2025 saw the return of superheroes to the big screen after an unusually light superhero presence in 2024 due to the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes and new strategies from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC Universe.
This year featured the official DCU reboot with the premiere of Superman (2025), while the MCU enjoyed three feature film releases. On top of that, some of the best superhero TV series returned with new seasons, while the MCU added a few new additions to its Disney+ original series offerings.
If you’re looking to catch up on 2025’s superheroes, you can use our guide to find out where to watch the best superhero movies and shows of the year, ranked to the best one, on platforms like Disney+, Max, and more.
10. Captain America: Brave New World (2025)
Captain America: Brave New World was the first superhero movie of the year. It follows Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) as he continues to navigate his responsibilities under the mantle of Captain America in the midst of an international crisis. The film is an excellent addition to the MCU’s Captain America series, maintaining its strong political themes and spy-thriller elements while remaining fresh through Mackie’s take on Captain America.
Captain America: Brave New World also offers quite a bit of fan service, resurfacing characters and plot ideas from The Incredible Hulk (2008), and making one of the MCU’s most forgotten movies relevant again. At times, though, it suffers from an overreliance on action, visuals, and Easter eggs, which detract from the story's depth, which is why it takes 10th place on this list. Still, the action-packed premise and expansion of The Falcon and Winter Soldier’s (2021) storyline make it worth a watch for MCU fans.
9. Ironheart (2025)
Ironheart centers on teen genius Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne), who, still reeling from her traumatic past, finds herself caught up with the enigmatic and mysterious Parker Robbins (Anthony Ramos). The series features superhero and vigilante action, dark magic, and visually stunning Iron Suits. However, it’s also a very personal, intimate, and self-contained story about a teen navigating grief, brilliance, and coming-of-age.
I liked that Ironheart feels distinct from what the MCU is known for, opting for a grounded, emotional tale and forgoing some of the superhero formula in the process. At the same time, its short six-episode run and setup for potential bigger future projects made it just a bit underwhelming, though it’s still a must-see for fans of other distinctive, adolescent-leaning MCU projects like Ms. Marvel (2022) and Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017).
8. Thunderbolts* (2025)
Thunderbolts* introduces a new team to the MCU, as a ragtag team of vigilantes and anti-heroes find themselves thrust together after getting caught in the web of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine’s (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) schemes. Like Ironheart, Thunderbolts* is another MCU addition that feels refreshing and distinct. While it boasts the humor and heart of superhero team-ups like The Avengers (2012) and Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), it goes a little deeper by discussing mental health and loneliness.
In a cinematic universe that tends to focus on heroes who are inherently good or god-like in their powers, Thunderbolts* is a fun foray into a few heroes viewers may have forgotten along the way. The film invites viewers to rediscover and appreciate these characters in a new light through its strong character dynamics, though it does forego some depth in favor of a feel-good ending and an emphasis on friendship.
7. Gen V Season 2 (2025)
Gen V returned in 2025 with an explosive second season, which sees Marie Moreau (Jaz Sinclair) and her team of college supes contend with a new threat upon the arrival of the sadistic and mysterious new dean of Godolkin U, Cipher (Hamish Linklater). The season maintains all of the best aspects of season 1, including the gore, grit, and shock factor. However, it also raises the stakes by more closely integrating the show with The Boys (2015) and introducing a powerful new villain.
Gen V gives viewers a sense of realism and grit that the MCU features above can’t capture. At the same time, it felt a little less self-contained and distinct than last season, due to what seemed like a more intentional setup for The Boys season 5. While the villain buildup was brilliant, I felt the finale didn’t match the hype of that buildup.
6. The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)
The Fantastic Four: First Steps follows the Fantastic Four as they face Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) while preparing to welcome a new member to their family. It’s a reboot that does justice to one of Marvel’s most popular superhero teams. There’s this feeling of “finally,” watching the film and knowing that the Fantastic Four are in the MCU at last and portrayed by actors who fully embody the characters.
