The 10 most successful superhero movies ever, ranked

Disney

Superheroes are a crowded business these days.

While they’ve been with us for a long time, with blockbusters along the way (the ’70s Superman, Batman through the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s), the superhero genre didn’t become the many-tentacled beast it is today until Marvel realized the possibilities of its movie universe under Disney.

“The Avengers,” in retrospect, was an expensive gamble (for the actor salaries alone), and one that has payed off handsomely with the many film iterations of its heroes, even if critics don’t always love them. DC Comics, meanwhile, has struggled to keep up with its major competitor.

“Suicide Squad,” DC’s latest, is reviled by critics, and it’s projected to have a steep dropoff this weekend after a record August opening, which will likely keep it off the list of the most prized superhero movies.

Below are the highest-grossing superhero movies at the domestic box office of all time:

*Note: figures adjusted for inflation, to keep things fair.

10. “Iron Man 3″ (2013) – $422,680,300

Unadjusted: $409,013,994

9. “Spider-Man 3″ (2007) – $423,597,700

Unadjusted: $336,530,303

8. “Avengers: Age of Ultron” (2015) – $463,543,100

Unadjusted: $459,005,868

7. “Superman” (1978) – $496,721,400

Unadjusted: $134,218,018

6. “The Dark Knight Rises” – $498,658,400

Unadjusted: $448,139,099

5. “Spider-Man 2″ (2012) – $520,974,800

Unadjusted: $373,585,825

4. “Batman” (1989) – $545,187,000

Unadjusted: $251,188,924

3. “Spider-Man” (2002) – $601,737,900

Unadjusted: $403,706,375

2. “The Dark Knight” (2008) – $644,783,400

Unadjusted: $533,345,358

1. “Marvel’s The Avengers” (2012) – $665,791,300

Unadjusted: $623,357,910

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