Superhero film

A superhero film (or superhero movie) is a film that focuses on the actions of superheroes. Superheroes are individuals who possess extraordinary (superhuman) abilities, and are dedicated to protecting the public. These films typically feature action, adventure, fantasy, and/or science fiction elements. The first film of a particular character often focuses on the hero's origin story-- the story of how they got their special powers. The first film frequently introduces the hero's nemesis. (See also: supervillain or archnemesis.)

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Many superhero films are based on superhero comics. By contrast, films such as the Ultraman, Kamen Rider and Super Sentai franchises, the RoboCop series, The Meteor Man, the Unbreakable film series, Hancock and They Call Me Jeeg are original for the screen, while The Green Hornet is based primarily on the original radio series and its 1960s television adaptation, both Underdog and The Powerpuff Girls are based on animated television series. Anime superhero films are based on manga and television shows.

The most notable and successful superhero film franchises since 1967 are Tsuburaya Productions' Ultra Series, Toei Company's Kamen Rider and Super Sentai, New Line Cinema's Blade, 20th Century Fox's X-Men, Sony Pictures' Spider-Man trilogy directed by Sam Raimi and the Amazing Spider-Man duology directed by Marc Webb, Pixar's The Incredibles, Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). Since the rise of the MCU in the late 2000s, the superhero film has become a dominant form of popular cinema worldwide. Superhero films cover different genres such as action, horror, fantasy, comedy etc. Production of superhero films has also begun outside the United States and Japan since the 21st century, such as the American English-language Spanish Faust: Love of the Damned, the Italian The Invisible Boy (and its sequel), the Finnish Rendel: Dark Vengeance (and its upcoming sequel), and the Russian Guardians.