5 Most Important Superhero Movies
4. Superman: The Movie 
Every genre needs its pioneer film to get the ball rolling. Superheroes had graced the silver screen before, but by all accounts, Superman: The Movie was the first feature length superhero motion picture developed purely for theatrical release. Richard Donners 1978 film became a classic not just for being first, but also for standing the test of time as one of the best. Despite all the modern technology taking comic book characters to new heights, no Superman film has topped this one (check back with me on June 14, 2013). Superman: The Movie was not dark by any stretch, but it was a brilliantly cast, well-crafted film that captured the imagination of generations. An unknown actor named Christopher Reeve became a household name and more importantly, served as Superman in the minds of those who werent even alive in 1978. Audiences were told they would believe a man could fly. They did, and they still do. Future filmmakers believed, too, as Christopher Nolan has often cited Donners approach as being a blueprint for Nolans own developmental work for Batman Begins. You might be wondering, if Superman: The Movie was first, why isnt it #1 on this list? Its a fair question, but remember that S:TM did not immediately give birth to a genre. For years, there were only Superman movies. Long-time Bat-film executive producer Michael Uslan still had to shop the idea of a serious Batman movie around every studio in Hollywood for a decade despite S:TMs success.