Netflix’s Superhero Movie Lineup Is Smaller Than You Think, but It Has Gems

There was a time when most blockbuster movies and popular television series found their way onto Netflix. Yet as the streaming market grew, the number of superhero movies on the service decreased. Even with the streaming mergers happening, we’re not expecting the catalog to grow quickly. The Batman movies belong to Warner Bros. Discovery, so they’ll likely be available on HBO Max soon (though you can technically watch them on Netflix if you’re in the UK). Even with fewer options, Netflix still hosts some of the best superhero movies ever made.

What are the best Superhero movies on Netflix streaming in May 2026?

Today, Netflix is more frequently associated with superhero streaming series than movies. They produced a number of mature series based on the Marvel Comics universe, like Daredevil. They also stream most of the Arrowverse shows based on DC Comics, thanks to a long-running licensing deal with The CW. Despite that, and most of these properties slowly making their way to Disney+ and HBO Max, there are still some fine superhero movies to be found on Netflix.

Spiderman (2002)

The superhero movie that helped kick off the modern resurgence of the genre, Spider-Man saw director Sam Raimi take the reins and bring a different energy to a comic book icon. After Blade (1998) and X-Men (2000), studios proved we could take a superhero seriously. That was, of course, a reaction to the Batman films of the late ’80s and early ’90s. Raimi opted to go a different route and bring audiences something that was both superheroic and commercially viable. This was also the first time we got to see a superhero story as a coming-of-age story on the big screen.

Despite bigger-name directors gunning for the role, Raimi won over Sony’s producers for his vision of weaving Peter’s personal life through the narrative. Raimi had been a fan of Stan Lee’s comic series and pitched a version of the film that felt true to the comic book and to the character’s spark. While there is always debate over who is the best Spider-Man, we have to hand it to Tobey Maguire for being the first. This movie is a great watch and a pure nostalgia punch.

The plot is probably already well known enough not to spend too much time on it: a shy, intellectual high schooler with a crush on his neighbor gets bitten by a radioactive spider at a science exhibition. The bite gives him powers, and he has to learn how to use them responsibly. The timing is good, too, because more science finagling gives us a villain in the Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe).

Hellboy (2004)

In 1944, a group of Nazi sorcerers led by the infamous Rasputin tried to summon several demons into their service. Thanks to the efforts of an Allied strike force and scholar Trevor “Broom” Bruttenholm, they failed. However, an infant demon was discovered in the aftermath. Broom adopted this Hellboy as his own son and trained him to become a force for good.

Six decades later, Broom and Hellboy are employed by the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense. With their aid, the BPRD have become humanity’s first line of defense against various monsters and magicians. Unfortunately, Rasputin’s allies have resurrected him and are determined to finish what they started.

There have been four films to date based on Dark Horse Comics‘ superhero Hellboy, plus two cinematic reboots. Despite this, many feel that the first effort remains the best. This is largely due to the efforts of Oscar-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, who scripted and directed the film. It is also thanks to Ron Perlman‘s masterful performance as the noble demon. It is also notable as the only Hellboy film adaptation to date to merit a sequel.

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

Peter Parker is a brilliant but socially awkward teenager with dreams of becoming a scientist. This leads him to seek out a former colleague of his father, Dr. Curt Connors, who is studying cross-species genetics. A lab accident leaves Peter bitten by a genetically altered spider and transformed into something new… The Amazing Spider-Man.

When Connors is similarly transformed into a monstrous lizard man, Spider-Man must step up to save the city. This is made more difficult by the efforts of NYPD Captain George Stacy, who thinks Spider-Man is more of a menace than a superhero. This, in turn, endangers Peter’s romance with classmate Gwen Stacy, who just happens to be Captain Stacy’s daughter.

Marc Webb faced a serious challenge following Sam Raimi in developing a new Spider-Man film franchise. It is debatable how well he succeeded. However, The Amazing Spider-Man does have a devout fandom for several reasons.

Many fans prefer Andrew Garfield‘s more wisecracking take on Peter Parker than the more brooding variant played by Tobey Maguire. Another selling point for the movie is Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy and her chemistry with Andrew Garfield. Such is her popularity that many hope she may still find her way into the MCU as Spider-Gwen.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

Miles Morales was a smart student, struggling to fit in and live up to the standards of his NYPD officer father. Chance leads to his being bitten by a radioactive spider and gaining powers similar to those of the city’s greatest hero, Spider-Man. It also leads to Miles being entrusted with the only way to stop New York’s worst crime-boss from traveling between dimensions and wrecking reality after Spider-Man dies.

In over his head and untrained in his new powers, Miles doesn’t think it is in him to be a hero. Fate intervenes again, giving him an unlikely teacher in the form of another Peter Parker from another world. Unfortunately, this Spider-Man is not the superhero he once was. However, with more and more Spiders showing up, Peter will have to remember what comes with great power. And Miles will learn that anyone can wear the mask.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse was a revelation upon its release. Beyond being a blockbuster success, it was a critical smash. Even those critics who normally turn up their noses at superhero movies praised the film for its innovative concept and revolutionary animation. It ultimately earned 52 industry awards, including the Oscar, Golden Globe, and BAFTA for Best Animated Feature Film.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023)

There have been many incarnations of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Despite this, their story did not differ much from film to film or cartoon to cartoon. That changed with the 2023 animated superhero movie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.

The film opens with the standard origin: four baby turtles and a rat are mutated into humanoid creatures by mutagenic ooze. However, this group of turtle boys hides from the world because of their foster father, Splinter, who fears humanity. Not because of some need to maintain a superhero secret identity. Despite this, his sons long to be a part of the world above their home in the sewer.

The existence of the Ninja Turtles is uncovered by aspiring teen journalist April O’Neil, after they recover her stolen moped. This leads to a partnership, as the TMNT help April investigate a series of crimes tied to the sinister TCRI. It also leads to the discovery of another found family of mutants, pressured into a life of crime by their charismatic leader, Superfly.

Mutant Mayhem was notable for being one of the few times the Ninja Turtles actually seemed to act like real teenagers. It was also marked by a unique visual aesthetic and by how well it merged ideas from a wide range of earlier adaptations. The end result was a reboot that won over a new generation of fans while satisfying the old guard.

KPop Demon Hunters (2025)

Long ago, demons preyed on humanity. Hither came three young women, warrior poets who mixed song and sorcery to fight the demons. They created the Honmoon, a mystic barrier that limited the power of demons on Earth. Through the centuries that followed, three women in a generation would be chosen as the new guardians of the Honmoon. Today, those guardians are Huntrix – a K-pop idol group consisting of rebellious Mira, innocent Zoey, and confident Rumi.

Huntrix are challenged in popularity by a demon-backed idol group called the Saja Boys. This leads to a battle of the bands for the souls of the world. However, Rumi has a secret; a half-demon heritage that threatens to break up the band and her friendships with Zoey and Mira.

Some may question the inclusion of KPop Demon Hunters on a list of superhero movies. Certainly, it is more heavily influenced by Korean culture and mythology than by traditional comic-book heroics. Yet at its core, the movie is a magical girl story, with summoned weapons, colorful costumes, and secret identities. That makes it a superhero movie by most metrics, in terms of story if nothing else.

How we picked the best Superhero Movies on Netflix in 2026

As noted earlier, there are a few superhero movies on Netflix in 2026. However, there were still enough titles to make narrowing the list difficult. To that end, these movies were assessed based on their influence, awards, and success in establishing (or reinvigorating) ongoing franchises.