While the exact origins of the idea of superheroes are widely debated, it's known that, in the USA, they became particularly popular from the 1930s onward with the advent of comic books. Superheroes were a prime feature of these comic books, with people using the medium to escape reality, indulging in their wildest fantasies. To varying degrees, comedy played a big part in those early comic books. The early adaptations of these superhero comics for TV and film continued this comedic theme (look at the early Adam West Batman series as an example).
There was certainly a period in the 90s during which superhero movies became darker in tone, with new, grittier iterations of Batman soaring in popularity and lesser-known superheroes like Blade and Darkman receiving the Hollywood treatment. Marvel seemed to bring light-heartedness back into the superhero genre in Iron Man, with Tony Stark's (Robert Downey Jr.) dry sense of sarcastic, sardonic humor being pushed to the forefront. While the darker side of the superhero genre still flourishes with movies like Logan and Joker, humor and heroes are almost synonymous, with some of the biggest blockbuster hits being some of the funniest. Below, we count down the funniest superhero movies of the 21st Century.
11 Incredibles 2 (2018)
The Parr family finds themselves in trouble when a battle with the villainous Underminer causes property damage to their town. This sparks a backlash towards the superhero community, and they soon see their funding pulled. Help arrives in the form of two wealthy siblings who call on Helen (Elastigirl) to help re-invent the image of a superhero. While initially a PR campaign, her actions put her face to face with a new villain, The Screenslaver, who is looking to control people through their mobile devices.
Perfect Superhero Comedy for the Whole Family
The Incredibles 2 is one of the rare examples of a movie, animated or otherwise, that arguably supersedes the original. There’s no denying that Pixar chose to enter into the superhero genre with a film that acts just as much as a sharp satire of sitcom-like suburban life as it does an homage to the great comic book heroes. For fans of the more humorous side of Marvel and DC, The Incredibles 2 is a loving homage. Still, its appeal is universal under the heartwarming and comedic approach that Pixar Studios has mastered. You can stream Incredibles 2 on Disney+.
10 Indie Superhero Movies to Watch if You're Tired of Marvel and DC
Suffering from Marvel or DC fatigue? Here are fun superhero movies from small studios to satisfy your genre cravings.
10 Ant-Man (2015)
Former S.H.I.E.L.D. scientist Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) is alarmed when his protégé Darren Cross (Corey Stoll) announces his near success in replicating his shrinking technology. Representatives from HYDRA are looking to buy the suit that could cause massive destruction, and Hank must find a man who can successfully infiltrate a tightly guarded facility.
- Release Date
- July 14, 2015
- Runtime
- 117 minutes
Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is a recent ex-convict struggling to find work and support for his daughter. Scott gets a peculiar job proposal from scientist Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) to don his invention, which allows him to shrink down while still maintaining the power of a full-grown man. At first reluctant, Scott comes to embrace the role and begins to investigate the terrorist organization known as Hyrda, which is developing a new weapon to rival Pym's creation.
A Hero of Miniscule Proportions
Ant-Man might not be an all-out comedy like many other movies on the list, but it’s certainly not without its funny moments. Much of this comes from the casting of Paul Rudd as the titular Ant-Man. Rudd is effortlessly amusing and brings his trademark humor and laid-back comedy to the role. Aside from Rudd, the concept of a superhero that can shrink to the size of an ant lends itself to numerous sight gags. The original Ant-Man still stands tall as the best, but the series has seen two sequels, Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023). You can stream Ant-Man on Disney+ or Starz.
9 Shazam! (2019)
- Release Date
- March 29, 2019
- Director
- David F. Sandberg
- Runtime
- 132
Challenged yet optimistic, teenager Billy Batson is given a gift of incredible powers when he stumbles upon the tomb of the wizard Shazam. Now, when he calls the wizard's name, he is gifted with the powers of the ancient gods. Billy begins to use his powers to save people in need while having fun goofing around with his adoptive family. However, when Dr. Sivana witnesses Billy's transformation, he finds a way to get into the tomb, releasing the seven deadly sins imprisoned there and adopting their powers to challenge Billy.
The Amazing Teenage Superhero
Shazam! exceeded expectations, both at the box office and with critics. The premise lends itself to all sorts of humorous situations as it explores what would happen if a teenager could transform into a superhero with extraordinary powers anytime they wanted. The movie certainly plays into that desire with a comedic twist, boasting great dialogue between an adult Billy Batson and his adopted family. The sequel, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, may have been a flop, but it does contain similar charms. You can stream Shazam! on Max.
8 The Lego Batman Movie (2017)
In the irreverent spirit of fun that made "The Lego Movie" a worldwide phenomenon, the self-described leading man of that ensemble—Lego Batman—stars in his own big-screen adventure. But there are big changes brewing in Gotham, and if he wants to save the city from The Joker’s hostile takeover, Batman may have to drop the lone vigilante thing, try to work with others and maybe, just maybe, learn to lighten up.
