Blog Films & Series · Ranked
Superhero Films and Series, Ranked from CHUD to WOKE
Superhero films and series, ranked from the most CHUD to the most WOKE (the 50 at each end): how each is seen in the culture war, with the reason under each title. Every vote moves the scores.
Vote on these titles →← CHUD · swipe · WOKE →| # | Title and why | Score | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Constantine (2005)Occult action drama with Catholic cosmology | 41Slightly CHUD | Vote |
| 2 |  The Dark Knight Rises (2012)Batman film with anti-revolution populist uprising themes | 41Slightly CHUD | Vote |
| 3 |  Secret Invasion (2023)Marvel spy series, criticized as weak, apolitical | 42Slightly CHUD | Vote |
| 4 |  Blade (1998)Vampire action horror, apolitical | 43Slightly CHUD | Vote |
| 5 |  The Incredibles (2004)Superhero family film, read as meritocratic by some | 43Slightly CHUD | Vote |
| 6 |  The Mask (1994)Slapstick comic fantasy | 45Centre | Vote |
| 7 |  Batman (1989)Gothic superhero film; no politics | 46Centre | Vote |
| 8 |  Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)Patriotic WWII hero fighting Nazis | 46Centre | Vote |
| 9 |  Venom (2018)Antihero action film, apolitical | 46Centre | Vote |
| 10 |  Fantastic Four (2015)Superhero reboot, apolitical | 47Centre | Vote |
| 11 |  Iron Man (2008)Military-industrial hero tale, light politics | 47Centre | Vote |
| 12 |  Kick-Ass 2 (2013)Violent superhero sequel with vigilante theme | 47Centre | Vote |
| 13 |  Ben 10 (2005)Kids alien hero cartoon, apolitical | 48Centre | Vote |
| 14 |  Ghost Rider (2007)Supernatural action; religious Faustian theme | 48Centre | Vote |
| 15 |  Green Lantern (2011)Superhero film; no politics | 48Centre | Vote |
| 16 |  The Wolverine (2013)Superhero action in Japan | 48Centre | Vote |
| 17 |  Batman: The Animated Series (1992)Dark Batman cartoon, apolitical | 49Centre | Vote |
| 18 |  Iron Man 2 (2010)Superhero film, light military-industry themes | 49Centre | Vote |
| 19 |  Kick-Ass (2010)Violent superhero satire, no clear politics | 49Centre | Vote |
| 20 |  Man of Steel (2013)Superhero origin, apolitical | 49Centre | Vote |
| 21 |  Smallville (2001)Superman origin teen drama; apolitical | 49Centre | Vote |
| 22 |  The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)Superhero reboot, apolitical | 49Centre | Vote |
| 23 |  The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)Superhero sequel, apolitical | 49Centre | Vote |
| 24 |  Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)Superhero clash, apolitical | 50Centre | Vote |
| 25 |  Doctor Strange (2016)Mystical superhero film, apolitical | 50Centre | Vote |
| 26 |  Suicide Squad (2016)Antihero action film, apolitical | 50Centre | Vote |
| 27 |  Captain America: Civil War (2016)Superhero conflict over government oversight | 51Centre | Vote |
| 28 |  X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)Superhero origin action | 51Centre | Vote |
| 29 |  Batman Begins (2005)Vigilante hero versus corruption, apolitical | 52Centre | Vote |
| 30 |  Deadpool (2016)Crude superhero comedy, apolitical | 52Centre | Vote |
| 31 |  Iron Man 3 (2013)Superhero action, apolitical | 52Centre | Vote |
| 32 |  Spider-Man (2002)Superhero origin, apolitical | 52Centre | Vote |
| 33 |  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)Action reboot, apolitical | 52Centre | Vote |
| 34 |  The Avengers (2012)Superhero team-up, apolitical | 52Centre | Vote |
| 35 |  The Dark Knight (2008)Crime superhero classic, read by some as pro-security | 52Centre | Vote |
| 36 |  Ant-Man (2015)Superhero heist comedy, apolitical | 53Centre | Vote |
| 37 |  Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)Superhero blockbuster, apolitical | 53Centre | Vote |
| 38 |  Hancock (2008)Antihero superhero comedy | 53Centre | Vote |
| 39 |  Kamen Rider (1971)Tokusatsu hero show; apolitical | 53Centre | Vote |
| 40 |  Shazam! (2019)Family superhero comedy | 53Centre | Vote |
| 41 |  Spider-Man 2 (2004)Superhero sequel, apolitical | 53Centre | Vote |
| 42 |  Thor (2011)Norse superhero origin, apolitical | 53Centre | Vote |
| 43 |  Thor: The Dark World (2013)Superhero fantasy, apolitical | 53Centre | Vote |
| 44 |  Justice League (2017)Superhero team-up, apolitical | 54Centre | Vote |
| 45 |  Spider-Man 3 (2007)Superhero sequel, apolitical | 54Centre | Vote |
| 46 |  Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)Superhero sequel with no politics | 55Centre | Vote |
| 47 |  Logan (2017)Gritty superhero film with migrant-child themes on the border | 55Centre | Vote |
