Despite the continuously rising quantity of superhero films released each year, there are still hundreds, if not thousands of great superheroes who have yet to make their cinematic debut. There are plenty of characters between Marvel and DC who have had a huge impact in comics but have yet to appear in a feature film.
In a medium as diverse and dynamic as film, there is a seemingly endless well of potential waiting to be tapped and countless characters who can be used to do it. Here are ten superheroes we're ready to see on the big screen!
10 Moon Knight
In the realm of superhero films, many of the most successful and impactful movies are often those that integrate other genres. Spider-Man: Homecoming is a teen comedy, The Dark Knight works as a mature crime drama, and Deadpool is well…about Deadpool.
Following this trend of genre-blending, the alternate personality and subjective reality prone Moon Knight is the perfect candidate for the face of a Superhero/Psychological Thriller hybrid.
9 Sentry
A character often compared to Superman, Bob Reynolds is a complex character with a lot going on under the surface. With a very unique connection to his arch-nemesis, The Void, The Sentry has the potential to bring a great deal to the table, alongside one of the most powerful villains that could be adapted for film.
Regardless of whether Reynolds would star in a self-contained film or be integrated into Marvel's greater cinematic universe, the Sentry is a character we'd love to see in theaters.
8 Nightwing
It is scary to say that the closest thing we've seen to Nightwing in a live-action film was in Joel Schumacher's Batman & Robin. As a vital and integral member of the "Bat-Family," who is viewed by many to be one of the most important characters in the DC universe, it is high time that Nightwing makes his first major appearance in a decent live-action film.
Whether the character would have a supporting role or be inserted directly in the spotlight, we're all ready for Nightwing to join DC's cinematic projects. Admittedly, they probably should try and get the current Batman right first.
7 Luke Cage
While Luke Cage saw considerable success with his original Netflix series, he has yet to appear in a cinematic feature-length film. Similarly to Bruce Wayne in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy films, Luke Cage can bring a sense of realism to the superhero genre and has to potential to create an end product that is more grounded than any of the other contemporary films.
The character of Luke Cage allows for meaningful and relevant topics to take center stage in a prospective adaptation, while still remaining an action-packed superhero film on the surface.
6 Booster Gold & Blue Beetle
At this point, it is nearly criminal that the “Blue and Gold” have yet to make their cinematic debuts. As previously mentioned, many superhero films in the past have hit their stride when practicing a hybrid form, integrating an additional genre into the fold.
The dynamic between these two lends itself perfectly to a superhero/buddy-cop movie. Both characters have featured relatively prominently in DC's comics in recent years, so this seems like the perfect moment to bring Booster Gold and the Blue Beetle to the big screen.
5 Squirrel Girl
By all accounts, Squirrel Girl should be a lame character. She has all the powers of a squirrel combined with the strength of a perfectly ordinary girl. This combination mainly translated to super strength, speed, night vision, and improved healing. While her powers may be somewhat generic, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more entertaining superhero in the genre than Squirrel Girl.
While Doreen Green's comics are often heavily comedic in tone, she is a character who prioritizes the “hero” part of the job more than the “super,” and is probably one of the best role models in all of comics.
4 Namor
As one of the first Marvel characters to hit the comic page, debuting back in 1939, it's appalling that we've yet to see Namor the Sub-Mariner in theaters. Despite numerous attempts over the years, across various studios and directors, the completion of a Namor film has yet to come to fruition.
However, the future looks bright for the Sub-Mariner as Kevin Feige has indicated that Namor's introduction into the MCU is quite possible.
3 Ms. Marvel
The year is currently 2019, and the superhero genre is still very limited when it comes to different demographics represented by its heroes. However, with the success of Black Panther, Wonder Woman, and Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, the industry is taking steps in the right direction.
Piggybacking on the trend of representation, it's only a matter of time until audiences are introduced to Kamala Khan, Ms. Marvel. Bringing an interesting set of superpowers, along with a relatable and down to earth personality, Ms. Marvel was made for the big screen.
2 Martian Manhunter
Anyone who grew up with the Justice League animated series of the early 2000s should be familiar with the character of the Martian Manhunter. While he would often take the role of the Justice League's "guy in the chair," J'onn J'onzz is a mighty hero whose feats can parallel those of Superman.
Between the Manhanter's powers, position on the team, and tragic backstory, we're scratching our heads why we've yet to see the J'onn alongside the rest of the Justice League on the big screen.
1 Hawkman & Hawkgirl
In retrospect, very few superhero films star a romantic couple as the leads. When it comes to archetypal super-couples, few are more iconic than Hawkman and Hawkgirl. An element that sets them apart from other heroes is not their combative abilities, but the manner in which they are perpetually reincarnated across generations.
As characters who are seemingly forever entangled, Hawkman and Hawkgirl could feasibly star in the Cloud Atlas of superhero films, telling a cohesive story across numerous lives and eras, bringing something fresh and distinct to the genre.