Summary
- Superhero movies often overlook important moments of saving civilians, but a select few standout scenes showcase heroes saving lives.
- Notable scenes include Iron Man saving falling passengers, Spider-Man stopping a runaway train, and Superman catching a falling plane.
- Superhero films, like Batman v Superman and Man of Steel, emphasize the importance of heroes prioritizing saving people in their altruistic actions.
Comic book movies often neglect a critical component of superhero work, saving civilians, with a handful of scenes standing out as being perfect examples of what more films should be doing. From the eclectic DC films from Warner Bros to the movies of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s shockingly often that superhero movies actually remember to include scenes of heroes saving people, a crucial element of their job other than fighting villains or struggling with a secret identity. Luckily, a select few movies take the time to show the more altruistic side of their famous characters.
When scenes like this do come up in celebrated superhero movies, they usually fall into one of two categories. Either the hero is saving citizens from an ill-timed natural disaster or deadly human-fault accident, or they’re forced to step in when one of their supervillains threaten the peace by getting innocent bystanders involved. In either case, the best superhero moviestake the time to establish that their protagonists don’t just beat up villains and criminals, but actively help those in need as well.
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10 Iron Man Makes A Monkey Chain
Iron Man 3
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Iron Man 3 PG-13
Director Shane Black Release Date May 3, 2013 Studio(s) Marvel , Disney Distributor(s) Disney , Marvel Writers Drew Pearce , Shane Black Cast Ben Kingsley , Guy Pearce , Paul Bettany , Don Cheadle , Gwyneth Paltrow , Jon Favreau , Robert Downey Jr. Runtime 130 Mins Franchise(s) Marvel Cinematic Universe prequel(s) Iron Man 2 , Iron Man Expand
Iron Man 3 is the criminally underrated finish to the original Iron Man trilogy, featuring one of the few moments to show Tony Stark using his suit to directly save lives. After a deadly attack from an Extremis-empowered terrorist depressurizes the cockpit of a plane, Iron Man is forced to use his flight to save all 13 falling passengers. Luckily, he has an idea inspired by the classic toy many kids grew up playing with, “Barrel of Monkeys.”
the sceTe was filmed mostly practically with real sky-divers, adding a palpable sense of danger to the sequence.
Instructing each passenger he saves to link hands with one another, Iron Man manages to daisy-chain all the falling victims of the attack by electrifying their arms to force their grip shut, eventually gliding downwards with the entire baker’s dozen for a rough but non-lethal water landing. This scene truly showcases Tony’s ingenuity and ability to think-on-the-fly, using every resource available to him to overcome the odds. Even better, the scene was filmed mostly practically with real sky-divers, adding a palpable sense of danger to the sequence.
9 Spider-Man Stops A Runaway Train
Spider-Man 2
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Spider-Man 2 PG-13 Sci-FiActionAdventure
Director Sam Raimi Release Date June 30, 2004 Studio(s) Sony Distributor(s) Sony Writers Alvin Sargent Cast Donna Murphy , Alfred Molina , Tobey Maguire , James Franco , Rosemary Harris , Kirsten Dunst Runtime 127 minutes Franchise(s) Spider-Man prequel(s) spider-man Expand
The moment in which Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man stops a run-away train is one of the highlights of the entire Sam Raimi Spider-Man trilogy. After a commuter traincar is sent hurtling towards a short bridge, Spider-Man has to act quickly to keep it from falling off. Using his body as a brake, Spider-Man thwips multiple strands of web between himself and the surrounding buildings, barely managing to slow the train down enough in time before it topples over the edge.
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What makes this scene so particularly great is just how exhausted Spider-Man is after performing the rescue, collapsing from the stress of one of his most powerful displays of strength ever. The appreciative riders gingerly lifting him back to safety over their heads is one of the film’s most poignant moments. As is their promise to keep Peter Parker’s secret identity hidden and even stand up to Doc Ock when he comes looking for Spider-Man.
8 Superman Catches A Falling Passenger Plane
Superman Returns
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Superman Returns PG-13SuperheroActionAdventureSci-Fi
Director Bryn Singer Release Date June 28, 2006 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Michael Dougherty , Dan Harris , Bryan Singer Runtime 2h 34m Franchise(s) Superman prequel(s) Superman II , Superman III Budget 204 million Main Genre Superhero Expand
Brandon Routh’s Superman is an often overlooked member of the elite group of actors to have played the Man of Steel in cinemas. While he may have mostly been cast for his resemblance to Christopher Reeve, he was more than capable of making the role his own, as demonstrated in the film’s plane scene. After Lex Luthor’s EMP disables a space shuttle’s ability to decouple with the plane carrying it (as well as Lois Lane), Superman springs into action for the first time in years to avert the disaster.
Not forgetting about the passenger plane, he then races towards the plummeting vehicle to catch it in time with all the grace of an All-American hero.
