11 Superhero Movies That You Need To Watch Twice To Truly Get

Superhero movies get a bad rep for being spectacle over substance, but there are plenty of superhero films with depth that demand a rewatch in order to fully understand and appreciate the film. Yes, superhero movies can be flashy. They often require a great deal of special effects, and they deliver fantasy stories that usually require suspension of belief in some capacity. However, that does not make them any less worthwhile compared to a high-brow fantasy or sci-fi film.

While most comic book and superhero movies could be boiled down to a good versus evil narrative, it’s rare that they are ever so simple in their approach. Whether the film is packed full of ideas and concepts that require a deep dive, features a thick storyline that needs time to digest, or the psychological aspects are just so vast and well-defined, there are plenty of examples of deep, thought-provoking superhero films that need to be watched more than once. These films stand out as some of the best superhero movies ever made, and for good reason.

11 Deadpool & Wolverine

Starting off with the simple stuffed comic book movie that features a wealth of Easter Eggs, cameos, and stories that pay tribute to the source material, Deadpool & Wolverine is a great example of what comic book movies can do. The movie weaves an intricate narrative that pays tribute to the Marvel movies that came before, from multiple universes, and brings them all into the MCU in a satisfying and smooth way. Making something this ambitious was a wild and risky move, but the writing, direction, and performance paid off and made something truly spectacular.

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However, with so much involved in the film, it demands a rewatch just to try and get a grasp on all the references that were included. Whether a viewer has pre-existing knowledge of the Marvel films, the MCU, the Fox Universe, or just the comics, there is something for everyone. And this means that there is plenty to glean from a rewatch that was likely missed the first time around.

10 The Batman

Custom image by Felipe Rangel

The Batman is another ambitious superhero film, but for very different reasons. Since 1989, Batman is a character that has been adapted in live-action a lot. In fact, the character had been portrayed by five different actors, across various entries, and they were already appearing in a potentially concurrent universe with the DCEU. Despite this, Matt Reeves and the team set out to deliver a new take on Gotham’s Dark Knight.

Somehow, against all the odds, this film starring a former twinkly Vampire from Twilight managed to create the darkest and most intense version of Gotham to date. As Robert Pattinson’s young novice Batman begins his vigilante journey, he is faced with villains like the Riddler, and an intricate criminal underground that has eroded the city. The film’s story develops in a natural way, but watching it back and seeing all the moments that signpost these developments makes it even better.

9 V For Vendetta

Moving away from Marvel and DC for a moment, V for Vendetta delivered a very different kind of comic book movie back in 2005. The movie is based on the Vertigo comics by legendary comic book writer Alan Moore, and while Moore disregards the adaptation, the movie does do a great job at showcasing a dystopian world that has fallen into disrepair. The movie follows the faceless protagonist, V, as he sets out on a conquest to avenge his former life, and the lives of fellow prisoners in the new society.

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Due to the dense political themes, the vast dystopian world, and the twists that develop over the course of the film, it’s a necessity to watch it back in order to understand what is happening in its fullest sense. And while the movie is entertaining and inspiring after a first viewing, it brings the audience further down the rabbit hole with V upon repeat viewings. Regardless, it’s well worth it, and never gets boring, and despite the time that elapses since its release, it only becomes more relevant in its storytelling.

8 Avengers: Infinity War

Back to the spectacle of the MCU, and potentially one of the most spectacular movies in the entire franchise, Avengers: Infinity War. This film is the culmination of 18 films, and the first part of the epic final chapter for the Infinity Saga. The movie is packed with heroes from previous movies, and sees them rise up to fight against their biggest threat yet, Thanos. And while many superhero movies see good beating evil, this film completely shakes up the narrative in a way that hits incredibly hard.

For that reason, the movie can leave the audience in shock after a single viewing, and may demand further viewing to fully appreciate the story. Upon a rewatch, viewers can better appreciate and understand the events that lead up to the fateful Snap. In addition, Infinity War is a powerful hero story that acts as a send-off for some of these incredible heroes before they embark on their final outing in Avengers: Endgame.

7 Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice

While the DCEU’s epic crossover event was received with significantly more criticism and controversy, it does stand out as one of the most poignant storylines within the DCEU. An initial watch could cause viewers some degree of disorientation, as the story races by, or frustration at how the narrative is resolved, but upon rewatching with an open mind, there are parts of the movie worth admiring.

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In addition, some of the biggest criticisms of the movie can be improved upon with a little background reading about comic book events referenced in the movie, which provides additional helpful context that didn’t make it into the movie. It may not be enough to redeem everything, but, it certainly helps to have some distance from the initial frustration and sting that comes with watching the movie and seeing things that don’t make sense play out.

