Recently, Superman director and DC Studios co-head James Gunn revealed what he considers the greatest Superhero Movies ever made. During his appearance on the Armchair Expert podcast with Dax Shepard, Gunn enthusiastically shared his all-time favorites in the genre—without a moment of hesitation.
Overall, his list spans decades and multiple franchises. In particular, it includes both Marvel and DC classics that continue to shape today’s superhero movie landscape.
James Gunn’s Favorite Superhero Movies
When asked about the best Superhero Movies, Gunn responded immediately:
“Into the Spider-Verse, the first one, is the greatest,” Gunn said without hesitation.
“Donner’s Superman. Iron Man — I’d say Iron Man is great. I’m forgetting something…”
He later added his admiration for Ryan Reynolds’ entire Deadpool trilogy:
“I actually love all three of them. Like, they’re all really good.”
So far, here are the superhero films Gunn has publicly praised:
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
- Superman: The Movie (1978, directed by Richard Donner)
- Iron Man (2008)
- Deadpool, Deadpool 2, and Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
Collectively, these movies span various studios and tones. However, they all share one common thread: a deep respect for their comic book origins. Notably, that same quality is a hallmark of Gunn’s own work as both a writer and director.
What’s Next After These Superhero Movies?
Moreover, beyond discussing his favorite superhero movies, Gunn is also actively shaping the future of the DC Universe through several major upcoming projects. To begin with, he is currently directing a bold new reboot of Superman, which is scheduled to hit theaters on July 11, 2025. Importantly, this project will serve as the very first feature film in DC Studios’ newly established shared universe. As a result, it will set the tone and creative direction for everything that follows in the reimagined DC slate.
In addition to his work on Superman, Gunn has also completed the script for Peacemaker Season 2. What’s more, the new season is set to premiere on August 21, 2025, exclusively on Max. Altogether, this adds even more momentum to his rapidly expanding DC Universe slate and further solidifies his role as the creative force behind its evolution.
Meet the Cast of James Gunn’s Superman
Meanwhile, as for the upcoming Superman film, it also features a powerhouse cast. Together with James Gunn’s direction, this impressive lineup further raises anticipation for its highly awaited release.
- David Corenswet as Clark Kent / Superman
- Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane
- Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor
- Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner
- Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl
- Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific
- Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho
- In addition, the film will also feature appearances by Frank Grillo, Beck Bennett, Skyler Gisondo, and several other notable names, further enriching the ensemble cast and expanding the story’s scope.
With James Gunn now firmly at the creative helm, both longtime fans and newcomers alike can confidently expect a bold new wave of superhero movies. Looking ahead, these upcoming films will not only balance heart, humor, and heroism, but they will also, more importantly, remain true to the spirit of the timeless classics that originally inspired him. As a result, Gunn’s vision is poised to bridge generations of fans while redefining the superhero genre for years to come.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on DCU’s upcoming projects, and subscribe to DC Updates’ YouTube channel.
Patrick Webb