as she befriends cynical lawyer Robert (Dempsey).
Led by the energetic and infectious charm of Adams, "Enchanted" was hard for critics to resist.ย
"Like the Cinderella figure she plays in Disney's 'Enchanted,' Amy Adams spreads a contagion of delight," Joe Morgenstern wrote for The Wall Street Journal. "The movie is great fun, but she's enchanting."
In the sci-fi drama "Arrival" (2016), she played Louise Banks.
Summary: When an otherworldly spaceship makes contact with Earth, linguist Louise Banks (Adams) and her team of scientists attempt to communicate with the alien species and decipher their language in "Arrival."
Reviewers praised "Arrival" as an intelligent and affecting science-fiction film.ย
Summary: In "Her," reserved writer Theodore Twombly (Phoenix) develops romantic feelings for his artificially intelligent computer system named Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson).ย
Adams had a supporting role in "Her" as Theodore's neighbor and friend Amy.ย
Thoughtful and warm, "Her" was praised for its clever send-up of romantic-comedy tropes.ย
"It is a sweet-natured and melancholy film, beautifully directed, that manages to be satirical about love in a digital, distracted age without losing its heartfelt quality," Geoffrey Macnab wrote for the Independent.
The actress starred alongside Jason Segel in "The Muppets" (2011).
Jason Segel and Amy Adams starred in "The Muppets."
Summary: Muppet fans Gary (Jason Segel), Mary (Adams), and Walter (voiced by Peter Linz) travel to Los Angeles to get the Muppets back together for one last show after a conniving oilman threatened to tear down their beloved Muppet Theater.ย
Colorful, cheerful, and simply fun, "The Muppets" was a winning film for all ages, according to critics.ย
"A film bursting at the seams with sheer, unadulterated joy: watch it, and the world seems just that little bit brighter," Tom Huddleston wrote for Time Out.
Her highest-rated film is "Catch Me If You Can" (2002).
Summary: Based on a true story, "Catch Me If You Can" details the unbelievable life of Frank Abagnale Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio), a con artist who posed as a pilot, doctor, and lawyer for years as he evaded the FBI.
Adams had a supporting role as Brenda, a young nurse who falls for Frank.ย
With a winding narrative and charismatic leads, "Catch Me If You Can" was praised across the board.ย
Using New York City as the base city, Mercer researched and compared the practicalities of daily life for international workers in 241 cities across five continents, looking at factors such as housing, crime, cultural scene, travel, and access to education.
Western European cities like Zurich, Vienna, and Geneva dominated the top positions in Mercer's list, with just seven US cities making the top 50.
Here's a closer look at the ones that made the cut, using the most recent data from the US Census Bureau and Realtor.com:
1. Boston
Boston is a hub for higher education in the US.
NayaDadara/Shutterstock
Mercer's 2024 Quality of Living City Ranking: No. 32
Population: Around 654,000
Median sold home price: $780,000
Median household income: Around $89,000
Known for: The largest city in New England is big on sports, colonial history, and seafood (think buttery lobster rolls and creamy clam chowder).
But Boston might be best known for its higher education offerings, with over 30 universities and colleges, including the likes of Harvard and MIT, having campuses there.
2. San Francisco
San Francisco is best known as a haven for tech and innovation.
Nicholas Klein/Getty Images
Mercer's 2024 Quality of Living City Ranking: No. 36
Population: Around 809,000
Median sold home price: $1.5 million
Median household income: Around $137,000
Known for: Only around a 40-minute drive from Silicon Valley, San Francisco is a global hub for tech and innovation.
It also has a vibrant cultural scene and is dotted with iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge.
3. Honolulu
Honolulu offers expats a city that blends urbanism with tropical nature.
Art Wager/Getty Images
Mercer's 2024 Quality of Living City Ranking: No. 39
Population: Around 342,000
Median sold home price: $620,000
Median household income: Around $83,000
Known for: The birthplace of former US president Barack Obama is brimming with stunning beaches, lush green hiking trails, and crystal clear waters.
Los Angeles is home to a long list of celebrities.
kenny hung photography/Getty Images
Mercer's 2024 Quality of Living City Ranking: No. 44
Population: Around 3.8 million
Median sold home price: $1 million
Median household income: Around $76,000
Known for: Los Angeles is one of the US's entertainment hubs. Besides being the primary residence for a long list of Hollywood stars, the city has a world-class food scene, countless shops, and beautiful beaches.
