Avengers Assemble
The superhero movie has become not only a staple of the big screen but also at the top of the box office.
A whole host of movies have enjoyed huge success making millions and billions of dollars worldwide.
Another superhero film hits the big screen this week, in the form of Captain America: The Winter Soldier and it looks set to be another hit for Marvel.
We take a look at some of the most successful films in this genre over the years.
- Avengers Assemble - $1.5 billion
Avengers Assemble remains the most successful superhero film of all time, as it stormed through the billion-dollar barrier back in 2012.
The movie saw Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, and Jeremy Renner star as Iron Man, Black Widow, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, and Hawkeye joined forces for the first time.
Avengers Assemble was the most adventurous Marvel film to date, as Joss Whedon managed to juggle a string of different stories, character, and actors with ease.
The movie dominated the box office in the summer of 2012, and was the highest grossing movie of that year. It had become the third most successful film of all time, but the end of its theatrical run.
Filming on Avengers: Age of Ultron is underway, and it is already the most anticipated film of 2015... and it looks set to enjoy the same amount of success.
- Iron Man 3 - $1.215 billion
Iron Man 3 was the first Marvel film to hit the big screen after the success of Avengers Assemble, when it was released in April 2013.
Robert Downey Jr returned to the role of Tony Stark, while Shane Black took over the director's chair; it was the second time the pair had worked together after filming Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.
Downey Jr has really helped drive Marvel's success in recent years, and that continued as Iron Man 3 was the first film in the franchise to break $1 billion.
Iron Man 3 kicked off Phase 2 of Marvel films in style, as it went on to be the fifth highest grossing movie of all time.
It is still unclear what the future hold for the Iron Man franchise, but Robert Downey Jr will be back in Avengers: Age of Ultron.
- The Dark Knight Rises - $1.086 billion
Marvel haven't had everything their own way at the box office, as Christopher Nolan's Batman franchise has been flying the flag for D.C. Comics.
Nolan returned to the director's chair in 2012, as he brought his Batman trilogy to a triumphant close.
Christian Bale took on the role of Bruce Wayne for the third and final time, as he came face to face with Bane; the first time that we had seen this character in the new franchise.
The Dark Knight Rises matched and surpassed the success of The Dark Knight, as it was the second film in the series to gross over $1 billion.
The movie was both a critical and commercial success, and is currently the ninth highest grossing movie of all time.
- The Dark Knight - $1.004 billion
However, The Dark Knight is the jewel in the crown of Nolan's Batman franchise.
It was released back in 2008, but is still regarded as the best superhero movie of all time.
The Dark Knight marked the return of the Joker, as Batman went head to head with his most famous foe.
Heath Ledger's delivered an electric performance as the Joker, and Ledger's scenes with Christian Bale were some of the film's best.
Critics fell over themselves to praise the film, and it was a box office smash.
The movie should have been nominated for a Best Picture Oscar; alas, the Academy was not as forward thinking. It should have won the Oscar if you ask me!!!!
- Spider-Man 3 - $890 million
It was back in 2007 when the Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy was brought to a close; it remains the most successful Spider-Man film.
Tobey Maguire was back as Peter Parker, while Kristen Dunst, James Franco, and Thomas Hayden Church were just some of the other names on the cast list.
There was a lot of excitement surrounding Spider-Man 3, and fans flocked to cinemas to see this latest action packed instalment.
Spider-Man 3 was the dominating for in May 2007, as it topped the box office around the world.
The movie went on to gross in excess of $890 million,
and it was the third highest grossing film of the year behind Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
- Spider-Man - $821 million
Spider-Man was brought to the big screen by Sam Raimi for the first time back in 2002; yes, it really was twelve years ago.
Tobey Maguire took on the title role, and it was a part that saw his star rocket over such a short space of time.
Spider-Man kicked off the story from the very beginning, as saw Kirsten Dunst, Willem Dafoe and James Franco also on the cast list.
The movie won over critics and audience, and went on to gross in excess of $821 million.
Spider-Man ended off the year as the third highest grossing film, and kicked off a successful and exciting superhero franchise.
Other superhero films that have performed well at the box office include Spider-Man 2, Thor: The Dark World and Iron Man 2.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier is out now.