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Well it looks like those of us who were banking on more than $145 million for “The Dark Knight”’s opening weekend were spot-on, as news of numbers pushing past $150 million rolls in. Meanwhile, last week’s poll had most voters expecting more than $350 million for a total domestic gross. I’d say that’s quite reachable now. So pat yourselves on the back.
This week, in lieu of a better idea, I thought I’d toss up the ole’ “what’s the best comic book movie ever” question. But in order to keep it down to 10 choices (including an “other” option), I chose films sporting a Rotten Tomatoes rating of at least 85%. To my understandable shock, this does not include “Batman Begins,” for instance, but does, however, include “Hellboy II: The Golden Army.”
But that’s our cross-section. “The Dark Knight” is currently holding steady with the best rating (94%), while “Iron Man” and “Superman: The Movie” tie for a close second at 93%.
Also, note that this is not merely a comics-to-film question. It narrows things down to the superhero sub-genre (and those derived from existing source material at that). Otherwise, I’m sure we’d all like to give shout-outs to “A History of Violence,” “Road to Perdition” and the like.
Have at it, though, and let us know what you think. If you want to chime in for a film not represented, let us know in the comments section below!
30 responses so far
1 7-20-2008 at 1:13 pm
Brian Kinsley said...
I still haven’t seen “Mask”. I need to rectify that ASAP.
My choice is a toss-up between Spidey 2, X2 or Dark Knight.
2 7-20-2008 at 1:21 pm
Kristopher Tapley said...
Dare I say I’m leaning away fro TDK and to X2 (which was so lean, so perfect, in so many ways).
3 7-20-2008 at 1:37 pm
Chad said...
I know it will sound like I’m trying to push buttons, but I honestly think the best comic book film is “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”. Since they are arguably not superheroes, I’ll go for “Unbreakable” or “The Dark Knight”.
4 7-20-2008 at 1:54 pm
Kristopher Tapley said...
Unbreakable isn’t derived from a source material so it wasn’t included for that reason.
5 7-20-2008 at 2:13 pm
Zac said...
I haven’t seen Mask or Hellboy II, but I can’t imagine either of those beating out Dark Knight, which is one of only 2 superhero movies I would call a masterpiece. No points for guessing what the other one is. :)
6 7-20-2008 at 2:15 pm
Kristopher Tapley said...
Being that The Mask is at 75%, it wouldn’t be eligible for the poll. So you’re safe on half the count, Zac.
7 7-20-2008 at 2:36 pm
Jeff said...
Um…Kristopher…Superman: The Movie currently holds an inferior 93% at Rotten Tomatoes (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superman_the_movie/).
Anyway, my choice probably waves in between TDK and Superman, and I probably won’t know which one I really like more till TDK has settled in.
Btw, I too loved X2, and indeed it was very lean, but for me was underwhelming in comparison with some of the others, really because it didn’t really approach anything great or transcend the genre like TDK, or practically invent it, like Superman.
8 7-20-2008 at 2:51 pm
Joseph said...
It’s a toss up between “The Dark Knight” and “Spider-Man 2,” for me. I went with the latter because I knew everyone would vote for the Knight. ;)
9 7-20-2008 at 3:28 pm
Kristopher Tapley said...
That’s what happens when one glances too quickly. Not sure how 97 popped into my head, but thanks for the correction Jeff.
10 7-20-2008 at 3:37 pm
Mr. Gittes said...
The Dark Knight.
11 7-20-2008 at 3:41 pm
Dan said...
X2, Superman, and Batman Begins are my favorites and the best.
12 7-20-2008 at 4:31 pm
jason said...
The Dark Knight is now my favorite super hero film of all-time, though Batman Begins is a very close second.
13 7-20-2008 at 6:19 pm
Dan said...
The Dark Knight is the best hands down. It’s not even close.
14 7-20-2008 at 10:59 pm
Jeff said...
Actually, of all the comic movies the one that I found was the most surprising was Batman Begins. I mean, Superman was before I was born and The Dark Knight was so hyped up, but Batman Begins what such an interesting, delightful experience. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to watch any of these movies for the first time with no real expectations.
15 7-20-2008 at 11:19 pm
Thomas H. said...
Haven’t seen TDK yet. Still have to vote for «Unbreakable» (even though it isn’t derived from source material).
16 7-21-2008 at 5:50 am
Rafael said...
The Dark Night is one of the best indeed. But making this pool now is, on the heat of sucess, completely useles. Make it again in a year time.
My favorites, still:
Spiderman 2
Batman Returns
17 7-21-2008 at 6:45 am
Ben said...
It really is close between a couple of deserving films. But I think my favorite (which isn’t represented) is Batman Begins, yes I have seen Dark Knight and while it is good, I prefer Begins.
18 7-22-2008 at 6:34 am
Ti said...
Haven’t got the chance to see TDK, but it looks like it will be my new #1.
But for now, it is X2 followed by Batman Begins…
19 7-22-2008 at 7:39 am
Joel said...
The Dark Knight, far and away, is the Best for me. The best…film of the year. The best…superhero movie ever. And Heath Ledger gives the best…performance I’ve ever seen.
