IMDb/Marvel Studios
Superhero movies have transcended time, age, and language, emerging as one of the most popular genres in the world. Hence, it does not come as a surprise that superhero flicks have consistently been ranking among the highest-grossing movies of all time.
Even though in recent times several superhero movies have come from all over the world, Hollywood undoubtedly reigns the genre. Studio behemoths like DC and Marvel have dominated the box office for decades now.
Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Avengers: Endgame, which was released in 2019, remains undefeated at the global box office. The film earned over USD 2.99 billion at the box office, making it a worldwide hit. The movie came very close to the legacy of Avengers: Infinity War, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Black Panther, Incredibles 2, and more.
Hence, we decided to celebrate this legacy and curate a list of the top 11 all-time grossing superhero movies. We have taken into consideration the total collection of the movies and also the budget to create a proper listicle.
You might have already guessed that most movies are from the Marvel and DC worlds, but there are other superhero films as well. Keep scrolling to find out.
Note: The Box Office Collection and Total Budget of the films are based on Box Office Mojo and The Numbers.
11 Highest-Grossing Superhero Films of All Time
Over the last few decades, the budget for superhero movies has certainly increased. The films are getting bigger and extravagant, be it the radioactive spiders or the magic rings. As it’s rightly said, “with great power comes great responsibility,” and the growing universe of superhero films seems to be getting bigger. The success of Avengers and The Fantastic Four proves that superhero films are here to stay.
So here are the 11 Highest-grossing Superhero Movies of All Time;
11. Aquaman (2018)
Worldwide box office collection: USD 1,152,028,393
Budget: USD 160-200 million
Cast: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, and Willem Dafoe
Director: James Wan
Runtime: 2 hours and 23 minutes
Aquaman, which was produced by Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Films, tells the tale of Arthur Curry’s birth and ascent to the position of King of Atlantis. Curry learns about his Atlantean ancestry. In the meantime, as his half-brother Orm decides to fight humans, he unwillingly accepts his abilities underwater.
Only the second non-Marvel superhero film on the list of the highest-grossing superhero films is Aquaman, which is based on characters from the DC comics. Fans were captivated by the film’s action sequences, stunning effects, and captivating performances. Nonetheless, the movie’s speed and plot were criticized.
IMDb: 6.8
10. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Worldwide box office collection: USD 1,155,046,416
Budget: USD 250 million
Cast: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, and Anthony Mackie
Director: Anthony Russo and Joe Russo
Runtime: 2 hours and 27 minutes
The movie begins with the superheroes coping with the fallout from the fight in Sokovia, following the events of Age of Ultron. Superheroes are regulated by the Sokovia Accords because of the significant collateral damage. The clan is split as a result, and they are forced to fight one another in a bloody and spectacular battle.
The third installment of the MCU’s Captain America franchise is Captain America: Civil War. The movie received appreciation for delving into the characters’ backstories, which gave it a great deal of emotional depth. Any fan will be forced to choose a side by the skillful portrayal of the Avengers’ ideological struggle.
IMDb: 7.8
9. Iron Man 3 (2013)
Worldwide box office collection: USD 1,215,577,205
Budget: USD 200 million
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, and Guy Pearce
Director: Shane Black
Runtime: 2 hours and 10 minutes
Tony Stark takes on fresh problems in Iron Man 3. Because of the war he fought in New York, he has post-traumatic stress disorder. In an attempt to protect Pepper and himself, he develops an obsession with creating tougher suits.
A new antagonist, meanwhile, appears out of the shadows. A scientist that Stark once turned down, Aldrich Killian, returns to destroy the world by creating a virus that burns itself to death.
It is the third movie in Marvel Studios’ Iron Man series. Iron Man 3 got mixed reviews from both reviewers and fans, despite being a commercial success.
IMDb: 7.1
8. Incredibles 2 (2018)
Worldwide box office collection: USD 1,243,225,667
Budget: USD 200 million
Voice Cast: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, and Samuel L. Jackson
Director: Brad Bird
Runtime: 1 hour and 58 minutes
For superhero lovers of all ages, Pixar Animation Studios’ the Incredibles is one of the most well-liked animated series. The remarkable Parr family is brought together in the second installment. While superheroes are still illegal, they are thrown into a new adventure while attempting to balance their superhero character with their regular lives.
This time, however, Mr. Incredible’s skills as a stay-at-home father are put to the test when his wife, Elastigirl, embarks on new tasks. The movie deftly examines how families interact, how people view superheroes, and how society views them. Fans were won over by the film’s humor, action, and high caliber of animation.
The only animated movie on the list of the top 11 superhero films ever made is Incredibles 2.
