The Best New Releases

Superhero movies have been around for a very long time, even before we had fancy motion capture technology. The Mark of Zorro, released in 1920, is widely considered to be the first-ever superhero film. Shot in classic black and white, it launched the career of motion picture star Douglas Fairbanks and paved the way for the hundred years of superhero films that would follow it.

Table of Contents

These days we have full color, full-time stunt people, green screen technology, and so much more that makes the filming and watching of a superhero movie a genuinely unique experience. It’s something that you can watch on a date night at the cinema, makes for a great Sunday afternoon at home, and can keep you entertained in your “me time” as well.

Our love for superheroes keeps us coming back time and again to see what’s new in the world of superheroes and the supervillains that they battle! So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the best superhero movies of 2021 so far.

1. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

This year saw the release of more films from the Marvel Universe: Shang-Chi being the 25th one to come out so far. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has had a long journey from concept to the silver screen. Development for this film initially began way back in 2001, but it was only in 2018 that work on the picture really started to kick off when screenwriter Dave Callaham was brought on board.

The film follows the titular character, Shang-Chi (played by Simu Liu) or, as he is known in his everyday life, Shaun, as he slacks off, sings karaoke with his friend Katy (Awkwafina) and carries out his duties as a valet in San Francisco. In actual fact, Shaun is a highly trained assassin who neglects his familial responsibilities until his father comes into the picture to shake him out of his lazy ways.

In terms of representation, Shang-Chi was called a triumph by its stars and many members of the Chinese community worldwide. The film obviously takes inspiration and cues from traditional Chinese cinema and is visually stunning. Every actor’s performance strikes the perfect note, resulting in such harmony that you could easily forget you’re watching a Marvel film.

2. Thunderforce

Thunderforce, starring the hilarious Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer, came out on April 9th 2021. The film takes place in present-day Chicago, but an incident that occurred in 1983 with a cosmic ray (long story) left sociopaths and criminals with super-villainous powers, meaning that the city is not the happy place it is in the real world. Lydia and Emily (McCarthy and Spencer), are estranged grade school friends who reunite to combat this scourge by injecting themselves with a genetic formula that Emily had been developing over many years. This formula gives the user superhero-like powers that will allow them to battle the villains that terrorize the city.

The film has elements of many different genres: buddy comedy, superhero, and a definite touch of girl power. It was initially greenlit for development, specifically for Netflix, back in 2019. Its critical reception was somewhat lukewarm, but in the months it has been available to stream, it has garnered many fans. Funny, heartwarming, and dramatic, Thunderforce has everything you could possibly want from a superhero movie and more. What’s not to love?

3. Black Widow

Many superhero fans – female fans, in particular – have been waiting a long time for the release of a Black Widow solo adventure, and this year they finally got what they’ve been waiting for. Ever since Natasha Romanoff went over that cliff on Vomir, we’ve been wondering if we’d seen the last of her. It turns out the answer was no, but not in the way that we expected! Black Widow follows Romanoff, who is on an undercover assignment with an entire family of Russian spies. Once their mission is complete, they part ways, and we leap forward in time from the 90s all the way to 2016 when Romanoff has already violated the Sokovia accords and is on the run.

It’s been a long wait for the development team as well as the fans. Back in 2004 the Lionsgate Films initially acquired the rights to Black Widow. However, by the time 2006 rolled around, their option had lapsed, and the rights reverted to Marvel. Director David Hayter, the film’s writer and director, says that he didn’t move forward with the movie for a long time because he was not confident that he had a strong enough storyline in place. Well, we’re glad he waited because Black Widow is definitely one of the most phenomenal superhero movies of the year!

4. Suicide Squad

Not wanting to be left out of the action in 2021, DC Comics released the second iteration of the Suicide Squad “franchise.” Whether or not “franchise” is the correct term (the crew says that the 2021 film is a direct sequel to the one released in 2016), it was indeed a wild ride from start to finish.

A team of the most unlikely and insane villains (or anti-heroes) who’ve been sitting in prison, is used by the American government on a mission that will almost certainly get all of them killed. But, since they have literally nothing else to do and a lighter sentence to gain, they have little choice but to agree and be sent into a volatile situation with very little information to work with. There are insane politicians, bizarre hive-minded starfish creatures, and incredible explosions. Suicide Squad is not a movie for those who take themselves too seriously; it’s a welcome break from reality. We hope to see more of the Squad in follow-up films in the next few years.

Whatever your taste, there’s sure to be a superhero movie released this year that will entertain and captivate you. Which is your favorite?

Author Profile

Scott Baber: Senior Managing editor

Manages incoming enquiries and advertising. Based in London and very sporty. Worked news and sports desks in local paper after graduating.

Email Scott@MarkMeets.com