There have been many great Marvel and DC movies over the years, but it is true that some films missed the mark, though even a few of those who did not succeed still featured exciting fight scenes. Marvel and DC have a bright future ahead. The MCU’s upcoming movies include a pair of Avengers films, Spider-Man 4, and more. As for DC, James Gunn’s DC Universe has films like Superman, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, and more on the way.
However, both franchises — and others — have produced a number of projects that did not work quite as expected. From the Spider-Man franchise to the old DCEU to more, both Marvel and DC have had their fair share of films that struggled at the box office or with critics. Thankfully, some of them had redeeming qualities, even if they were not among the best Marvel movies or the most exciting DC films, and great fight scenes still came through bad superhero films.
10
Kraven The Hunter’s Woods Fight Sequence Is Action-Packed And Suitably Gore-Filled
Kraven The Hunter (Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, 2024)
First up is Kraven the Hunter, the latest live-action superhero movie to have been released. The film ended Sony’s Spider-Man Universe with a whimper at the box office — grossing $53.8 million so far — not faring any better with critics, as Kraven the Hunter has a very low 16% Rotten Tomatoes score with critics.
|
Sony’s Spider-Man Universe |
|
|---|---|
|
Movie |
Year |
|
Venom |
2018 |
|
Venom: Let There Be Carnage |
2021 |
|
Morbius |
2022 |
|
Madame Web |
2024 |
|
Venom: The Last Dance |
2024 |
|
Kraven the Hunter |
2024 |
Despite its middling story and poor dialogue, Kraven the Hunter did have something special going for it. The SSU movie had some of the most exciting and violent action scenes of any live-action superhero project. The R-rated movie‘s most exhilarating fight sequence happened in the woods.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Kraven used his background as a hunter to set up several traps. When Rhino’s henchmen came for Kraven, they were slowly picked off one by one. Many gruesome deaths ensued as limbs flew, heads were bashed, and Kraven got covered in his enemies’ blood.
9
Suicide Squad’s Street Battle Shows The Real Potential Of The Movie & Cast
Suicide Squad (DCEU, 2016)
The DCEU suffered from uneven quality, with behind-the-scenes choices impacting the franchise. 2016’s Suicide Squad was a box office hit, but the movie itself was not nearly as good as its earnings suggest. Director David Ayer’s version of Suicide Squad never saw the light of day.
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Instead, a studio-approved cut of the DCEU film was released in theaters. The result was an overtly dark and mostly boring mess. Suicide Squad‘s final battle, and its whole third act in general, were poorly put together. However, an earlier fight scene in the movie showed the cast’s lost potential.
The Suicide Squad team is made up of villains, captured and kept in a secret prison, and offered reduced sentences if they participate in dangerous missions. In the tradition of continuity within DCEU films, the event comes in the wake of Superman’s death and the seclusion of Batman after the events that occurred in Batman V Superman. Agency head Amanda Waller, played by award-winning actress Viola Davis, is the one striking deals with the inmates of Belle Reve Prison. Heading “Task Force X” is Joel Kinnaman’s Rick Flag, alongside Will Smith’s Deadshot, Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn, Jai Courtney’s Captain Boomerang, Jay Hernandez’s El Diablo, Adewale Akinnuoye’s Killer Croc, and Adam Beach’s Slipknot. Karen Fukuhara’s Katana also joins the mission to keep Rick safe from the villains. Jared Leto (Joker) and Ben Affleck (Batman) have smaller roles in David Ayer’s Suicide Squad, as does Cara Delevingne’s Enchantress.
- Release Date
-
August 5, 2016
- Runtime
-
123 minutes
- Director
-
David Ayer
The battle on the street between the Suicide Squad and a faceless army was handled well. Most characters got a moment to shine, showing how each member of the team was unique. If only other fight scenes were as good, Suicide Squad could have been way better.
