It would have sounded crazy a few years ago, but comic book movies are getting ready to absolutely dominate the entertainment industry for the next decade. Both DC and Marvel have planned for nearly a dozen movies each over the next several years, and there's no sign that either company will slow down. There's a good chance that viewers will be overwhelmed with different comic book blockbusters, but until the ticket sales reflect that, studios aren't backing down.
Surprisingly, the one area that isn't being dominated with comic book movies is Netflix. While many of Marvel and DC's best films have been on the streaming service at one time or another, as of this writing, the library is actually pretty barren.
That doesn't mean there isn't a lot of great comic book content to watch; it's more about knowing where to look. That's why we went and made this list: here are the best comic book shows, features, and animated series on Netflix, so you don't have to waste time searching for them.
Best Live-Action Feature
Snowpiercer (2013)
It may not scream 'modern comic book movie,' but Snowpiercer is actually an adaptation of a French graphic novel. Not that it really matters; the film is great on its own, and doesn't rely on the typical post-apocalyptic tropes that dominate the genre. Plus, the movie proves that Chris Evans can do more than just Captain America.
Honorable Mention: Hellboy
For a movie about resurrected Russian sorcerers and demonic crime fighters, Hellboy is a movie with a lot of character. It's one of the best examples of Guillermo del Toro's unique style, and the film's focus on practical effects over CG means the film still looks good, even a decade later. This one isn't just for comic book fans - if you're into action, Hellboy is near-perfect.
Best Animated Feature
Ultimate Avengers: The Movie (2006)
The Ultimate Universe may have fallen apart in recent years, but back in its heyday, the Ultimates were one of the imprint's biggest draws. Ultimate Avengers: The Movie takes what worked about The Ultimates comic book and brings it to the small screen. It may not be as huge or explosive as its live-action counterpart, but Ultimate Avengers is still a fantastic movie and a must-watch for Avengers fans.
Honorable Mention: Hulk vs.
Most Marvel animated features try to ape their live-action counterparts, but Hulk Vs. takes a different approach. Instead of one overarching storyline, the feature is broken up into two major stories. Thankfully, both of the stories included are great, and they give the film some extra variety.
Best Motion Comic
Thor & Loki: Blood Brothers (2011)
Ever since the first Thor film was released, the rivalry between the God of Thunder and his adopted brother has become a huge draw for long-time readers and new fans alike. Thor & Loki: Blood Brothers explores this rivalry from the very beginning, and boasts a beautiful art style to boot.
Honorable Mention: Astonishing X-Men
As an adaptation of Joss Whedon's run in the comics, Astonishing X-Men largely focuses on a 'mutant cure' and deals with themes of acceptance and rejection of one's self. There's plenty to love about the motion comics: they look great, they're well-written and most importantly, it doesn't feel like someone scanned the pages and ran them through After Effects.
Best Live-Action Series
Arrow (2012)
DC has been behind Marvel when it comes to big theatrical releases, but in terms of TV series, DC is the clear winner. One of the best examples of this is Arrow. The show took one of DC's lesser heroes, reworked his character and turned it into one of their most successful projects. There's a reason that Arrow already has a spin-off before its third season has come to a close.
Honorable Mention: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
As Marvel's first foray into live-action TV following the explosive popularity of its films, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is somewhat of a disappointment. Not because of the show's quality - many would argue that S.H.I.E.L.D. is a great show - but no one seems to be watching it. The show's fate has been in question for some time, but just because it's on shaky ground right now doesn't mean it's not worth watching.
Best Animated Series
Justice League & Justice League Unlimited (2001-2006)
If you're looking for an animated library of DC's heroes and villains, look no further than Justice League & Justice League Unlimited. What started out as a show focusing on the classic Justice League quickly exploded to showcase most of the DC Universe, featuring characters both good and bad. More than any other show, Justice League Unlimited felt like an animated DC comic book.
Honorable Mention: Batman Beyond
As somewhat of a spiritual successor to Batman: The Animated Series, Batman Beyond had some big shoes to fill. The premise of 'Batman in the future' may sound lame, but the show pulled it off in such a way that the futuristic storyline felt relatively realistic, instead of feeling like a gimmick or a cash-grab.
Best Documentary
Superheroes: A Never-Ending Battle (2013)
The history of comic books is a long and complicated tale. There's almost 80 years of history from DC's side of the industry alone, and compiling everything into a single mini-series is no easy task. Thankfully, Superheroes: A Never-Ending Battle takes what could have been a boring history lesson and turned it into a fascinating look at the history of the comic book industry.
Honorable Mention: Legends of the Knight
There's no denying it: Batman has changed the lives of a lot of people. It's not just movie stars and artists, either. Everyday people have changed their lives for the better because of the Dark Knight's stories. Legends of the Knight takes a look at some of these people and their stories - if you're a fan of Batman, it's a must-watch.
Marvel and DC may have pulled their heavy hitters off of Netflix for now, but it's easy to see that there's plenty of other stuff to watch. At first glance, Netflix may not seem like the best place for comic book fans to watch a movie - clearly, that just isn't the case.
