This year I’m engaging in a year-long countdown, looking at my Top 50 Superhero Films. This runs through the end of 2022, meaning there are some selections in here from last year. Over the course of the year, I’ll be sharing the list in this space, counting down 10 at a time. Today’s installment is No. 40 to No. 31.

40. Superman (1978)
About: You’ll believe a man can fly. That was the way Richard Donner’s film was billed and watching it you did believe that Christopher Reeve was Superman. Gene Hackman is solid as Lex Luthor and the film as a whole it a lot of fun. It’s an under-rated superhero film in our modern world.

39. Split (2016)
About: This one probably polarizes audiences, but what else is new when it comes to M. Night Shymalan. It’s the middle part of what became a trilogy. I loved how it connected to a previous film and I loved the performance from James McAvoy here. This is a movie that surprised when I first watched it and seemed a natural fit for this list.

38. The Incredibles (2004)
About: Pixar has delivered some fun and memorable films. One of those is The Incredibles, about a family of superheroes. I was taken in by the story when I first saw it and continue to appreciate the story and the unique blend of humor and action.

37. Deadpool (2016)
About: The sequel already appeared on this list, but the original is a film I like better. It’s one of Ryan Reynolds’ best performances and a film that’s a lot of fun and has a lot of action. There’s a reason so many have been taken with Deadpool as a character.

36. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
About: This was the final piece to get in place before The Avengers. Captain America is such an important part of that group and the Marvel Cinematic Universe in general. Evans is good in the role, and I enjoy the period setting. I don’t love it as much as some, but it’s a solid addition to this list.

35. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
About: This film is a fusion of the original X-Men, who appear in a future segment, and the prequel cast, who take the action to the 1970s. I enjoyed seeing them all come together and the great use of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. This is probably the last good X-Men film.

34. Batman v Superman: The Dawn of Justice (2016)
About: I know some don’t care for the film. And I’ll admit the theatrical release wasn’t incredible, but the director’s cut is a much better film. I like Henry Cavil, Gal Gadot and Ben Affleck in these roles. And I like the overall structure and story in this film, particularly in the full version.

33. Man of Steel (2013)
About: This introduced Cavil as Superman and brought us the Snyderverse. It’s not a perfect film but there are moments, particularly in the early and middle stages of the film, that are just about perfect to me. I didn’t love the protracted fight sequence, but this is a beautifully told rendition of the Superman tale.

32. Spider-Man (2002)
About: I remember being in college when this film was released. It felt like the beginning of a modern-day wave of superhero films. And in some ways, it has been. It’s hard to believe we’ve seen three different Spider-Man franchises kick off since this film was released 21 years ago. With great power comes great responsibility and Tobey Maguire and Sam Raimi delivered.

31. Superman II (1980)
About: There are two versions of this film, and both have their merits. Donner was the original director and was removed from the project. His version was released in 2006 and it’s quite interesting. But I’ve always enjoyed Superman II the most of the Reeve films. It has an interesting story and some good sequences.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.