1) The Dark Knight (2008)

Taking place 9 months after the events of Batman Begins (2005), the menace known as the Joker is wreaking havoc s on the people of Gotham. Batman must accept one of the greatest psychological and physical tests of his ability to fight injustice.

Dark, thrilling and unforgettable, Christopher Nolan's 2008 masterpiece The Dark Knight elevated the comicbook movie genre to new heights. This is the first comicbook film to truly examine the morally grey area. It goes without saying that Heath Ledger's performance is utterly remarkable and stands as one of the best performances in film history.

* New number 2 - The Batman (2022)

Editing this in now as this blog was written prior to The Batman's release. I've praised this film elsewhere so my thoughts are well known. But Matt Reeves 'The Batman' has now replaced Joker as my number 2 CBM.

3) Joker (2019)

Set in 1981, Joker follows Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), a failed clown and stand-up comedian whose descent into insanity and nihilism inspires a violent counter-cultural revolution against the wealthy in a decaying Gotham City.

An immersive and disturbing meditation on a man's descent into madness, Joker stands as one of the best in the genre. The camerawork is very character driven and coupled with Joaquin's masterful performance, the end result is a masterpiece.

4) Logan (2017)

In a future where mutants are nearly extinct, an elderly and weary Logan leads a quiet life. But when Laura, a mutant child pursued by scientists, comes to him for help, he must get her to safety.

The best of the X-Men movies, James Mangold's Logan is the perfect send off for Hugh Jackman's beloved rendition on the character. The stakes are a lot lower in this film than previous films in the franchise, yet ironically this makes things feel more intense. This is the Wolverine film fans not only needed but also deserved.

5) Spider-Man 2 (2004)

It's been two years since Peter Parker transformed into Spider-Man, and he is still trying to balance life perfectly. His love for Mary Jane is becoming much stronger, as he finds it hard to not let her down. His friendship with Harry Osborn is at risk, as the young Harry is frustrated with Spider-Man getting away with his father's death. And if this wasn't enough for the super hero, a new enemy is in town. Dr. Otto Octavius is involved in a freak scientific accident and becomes the dangerous Doctor Octopus.

The first comicbook movie to truly examine the burden of being a superhero, Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 2 excels as a poignant piece of storytelling. Tobey Maguire's Peter Parker is wholly relatable with real world struggles. It is because of his performance that the central conflict of this film is so compelling. The film is further heightened by Alfred Molina's memorable performance as Doc Ock and Danny Elfman's score.

6) Batman Begins (2005)

After training with his mentor, Batman begins his fight to free crime-ridden Gotham City from corruption.

Christopher Nolan's 2005 epic Batman Begins still stands as one of the genre's best films. This film was not only the first to delve into Bruce's psyche and what compels him to don the cape and the cowl, but also set the standard for gritty hollywood reboots. A far cry from the camp of Burton and Schumacher, Nolan's film pushed the franchise into darker territory.

I also love that this film uses non linear storytelling. It makes the viewer feel as if we are experiencing Bruce's journey with him. Unfortunately this wasn't utilized in the sequels, but I do appreciate its inclusion here.

7) Superman (1978)

While some may claim this film is cheesy and dated by today's standards, I fully believe it still holds up. Christopher Reeves performance stands as the definitive take on Superman. He has a charm that truly makes the film feel magical.

8) A History of Violence (2005)

A mild-mannered man becomes a local hero through an act of violence, which sets off repercussions that will shake his family to its very core.

Based on the 1997 graphic novel, David Croenberg's adaptation is a disturbing insight into a man's capacity for violence. The less I say about this film, the better - explaining the film would essentially be a spoiler, because the plot really relies on you not knowing before going in. What I can say is that this is Viggo Mortensen's best performance, and one of the most layered performances in a CBM.

9 The Crow (1994)

Eric Draven, a young poet and a guitarist, is resurrected back to life by a crow. The crow guides Eric to his killers and he decides to give his killers a taste of their own medicine

Dark, stylish and cool, The Crow is a satisfying and thrilling revenge flick. It's very atmospheric and confident with its style, and this vision hasn't really been seen again in the genre. Tragically, Brandon Lee (Bruce Lee's son and the star of the film) was killed during filming. His performance would then go on to influence Heath Ledger's iconic Joker. I really reccomend this film.

10) The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Bane, an imposing terrorist, attacks Gotham City and disrupts its eight-year-long period of peace. This forces Bruce Wayne to come out of hiding and don the cape and cowl of Batman again

While it may be the weakest of Christopher Nolan's excellent trilogy, it's still a satisfying and thrilling conclusion to Bruce's character arc. It is flawed in parts and frustrating in others, but when it reaches its highs, it goes really high. A fitting end to the Dark Knight legend.

Honorable mention: Iron Man (2008)

When Tony Stark, an industrialist, is captured, he constructs a high-tech armoured suit to escape. Once he manages to escape, he decides to use his suit to fight against evil forces to save the world

The best of the MCU films and the only one which truly feels like a creative expression, Jon Favreu's Iron Man is a fun, charming and accessible film. It's very tightly written and Robert Downey Jr breathes life into the character of Tony Stark.