I loved the movie’s focus on the family aspect of the team, and the realistic depiction of the anxieties of parenting that affect even superheroes. Between its family themes and retro-futuristic world, it has a little more heart and creativity than Captain America: Brave New World and Ironheart, though it still struggles to go deep and, at times, leans too heavily on action and visuals.
5. Daredevil: Born Again (2025)
Daredevil: Born Again is a revival of Daredevil (2015) in which Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) struggles with whether to revive his vigilante alter ego as Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) becomes the mayor of New York City. For me, Daredevil: Born Again finds the perfect balance between the MCU and mature superhero shows like Gen V. It doesn’t rely too much on shock value, but it maintains the grit, realism, and deep dive into inner conflict that made Daredevil so compelling in its street-level hero tale.
Like the original series, Daredevil: Born Again isn’t afraid to get real, poignantly exploring trauma, grief, and political and police corruption in a gripping tale of superheroism and justice. While it didn’t quite reach the heights of Daredevil due to pacing issues, it’s the best MCU show for fans of The Boys and Invincible (2021) who are seeking Marvel’s unique spin on mature superhero projects.
4. Superman (2025)
Superman centers on Clark Kent (David Corenswet), who faces his biggest challenge yet when Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hault) targets his Superman alter ego and raises questions about the Kryptonian’s origins. The film serves as a hard reboot of the DCU and offers a fresh take on Superman. It captures the hope so central to the hero, while also delving deeper into his backstory and questions of acceptance and family history.
Superman is a very timely and thoughtful take on the hero, while also thrilling viewers with the introduction of new heroes like Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi). I felt like Superman nailed the superhero aspects, including the visuals and action, but really excelled above Thunderbolts* and The Fantastic Four: First Steps because it never lost sight of its central themes and story. It delivers top-notch superhero action while never feeling hollow.
3. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (2025)
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man takes place in an alternate universe in the MCU, where Peter Parker (Hudson Thames) navigates his freshman year of high school and superhero life under the mentorship of Norman Osborn (Colman Domingo). The series boasts a gorgeous animation style that perfectly captures the comic-book aesthetic. Additionally, it’s a very refreshing and unique take on the Spider-Man universe that feels wholesome and nostalgic.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man reminded me a lot of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) in how well it captured its coming-of-age aspects and put its own spin on Spider-Man. Not only does it do Spider-Man so well, but it also offers a surprisingly realistic portrayal of high school and teenage life. Although it’s geared more toward younger audiences, it’s an excellent show for anyone looking for a wholesome rendition of Spider-Man.
2. Eyes of Wakanda (2025)
Eyes of Wakanda is an animated MCU anthology that delves into the history of Wakanda and tracks the adventures of the Wakandan warriors, Hatut Zaraze. The miniseries is a must-see for fans of Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), as it delves deeper into the lore of one of the MCU’s most intriguing worlds. It features the most extensive and intricate worldbuilding of any MCU project on this list, while still maintaining a nice balance of fantasy, creativity, and maturity.
Eyes of Wakanda tackles heavy topics, including colonialism, as it blends fiction and history through nods to African culture, in a way that’s still appropriate for younger viewers. It’s an excellent expansion of the Black Panther series and truly offers something unique to the MCU. If it had been just a little longer and had more time to go deeper, it could have taken the top spot on this list.
1, Peacemaker Season 2 (2025)
Peacemaker season 2 sees the long-awaited return of Peacemaker (John Cena) and his ragtag team of misfits. The stakes are higher than ever as Peacemaker finds himself in possession of dimensional technology that offers a potential new life but also puts him on the radar of the vengeful Rick Flag, Sr. (Frank Grillo). Peacemaker season 2 is just as audacious, gritty, and heartfelt as season 1, reinforcing its found family aspect while also poignantly exploring loss and family trauma.
I enjoyed season 2 even more than the first because it is more personal and intimate, shying away from some of the needless shock factor and delving deeper into Peacemaker’s past. It balances everything from emotion to heart to action to grit, offering a grounded, high-quality superhero tale that leaves you wanting more. Peacemaker’s excellent quality and poignant storytelling help it surpass all of 2025 superhero projects to take first place on this list.
