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. 10 to No. 1.

No. 10: Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
About: Sometimes a move just surprises you in the best way. That’s the case with No Way Home, the third of the Spider-Man stand-alone films. It was nostalgic, exciting and an emotional ride. It’s a great way to kick off my Top 10.

No. 9: Avengers: Endgame (2019)
About: More than a decade of inter-connected films all led to this. There was a great weight of expectations for this film, and it managed to meet them all. There is a rich sense of excitement and of emotions in this film and I simply love it.

No. 8: Batman (1989)
About: Batman is my favorite superhero and I owe much of that to this film, one of the first big comic book films I remember seeing. I love Michael Keaton as Batman and what Jack Nicholson does as The Joker here. I enjoy this movie a lot.

No. 7: The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
About: This is the rare film that has continued to grow in my estimation. I liked it when I first saw it, but I’ve certainly grown to love what Christopher Nolan did here bringing his trilogy to a close. This is a deeply emotional film for me.

No. 6: Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
About: I’ve enjoyed Chris Hemsworth as Thor, but I thought this pairing with Taika Waititi really unleashed a version of the character that works for me. I love the humor here and I love the way this story unfolds. This is one of my favorite Marvel films.

No. 5: Black Panther (2018)
About: Another Marvel film that just grabbed me. I love what Chadwick Boseman brings to this lead role and the way he plays off and against Michael B. Jordan. This is an under-rated gem in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

No. 4: X-Men: First Class (2011)
About: Matthew Vaughn does a great job with this prequel/re-boot of the franchise. The relationship between Charles and Erik is key, and I love the interplay between Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy. This is a great film that always stirs me.

No. 3: Watchmen (2009)
About: I get it, not everyone will agree. This is a fascinating and dark story, adapted here by Zack Snyder. The visuals of the adaptation and the choice of musical choices worked well for me. I enjoy the performances and the way this film makes me think about the world and the nature of heroism.

No. 2: Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
About: This story from James Gunn remains my favorite film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. There is a lot of humor and some deep emotion in this film. It is my kind of superhero story and one of my favorite films of all time.

No. 1: The Dark Knight (2008)
About: Nolan does a great job with this story. I love the performance of Heath Ledger in the role of The Joker. This is a perfect fusion of my favorite superhero in one of my favorite films of all time. That made it an easy choice to cap my list!

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.