Released: 1989

What makes it great: Superhero movies had mostly disappeared since the success of "Superman II" in 1980. It took almost a decade before Warner Bros. brought up and coming filmmaker Tim Burton on board to craft a modern version of the Caped Crusader. Stylistically daring, almost dangerously subversive, "Batman" not only ushered in a whole new era for superhero films, but was a sign of how tentpole movies were going to change in the 90's. And how can we forget Jack Nicholson's Golden Globe nominated turn as the Joker? Or Danny Elfman's groundbreaking score? The whole movie is a classic. 'Nuff said.

-Gregory Ellwood