20 7-22-2008 at 9:57 am
KeD said...
dude u all hav same opinions lolz… put more movies in the dispute
sin city (jst like the comics)
iron man (very nice but loses on lack of history)
spiderman (already on it – i think venon should be more valorized than it was because actually he is more important than spiderman in my opinion lolz)
batman (same) (TDK – dude the ledger did a fantastic job, something iv never seen with jack nicholson)
superman (ok i hated the last ones)
Hulk (kinda stupid actually but its something)
Hancock (its fun lolz)
X-Men (i think the logan movie they r plaining to do will be the best of four but wont be a “xmen” movie actually)
WORST EVER IN MY OPINION ARE 3 –
daredevil
extraordinary league
the punisher
and the ones that dnt make any difference at all
fantastic four (surfer crap)
elektra
catwoman
ACTUALLY THEY R WORST EVER TOO
i like movies of all kinds but actually the thing i like the most is thinking about the performances and history not jst about the special effects
in the superhero things
they need to make a movie that looks like the comics (dnt need to be the same)
and have actors that really gathers and shows the souls of the characters
of course thats impossible
so the ones i think that got close from it are
Ledger ->the joker of course
hugh jackmann playing wolverine
Da Foe -> Green Goblin
Jim Carey -> The Mask (actually hes preety good but hav used all his faces already so hes repeating himself sometimes)
and the ones i think that havent (in the good movies)
VENON -> god! venon is too much more than that…
Hulk played by Eric Bana -> is a really really good actor but
he cant be the Hulk, jst dnt fit
okey now i hav to go
cya later guys
hav a nice day
21 7-22-2008 at 6:16 pm
John Foote said...
I loved The Dark Knight, and believe it to be a work of art, but the feeling of seeing Superman on New Year’s Eve with my high school sweetheart in 1978 was something I will never forget. For more than one year the ads had screamed, “You’ll believe a man can fly” and when we left the theatre after seeing the film…we did. That defining moment when Lois falls off the skyscraper and Superman soars into the sky to catch her, to her great surprise, and then flies straight up to catch the falling helicopter???? Awe, man, I was left in awe. Sure effects are greater now, but they have rarely had such…heart. I believed a man could fly.
22 7-25-2008 at 8:08 am
The Angry Czeck said...
Is a Comic Book Movie the same as a Super Hero Movie?
If so, efforts like History of Violence and Sin City have to be considered. Especially History, which was spectacular.
Strictly speaking Super Hero Movies:
1. Dark Knight
2. Superman
3. Iron Man
4. Spider-Man 2
5. Superman II
6. X-Men 2
7. Batman Begins / Batman (burton)
8. The Hulk (Ang Lee)
9. Spider-Man
10. V for Vendetta
11. X-Men
12. Blade (It wasn’t bad)
13. Spider-Man 3 (better than the critics say)
14. X3 (ditto)
15. Superman Returns (Had some really nice scenes)
WORST
1. Batman & Robin
2. Catwoman
3. Electra
4. Batman Forever
5. Fantastic 4
6. Daredevil (theatrical release)
7. The Punisher (Thomas Jane version)
8. Fantastic Four II
9. The Incredible Hulk
10. Steel (Didn’t see it, but I can imagine)
23 7-25-2008 at 11:05 am
The Angry Czeck said...
Wait. Crap! I forgot one of the best comic book adaptations of all time: Conan the Barbarian.
Slip the Oliver Stone-penned masterpiece between Iron Man and Spider Man 2. Yeah. I think it’s that good.
24 7-28-2008 at 9:41 pm
Danny said...
I quote Ben Totally…
“It really is close between a couple of deserving films. But I think my favorite (which isn’t represented) is Batman Begins, yes I have seen Dark Knight and while it is good, I prefer Begins.”
25 7-28-2008 at 9:44 pm
Danny said...
…. And don’t Forget “V For Vendetta”…!
Waaays Better Than “300″…
26 7-30-2008 at 9:18 am
KeD said...
this topic is on fire! =P
nice comments
27 7-30-2008 at 8:20 pm
Andy said...
THE DARK KNIGHT, hands down.
28 7-30-2008 at 10:42 pm
generic86 said...
THE BEST LIST:
1. Dark Knight (really it’s MORE than a super hero movie … so much MORE!)
2. Batman Begins (made me feel the same way that Star Wars did when I was 9 years old!)
3. Spiderman 2
4. Ironman (2008, was a great film and nice surprise)
5. Unbreakable and V for Vendetta= tie
5. X2
29 7-30-2008 at 10:44 pm
generic86 said...
Error in my post. Should be ….
THE BEST LIST:
1. Dark Knight (really it’s MORE than a super hero movie … so much MORE!)
2. Batman Begins (made me feel the same way that Star Wars did when I was 9 years old!)
3. Spiderman 2
4. Ironman (2008, was a great film and nice surprise)
5. X2
6. Unbreakable and V for Vendetta= tie
30 4-28-2009 at 8:03 pm
Derek 8-Track said...
Best
Spiderman 2
Favorite
Superman Returns
second for both categories
X2