Saving not one, but two aircraft simultaneously is an impressive feat for any Superman, and Brandon Routh makes it appear effortless as he gently guides the spacecraft into orbit. Not forgetting about the passenger plane, he then races towards the plummeting vehicle to catch it in time with all the grace of an All-American hero. Seeing Brandon Routh finally park the jet in the middle of an active baseball stadium is a quintessentially “Superman” moment that deserves more acclaim.
7 Batman Leads The Flood Rescue Effort
The Batman
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The Batman PG-13CrimeActionDrama
Director Matt Reeves Release Date March 4, 2022 Studio(s) DC Writers Matt Reeves , Peter Craig Runtime 176 minutes Franchise(s) DC Universe , DC Comics Sequel(s) The Batman Part II Budget $200 million Expand
Matt Reeves’ The Batman is all about an early Batman’s realization that needs to be not just as symbol of fear for the criminal element within Gotham City, but a bastion of hope for the law-abiding citizens living there, too. This gradual acceptance of his new role is punctuated by his efforts to lead the relief against the flood caused by the Riddler’s bombs. First, he lights a flare to guide survivors, literally becoming a glowing bastion of hope to Gotham citizens, before continuing to aid paramedics and rescue services on the scene.
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This sequence is so significant for many reasons. The imagery and metaphorical weight of Batman’s actions aren’t lost on the tone of the film, which shifts from bleak to hopeful. It’s worth noting also that Batman doesn’t perform any flashy rescues or actions that couldn’t be completed by a trained paramedic, simply adding his hands to those managing the crisis. At this moment, Robert Pattinson’s Batman became one of the most faithful and thoughtful of any gritty movie interpretation.
6 Captain America Aiding Evacuation Efforts In The Avengers
The Avengers
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The Avengers PG-13ActionSci-Fi
Director Joss Whedon Release Date May 4, 2012 Studio(s) Marvel Distributor(s) Marvel , Disney Writers Joss Whedon , Zak Penn Runtime 143 Minutes prequel(s) Avengers: Age of Ultron , Avengers: Endgame , Avengers: Infinity War Expand
The invasion of New York City by the fearsome Chitauri warriors is one of the most deadly single battles in the MCU. In The Avengers, Captain America proves his mettle against the aliens, recognizing that he’ll have to fight to save a group of civilians they’ve rounded up into a bank for easy extermination. Spotting the Chitauri detonation device, Captain America acts quickly to prevent the explosion, buying enough time for all the huddled civilians to escape in his fight against Loki’s soldiers.
Spotting the Chitauri detonation device, Captain America acts quickly to prevent the explosion, buying enough time for all the huddled civilians to escape in his fight against Loki’s soldiers.
While this scene is technically more of a fight than a straightforward rescue, it still demonstrates the same heroic mettle that other superheroes strive for when saving civilians. Captain America pulls no punches against the invaders, snapping necks and forcing friendly fire in his effort to save as many lives as possible. Even if the advanced bomb does eventually go off, Captain America’s efforts in protecting his hometown’s residents can’t be undersold.
5 Superman’s Helicopter Rescue
Superman
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Superman PGActionAdventureFantasySci-FiSuperhero
Director Richard Donner Release Date December 15, 1978 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Mario Puzo , Jerry Siegel , Joe Shuster , David Newman , Leslie Newman , Robert Benton , Tom Mankiewicz Cast Marlon Brando , Gene Hackman , Christopher Reeve , Ned Beatty , Jackie Cooper , Glenn Ford Runtime 143 Minutes Main Genre Superhero Expand
It’s fitting that one of the earliest-ever scenes featuring Christopher Reeve’s legendary Superman is a straightforward rescue. Clark Kent is among the Metropolis crowd who spot a helicopter ride gone horribly wrong, the vehicle being precariously perched on a skyscraper with no easy way off. This prompts him to change into his Superman suit, jumping into action to save the dangling Lois Lane.
It’s great enough that this scene is Superman and Lois’ first meeting, setting the classic precedent for their relationship to come. The reassurance in Reeve’s voice as he talks her through the emergency and effortlessly catches a falling helicopter (with an incredibly impractical grip) immediately sold 70s audiences to the fact that they were seeing something truly special. The scene also accrues some bonus points for being the first instance of Superman’s classic outfit change while spinning through a revolving door.
4 Spider-Man Webs Up A Bisected Ferry
Spider-Man: Homecoming
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Spider-Man: Homecoming PG-13SuperheroActionAdventureSci-FiComedyDrama
Director Jon Watts Release Date July 7, 2017 Studio(s) Marvel , Sony Distributor(s) Disney Writers Christopher Ford , John Francis Daley , Jon Watts , Erik Sommers , Jonathan Goldstein , Chris McKenna Runtime 133 minutes Franchise(s) Spider-Man Sequel(s) Spider-Man: Far from Home , Spider-Man: No Way Home Expand
Spider-Man: Homecoming proves that when dealing with a critical emergency situation, it always helps for a given hero to have a little back-up. When one of the experimental Chitauri-based weaponry peddled by The Vulture goes off on a ferry, it bisects the vessel clean in half, immediately fanning the flames of panic as those aboard prepare to go down with the ship. Luckily, Spider-Man is there to control the chaos, spinning countless threads of web to physically pull the two halves of the boat back together with his inhuman strength.