8
The Amazing Spider-Man 2’s Electro Fight Has Spider-Man Swinging For His Life
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (Spider-Man Franchise, 2014)
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 suffers from having too many ideas packed into one film. With disappointing villains and an uneven plot, it was a lackluster ending to Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man films. However, The Amazing Spider-Man franchise always had fantastic CGI and fight scenes.
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Despite its faults, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 might be the source of the most gorgeous Spider-Man action sequences in live-action to this day. There are many noteworthy moments in the film when it comes to action. However, the final battle between Spider-Man and Electro is the very best.
In The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Andrew Garfield returns to the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man, dealing with balancing his life as a high school student and his responsibilities as a hero. After reconnecting with his old friend, Harry Osborn, Peter learns details regarding his late father’s mysterious past and begins to connect the dots that his father’s disappearance, the emergence of new supervillains, and other dark dealings in his city are all connected to Oscorp.
- Release Date
-
May 2, 2014
- Runtime
-
142 minutes
- Director
-
Marc Webb
When they arrive at the power plant and Electro’s powers are fully unleashed, the film becomes a visual marvel. Garfield’s Spider-Man has to swing for his life as Electro shoots electricity at him, with the film’s score elevating the tension. Gwen Stacy’s arrival and her coming up with a plan alongside Spider-Man to defeat Electro perfectly ends the fight.
7
Black Adam’s Brawl With The Justice Society Is Filled With Superhero Powers
Black Adam (DCEU, 2022)
Before the movie was released, Dwayne Johnson repeatedly talked about how the hierarchy of power in the DCEU was about to change. However, Black Adam was released to a middling reception, and The Rock’s franchise did not continue in James Gunn’s DC Universe.
Despite its issues, which mostly stemmed from a bad villain and a story with few thrills, Black Adam had great fight scenes. Johnson has always chosen projects where his action experience can be put to good use. Black Adam did that in spades, with the powerful character being a frightening force in the film.
Black Adam is a feature film centered around the DC Comics antihero Black Adam, portrayed by Dwayne Johnson. The story follows the titular character as he emerges in the modern world, freed after millennia of imprisonment, to deliver his own form of justice. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, the film explores themes of power and morality while introducing new characters from the DC Universe.
- Release Date
-
October 21, 2022
- Runtime
-
125 Minutes
- Cast
-
Dwayne Johnson
, Aldis Hodge
, Pierce Brosnan
, Noah Centineo
, Sarah Shahi
, Quintessa Swindell
, Marwan Kenzari
, Bodhi Sabongui
, Mohammed Amer
, James Cusati-Moyer
, Jalon Christian
, Benjamin Patterson
, Odelya Halevi
, Uli Latukefu
, Jennifer Holland
, Henry Winkler
, Chaim Jeraffi
, Sharon Gee
, Stephan Jones
, A. Manuel Miranda
, Djimon Hounsou
, Raj Kala
, E. Lloyd Napier
, Kiara Rashawn
, Onye Eme-Akwari
, Sanna Erica
, Vince Canlas
, Tonea Stewart
, Meghna Nagarajan
, Patrick Sabongui
, Alex Parkinson
, Joseph Gatt
, Kamen Casey
, Dennis Dawson
, Mike Senior
, Jermaine Rivers
, Regina Ting Chen
, Sekou Laidlow
, Cameron Moir
, Donny Carrington
, Boone Platt
, Philip Fornah
, Derek Russo
, Angel Rosario Jr.
, Tang Nguyen
, Christopher Matthew Cook
, Natacha Ellie
, Daniel Danca
, Yssamei Panganiban
, Ben Jenkin - Director
-
Jaume Collet-Serra
The best fight scene in the DCEU movie saw Black Adam take on the Justice Society of America. As the movie focused on a villain, it was interesting to see him take on heroes. The sequence put Black Adam’s might against heroes who used magic, could fly, cast cyclones, and could grow exponentially in size.
