The Top 6 Dueling Superhero Movies

With the upcoming releases of Captain America: Civil War (where the title hero takes on his former ally Iron Man) and Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, movie lovers may be wondering “What’s up with the movies about dueling superheroes?”  What they may not realize, however, is that Civil War and Batman v. Superman are just the latest installments in a long-running trend of movies about rivalry between superheroes (and villains).  This blog entry takes a closer look at the top 6 dueling superhero movies:

6. Batman v. Wolverine: Dark Magic (2006) 

This Christopher Nolan film, which was released between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, recounts the rivalry between Batman and Wolverine as they jockey to become the most powerful magicians in the world.   Wolverine is assisted by Black Widow, and relies on the power to regenerate himself as part of his magic.  Batman, meanwhile, marries Maya Hansen, the geneticist from Iron Man 3, without revealing his secret identity.  This movie would have been ranked higher if it weren’t for the inclusion of Andy Serkis as the henchman of legendary inventor Nikola Tesla (played by the late, great David Bowie).  Although Serkis is the undisputed master of motion capture, his performance in this film doesn’t quite manage to climb out of the uncanny valley.  Since Serkis’s character is completely human anyway, the film would have been better if, instead of motion capture, he were played by an in-the-flesh actor.

5. Spiderman v. Sabretooth: Checkmate (2015) 

This film depicts a showdown between Spiderman and Sabretooth in the fittingly epic landscape of Iceland.  The United States rallies behind Spiderman, the poor-boy-from-New-York-turned-hero, while Sabretooth acts on behalf of the Russian government.  But with great power comes great responsibility, and it’s unclear if the psychologically embattled Spiderman can withstand the pressure.  This film would have been ranked higher if it were more consistent with the Marvel universe’s internal logic.  For instance, the Catholic priest assisting Spiderman, after being bitten by a radioactive bishop, should really have developed superhuman abilities to move diagonally.

4. Hawkeye v. the Phoenix: Trail of Infinity (2013)

Hawkeye harbors a grudge against Jean Grey, who once force-fed him candy as a child.  Years later, Jean Grey is overcome by her alter ego the Phoenix, and turns to witchcraft to achieve immortality through a spell which involves killing children.  It’s up to Hawkeye and his sister Gretel, who have grown into expert assassins, to stop the Phoenix.  When they set out to find her, Hawkeye leaves behind a trail of infinity stones to ensure that he and Gretel can find their way back. Ultimately, Hawkeye must strike a secret, Faustian bargain with the New Jersey mafia to vanquish the Phoenix.

3. Batman v. Hawkeye: The Great Deception (2013)

Keeping with the retro trend set by the more recent X-Men films, this movie is set in the late 70s.  The FBI cajoles Batman to leave Gotham City and lead a sting operation in Camden, New Jersey.  The target of the sting is none other than Hawkeye, who, consistent with the deal he made with the mafia, rode the wave of popularity he enjoyed from defeating the Phoenix to be elected mayor of Camden.  Hawkeye uses the position to bestow “favors” on the mafia.  Batman, who has since left Maya Hansen (probably over the whole secret identity thing), is now married to Mystique.  He is further aided by the impressive undercover journalism skills of Lois Lane, and by his FBI handler Rocket Raccoon.

2. Wolverine v. Jor-El: Song of Liberty (2012)

This film depicts a game of cat-and-mouse between Wolverine and Jor-El, the biological father of Superman.  Jor-El is currently working as a detective for the French police force, and Wolverine is wanted for using his magic skills to pull a heist at a bakery.  Both characters assume various disguises over the course of the pursuit.  At one point, Wolverine uses superstrength in the presence of Jor-El, blowing his cover.  Jor-El seems impressed with Wolverine’s superstrength, which doesn’t make much since because it’s nowhere near the superstrength of Kryptonians like Jor-El.  The film more than compensates for this lapse, however, by featuring a showstopping vocal solo by Catwoman (not to be confused with Storm). 

1.  Nick Fury v. the Punisher: Retaliation (2014)

After Nick Fury is elected President of the United States, the Punisher works as his personal body-guard.  The Punisher’s loyalty turns after he is permanently injured defending Fury, so the Punisher joins a plot to hand Fury over to terrorists.  To execute the plot, the terrorists shoot down Air Force One while Fury is travelling through Finland, leaving him stranded in the Finnish wilderness.  To defeat the Punisher and his terrorist allies, Fury must rely on the help of a 13-year old Finnish hunter who rescues him.  This film is the best dueling superheroes movie because it has a scene where Nick Fury uses gunfire to bleep himself.