5. New York City
New York City is a concrete jungle with a never-ending nightlife.
Alexander Spatari/Getty Images
Mercer's 2024 Quality of Living City Ranking: No. 45
Population: Around 8.3 million
Median sold home price: $708,000
Median household income: Around $77,000
Known for:ย The birthplace of late-night television, the Big Apple is best known as a concrete jungle of skyscrapers and the center of the US financial sector.
The city has a diverse population, an eclectic food scene, and a seemingly never-ending nightlife.
6. Portland
Portland, Oregon is a foodie's dream city.
James Bentley Photography/Shutterstock
Mercer's 2024 Quality of Living City Ranking: No. 48
Population: Around 630,000
Median sold home price: $530,500
Median household income: Around $86,000
Known for: Portland, Oregon, is known as a haven for creatives, foodies, and small business entrepreneurs. The city's many parks and walking trails make it a sweet spot for those who like a city that blends urban areas with nature.
7. Washington, DC
Washington, DC, is home to the sitting US president.
WLDavies/Getty Images
Mercer's 2024 Quality of Living City Ranking: No. 49
Population: Around 679,000
Median sold home price: $695,000
Median household income: Around $102,000
Known for:ย The nation's capital and home of the sitting US president, Washington, DC, is full of landmarks like the Lincoln Memorial, the National Mall, and the Washington Monument โ to name just a few.
So, if you're looking for a fun city to explore โ or an exciting new place to ring in 2025 โ WalletHub's latest report offers a look at 182 US cities ranked based on how fun they are.
The personal finance outlet first identified the 150 most-populated cities in the US, as well as at least two of each state's most-populated cities. Then, to measure "fun," it compared those cities across three categories: entertainment and recreation, nightlife and parties, and costs. For those categories, 65 different metrics were considered, such as the number of attractions, the acres of parkland per capita, bar accessibility, cost of living, and average prices for beer and wine.
WalletHub said the data used in its report was compiled from the US Census Bureau, the Council for Community and Economic Research, Numbeo, Yelp, and previous WalletHub studies, among other sources, and was accurate as of November 4.
The most fun cities in the US "provide a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities for all types of interests, from sports to theaters to arcades, and they have plenty of diverse restaurants to try," analyst Chip Lupo said.
From Las Vegas to New Orleans, here are the 10 most fun cities in the US, according to WalletHub.
10. New York City
New York City ranked fifth for entertainment and recreation.
It received two top-10 rankings in entertainment and recreation, and nightlife and parties, placing fifth and eighth, respectively, out of the 182 cities.
According to WalletHub, the city is tied for the most park playgrounds per capita and has the fourth most dance clubs per capita. A previous WalletHub study also ranked New York as the fourth-best sports city in the country.
However, New York ranked last among the 182 cities for costs, as the cost of living database Numbeo reported that New York is the most expensive city in the country.
In addition to cost of living, WalletHub compared costs of items like wine, movie tickets, and average fitness-club fees. In New York, a mid-range bottle of wine and a movie ticket each cost about $20, while a one-month fitness-club fee costs nearly $150.
9. Houston
Houston was the No. 15 ranked city for nightlife and parties.
Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
Houston's highest ranking was as the No. 15 city for nightlife and parties, with WalletHub reporting that the city was tied for the most dance clubs per capita.
The "Space City" also received two top-25 rankings for entertainment and recreation and costs, finishing 23rd and 25th.
Numbeo reported that people in Houston's monthly fitness-club fee costs about $39, while a mid-range bottle of wine costs about $13, and a movie ticket costs $15.
8. Chicago
Chicago was ranked the No. 10 city for entertainment and recreation.
Moses P/Shutterstock
The "Windy City" ranked the eighth most fun city in the US, with 10th and 11th place finishes in entertainment and recreation and nightlife and parties, respectively.
According to WalletHub, Chicago was tied for the most park playgrounds and most restaurants per capita. It was also ranked the 15th best sports city in the country.
However, the city also struggled in the costs category, ranking 151st overall.
7. San Francisco
San Francisco was ranked the seventh most fun city in the US.
