12 Superhero Movie Romances That Actually Didn't Suck

9. Wade Wilson & Vanessa (Deadpool)

Admittedly, this one's a tad conflicting because Wade Wilson's (Ryan Reynolds) lover Vanessa (Morena Baccarin) is basically just a dramatic prop in both Deadpool movies - a damsel-in-distress in the former and straight-up fridged in the latter.

But the romance between Vanessa and Wade itself, separated away from the demands of a superhero movie, is pure gold. After all, can you name another cape film where the hero lets his girlfriend peg him?

There's a rough-around-the-edges affection here as allowed by both the series' irreverent tone and R-rating. Despite all the silliness, it helps it feel more grounded and authentic than the gooey, portentous love stories superhero films tend to invite.

Even in the more sentimental sequel the sweetness ends up feeling weirdly earned, and despite the brevity of her role in Deadpool 2, Vanessa's quasi-afterlife reunion with Wade is genuinely touching. That damn fine acoustic version of A-ha's "Take on Me" is clearly to blame.

Hopefully the inevitable third film might grant Vanessa a little more agency, though, and finally allow her to harness her superhero moniker Copycat.