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

23. The Dark Knight Rises (78)

War For The Planet Of The Apes Cornelius
Warner Bros. Pictures

Four years after The Dark Knight helped redefine the modern superhero blockbuster as an art form, Christopher Nolan's trilogy capper almost matched it blow-for-blow with its final bow for Batman; a thunderous cacophony of muscular intelligence and satisfying emotional heft.

The film was never going to measure up for some to its immediate predecessor, but in Tom Hardy's Bane, it found a more-than-worthy adversary - and after The Return of The King, critics agree it remains among the gold standard for conclusive franchise entries this century.

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.