10 Comic Book Movie Moments That Are Pure Cinema

Numerous comic book movies have proven themselves to be incredibly moving and effective cinema. The typical characterization of these movies is special effects-laden thrill rides that are often dismissed by the Hollywood elite. However, several outstanding examples from the genre challenge this notion, and have gone on to be considered among the greatest movies of all time. Whether through deft cinematic techniques or highly compelling, emotional performances, many comic book movies exemplify the high art of pure cinema.

It made headlines in 2019 when Martin Scorsese claimed that Marvel movies aren’t cinema. His comments encouraged the trend in mainstream Hollywood to snub comic book movies, despite their very obvious popularity. Regardless of Scorsese’s opinion, several comic book movies have featured scenes that were cinema in its purest form and can be considered high art. To quote Scorsese himself, these films featured “human beings trying to convey emotional, psychological experiences to another human being,” which they do triumphantly.

10 Catwoman’s Transformation – Batman Returns (1992)

Directed By Tim Burton

Selina Kyle’s transformation into Catwoman in Batman Returns was one of the most breathtaking and tragic scenes in comic book movie history. The scene depicted Pfeiffer’s Selina returning home after her boss attempted to kill her, where she soon snapped and destroyed her apartment – donning the infamous Catwoman suit for the first time. The palpable despair and anguish Michelle Pfeiffer delivered remains unparalleled within the genre and truly elevates the movie to cinematic quality. The whole scene is bolstered by Danny Elfman’s unforgettable score, which bolstered the scene’s heightened emotion and Pfeiffer’s mesmerizing performance.

9 Joker’s Choice – The Dark Knight (2008)

Directed By Christopher Nolan

The sadistic choice is a staple of comic book movies, but the one proffered by Heath Ledger’s Joker in The Dark Knight prompted a far greater moral conundrum. As Gotham’s residents attempted to flee the city by ferry, the Joker reveals that both ships were rigged to explode, and the detonators were on the opposite ferry. One ship was filled with Gotham’s criminals, the other its citizens – prompting a debate over the sanctity of life and the nature of reform. The Dark Knight elevated the choice trope to a grander, societal level, provoking the audience to engage in a similar discourse regarding the value of one life over another.

8 Mysterio Haunts Spider-Man – Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

Directed By Jon Watts

Spider-Man: Far From Home featured a visually stunning and emotionally charged hallucination sequence, in which Tom Holland’s Spider-Man was trapped in Mysterio’s illusions. Spider-Man grappled with a series of sinister visions, including fighting multiple versions of himself, and a zombie Iron Man. The scene was startlingly complex and impressive, displaying incredibly potent special effects and cinematic mastery. While staggeringly captivating, the scene also grappled with Peter Parker’s grief following Tony Stark’s death. Peter exorcised several psychological demons while fighting the external phantoms. The combination of CGI spectacle and Holland’s performance created a pivotal juncture in the narrative – and a scene that was pure cinema.

7 Aunt May Dies – Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

Directed By Jon Watts

Spider-Man: No Way Home was one of the most celebrated movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Aunt May’s surprising death was especially emotive though, and caught many audiences off-guard. Aunt May played a more central role in No Way Home than she had in previous movies, and the choice to have her deliver the infamous “with great power…” speech was an unexpected and compelling update to the classic Spider-Manorigin story. The scene established the emotional center of the movie and Peter Parker’s character ark, and was delivered incredibly deftly. The scene provoked a highly emotional response from its audience, a feat often not attributed to comic book movies.

6 Nightcrawler In The White House – X2: X-Men United (2003)

Directed By Bryan Singer

The opening scene of X2: X-Men United was a gripping, fast-paced action sequence that seamlessly blended practical and digital effects while showcasing a beloved new character. The sequence introduced Nightcrawler to the X-Men movie franchise as he infiltrated the White House. The breathtaking action masterfully blended suspense and unpredictability as it demonstrated Nightcrawler’s teleportation and acrobatic abilities – brought to life by Alan Cumming’s outstanding performance. It was a thrilling prelude to X2: X-Men United‘s exploration of prejudice, humanity, and discrimination. The scene marvelously brought all of these themes together, effectively conveying the movie’s core narrative through a gripping extended fight sequence.

