HBO Max hosts some of the greatest superhero movies of all time. This is thanks, in part, to Warner Bros. stewardship of DC Comics since 1972. With a rare few exceptions, virtually every DC film adaptation over the past five decades was produced by a WB subsidiary.

What are the best superhero movies on HBO Max as of January 2026?

Most of the superhero movies available on HBO Max are set in the DC Comics multiverse. Despite this, the diversity of the publisher’s creations has resulted in a variety of films over the past five decades. The following list highlights the five best films, in order of release.

Superman: The Movie (1978)

Superman: The Movie was a revelation on many levels. The tagline of the film’s first trailer promised “You’ll Believe A Man Can Fly.” The film delivered on that promise, thanks to practical special effects that were revolutionary for their time. However, that is only a part of why Superman: The Movie is still regarded as one of the best superhero movies ever.

At its core, Superman: The Movie treated its source material with reverence. This was surprising to many given comic books were seen as children’s entertainment at the time. However, Warner Bros. was determined to fashion a film that took the Man of Steel seriously while offering a fun family film.

This was reflected in the film’s creative team and cast. With The Omen director Robert Donner and a story by The Godfather screenwriter Mario Puzo (who also co-wrote the screenplay), it was clear WB had no intention of making a simple kids film. This was further emphasized by the ensemble featuring great dramatic actors, like Marlon Brando as Jor-El and Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor.

Despite that pedigree, it was the casting of then-unknown Christopher Reeve as Superman that truly set the tone of the movie. Reeve’s dual performances as Clark Kent and Superman and the way that he seamlessly slipped between personas are a master class in acting. Even now, there are many who imagine Reeve and hear his voice when asked to picture Superman.

Batman (1989)

For many years, the name Batman was synonymous with the campy 60’s sitcom starring Adam West. That remained the case, even as superhero comics became more mature during the Bronze Age and Dark Age of Comics. The 1989 Batman film restored the original vision of the Dark Knight Detective, with an extra emphasis on “dark.”

The film largely centers around photojournalist Vicki Vale, as she searches for proof of the vigilante said to protect Gotham City. Her investigation leads her into the clutches of gangster Jack Napier, who has developed a new attitude as a “fully functioning homicidal artist.” This sets up a battle for the soul of Gotham City, as Napier, now known as The Joker, takes out his rivals while daring Batman to come for him.

The screenplay by Sam Hamm and Warren Skaaren takes some liberties with classic comics’ mythology, particularly with the twist ending. 1989’s Batman has also been criticized for being more focused on The Joker and Vicki Vale than on the title character. Despite this, the film broke box office records and was a critical and commercial success. However, it is better remembered today for how it influenced the popular image of both Batman and Gotham City.

Tim Burton’s production team managed a miracle with their art design. The film’s version of Gotham City is a gestalt of grotesque architecture and 40s’ fashions. It somehow blends classic Noir aesthetics with modern Manhattan’s dystopian decay. This unique style would make its way into Batman: The Animated Series and influence many comic creators.

The Dark Knight (2008)

The second film in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy, The Dark Knight is widely considered to be the best of the three. There are several reasons for this. Chief among them is Heath Ledger’s Oscar-winning performance as The Joker. His performance stands out even among an ensemble of great actors who are all delivering their A-game.

Thematically, the film is Nolan’s strongest, dealing with ideas of duality. This common theme in superhero movies is most obviously reflected in Harvey Dent’s transformation into Two-Face. However, every major character in the cast has a conflict regarding two roles they play.

Bruce Wayne desires a normal life with Rachel Dawes but fears he must be Batman to protect Gotham City. Alfred is torn between his roles as Bruce’s employee and his foster father while deciding what is best for him. Even The Joker is torn between his showman persona and his monstrous desire to reassure everyone is as twisted as he is.

The Batman (2022)

When 2022’s The Batman was announced, many wondered what it had to offer. The savior of Gotham City had been adapted multiple times before in feature films at that point. However, this most recent superhero movie featuring the Dark Knight introduced something new: a detective story.

Strangely enough, most Batman movies do not show him doing much detective work. The few that do (like Batman Forever) are decidedly silly, limiting mysteries to The Riddler’s riddles. This is odd considering he is known as “the World’s Greatest Detective” in comics.

The Batman borrows heavily from several modern Batman detective stories, particularly The Long Halloween and Year Zero. It also builds its narrative around uncovering The Riddler’s identity. Over the course of the film, the inexperienced Dark Knight realizes he must be more than just a deterrent or warrior to be an effective crime fighter.

It is not enough for a superhero to punish wrongdoers; they must also inspire others to virtue. This theme resonates in the film’s closing monologue when Batman reveals his character’s hidden heart: “People need hope,” he says. “To know someone’s out there for them.”

Superman (2025)

Not quite six months have passed since 2025’s Superman first premiered in theaters; however, it quickly made an impression. Beyond offering a cinematic look at the new DCU, it also modernized the Man of Steel for the 21st century.

The movie’s story examines modern media’s role alongside heroes in society. In many ways, its great villain isn’t Lex Luthor but rather the sociopolitical structure that Luthor manipulates. It is telling that honest reporting by writers at The Daily Planet proves pivotal to heroes’ victory just as much as anything done by The Justice Gang.

While threats from The Engineer and Ultraman may pose physical danger to Superman, it is ultimately public sentiment fueled by sensationalist reporting and Lois Lane’s hard questions about his actions that truly hurt him. This depth surpasses most modern Superman stories and sets a high standard for future DCU narratives.

How we picked the best superhero movies on HBO Max in January 2026

The biggest question in composing this list was whether to include animated superhero movies or not. While often overlooked and rarely released theatrically, many of DC’s animated offerings match live-action blockbusters in quality; Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is considered by many fans to be the best Batman movie ever.

Once it was decided to categorize animated movies separately, three additional criteria were considered: first, how well each movie set standards for other superhero films; second, how effectively it adapted source material while remaining true to classic comics; finally, whether it established a legacy emulated in comic books and other adaptations.