Vlad Siaber/Shutterstock
The seventh most fun city is San Francisco, with top-10 rankings in entertainment and recreation, and nightlife and parties.
WalletHub reported the city was tied for the most festivals, restaurants, and dance clubs per capita.
However, San Francisco was one of the worst-ranked cities for costs, with WalletHub ranking the city 178 out of 182.
Similar to New York, people in San Francisco can expect to pay $17 for a movie ticket, $18 for a mid-range bottle of wine, and about $96 for a one month fitness-club membership, Numbeo reported.
6. Austin
Austin ranked seventh in nightlife and parties.
Little Vignettes Photo/Shutterstock
Austin's ranking as the sixth most fun city in the US could largely be credited to its position as the seventh-best city for nightlife and parties.
With the city's robust reputation for live music โ it's known as the "Live Music Capital of the World" โ residents and tourists can enjoy music venues, festivals like Austin City Limits and South by Southwest, and dance clubs (it's tied for the most per capita).
The city also ranked 18th in entertainment and recreation, and earned a mid-tier 50th place ranking for costs.
5. New Orleans
New Orleans ranked fourth in nightlife and parties.
f11photo/Shutterstock
As the home of the most famous Mardi Gras celebration in the country, it comes as little surprise that New Orleans would receive a top-five ranking for nightlife and parties.
"Crescent City" tied with San Francisco, Honolulu, Tampa, and Miami for the most festivals per capita, annually hosting the Essence Music Festival and the Voodoo Music and Arts Experience, among other events.
The city also placed 20th in entertainment and recreation as well as 76th in costs. In New Orleans, people can expect to pay around $15 for a movie ticket, $64 for one month at a fitness club, and $17 for a mid-range bottle of wine, according to Numbeo.
4. Atlanta
Atlanta placed in the top 10 cities for entertainment and recreation and nightlife and parties.
Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
The fourth most fun city in the US is Atlanta, which placed sixth in nightlife and parties and eighth in entertainment and recreation.
The city is home to a variety of music festivals, like SweetWater 420 Fest, Atlanta Jazz Festival, and Shaky Knees Music Festival, all of which contribute to the city's nightlife score.
Atlanta was also ranked as a top 15 city for sports fans.
Meanwhile, the city's lowest ranking was for costs, where it ranked 124th.
3. Miami
Miami was ranked the third most fun city in the US.
Volodymyr TVERDOKHLIB/Shutterstock
The city synonymous with spring break โ Miami โ ranked third overall for fun, with top-10 rankings in entertainment and recreation and nightlife and parties.
According to WalletHub, the "Magic City" is tied for the most festivals and restaurants per capita, and it has the fourth most fitness centers and fifth most dance clubs per capita. The outlet added that more than 88% of Miami residents live within half a mile of the park, and that it is the country's leader for water sports opportunities.
And you can't forget about sports; with the Miami Dolphins, Miami Heat, and Inter Miami FC, the city ranked sixth overall for best sports cities in the country.
However, similar to other major cities on the list, Miami was hurt by the cost category, where it ranked 157th.
But if rides aren't your thing, the city has plenty more to offer, as it tied for the most restaurants per capita and ranked second overall for nightlife and parties.
The city also has the second most fitness centers per capita and is the fifth best city for soccer fans, as both the MLS and NWSL have teams in Orlando (Orlando City SC and Orlando Pride).
And contrary to the rising prices of Disney tickets, the city itself isn't as expensive as some other major cities. It ranked 58th in the cost category, with Numbeo reporting the average movie ticket costs $15, a monthly fitness club membership costs about $40, and a mid-range bottle of wine costs $15.
1. Las Vegas
Las Vegas is the most fun city in the US.
Lucky-photographer/Shutterstock
Last but not least, is Las Vegas. The most fun city in the US is ranked No. 1 in nightlife and parties and No. 2 in entertainment and recreation. (Honolulu took the top spot for entertainment and recreation, but ultimately did not make the list of top 10 fun cities.)
From casinos and dance clubs to sports stadiums, spas, and arcades, "Sin City" has it all. WalletHub reported that Las Vegas is tied with other cities for the most dance clubs, restaurants, and park playgrounds per capita.
All that fun doesn't have to break the bank, either. The city ranked 36th in costs, with $13 movie tickets, $25 monthly fitness memberships, and $15 bottles of wine.
