On-screen superheroes have been front and center for most of the 21st century, gaining popularity never seen before.
Superheroes are often looked down upon and dismissed, but that shouldn’t be, as they are films that entertain, tug at heartstrings, and create hope and excitement.
They may be silly at times or overly dramatic. Still, just like their comic book roots, they are works of art just as valid as any other. They have accomplished great things, such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which was a big risk that paid off, and many have tried and failed to replicate that success.
Superheroes have a place in the hearts and minds of the movie-going audience, just as they did for years on the page for comic readers.
As the world appears to be a darker place the further we go into the 21st century, superheroes offer a way to escape and remind us of the good that we are capable of.
Despite my love for The Batman (2022) with its rain-soaked, grimy, David Fincher-inspired take on the caped crusader, I think the brighter, more optimistic feel of last year’s Superman (2025) is a perfect choice that shows off these qualities.
Superman, created by Jerry Siegel and fellow Canadian Joe Shuster, is a beacon of kindness and hope. Our hero primarily wants to help people regardless of what others think of him; he just helps people and saves lives.
In Superman (2025), Clark Kent, an alien from a dead world, has been raised on Earth and has found his place as a hero to its people.
His refusal to use excessive violence draws the ire of other heroes, who believe he doesn’t go far enough. Still, Superman is steadfast in his belief in the good of others, raising the question: Is the new punk rock a belief in the good of people?
After this movie was released, many people latched onto this sense of optimism. Superhero movies show us what real heroism is: kindness, selflessness, and compassion for others.
In Superman (2025), it’s clear how Superman acts towards others around him, and in The Batman (2022), we see Batman come to this conclusion with his revelation that all the madness was stirred up by his violent crusade against crime. He needs to be a better symbol for the people of Gotham.
As Superman said in the Infinite Crisis comic, “It’s not about where you were born. Or what powers you have. Or what you wear on your chest. It’s about what you do. It’s about action.”
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