Here are Cinephile Corner’s 10 recommendations for movies like Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom:
The Flash
The Flash doesn’t do the skeleton of the DCEU any favors. A cartoonish and goopy visual mess, the movie shows the worst of this expanded universe – cobbled together crossovers and derivative stakes.
Superman
I had mixed feelings heading into James Gunn’s 2025 Superman, his latest take on one of the most iconic superheroes in popular culture. Early trailers and previews left me underwhelmed, with so-so CGI and dialogue that didn’t land. Die-hard Superman fans seemed intrigued by Gunn’s approach, especially since this film effectively ends the DCEU and launches a newly defined DCU.
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
Rise of the Beasts is better than nearly any Transformers film, or perhaps it’s just better at not being a noticeably abysmal movie. To blubber a plot synopsis of any of the Transformers movies seems like a task done only by the deranged. They draw you so far into the weeds that it’s hard to keep your bearings while you watch them (Who’s the villain this time? How’s that different from the last?). But regardless, they keep chugging along.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
Chris Pine leads a team of ragtag thieves on a journey throughout an expansive world. Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a movie that contains a mighty cast and includes many moving parts – all of which excel in harmony.
Read our full review of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
Thunderbolts*
Thunderbolts* may not feature the most iconic names in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but it finds unexpected strength in its emotional core and character-driven storytelling. Directed by Jake Schreier, making his MCU debut after co-directing the acclaimed series Beef, Thunderbolts* brings together a group of misfit characters from previous MCU movies and television series like Black Widow, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Ant-Man and the Wasp to form a surprisingly effective and introspective superhero team-up.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
I think I like the idea of a Sonic Cinematic Universe more than any of the actual movies within it. That’s not to say the Sonic the Hedgehog films have been without their charms—Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik remains an over-the-top but mostly entertaining presence, and the animated Sonic characters, from Sonic (Ben Schwartz) to Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) and Knuckles (Idris Elba), translate surprisingly well into a live-action world.
Avatar: The Way of Water
The Way of Water absolutely comes through and pulls off a better experience than the first Avatar film could ever dream of. It’s emotionally riveting and absolutely deserves to be seen on a big screen. The best films make you laugh, gasp, and cry. The Way of Water pulls off all three. Simply put, don’t bet against James Cameron.
Deadpool & Wolverine
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has faced challenges since its peak with Avengers: Endgame in 2019. Public interest has waned, and while Marvel continues striving to recapture that magic, it often comes at the expense of patience and character development. This trend is evident in Deadpool & Wolverine, which prioritizes cameos, quick laugh lines, and flashy action sequences over meaningful storytelling or fully realized characters.
Blade Runner 2049
Blade Runner 2049 tries to operate in two separate modes, as a humane and personal drama, and a science fiction epic. While these two styles work in their own separate veins, they cross to make a visually stunning, emotionally hollow movie. Denis Villeneuve directs himself into a corner with this one.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
The margin for error in Ryan Coogler’s sequel to 2018’s Black Panther was always going to be slim. He was tasked with delivering a film that matched the intensity and significance of its tight, universe-expanding first film that set the tables for one of Marvel’s most diverse storylines in a world dominated with white male superheroes doing battle with the most cosmic villains imaginable. Needless to say, there was a lot of pressure for Wakanda Forever to deliver on a monumental level.
READ MORE: Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023)