Just when it seems hope is lost as Spider-Man’s efforts aren’t good enough, Iron Man swoops in for the assist, pushing the cracked shell back together with the aid of some suspiciously-specific repulsor drones and spot-welding the hull back together with his laser. It’s a shame that this moment serves as a low-point for Peter Parker, who goes behind his mentor’s back only to fail, but serves as a crucial moment in the development of Spider-Man and Iron Man’s mentor relationship. That aside, the shot of Peter struggling to hold the ship together is too good to ignore.
3 Multiple Spider-Men Save People On A Collapsing Bridge
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
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Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse PGSuperheroAnimationActionAdventure
Director Joaquim Dos Santos , Kemp Powers , Justin K. Thompson Release Date June 2, 2023 Studio(s) Sony , Marvel , Columbia Pictures Distributor(s) Sony Writers Dave Callaham , Phil Lord , Christopher Miller Cast Shameik Moore , Hailee Steinfeld , Oscar Isaac , Jake Johnson Runtime 140 Minutes Expand
As great as Iron Man and Spider-Man’s team-up to save lives in Spider-Man: Homecoming is, the interdimensional collaboration to save citizens on a falling bridge in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse manages to outdo it. While in Earth-50101’s Mumbattan, Miles Morales, Gwen Stacy, Spider-Punk, and the dimension’s native Spider-Man have to act quickly when a canon event is interrupted, causing a breach in the fabric of space and time that begins to subsume a densely-populated bridge. The following rescue is a harrowing collaboration between all four heroes.
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Beyond being an impressive action setpiece that shows off the animation of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, the scene is great for the film’s character building purposes. Each Spider-Man variant puts their pride below their efforts as they quickly split up duties and follow each other’s orders with no hesitation, realizing that lives are on the line with every second that passes. The scene also sets up Miles’ unwillingness to let people die, even in the face of canon events.
2 Bruce Wayne Runs Head-First Into Disaster In Metropolis
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
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Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice PG-13ActionAdventureSci-Fi
Director Zack Snyder Release Date March 24, 2016 Studio(s) DC , Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Chris Terrio , David S. Goyer Cast Ben Affleck , Henry Cavill , Amy Adams , Jesse Eisenberg , Diane Lane , Laurence Fishburne , Jeremy Irons , Holly Hunter , Gal Gadot Runtime 152 minutes prequel(s) Man of Steel Expand
While technically taking place in another DCEU movie chronologically, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice features a dramatic opening sequence that quickly establishes the universe’s take on Batman. In the wake of Zod and Superman’s fight in downtown Metropolis, the city below becomes a hellscape of falling buildings and rubble, with countless civilians dying in the battle. While still in plainclothes as Bruce Wayne, Batman springs into action, doing what he can to save terrified civilians.
The awe-inspiring imagery of Bruce Wayne running headfirst against the grain of the ground into a terrifying plume of dust is some of the film’s most striking imagery. The scene makes it clear that Batman will put saving innocent lives above all else, even when out of costume, demonstrating his pre-existing character while setting up his weariness of Superman’s existence. For all the mistakes Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice made, this beat is a prominent point in the film’s favor.
1 Superman Protects Oil Rig Workers In A Disaster
Man of Steel
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Man of Steel PG-13Adventure Sci-FiActionFantasySuperhero
Director Zack Snyder Release Date June 14, 2013 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers David S. Goyer , Christopher Nolan Cast Kevin Costner , Laurence Fishburne , Richard Schiff , Amy Adams , Harry Lennix , Antje Traue , Michael Shannon , Henry Cavill , Christopher Meloni , Diane Lane , Russell Crowe Runtime 143 minutes Franchise(s) Superman Expand
Batman isn’t the only hero of the DCEU willing to put his life on the line to save others even when out-of-costume, as demonstrated by Clark Kent in Man of Steel. Before assuming the Superman persona, Clark Kent works a series of odd-jobs that put his mental fortitude to the test, including serving on the crew of a dangerous fishing vessel. When his ship comes across a burning oil rig, Clark Kent can’t watch idly by, and springs into action, diving into the searing flames of the oil and bitter cold of the sea.
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This scene demonstrates this version of Superman’s immense strength, able to withstand the full weight of a collapsing oil rig. More importantly, it demonstrates a clear character arc, with Clark now willing to use his powers in broad daylight despite the horrible lesson his father attempted to teach him with his own death. Zack Snyder’s first DCEU comic book movie is difficult to outdo in terms of daring rescue scenes.