Every 2019 Comic Book Movie Ranked Worst To Best

Avengers: Endgame was a cinematic masterpiece, yes, but was just one, though quite possibly the best chapter in a wider narrative. Without the rest of the MCU, the Russos' second Avengers movie doesn't work. Joker however, is a different kind of cinematic masterpiece, brought to life in just 122 minutes.

With so many questions hanging over it throughout the entire process, Joker could have easily stumbled on a number of hurdles. Todd Phillips and Joaquin Phoenix overcame everything, however, bringing together a truly awe-inspiring movie without relying on epic battles, big budget special effects, or out of this world powers as most comic book movies do.

Instead, Joker offered a grounded story, humanizing the DC character in a way no one has ever attempted before, allowing the audience to connect with the character like never before. The Joker was already one of the most famous, iconic figures in all of comic book lore, and taking such a radical new approach, particularly with Heath Ledger's iteration as the automatic yard stick against which it would be measured, was incredibly brave.

Even something as simple as giving the character a name raised eyebrows at first, but the resulting harrowing look into not just a comic book character, but society and mental illness as a whole, may well have changed the genre forever.