Every 2016 Superhero Movie Ranked From Worst To Best

3) Deadpool

The first superhero movie of the year set the bar high in terms of both audience reaction and box office success. A few years ago, it was unthinkable that a foul-mouthed, irreverent character like Deadpool would get his own film (hence his butchered appearance in X-Men Origins: Wolverine). Yet ,2016 granted fans of the Merc with a Mouth their dearest wish and brought the anti-hero to the screen entirely faithfully in a movie that perfectly matched its central character.

From the hilarious opening credits to the Ferris Bueller-parodying mid closing credits scene, Deadpool was the most tonally original superhero film in years. Ryan Reynolds thankfully got another crack at the whip and nailed it this time, while director Tim Miller should be commended for making the most of the R-rating in some great action sequences. Yes, once you get past the anarchic, self-aware humour, it does have all the usual superhero origins story tropes in tow. Sometimes, though, we don’t mind a familiar package if it’s wrapped up in a new and refreshing way.

The news that Miller is standing down as the director on the sequel is a sad one. But, whatever stumbling blocks Deadpool II is facing at the moment, the first one’s success has ensured that Ryan Reynolds is now the new face of the X-Men franchise.

Take that, Hugh Jackman!