IMDb: 7.5
7. Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
Worldwide box office collection: USD 1,264,712,600
Budget: USD 200 million
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, and Morena Baccarin
Director: Shawn Levy
Runtime: 2 hours and 8 minutes
The 7th film on our list of the highest-grossing superhero films ever made is Deadpool & Wolverine. Deadpool 3 joined the MCU after 20th Century Fox was acquired by Disney.
In typical Deadpool fashion, the movie went too far with its use of some unexpected characters to explore the MCU’s multiverse premise. Fans complimented the picture for maintaining the foul-mouthed superhero’s persona throughout, with Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman’s bromance serving as the film’s high point.
IMDb: 8
6. Black Panther (2018)
Worldwide box office collection: USD 1,349,926,083
Budget: USD 200 million
Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, and more
Director: Ryan Coogler
Runtime: 2 hours and 14 minutes
For a variety of reasons, Black Panther is a seminal movie in Marvel history. It was the first popular superhero movie with a cast that was primarily Black. The movie brought attention to Black history, culture, and heritage—something Hollywood has repeatedly failed to do.
The film received appreciation for its thought-provoking ideas, well-written characters, moving situations, and visual effects in addition to its broad cultural representation. Around the world, the representation of African culture was praised.
IMDb: 7.3
5. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Worldwide box office collection: USD 1,405,018,048
Budget: USD 365 million
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, and more
Director: Joss Whedon
Runtime: 2 hours and 21 minutes
Age of Ultron is the eleventh movie in the MCU and the second Avengers movie. The development of Ultron, who turns rogue and destroys the Earth, is at the heart of the story. To overcome him, the superheroes must band together. Vision, who was developed by Stark, Banner, Rogers, and Thor, is also introduced in the movie.
Despite being a financial success, Avengers: Age of Ultron fell short of the expectations set by its predecessors. Some important superheroes were also present in Age of Ultron. Fans, however, thought that this attempt’s narration was too dense and didn’t balance its subplots.
IMDb: 7.3
4. The Avengers (2012)
Worldwide box office collection: USD 1,520,538,536
Budget: USD 220-225 million
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, and Jeremy Renner
Director: Joss Whedon
Runtime: 2 hours and 23 minutes
Despite being the sixth movie in the MCU, Avengers is the first to include so many important superheroes. The idea that the movie revolutionized the superhero genre is not out of the question. Fans were charmed by its meticulous attention to every superhero and the tremendous confrontations.
The critics gave high marks to the cast, visual effects, direction, character development, and the comical interactions between the superheroes. The film established a standard for interwoven storytelling in addition to securing the MCU’s place in the film industry.
IMDb: 8
3. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Worldwide box office collection: USD 1,926,899,310
Budget: USD 200 million
Cast: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jacob Batalon, and more
Director: Jon Watts
Runtime: 2 hours and 28 minutes
Set after the events of Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), the film is the third installment in the MCU’s Spider-Man series. Mysterio is responsible for revealing Peter’s identity to the public. He turns to Doctor Strange for assistance in repairing the harm, but he unintentionally allows characters from the other reality to pursue Spider-Man by opening the multiverse.
At No Way Home’s climax, not a single fan was sitting. Everyone can still recall the day, the time, and the mood of the MCU’s most ambitious crossover since Endgame. In addition to the superheroes, we see thrilling cameos from the web-slinger’s iconic adversaries.
IMDb: 8.2
2. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Worldwide box-office collection: USD 2,052,415,039
Budget: USD 325-400 million
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, and more
Director: Anthony Russo and Joe Russo
Runtime: 2 hours and 29 minutes
The anticipation for Endgame was effectively built by Avengers: Infinity War. For Marvel fans, seeing all the superheroes in one movie was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The plot revolves around the Avengers’ attempt to thwart Thanos’ lethal desire to obtain all six infinity stones. The superheroes get together to defeat him after realizing how serious the situation is. Numerous superheroes, including Black Panther, Spider-Man, the Hulk, Star-Lord, Thor, and others, are featured in the movie.
IMDb: 8.4
1. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Worldwide box-office collection: USD 2,799,439,100
Budget: USD 356-400 million
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, and more
Director: Anthony Russo and Joe Russo
Runtime: 3 hours and 1 minute
Avengers: Endgame begins immediately following the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War, in which Thanos reduced half of humanity to dust. The remaining superheroes’ struggles with the Blip’s aftermath are the main subject of the film. After five years, they ultimately get back together and resolve to fight Thanos to revive their fellow superheroes and others.
The movie concluded the Infinity Saga, the first three stages of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). As we watch an epic final battle involving nearly all of the superheroes and villains from the MCU and the comics, the film is nothing short of a cultural phenomenon.
Marvel fans continue talking about how Avengers: Endgame was the last successful movie the MCU produced before the studio giant’s fortunes declined.
IMDb: 8.4