6
Spider-Man 3’s Final Battle Makes Up For A Disappointing Film In Emotional Fashion
Spider-Man 3 (Spider-Man Franchise, 2007)
Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy helped usher in the modern era of superhero movies. That said, Spider-Man 3 is easily the worst entry in the franchise. Raimi did not want to use Venom, and the character’s forced inclusion by the studio led to a disjointed mess.
Sam Raimi explained to Uproxx why he did not want to use Venom in Spider-Man 3, saying, “I didn’t recognize enough humanity within that character to be able to identify with him properly.”
Spider-Man 3 is remembered more for the “Bully Maguire” memes than anything else. However, despite the movie’s clear flaws, there were some redeeming qualities. The final battle of the movie saw Spider-Man and Harry Osborn team up against Sandman and Venom. Things then got emotional.
The third film in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, Spider-Man 3 sees the Marvel hero face some of his most iconic enemies. Peter Parker’s life is turned upside down by the arrival of an alien symbiote, even as his former friend Harry Osborn prepares to assume the mantle of the Green Goblin and his uncle’s killer gains superpowers after escaping from prison. Starring Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man alongside Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Topher Grace, and Thomas Haden Church.
- Release Date
-
May 4, 2007
- Runtime
-
139 minutes
The whole sequence is pure Spider-Man. New York citizens watch as Spider-Man gets brutally beaten down before the hero and Harry turn the tide around. Sandman is defeated by water and recognizes his mistakes, Venom is taken down by sonic vibrations, and Harry is killed as Peter and Mary Jane reunite in a poignant ending.
5
Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice’s Superman & Batman Fight Is As Epic As It Can Get
Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice (DCEU, 2016)
As often happens to be the case with Zack Snyder, the theatrical cut of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was not received well. The DCEU film marked the first time Batman and Superman interacted in live-action. Instead of being exciting, the bleak affair was mostly dull and emotionless.
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Snyder’s full creative vision for the film is detailed in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice‘s Ultimate Edition. It is a much better film overall due to added scenes that make the characters’ motivations more clear. Still, there were some cool moments in the theatrical version of the DCEU’s most divisive movie.
In this high-action film by Zack Snyder, the two DC superheroes face off against one another in a conflict spurred on by the villainous Lex Luthor. The film also features WonderWoman playing a role in the fight against Doomsday and other villains from beyond the Earth. As the world’s two most powerful superheroes prepare to destroy each other, an unexpected commonality brings them together to defeat their real enemy.
- Release Date
-
March 24, 2016
- Runtime
-
152 minutes
Without a doubt, the movie’s best moment is Batman and Superman’s fight sequence. Ben Affleck’s veteran Batman saved Gotham City for decades. All that experience was shown when he used advanced armor and kryptonite to defeat Henry Cavill’s Superman. Batman almost kills Superman, making for an incredibly tense and action-packed sequence.
4
Dark Phoenix’s Train Sequence Showed How Powerful Magneto Is
X-Men: Dark Phoenix (Fox’s X-Men Franchise, 2019)
Fox’s X-Men franchise was, unfortunately, pretty hit-or-miss. Some of the X-Men movies rank among the best live-action Marvel character adaptations. However, others easily make up the bottom of the list. Sadly, the final movie in Fox’s main X-Men franchise was one of its worst.
Dark Phoenix had many issues. However, its train fight scene was full of thrills. Prefaced by a fight between Michael Fassbender’s Magneto and the X-Men, the characters team up to take on Vuk’s forces. The sequence then serves as a showcase of how powerful many X-Men members are when let loose.
In this continuation of the rebooted X-Men movie series, Jean Grey begins to develop incredible powers that corrupt and turn her into a Dark Phoenix. Now, the X-Men will have to decide if the life of a team member is worth more than all the people living in the world.
- Release Date
-
June 7, 2019
- Runtime
-
113 Minutes
- Director
-
Simon Kinberg
Fassbender’s Magneto was consistently the best part of the younger X-Men franchise. Dark Phoenix‘s train sequence once again showed that as Magneto impaled, crushed, and did more awful things to those in his path. The X-Men villain was ruthless, shining amid exciting superhero action.
