25 Best Reviewed Franchise Films Of The 21st Century (According To Metacritic)

11. The Dark Knight (84)

The Dark Knight Joker Christian Bale Heath Ledger
Warner Bros.

It might be hard to believe for some that Christopher Nolan's ultimately all-conquering revision of summer cinema expectations would miss out on the top ten according to Metacritic's numbers - but it still picked up critical plaudits and almost broke awards season with its success.

Powered as much by Heath Ledger's force-of-nature Joker as it is by Christian Bale's suitably tortured Batman, its director has always played up its crime thriller leanings above all else - and as both superhero spectacle and harrowing drama, it delivers the goods in grandstanding fashion.

Contributor

Something of a culture vulture, Mr Steel can historically be found in three places; the local cinema, the local stadium or the local chip shop. He is an avowed fan of franchise films, amateur cricket and power-chords.