The Dark Knight Trilogy: Director Christopher Nolan gave us Batman like we’ve never seen him before, digging deep into the Dark Knight mythology and bringing comic book escapism close to enduring art. There’s something raw and elemental in his vision and he couldn’t ask for a better actor to play the Dark Knight. Unlike all the previous Batman films, Nolan cut through a deeper dimension. The result was a game-changer in the Superhero genre and one of the best trilogies of all time.

Spider-Man 2 [2004]: Quite possibly my favorite Spiderman movie, ever. Director Sam Raimi outdid himself in every way possible, staging some of the best action scenes I’ve seen in a superhero movie and casting the great Alfred Molina as the movie’s main villain: Dr. Otto Octavius. And do I need to tell you how much I love the soundtrack? “Spider-Man 2” is terrific from start to finish.

X-Men Days of Future Past [2014]:  It is everything a comic book movie could hope to be: smart, original, exciting and funny. It is (in my opinion) vastly superior to all the previous installments, and not just because it drew on one of the most admired stories in the series. In the hands of director Bryan Singer (who directed the first two films), the series still felt fresh and vibrant, even after all these years. The result was blockbuster entertainment at its finest.

Deadpool [2016]: A blast from start to finish, “Deadpool” is living proof that an R-Rated superhero movie can still smash box office records. It’s crude, it’s violent and Ryan Reynolds has never been better. And yet, I had no idea what to expect from it, but what I got was a solidly crafted, brilliantly acted superhero flick that ranks with the best movies from the Marvel universe.

Captain America: Civil War [2016]: You’d think after so many Marvel movies the series would run out of steam by now. But then came “Civil War”, a smart, dark, funny and original superhero movie that took the series in a completely different direction. It wouldn’t be completely unfair to say that it’s vastly superior to both “Avengers” films… combined!

Logan [2017]: Hugh Jackman’s final outing as The Wolverine was everything I hoped it would be…and then some. By bringing every character full-circle, director James Mangold has managed to create one of the best X-Men films ever made. This is Logan like you’ve never seen him before. What an emotional send-off!

Guardians of the Galaxy [2014]: We can only invest in a superhero movie if we root for the characters and believe that something is at stake, and that’s exactly what “Guardians of the Galaxy” is all about. Everyone, from Chris Pratt to Dave Bautista, gets the chance to shine here and best of all, the movie has a great villain and an unforgettable soundtrack. What more can you ask for? This is easily one of my favorite superhero movies.

The Avengers [2012]: Feverish action? Check. Dazzling spectacle? Check. Devilish fun? Check.  Ever since “Iron Man” hit screens back in 2008, we’ve been constantly teased about a possible gathering of superheroes. And I must admit: I’ve wondered how Joss Whedon, or any other director for that matter would deal with so many heroes in a single movie. Thor, Iron Man, Captain America, The Incredible Hulk, Hawkeye and even The Black Widow! But it worked, gloriously I must say. This is comic book escapism at its finest.

Watchmen [2009]: Complex, exhilarating and violent, “Watchmen” may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it is undeniably unique, and worthy of being described as “rich and rewarding”. Set in a dark, alternate 1985, we learn that superheroes have bonded together to respond to the murder of one of their own. Someone’s been plotting to get rid of our heroes, and it doesn’t take long for them to uncover a sinister plan that puts all of humanity in danger. This is a movie that deserves its own analysis and discussion, and that’s one of the main reasons why it’s on the list.