3
Wonder Woman 1984’s Cheetah Fight Showcases Diana Prince’s Endurance
Wonder Woman 1984 (DCEU, 2020)
Gal Gadot’s first Wonder Woman movie was iconic. Sadly, Wonder Woman 1984 was a major letdown, not managing to live up to the original. Not only was Wonder Woman 1984 a box office bomb and panned by critics, but it led to the end of the franchise.
Gadot will be replaced as Wonder Woman in James Gunn’s DCU. There were some controversial choices in the DCEU’s second Wonder Woman film, and Gadot’s acting was not at its best. However, when it comes to fight scenes, Wonder Woman 1984 was consistently a good time.
In 1984, Wonder Woman’s second big-screen solo adventure finds her working in the Smithsonian while secretly living a double life as the iconic superhero. When she comes across a mysterious artifact at the museum, Wonder Woman soon finds herself facing two all-new foes: Max Lord and Cheetah. Wonder Woman 1984 was one of the first theatrical films to be simultaneously released on HBO Max in 2020.
- Release Date
-
December 25, 2020
- Runtime
-
115 Minutes
- Director
-
Patty Jenkins
Among all the Wonder Woman action scenes in the film, the final time she fights Cheetah takes the top spot. It features Wonder Woman’s iconic gold armor from the comics, adding some flair to the occasion. Shining aspects of the film were how vicious Cheetah was and the showcase of Wonder Woman’s resourcefulness and endurance.
2
Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer’s Doctor Doom Final Fight Had Johnny Storm Unite The Team’s Powers
Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer (Fantastic Four Franchise, 2007)
There has yet to be a truly great Fantastic Four movie. After a long time away from home, Marvel’s First Family is having a huge 2024 and 2025. Last year, Chris Evans returned as a Johnny Storm variant and stole the scene in Deadpool & Wolverine. This year sees the MCU’s first Fantastic Four movie.
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When it comes to the team’s live-action history, director Tim Story’s Fantastic Four movies were a mixed bag. After a decent start to the franchise, the second film crashed and burned. While it is mostly remembered by “Cloud Galactus,” Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer did have a gripping battle.
Evans’ Human Torch was the best part of the 2007 movie. Johnny was able to take the powers from the other Fantastic Four members. This allowed him to beat Doctor Doom, who had Silver Surfer’s flying board, in a fight full of exciting twists.
1
Superman III’s Evil Superman Took On Clark Kent In A Brawl
Superman III (Superman Franchise, 1983)
Christopher Reeve still stands to this day as the golden standard for Superman actors. However, of his four movies as the Man of Steel, the latter half was not as good as the first two. Superman III at least had a few salvageable elements.
Due to exposure to synthetic kryptonite, Superman’s good and evil sides were split into two characters who fought.
Reeve showed the full scope of his acting skills in a creative sequence. The actor played two different versions of the DC icon, as Reeve gave life to Evil Superman and Clark Kent. Due to exposure to synthetic kryptonite, Superman’s good and evil sides were split into two characters who fought.
Superman III follows Clark Kent, portrayed by Christopher Reeve, as he faces a new enemy in the form of a computer mastermind, Gus Gorman, played by Richard Pryor. Directed by Richard Lester, the 1983 film explores the dynamics between Superman and his alter ego while dealing with threats both human and technological, including corporate magnate Ross Webster’s schemes to control the world. The movie delves into themes of identity and power, continuing the saga of the iconic superhero.
- Release Date
-
June 17, 1983
- Runtime
-
125 minutes
- Director
-
Richard Lester
While superhero action is present, it is not the best aspect of the scene. The true fun is seeing how Reeve perfectly makes both characters two separate entities through his mannerisms. Clark Kent is heroic in the face of an unhinged Superman, which is true to the character and ends the list of great fight scenes in bad Marvel and DC movies.