| 48 |  The Incredible Hulk (2008)Superhero action, apolitical | 55Centre | Vote |
| 49 |  The Flash (2014)Superhero series with diverse cast and LGBT characters | 56Slightly WOKE | Vote |
| 50 |  X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)Superhero film with mutants-as-minorities theme | 56Slightly WOKE | Vote |
| 51 |  Dark Phoenix (2019)X-Men entry with female empowerment themes | 57Slightly WOKE | Vote |
| 52 |  Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)Marvel fantasy with diverse cast, some culture-war debate | 57Slightly WOKE | Vote |
| 53 |  Hawkeye (2021)Christmas Marvel show with a female lead; mild | 57Slightly WOKE | Vote |
| 54 |  Marvel's The Defenders (2017)Street-level superhero team, mildly progressive | 57Slightly WOKE | Vote |
| 55 |  Peacemaker (2022)Superhero comedy mocking toxic masculinity and nationalism | 57Slightly WOKE | Vote |
| 56 |  The Batman (2022)Dark detective thriller, corruption theme | 57Slightly WOKE | Vote |
| 57 |  Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)Comic-book monster action | 57Slightly WOKE | Vote |
| 58 |  Young Justice (2010)Superhero cartoon with diverse cast | 57Slightly WOKE | Vote |
| 59 |  Daredevil: Born Again (2025)Superhero drama with corrupt-mayor plot; some political reading | 58Slightly WOKE | Vote |
| 60 |  Incredibles 2 (2018)Family animation with role-reversal parents, mild feminist read | 58Slightly WOKE | Vote |
| 61 |  The Suicide Squad (2021)Irreverent comic book romp mocking US interventions and government | 58Slightly WOKE | Vote |
| 62 |  Thor: Ragnarok (2017)Irreverent Marvel comedy with anti-colonial angle | 58Slightly WOKE | Vote |
| 63 |  Black Adam (2022)Superhero film with occupation-and-liberation themes | 59Slightly WOKE | Vote |
| 64 |  Loki (2021)Marvel show with a genderfluid Loki; mildly progressive | 59Slightly WOKE | Vote |
| 65 |  Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)Spy thriller warning against surveillance state | 60Slightly WOKE | Vote |
| 66 |  Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)Space adventure with animal-rights themes and found family | 60Slightly WOKE | Vote |
| 67 |  X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)X-Men tale of persecuted minorities | 60Slightly WOKE | Vote |
| 68 |  DC's Legends of Tomorrow (2016)Superhero ensemble with diverse cast and openly LGBT characters | 62Slightly WOKE | Vote |
| 69 |  Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)Asian-led Marvel film praised for representation | 62Slightly WOKE | Vote |
| 70 |  X-Men (2000)Mutant allegory for minority rights | 62Slightly WOKE | Vote |
| 71 |  X-Men: First Class (2011)Mutant allegory film with civil rights themes | 62Slightly WOKE | Vote |
| 72 |  Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)Marvel comedy with a female Thor and a gay character; some backlash | 64Slightly WOKE | Vote |
| 73 |  X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)Mutant cure allegory for minority rights | 64Slightly WOKE | Vote |
| 74 |  X2 (2003)Mutant allegory vs prejudice, gay-rights readings | 64Slightly WOKE | Vote |
| 75 |  The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)Marvel show about race in America and a Black Captain America | 65Leaning WOKE | Vote |
| 76 |  Gen V (2023)Superhero satire of corporate culture, includes queer characters | 66Leaning WOKE | Vote |
| 77 |  The Umbrella Academy (2019)Superhero family drama with diverse and queer cast | 66Leaning WOKE | Vote |
| 78 |  Eternals (2021)Marvel film with diverse cast and gay superhero; some culture-war reaction | 68Leaning WOKE | Vote |
| 79 |  Marvel's Luke Cage (2016)Black superhero show with race and justice themes | 68Leaning WOKE | Vote |
| 80 |  Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)Diverse animated superhero film with a queer-coded character and themes | 69Leaning WOKE | Vote |
| 81 |  Harley Quinn (2019)Irreverent comic with openly queer lead couple | 70Leaning WOKE | Vote |
| 82 |  Superman (2025)Superhero film with immigrant theme drew culture-war debate | 70Leaning WOKE | Vote |
| 83 |  Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) (2020)Female-led action celebrated as feminist, mixed box office | 71Leaning WOKE | Vote |
| 84 |  Doom Patrol (2019)Misfit heroes with queer and non-binary characters | 71Leaning WOKE | Vote |
| 85 |  Marvel's Jessica Jones (2015)Superhero noir on abuse and trauma; feminist reception | 71Leaning WOKE | Vote |
| 86 |  Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)Diverse animated hero, inclusive and widely praised | 71Leaning WOKE | Vote |
