Top 10 Most Anticipated Superhero Movies of 2022

This is the fourth solo film for Chris Hemsworth's hammer-wielding hero and the second film by Oscar-winning director Taika Waititi, who previously directed Thor: Ragnarok. Set after the events of Avengers: Endgame, Love and Thunder follows Thor as he faces a midlife crisis. The story tracks him on a journey of self-discovery across the vast cosmos, reuniting with his Asgardian ally Valkyrie, his rock-loving friend Korg, and his ex-girlfriend Jane Foster, who now possesses Thor's own godly powers. Together, they find themselves targeted by the sinister Gorr the God Butcher, played by Christian Bale in a chillingly unsettling appearance.

Entertainment Weekly compiles everything you need to know about Thor's return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Love and Thunder is based on a specific Thor comic storyline written by Jason Aaron, with artwork by Esad Ribic, Russell Dauterman, Mike Del Mundo, and others. This is where Bale's villain Gorr the God Butcher is first introduced, as well as Jane Foster's debut as Mighty Thor. Like in the comics, the movie follows Jane as she picks up Thor's hammer and dons the mantle of Thor herself.

Black Adam, starring the legendary wrestler and actor in the iconic antihero role, is both a spin-off and a continuation of the 2019 film Shazam!. The film has been in development since the early 2000s, and we are finally set to see it hit the big screen. Black Adam, a powerful being on par with Superman, is the original champion of the wizard Shazam. But unlike his heroic counterpart, played by Zachary Levi, Adam's moral compass often leans more toward a ruthless edge. The movie will explore his journey back to the mortal world after being imprisoned in a magical prison for centuries. We can only imagine the kind of vengeance he plans to unleash on the world.

The official Black Adam trailer was released on June 8, 2022, giving us our first true look at the film after several teasers and clips. The trailer reveals that the Justice Society of America must confront the character after he is awakened from a 5,000-year slumber. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, who also helmed Johnson's recent Disney film, Jungle Cruise, Black Adam is written by Adam, Rory Haines, and Sohrab. Alongside Adam, the film features beloved members of the Justice Society, making it a must-watch for DC fans.

Black Panther 2, officially titled Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, is currently in production. The film is highly anticipated as both a tribute to the late actor and an expansion of the incredible world he helped bring to life. Directed by Ryan Coogler, who co-wrote the screenplay with Joe Robert Cole, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever promises to take fans back to the heart of Wakanda and introduce new locations within this vibrant nation. The first Black Panther movie brought monumental changes to the country, and the impact of the Blip is expected to resonate deeply in this sequel.

Fans can expect a vastly different version of Wakanda when Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hits theaters, and the anticipation is palpable. With returning characters and exciting new additions, this movie is sure to be a must-see. The sequel is set to delve deeper into earthly matters, with the release date now scheduled for November 11, 2022. Although originally slated for a May 6, 2022 release, the production was later moved to July 8, 2022, before the final November date was confirmed.

A great Batman story never gets old, and while the project once led by Ben Affleck is now a thing of the past, a new chapter has emerged. Directed by Matt Reeves (Cloverfield, War for the Planet of the Apes), the new Batman film, starring Robert Pattinson (Twilight), is set to offer a fresh take on the Dark Knight, arriving next year. Since its debut in DC Comics in 1939, Batman has received mixed reviews over the years.

Bruce Wayne is a wealthy industrialist, playboy, and philanthropist, who dons the bat ears and cape to save the citizens of Gotham time and time again, while also seeking revenge for the murder of his parents. The film franchise began in the 1960s, and although the adaptations have varied, Batman has managed to carve out a secure place in the superhero universe. With Robert Pattinson’s portrayal of the character in The Batman 2022, audiences can expect a completely new side of Bruce Wayne. The list of films may be long, but if Batman is your all-time favorite superhero, this is one you won’t want to miss.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand, with all the storylines converging in the highly anticipated Doctor Strange 2, officially titled Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. This next installment draws elements from Loki, WandaVision, and Spider-Man: No Way Home, setting the stage for a storyline that could surpass even Avengers: Endgame. Featuring a star-studded cast, including Benedict Cumberbatch, and directed by the legendary Sam Raimi, Doctor Strange 2 is already considered one of the most eagerly awaited MCU films of the year. The script was penned by Jade Bartlett, with Michael Waldron, the mastermind behind Loki, contributing to the screenplay.

Two trailers have been released for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness so far. The first teaser, released on December 22, 2021, hinted at the return of Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch and the possibility of Doctor Strange himself becoming a villain. The second trailer, which debuted at the 2022 Super Bowl, introduced new and exciting footage, including a crucial moment where a character resembling Patrick Stewart reprises his role as Professor Charles Xavier from the Fox X-Men films. Doctor Strange 2 will also bring back familiar faces from the first film, including Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams, and Chiwetel Ejiofor, reprising their roles from Doctor Strange (2016).