5 Evey Escapes – V For Vendetta (2006)

Directed By James McTeigue

One of the most poignant moments in comic book cinema occurred in V for Vendetta. Natalie Portman’s Evey endured imprisonment and a brutal regime so V could ascertain her reliability. After Evey was released, she asked V to take her outside, where she basked in the rain. The rain represented Evey’s transformative journey. It symbolized the break from societal constraint and fear, as Evey discovered her strength and ability to battle the dystopian government through adversity. The pouring rain became a metaphor for Evey’s emancipation – both literal and figurative. The beautiful scene was perfectly accompanied by the soundtrack and cemented the movie as a very praiseworthy piece of art.

4 Bathroom Dance – Joker (2019)

Directed By Todd Phillips

The bathroom dance from Joker was a haunting portrayal of Arthur Fleck’s descent into madness as he surrendered himself to his eponymous alter-ego. Joaquin Phoenix proffered a captivating and visceral performance, as his fractured psyche was represented through his unconventional dance moves. Joker‘s stunning score laid a lilting foundation that highlighted the beautiful tragedy inherent in the narrative. The claustrophobic and dimly lit space contrasted against Phoenix’s idiosyncratic movements. It blurred the distinction between the macabre and the captivating, reflecting the Joker’s blurring morality. The scene was a cinematic masterpiece, that unraveled the complexity of the character and left an indelible mark on the narrative and contemporary cinema.

3 The Angel Of Death – Hellboy 2: The Golden Army

Directed By Guillermo Del Toro

Guillermo Del Toro brought his trademark monster designs to Hellboy 2: The Golden Army, which were perfectly encapsulated by the Angel of Death. As the heroes neared the end of their journey, they came face to face with the monstrous character who agreed to save Hellboy’s life. The Angel of Death was played by Doug Jones, who delivered several spellbinding characters across the two movies. The Angel of Death was particularly beguiling, though, perfectly balancing horror, fantasy, and poise to foster an otherworldly beauty typical of Del Toro’s movies. The exquisite practical effects are a testament to the genre, and the undeniable highlight of Hellboy 2: The Golden Army.

2 Magneto Takes On The Nazis – X-Men: First Class (2011)

Directed By Matthew Vaughn

An extremely powerful scene in X-Men: First Class depicted Michael Fassbender’s Magneto hunting Nazis. Fassbender showcased his formidable acting talent, quickly shifting from genial to terrifying in an instant. In the scene, Magneto traveled to an Argentinean bar, where he discovered two former Nazis who he promptly executed. The scene felt like it came from a genuine war movie, akin to Inglourious Basterds and The Great Escape. It was filled with unbearable tension and a chilling brutality that transcended typical superhero narratives. Both Fassbender and the scene perfectly captured Magneto’s complexity and intensity, leaving a lasting impression on audiences as it explored morality and war crime culpability.

1 “The Hard Goodbye” – Sin City

Directed By Robert Rodriguez And Frank Miller

It’s hard to choose a singular scene to demonstrate Sin City‘s cinematic prowess. The entire movie is a marvel of innovative special effects and stark high-contrast lighting that emulated the source material. The story featuring Mickey Rourke’s Marv was a particular highlight though. “The Hard Goodbye” concerned Marv discovering his one-night stand had been killed. Marv then enacted a violent investigation to uncover the perpetrator. “The Hard Goodbye” exemplified the movie’s dedication to emulating the comic books, producing a visually stunning sequence that was viscerally enthralling. Sin City is the best example of a comic book movie that is pure cinema, which was largely thanks to its comic book origins.