- Release Date
- February 8, 2017
- Runtime
- 104 minutes
2014’s Lego Movie surprised everyone as a hilarious and fun-filled movie that appealed to children and adults of all ages. It was a stroke of genius to team up with DC, license their most recognizable characters, and turn them into Lego. Will Arnett's Batman was such a standout in The Lego Movie that it is unsurprising they would spin him off and give him his own. Here, the caped crusader faces one of his greatest challenges: forming a relationship.
Creativity and Humor from the Lego-verse
By keeping to the same stunning animation style and adopting the same sense of humor as its predecessor, The Lego Batman Movie was a spin-off with all the same comedic beats. Combine that with a fantastic voice cast consisting of Will Arnett, Zach Galifianakis, Michael Cera, Rosario Dawson, Ralph Fiennes, and Mariah Carey, and The Lego Batman Movie stands tall as one of the best-executed and hilarious superhero movies. You can rent The Lego Batman Movie on Amazon Video, YouTube, or Apple TV.
7 Super (2010)
- Release Date
- November 26, 2010
- Runtime
- 96
Small indie flick Super might not be as well-known as the other titles on this list, despite boasting an impressive cast including Elliot Page, Kevin Bacon and The Office's Rainn Wilson. Moreover, the movie was an early effort by director James Gunn, who has become synonymous with comic book movies following the success of Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad and his subsequent hiring as co-CEO of DC Studios.
James Gunn's First Superhero Movie
Super certainly pushes the boundaries of what might be considered common decency. While not based on an existing comic book, it is about a man who turns to comic books for inspiration to become his superpower-less vigilante hero. The movie is about underdogs and the desire to be something greater than ourselves. While the superhero comedy has heart, James Gunn's absurdist humor is on display here and is a must-watch for those who enjoyed his later work. You can stream Super on AMC+ or Kanopy.
6 The Suicide Squad (2021)
Supervillains Harley Quinn, Bloodsport, Peacemaker and a collection of nutty cons at Belle Reve prison join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X as they are dropped off at the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese.
- Release Date
- August 5, 2021
- Runtime
- 2hr 12min
In 2016, Warner Bros. and DC attempted to pull off one of its most ambitious projects, the highly anticipated Suicide Squad movie featuring many of its most popular characters, including Harley Quinn, The Joker, and Deadshot. It brought in some of Hollywood’s biggest players to star in the movie, including Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, and Cara Delevingne. Unfortunately, the first Suicide Squad did not meet expectations and was widely regarded as a disappointing, uneven mess.
A Second Suicide Mission Turned into a Success
Fast-forward to 2021, and the studio made another attempt at bringing the notorious Suicide Squad to the big screen in a kind-of reboot/sequel titled The Suicide Squad. This time, they brought in James Gunn, who had already had previous success with the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. Focusing far more on his unique, edgy comedy and aiming it more toward adults, the movie was a massive hit with critics its second time around; it followed the more chaotic high-stakes in the comics that have made Suicide Squad a consistent fan-favorite. You can stream The Suicide Squad on Max.
10 Best Animated Superhero Shows That Aren't Suitable for Children
Over the years, Marvel, DC, and others have released a selection of animated superhero shows aimed at adults.
5 Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
- Release Date
- July 30, 2014
- Runtime
- 121
Comedy and superheroes seem to be the perfect coupling for director James Gunn, as here we have his third entry onto this list. His edgy and often controversial sense of humor has come to help define the direction of many superhero comedies. This has been proven with films lacking big-name value, like Guardians of the Galaxy, which was able to make bank at the box office and spin off into one of the MCU's best movies.
Intergalactic Superhero Silliness
The sci-fi superhero comedy has become one of the MCU's most popular franchises, with the sequel, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, making more than the original at the box office. Still, the original Guardians of the Galaxy remains our favorite; it is a laugh-out-loud intergalactic superhero comedy with stellar performances from an ensemble cast featuring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, and Bradley Cooper. You can stream Guardians of the Galaxy on Disney+.
4 Kick Ass (2010)
The 2010 superhero film Kick-Ass, directed by Matthew Vaughn and based on the comic book of the same name by Mark Millar and John Romita, tells the story of a teenager, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who attempts to become a real-life superhero, calling himself "Kick-Ass." The movie also stars Nicolas Cage channeling old school Adam West as fellow vigilante Big Daddy and Chloe Moretz as his foul-mouthed, ultra-violent 11-year-old daughter, Hit Girl.
