15 Superhero Movies With Unparalleled Third Acts

The 21st century is undoubtedly the age of superhero movies. Since more than 20 years ago, TV shows and comic book adaptations have dominated the box office.

However, why are superheroes so well-liked? Why do audiences of all ages gravitate toward them?

The solution boils down to desire fulfillment for many fans. These individuals frequently stand up for justice and equality, exemplifying the best in us.

They are also extraordinarily strong and occasionally even immortal. They appear to be, in essence, what we would like to be.

These days, when you go to see a superhero movie, you kind of know what to expect, especially at the end of the film. Superhero movies sometimes draw criticism for their bombastic CGI combat in the third act, which is so expected that it can feel unthrilling.

Even though high-tech battles and superb CGI are what we all signed up for when we bought the tickets (in fact, it is the reason we bought the tickets), we would still like to see a story supporting all that action. They should go hand in hand.

We've all heard critics criticize these movies, particularly Marvel, for relying excessively on this cliché to impress viewers at the expense of genuine cinematic excellence. Despite this issue, there have been many instances where the third acts of superhero movies have truly worked.

We have compiled a list of the best ones. So, here are the top 15 superhero movies' third acts:

15. X-Men: Days of Future Past

The X-Men battle the Sentinels in both the present and the past during the third act of this time-traveling epic. On one side, Magneto and his army of robot troops are shown dropping a baseball stadium around the White House.

On the other hand, we see the X-Men battling an entire army of Sentinels as they are killed one by one. A young Magneto delivers a stirring statement to the world amid all the death and destruction, and it truly reverberates throughout time.

Mystique decides to save Trask and abandon her plan for retaliation, ultimately determining the outcome and making for one of the most dramatic scenes in the entire series.

14. Doctor Strange

When all the Sanctums are destroyed by Kaecilius, Strange is compelled to stop time and confront Dormammu in the Dark Dimension. Despite the possibility that this fight could have turned into another CGI light display, Strange knows he cannot defeat Dormammu.

Instead, he locks the Cosmic Conqueror and himself in an endless loop with the Time Stone.

13. Black Panther

T'Challa and Killmonger's epic final showdown in Black Panther stunned viewers. When the legitimate king of Wakanda arrives on his throne, the armies of the two men clash in a sci-fi-inspired battle that even includes raging rhinos.

However, this intense conflict ends with Killmonger choosing suicide over incarceration, highlighting the tragic nature of this character. He did, however, get to witness the Wakandan sunset.

Marvel Studios / Via YouTube

12. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

The Guardians of the Galaxy assemble to destroy the Living Planet from within after learning of Ego's sinister scheme. Even when the Celestial comes close to defeating our heroes, Star-Lord reveals his true might and goes head-to-head with his father.

This third act will keep your eyes glued to the screen the entire time because of its outstanding soundtrack, breathtaking visual effects, and numerous touching scenes. One of the most moving MCU endings, however, was Yondu's heartbreaking sacrifice to save Peter and the funeral that followed.

11. Thor: Ragnarok

Who could ever forget Thor falling from the skies to the music of Led Zeppelin? Thor learns to access his true strength on his own and defend Asgard from Hela and her army after spending the majority of the movie without his powers.

But even then, he and Loki are compelled to bring Surtur back to life and demolish Asgard in order to vanquish her. Even though Korg somewhat lessened the sadness, the movie nonetheless finished on a very positive note.

10. Guardians of the Galaxy

How frequently is a dance-off the deciding factor in the fate of the galaxy? Though this film featured excellent space combat between the Guardians, the Nova Corps, and Ronan's army, what really stood out was Star-Lord's choice to distract Ronan by breaking out some dance moves.

The Guardians of the Galaxy become some of the most adored heroes this side of the Milky Way at the very moment Quill obtains the Power Stone and joins forces with his companions.

9. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Even by MCU standards, this one was peculiar. Doctor Strange uses the Darkhold to take control of his dead variant's decomposing corpse in order to stop the Scarlet Witch and save America Chavez.

To save the day, Zombie Strange creates a cape out of the encroaching demons as he stumbles to the summit of Mount Wundagore. However, unlike Strange's debut movie, the conclusion is not resolved by a physical struggle.

Instead, America uses her powers to transfer Wanda to her children in a different dimension after giving her some supportive words. Wanda finally sees the error of her ways and tries to eliminate every Darkhold after witnessing how afraid her boys are of her.

8. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

The final battle in this contemporary classic features some of the most stunning sights ever seen in a superhero movie. Miles, now a full-fledged hero, joins the other web-slingers in taking down Kingpin and his goons inside his supercollider, where vehicles such as cars, buildings, and trains appear out of thin air like fireworks on the Fourth of July.

This results in one of the most distinctive showdowns ever seen in a comic book movie, demonstrating to viewers how Spider-Verse came to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

Sony / Via YouTube

7. Captain America: Civil War

When Tony discovers that Bucky killed his parents, he goes on the attack and seeks retribution. Steve once again squares off against Iron Man in a tense confrontation as he tries to defend his friend.

This final battle, in contrast to other MCU climaxes, takes place in a small, enclosed area and features only three soldiers engaged in combat. This enables viewers to concentrate on the conflict between Iron Man, Captain America, and the Winter Soldier on an emotional level.

Ultimately, this conflict put an end to the Phase 3 tear that had been tearing the Avengers apart.

Marvel Studios / Via YouTube

6. Man of Steel

The DCEU's inaugural film opened with a full-scale battle. As General Zod's World Engine rips across Metropolis, Superman battles alongside the U.S. troops to stop it.

But even after succeeding, the villainous Kryptonian must still be defeated by the Man of Steel in a Dragon Ball Z-style fight. This sequence gives viewers the impression that two gods are engaged in a battle for the fate of the planet, thanks to its mind-blowing action and heart-pounding music.

And even after Superman defeats Zod, the way he laments having to commit murder for the first time brings this superhero down to earth.

5. The Suicide Squad

The Suicide Squad battles the alien kaiju as it rampages across Corto Maltese after being freed from Jotunheim. Each team member receives their share of attention, from Bloodsport accepting his leadership position to Polka-Dot Man overcoming his trauma and becoming a superhero.

However, this only turns into a truly beautiful conclusion after Ratcatcher 2 frees all the city's rats and remembers her father's advice.

Warner Bros. / Via YouTube

4. Zack Snyder's Justice League

The Justice League battles Steppenwolf and his army at his Russian fortress in this much-anticipated director's cut. But even after Superman shows up and defeats Steppenwolf, it is too late for the League to stop the Unity, and everything seems lost.

However, in a truly magnificent exhibition, Flash suddenly enters the Speed Force and rushes back in time. Finally, Cyborg saves the day by overpowering the Mother Boxes and separating them, demonstrating unequivocally that he is the protagonist of this story.

3. The Avengers

Every decisive conflict that came after this one was modeled after it. The Avengers come together to defeat the Chitauri after Loki sends them to New York.

The Hulk pounding Loki senseless and Iron Man firing a bomb into space are just two of the many unforgettable scenes in this epic confrontation. However, what makes this fight so awesome is how each Avenger complements the others, using their abilities and skills to fight their enemies and defend the populace in an amazing show of cohesion and bravery.

2. Avengers: Infinity War

A small number of Avengers and Guardians battle the alien overlord on Titan while the majority of our heroes fight Thanos' troops in Wakanda. In the course of a half-hour, Thanos and the Avengers demonstrate all of their incredible abilities.

However, after a protracted and thrilling conflict, Thanos is able to obtain all the Infinity Stones and decimates half of the cosmos. One of the most horrific conclusions in movie history, no one can ever forget the shock and despair they felt when they witnessed their favorite characters disappear right before their eyes.

Marvel Studios / Via YouTube

1. Avengers: Endgame

It took 22 movies over 11 years to reach this pivotal showdown. Doctor Strange portals heroes from all over the MCU to join the Avengers in a Lord of the Rings-style fight after Thanos returns to the present to reclaim the Infinity Stones.

This climax has it all, from Spider-Man riding a pegasus while carrying the Infinity Gauntlet across the battlefield like a football to Captain America using Mjolnir against Thanos. But everything comes to an end when Iron Man gives his life to destroy Thanos and his army while repeating his now-famous catchphrase.

Superhero movies were largely intended for youngsters when they first appeared on the big screen in the 1970s. The Christopher Reeve-starring Superman movies were vivid and colorful, action-packed, but also rather campy.

Superhero movies, however, have changed over time. Modern films like Logan and The Dark Knight show us more nuanced heroes who battle with their own identities as much as with outside forces; they've grown darker and more somber.

Which type do you prefer?