| 87 |  X-Men (1992)Mutants as persecuted minority, civil rights allegory | 71Leaning WOKE | Vote |
| 88 |  Supergirl (2015)Superhero show with feminist and immigrant themes, gay lead character | 73Leaning WOKE | Vote |
| 89 |  Wonder Woman (2017)Feminist superhero icon, praised on the left | 73Leaning WOKE | Vote |
| 90 |  Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)Superhero sequel with diverse Black cast and anti-colonial themes | 74Leaning WOKE | Vote |
| 91 |  The Gifted (2017)Mutants as persecuted minority fleeing a hostile government | 74Leaning WOKE | Vote |
| 92 |  Black Panther (2018)Black-led, Afrofuturist, anti-colonial themes | 78Leaning WOKE | Vote |
| 93 |  Ms. Marvel (2022)Muslim South Asian teen hero, diversity-focused | 78Leaning WOKE | Vote |
| 94 |  The Boys (2019)Superhero satire of corporate power and Trump-like figures | 78Leaning WOKE | Vote |
| 95 |  She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022)Comedy about a female lawyer; targeted by anti-woke backlash | 80Leaning WOKE | Vote |
| 96 |  The Marvels (2023)Female-led superhero film; seen as progressive-leaning | 80Leaning WOKE | Vote |
| 97 |  Batwoman (2019)Out lesbian lead with social-justice framing, progressive favorite | 82Leaning WOKE | Vote |
| 98 |  Captain Marvel (2019)Female-led Marvel film, culture-war target on the right | 83Leaning WOKE | Vote |
| 99 |  Watchmen (2019)Alt-history on American racism and white supremacy, strongly left-read | 85Leaning WOKE | Vote |
| 100 |  She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018)Animated fantasy with openly LGBT leads, praised as progressive | 86Leaning WOKE | Vote |
Across these 100: average score 58, median 57, from 41 to 86. Highest score: She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018) (86). Lowest score: Constantine (2005) (41).
What critics said about the quality
Scores are about how a title is seen in the culture war, not whether it is good. For some of the titles on this list, here is how critics judged them, word for word from Wikipedia.
Constantine (2005)
On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 46% of 227 critics gave the film a positive review and an average rating of 5.5/10; the site's consensus states: "Despite solid production values and an intriguing premise, Constantine lacks the focus of another spiritual shoot-em-up, The Matrix". On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 50 out of 100 based on the reviews of 41 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.
Wikipedia, Constantine (film), quoted verbatim · CC BY-SA 4.0
Kick-Ass 2 (2013)
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 33% based on 211 reviews and an average rating of 4.9/10. The site's critical consensus reads: "Kick-Ass 2 falls short in its attempt to emulate the original's unique blend of ultra-violence and ironic humor." On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 41 out of 100 based on 35 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.
Wikipedia, Kick-Ass 2 (film), quoted verbatim · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
The Dark Knight Rises received positive reviews from critics. In a Metacritic review of year-end lists from 133 critics, 17 placed the film in their top ten.
Wikipedia, The Dark Knight Rises, quoted verbatim · CC BY-SA 4.0
Batwoman (2019)
On Rotten Tomatoes, the series' first season holds an approval rating of 80% based on 236 reviews from critics, with an average rating of 6.85/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Though it needs more time to develop its own identity to truly soar, Batwoman's fun and stylish first season is a step in the right direction for representation and superhero shows alike." On Metacritic, the first season has a weighted average score of 59 out of 100 based on reviews from 16 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".
Wikipedia, Batwoman (TV series), quoted verbatim · CC BY-SA 4.0
Watchmen (2019)
Watchmen received critical acclaim. On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the series has a 96% rating based on 408 reviews, with an average rating of 8.6/10.
Wikipedia, Watchmen (TV series), quoted verbatim · CC BY-SA 4.0
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018)
While Metacritic has not assigned the series a weighted average score, it has given all six reviews by mainstream critics a score of an 80 or above out of 100.
Wikipedia, She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, quoted verbatim · CC BY-SA 4.0