The Youth and Their Ultra-Violence
Kick-ass was almost an instant cult hit, with plenty of violence and a whole heap of pitch-black comedy. The super-hero dark comedy is not one you can watch with the kids, but it will appeal to those who like their comic books violent, over the top, and with tongue-in-cheek humor. The movie has also aged well with time, thanks to its great practical effects and witty script. There is a sequel, but it is best to stick with the original. You can rent Kick-Ass on Amazon Video, YouTube, or Apple TV.
3 Thor: Ragnarök (2017)
Thor Ragnarök finds the God of Thunder Imprisoned on the other side of the universe. The mighty Thor (Chris Hemsworth) gets caught up in a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), his former ally and fellow Avenger. Thor's quest for survival leads him in a race against time to prevent the all-powerful Hela (Cate Blanchett) from destroying his home world and the Asgardian civilization.
- Release Date
- October 25, 2017
- Runtime
- 130 minutes
Thor is one character in the MCU who has struggled to stand tall on his own. The original 2011 film was successful but not as prominent as other MCU heroes of 2010. The sequels did not fare any better, and it seemed that Thor would be relegated to being a supporting character in other films. Thankfully, the MCU never gave up on the hero and found the perfect director to re-invent the character in Taika Waititi.
From Zero to Hero
Before Thor: Ragnarök, Taika Waititi was responsible for quirky indie comedies like the vampire mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows and the coming-of-age comedy Hunt for the Wilderpeople. The New Zealand director's unique brand of humor turned out to be the perfect match for the superhero genre, transforming Thor into Marvel's most comedic superhero. His interactions with Hulk and other misfits helped push the humor, but Chris Hemsworth is at his best here (let's overlook how Thor Love and Thunder failed to reach the same heights of acclaim). You can stream Thor on Disney+.
2 The Specials (2000)
The Specials, the sixth or seventh greatest superhero group in the world, count the geeks and the oddballs among their fans. They don't have the prestige or the money that a group like the Crusaders has. But they've found their niche as the Ringo Starr of superhero teams. Unfortunately, just as they welcome a new member, Cosgrove Toys creates a new line of action figures based on the Specials. The company's disastrous press conference could mean the end to this cut-rate super-group.
- Release Date
- September 22, 2000
- Runtime
- 82 minutes
- Writers
A unique and lo-fi take on superheroes, The Specials successfully satirized the ridiculousness and corporate synergy of comic book characters by placing them in realistic situations long before The Boys. For a forgotten indie flop, the film has a stacked cast — Haden Church, Rob Lowe, Paget Brewster, James Gunn and his brother Sean Gunn, Jamie Kennedy, Judy Greer, Jordan Ladd, Jenna Fischer, Melissa Joan Hart, and more star as various superheroes, most of whom are in the misfit team known as The Specials. They're looked down upon in the superhero community and don't have the corporate sponsors and merchandising deals that other groups do.
An Anti-Superhero Hang-Out Film
The Specials is notable for not really featuring any superpowers until the very end of the movie (when mutant ants attack the White House). Instead, it's a movie that grounds superheroes as weirdos with big dreams but lots of flaws. The movie's more interested in dysfunction, adultery, envy, and other plot beats that are far from the epic action sequences we usually see. It's a small, very human film, and a very funny one in its own droll way. It's a far cry from the future work of the director (Craig Mazin), who would go on to create Chernobyl and The Last of Us, but it shares a similar cynical streak. The Specials is not on any streaming platforms, but you can find it for free on YouTube.
1 Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
A follow-up to the highly successful Deadpool and Deadpool 2 films starring Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth. The third film will be the first in the franchise to be developed under the Marvel Studios banner following Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
- Release Date
- July 26, 2024
- Cast
- Ryan Reynolds , Hugh Jackman , Emma Corrin , Morena Baccarin , Rob Delaney , Leslie Uggams , Karan Soni , Matthew Macfadyen , Brianna Hildebrand , Shioli Kutsuna , Stefan Kapicic , Lewis Tan , Randal Reeder , Jennifer Garner , Aaron Stanford , Billy Clements , Ollie Palmer , Chris Hemsworth , Rob McElhenney
- Runtime
- 127 Minutes
It is difficult to argue that Deadpool & Wolverine is not the best superhero comedy of the 20th century (so far) when it became the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time, bringing in $1.3 billion at the box office. Uniting two of Marvel's most beloved characters certainly did not hurt to draw people into the theaters. Still, the fourth-wall-breaking comedy and the chemistry between Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds is perfect.
The Perfect Pairing
While the original Deadpool (2016) is just as deserving of a spot on the list, pairing the two icons together makes it hard to pick any other movie starring the"Merc with a Mouth." With how many cameos, pop-culture references galore, and over-the-top violence, the superhero comedy will stay atop this list for a while. Movies like Deadpool and Wolverine show that the 20th century still has much to offer in the superhero comedy genre. Currently available to rent or buy, Deadpool & Wolverine will eventually come to Disney+.
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