6 Chronicle

Once again, straying away from DC and Marvel, Chronicle is a spectacular superhero movie with an entirely original concept. The film was directed by Josh Trank, who would go on to direct the critically panned Fantastic Four movie in 2015, but this 2012 gem is a spectacular film that stands out from the genre. Utilizing the found footage format within a superhero story, and finding ways to make that a natural element in the story is just the tip of the iceberg in this deeply contemplative and intriguing story of three young men who gain powers overnight.

The movie follows a short period where the boys find a mysterious asteroid, and soon after begin showing signs of supernatural abilities. However, as they each hone their new gifts, and attempt to use them in meaningful ways, the group begins to fracture. The film’s central figure, Andrew, has a gift for advancing his powers, and it’s worth watching again just to see the path he walks as he develops his gift.

5 Hulk

Before The Incredible Hulk introduced the green giant to the MCU, and before Mark Ruffalo assumed the role, Eric Bana was cast as the mild-mannered Bruce Banner in 2003s Hulk. With direction from Ang Lee, this film featured incredible storytelling, impressive visuals, and a more raw emotional superhero story than many other modern hits, despite the main hero being a computer-generated monster.

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The film also features potentially the most overtly powerful and terrifying version of the Hulk to date, with the creature growing in size as they get more and more angry. However, it’s worth watching the film to see the developments that happen between Banner and his alter-ego, how people like Ross respond, and the way that these actions impact on the further chaos and destruction that plays out in the story. Rather than Hulk fighting other monsters, the movie focuses on the inner struggle, which is a pivotal part of the comic book characters’ journey.

4 X-Men: Days Of Future Past

When the X-Men movies were rebooted in 2011, it seemed as though the previous generations of actors would be retired from the roles. However, in 2014, Fox chose to blend both sets of heroes together in the epic crossover that was X-Men: Days of Future Past. This film sees young Professor Xavier, played by James McAvoy, connect with his future self through a psychic link with Logan, played by Hugh Jackman, that allows Patrick Stewart’s version of the character to warn him of impending doom. This then develops into a complex time travel story as the heroes present and future work to stop their enemies.

With most movies that explore time travel, it’s worth rewatching just to try and make sense of the timeline within the film. However, Days of Future Past has a lot more to offer as it resolves the discrepancies between the original X-Men movies and the modern reboot. It’s an incredible adventure, and one that is well worth watching again to get a better grasp on the story.

3 Joker: Folie à Deux

Image via Warner Bros.

So, Joker: Folie à Deux has not received glowing praise from critics, and the movie appears to have undone a lot of what the original 2019 film managed to achieve so spectacularly, but that doesn’t mean its not worth watching again. Many fans were not expecting the musical element, and others were displeased with the movies intentional dismantling of the earlier entry, but all things considered, the movie did create something that was more true to the character of the Joker.

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Joker was designed to give a backstory to a character whose past is shrouded in mystery, but Joker 2 put that cloud of confusion and intrigue back in place. While it may not win awards, or achieve the same level of discussion and celebration as the original, it does a lot with the characters and explores themes of identity. It also makes it very clear that the Joker was always a villain, and never a hero.

2 The Dark Knight

Another film where the Joker’s performance was praised widely was Christopher Nolan’s 2008 hit, The Dark Knight. The film stars Christian Bale as the masked vigilante hero, but Heath Ledger steals the show as the Joker. Throughout, Batman is put through his paces, as this new rival appears to wreak havoc with total disregard for his own life, for wealth, or for any material or rational reasoning. However, the Joker does have a clear motive for his actions.

Watching the film back provides viewers with a deeper insight into the mind of the Joker, and the mind of Bale’s Batman, as the pair fight it out to win the heart of Gotham and the safety of its citizens. It also introduces the character of Harvey Dent, who initially appears to be Gotham’s savior and White Knight, but throughout the story, he devolves into something far more disturbing. Just watching how Dent transforms is enough reason, but everything about this Nolan masterpiece is worth watching.

1 Watchmen

Finally, another Alan Moore original, Watchmen is a DC standalone story which sees a group of heroes with a dark streak. Similar to modern superhero stories like The Boys, the heroes wield their power and influence in ways that are less than noble, but everyone involved thinks that their goals are right and worthy. The movie follows a noir mystery style, with an overarching plot that sees some heroes plotting for nefarious means.

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The movie is deeply psychological, darker than most other superhero films, and features some incredible twists and turns. In order to fully understand and appreciate the film, it demands a rewatch to explore all the different motivations, and the competing goals of each hero as they step out of retirement and into the fray of the fight to once again save the world. In order to really appreciate how deep a superhero movie can go into its dark exploration, it’s worth watching Watchmen more than once.