Sony's Spider-Man universe continues to expand, with new characters joining the ranks, such as Dakota Johnson starring as Madame Web and Aaron Taylor-Johnson leading Kraven the Hunter, set for release next year. However, the most anticipated project is undoubtedly the animated feature Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Recently, producer Christopher Miller shared the first poster for the film on Twitter, revealing Miles Morales facing off against Spider-Man 2099. The unique art style, much like the rest of the series, evokes a comic book aesthetic, set against a backdrop of vibrant yellow and orange hues.

This movie marks the second installment in the franchise and the first part of a two-part story, with Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse slated for release in 2024. The plot follows Miles after the events of the first film, where he reunites with Spider-Gwen and a new group of Spider-People to confront Spider-Man 2099. While the first movie introduced beloved characters like Spider-Man Noir and Spider-Ham, details about the new cast are still under wraps, though Jake Johnson will reprise his role as the quirky Peter B. Parker. The film promises to explore six different universes, featuring around 240 unique characters in both supporting and lead roles, each with its own distinctive animation style.

The Flash may be one of Hollywood's most delayed films, but the upcoming superhero movie from the DC Extended Universe seems to be worth the wait. Starring Ezra Miller as the speedster Barry Allen, the film explores Barry's journey as he ventures into the multiverse. Warner Bros. released a teaser for the film at CinemaCon 2022. The Flash is a superhero movie based on the DC Comics character, where Barry goes back in time to prevent his mother's murder, which leads to unforeseen consequences.

The development of a Flash movie began in the late 1980s, with numerous writers and directors attached to the project until 2014. The film was then reworked as part of the DCEU, with Miller taking the lead role. The film draws inspiration from the Flashpoint comic storyline, featuring several DC Comics characters, including both Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton reprising their respective Batman roles. Co-produced by DC Films, Double Dream, and The Disco Factory, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, The Flash will be the thirteenth installment in the DCEU, with a release date set for June 23, 2023.

Samaritan is a 2022 American superhero film directed by Julius Avery and written by Bragi F. Schut. Described as a darker take on the superhero genre, the story was adapted from a graphic novel published by Mythos Comics, created by Schut, Marc Olivent, and Renzo Podesta. Sylvester Stallone has recently appeared in several superhero films, including a small role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, as King Shark in The Suicide Squad, and he will return for the third Guardians film. However, next year, Stallone will lead his very own superhero movie, Samaritan.

The film tells the story of Samaritan, a hero who once fought his villainous brother at a city's power plant, resulting in a catastrophic explosion where both seemed to perish. The movie promises to bring a fresh, darker spin to the superhero genre. Though it doesn't belong to any established cinematic universe, Samaritan could very well pave the way for a new franchise. 2022 has proven to be a pivotal year for action heroes, as Stallone will also star in The Expendables 4. Samaritan was released on August 26, 2022, by United Artists Releasing and Amazon Studios.

Morbius was recently released to harsh criticism for its overly serious tone and excessive CGI effects. While it didn't quite resonate with its target audience, the film does feature an impressive cast, including rising stars and seasoned actors. Following his role in House of Gucci, Jared Leto stars as Michael Morbius, a scientist-turned-vampire. Directed by Daniel Espinosa with a screenplay by Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless, Morbius is set in New York City but was filmed in the North Quarter of Manchester in February 2019.

Morbius is another addition to Sony's Spider-Man Universe, officially known as the Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters. After delays due to the pandemic and other factors, Marvel fans could finally witness the story of the infamous antihero. The film explores the origin of one of Spider-Man's most iconic villains, Dr. Michael Morbius, who, in his quest to cure his blood disease, performs a dangerous experiment. The experiment goes awry, transforming Morbius into a living vampire.

Secret Headquarters, starring Owen Wilson, was announced as the most-watched original film on a streaming platform within its first seven days of release. The story follows Charlie and his friends as they discover the secret lair of the world's most powerful superhero hidden beneath his house. When villains attack the headquarters, the superheroes must unite to protect it and save the world. As Charlie's father leaves on a secret mission, Charlie and his friends begin exploring the house, eventually uncovering his father's hidden base.

Wilson's character bears resemblance to figures in the Marvel and DC universes, with a suit that echoes Iron Man and a secret lair that could easily be mistaken for a 'Batcave.' The children's natural curiosity quickly turns them into heroes, and soon they're fighting villains to safeguard the headquarters. The film’s broad appeal likely comes from its youthful, energetic cast, and its subtle nods to other well-established superhero projects. Secret Headquarters is directed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, the duo behind Paranormal Activity 3 & 4, Nerve, and Netflix’s Power.