9 Years After Release, Fans Still Call This Film of the Greatest Superhero Movies Ever

by

In 2017, Hugh Jackman bid farewell to his role as Wolverine in Logan, a film that changed what superhero movies could be. Released on March 3rd and directed by James Mangold, it was Jackman’s last time playing the famous mutant.

This movie is the tenth X-Men film and the third to focus solely on the Wolverine character. It was promoted as a grittier, more adult superhero story, and viewers found that it lived up to the hype.

The story takes place in 2029, in a world where mutants are nearly gone. Logan, now older and physically failing, works as a driver while also looking after the ailing Charles Xavier, whose mental powers are becoming erratic. Logan’s own ability to heal is weakening, and his body bears the marks of many fights.

Logan’s life is turned upside down when he encounters Laura, a girl who possesses the same powers as him. Her presence pulls him back into a dangerous life filled with fighting, difficult choices, and emotional pain.

This wasn’t your typical superhero movie; it was a darker, more realistic, and deeply moving experience. Reviewers loved how it combined thrilling action with real emotion. Rotten Tomatoes highlighted Hugh Jackman’s powerful and complex final performance as Wolverine, calling the film a violent yet surprisingly thoughtful take on the superhero genre, and gave it a 93% positive rating. Metacritic gave it a score of 77 out of 100, also indicating positive reviews. Audiences, according to CinemaScore, gave it an A−, and PostTrak awarded it a perfect 5 out of 5.

Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart (as Professor X), and Dafne Keen, who played Laura, all received high praise for their performances. Critics described the film as powerfully emotional, yet ultimately hopeful, with a message about fighting for a better future. Entertainment Weekly noted it was both the most action-packed and the most heartfelt film in the X-Men series. Many reviewers hailed it as one of the best superhero movies ever, pointing to its mature R-rating, its Western influences, and its emphasis on character and feeling over simple visual effects.

Logan was a major financial hit. It grossed $226.3 million domestically (in the US and Canada) and $392.7 million internationally, bringing its total worldwide earnings to $619.2 million, according to Box Office Mojo. The film opened in a wide release of 4,071 theaters and set new records for R-rated movies and IMAX showings. It earned an impressive $9.5 million from previews and $88.4 million during its opening weekend, becoming the top film at the box office and breaking records for both the Wolverine franchise and R-rated films released in March.

The movie also performed incredibly well internationally. Even though the Chinese version was shortened by 14 minutes to meet censorship rules, it still brought in $106 million, making it the highest-grossing X-Men film ever in China at that time. Strong debuts also occurred in countries like Brazil, South Korea, Russia, and the United Kingdom. Overall, the film became one of the most financially successful R-rated superhero movies ever made.

Reviewers praised Logan for its thoughtful take on the superhero genre, successfully combining action with a character-focused story reminiscent of Westerns. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian described it as feeling more like a gritty survival thriller than a typical superhero movie. Brian Tallerico from RogerEbert.com pointed out the fight scenes were beautifully choreographed and relied less on CGI. Fans also valued the film as a moving goodbye to Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine after 17 years.

Logan wasn’t just a popular movie; critics loved it too, recognizing it as a mature and thoughtful superhero film. It even received an Oscar nomination for its screenplay – a first for a live-action superhero movie. With its exciting action, great acting, and emotional story, Logan set a new standard for superhero films, proving they can be both thrilling and deeply affecting.

Looking back, Logan was a turning point for superhero movies. It offered a powerful and moving farewell to Wolverine, demonstrating that these films can delve into complex themes like human weakness, what’s right and wrong, and making difficult choices. The movie’s impact is still felt today, shaping how filmmakers tell superhero stories.

Read More

2026-03-04 14:46