The 5 Best And Worst Performances In 2018's Marvel And DC Superhero Movies

It's been a busy year for superhero movies and with 2018 nearing its end and Aquaman about to splash down in theaters, we take a look at the five best performances, along with five that were just awful...

By JoshWilding - Dec 17, 2018 09:12 AM EST

Filed Under: Venom

2018 has been an exciting year for superhero movie fans. We kicked things off with Black Panther (which could very well end up being Oscar-nominated) before moving on to the game-changing Avengers: Infinity War. Then, Deadpool 2 came along to deliver some big laughs, while Ant-Man and The Wasp proved to be an effective sequel for the pint-sized hero.

As we moved into the Fall, Venom arrived to break box office records no one could have guessed would be shattered, while that was followed by the amazing and spectacular animated feature Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

Finally, we have Aquaman, a great DC Comics adaptation which helps put Warner Bros. on the right track ahead of Shazam!'s release next year. Now, with 2018 nearing its end, we're taking a look at the best and worst things about Marvel and DC's movies, with the focus today on performances.

What you'll find below then is a breakdown of the best turns from the actors who starred in the aforementioned releases along with the worst ones (and man, they were baaaaad). To check them out, all you have to do is click the "View List" button down below.

THE BEST

Jake Johnson As Peter B. Parker

Honestly, I didn't see this coming. When it was revealed that Jake Johnson had been cast as Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, I really didn't get it (sure, he was good in New Girl but Spider-Man? Really?).

However, he was nothing short of spectacular in the role and brought a real depth to Peter B. Parker which made this older version of the wall-crawler one of the best to ever grace the big screen. As a Spider-Man who had been doing the whole hero thing for over twenty years, Johnson gave us a glimpse into what the Spidey's future could look like in a truly amazing way.

He did so while making the character both relatable and extremely likeable, something which can't have been easy given what a bleak outlook this character has on the world after going through, well, an awful lot. Honestly, it's now hard to imagine anyone better than Johnson for this version of Spidey.

Michael B. Jordan As Erik Killmonger

Michael B. Jordan delivered one hell of a performance in Creed and his reunion with director Ryan Coogler most certainly did not disappoint. As the villainous Erik Killmonger in Black Panther, the actor was able to deliver what I would argue was an Oscar-worthy performance as a layered and complex bad guy whose motivations, while admittedly horrifying, were understandable.

It's a shame he ended up being killed off by the time all was said and done but Killmonger not only stands out as one of the best bad guys to ever appear in a superhero movie, but was also someone who actually had something to say.

Jordan was legitimately terrifying at times as the ruthless baddie and while things took an expected comic book turn in the final act when he suited up as the Golden Jaguar, the actor still managed to shine and to overshadow the excellent Chadwick Boseman (T'Challa).

Zazie Beetz As Domino

I've made no secret of the fact that I wasn't blown away by Deadpool 2 but I understand why it was so popular and it certainly had some good points - among them being Zazie Beetz as Domino.

I wasn't familiar with the actress before seeing this sequel but she made quite an impact here and is now someone I can't wait to see make a name for herself in next year's Joker alongside Joaquin Phoenix. Domino stood out here because her powers were portrayed so inventively but had a less talented actress played the hero, that really wouldn't have helped much.

Beetz brought attitude and swagger to the role and made us all wonder why she hadn't been brought to the big screen before now. While the future of the franchise remains unclear thanks to the Disney/Fox merger, Marvel Studios would be smart to keep the actress around as the mutant.

Jason Momoa As Aquaman

Well, this might be controversial.

Aquaman probably won't be remembered as a masterpiece but it's a hell of a lot of fun and a course correction for the DC Extended Universe. Despite that, some will probably take umbrage with me singling out Jason Momoa but he's every bit made to play Arthur Curry as Chris Evans is Captain America and Robert Downey Jr. is Iron Man.

The actor is clearly having a blast here and even when the movie falters somewhat, his enjoyable performance ensures that you enjoy spending time with the former Justice League member.

By the time he finally dons the suit in the image above, there's no getting around the fact that's it's hard to imagine anyone else suited up as Aquaman and, yes, that includes the actors who arguably look a lot more like the character's comic book counterpart!

Josh Brolin As Thanos

Josh Brolin did an excellent job as the badass Cable but playing Avengers: Infinity War's Thanos is where the actor really shined. The Russo Brothers made the unexpected decision to make that the Mad Titan's movie and the actor took a previously two-dimensional villain and made him equal parts compelling and terrifying.

The impressive special effects obviously helped but Brolin brought so much emotion and realism to this role, it's hard to believe that Thanos was created inside a computer!

Whether we're talking about the moment Thanos threw his daughter off a cliff or that tense confrontation with Tony Stark, Brolin took a villain who had been teased in after-credits scenes and ensured that we got to spend time with a living, breathing creation who will give you (dusty) nightmares.

...And THE WORST

Tom Hardy As Eddie Brock

Look, I appreciate what Tom Hardy was going for here but his nervy, jumpy Eddie Brock isn't the version of the character I was hoping to see on the big screen this year, that's for sure.

Whether he was jumping into a tank full of lobsters or replying to a shop owner who asks how he is with "Aches and pains, aches and pains," this was just plain bad from start to finish. Now, I can see why some fans enjoyed Hardy's performance and he was definitely the best part of Venom but, let's face it, that's not saying much.

I'm a huge fan of Hardy's and with a better script and director, I think he could have done something special with this character. That said, the movie still made a bomb at the box office so this eccentric take on one of Spider-Man's greatest villains may be one we now have to just get used to.

Peter Dinklage As Eitri

I'm a huge Game of Thrones fan, so it hurts me to say this, but what was Peter Dinklage doing here exactly? Ahead of Avengers: Infinity War's release, there was an awful lot of excitement surrounding who he may or may not be playing and Eitri was a cool choice for the most part even if an argument could be made that it was a tad cliched and expected.

Turned into a giant, Dinklage stood there (clearly surrounded by green screens) looking massively uncomfortable and reeling off lines in the same accent used by Tyrion Lannister, albeit with a booming effect which sounded, quite frankly, ridiculous.

Don't believe me? Go listen to him talking about the hammer needing a handle! It was a terrible performance from an actor who should have delivered greatness. Sadly, I think Marvel Studios screwed up casting Dinklage in such a boring role and that's why his work here was so uninspired.

Andy Serkis As Ulysses Klaue

Look, I'm a huge Andy Serkis fan and fully believe that he should have won an Oscar (or at least been nominated) for his work in the Planet of the Apes trilogy. Despite that, I was really disappointed by what he brought to the table in Black Panther and the sinister Klaue we met in Avengers: Age of Ultron was replaced by a goon who rambled on about releasing an album!

Throw in the fact he was killed off like a total chump, and this was a huge let-down.

Here, Marvel Studios had the chance to create a villain who could be a recurring problem for T'Challa, not to mention secure an actor who is one of the most talented out there today. Instead, he was just another forgettable baddie and the uninspired material he had to work with (for the most part, anyway) didn't help improve his hit and miss performance.

Michelle Williams As Ann Weying

Whereas even I can see the good in Tom Hardy's rotten Venom performance, Michelle Williams was practically begging for a Razzie with her wooden and phoned in work here.

Despite being an incredibly talented actress, Williams seemingly knew she was working with bad material and decided not to make an effort. This wouldn't be the first time, either - just think back to Oz: The Great and Powerful. The She-Venom tease was cool, of course, but ultimately didn't really help because that was just thirty seconds of special effects.

The movie ended with the door wide open for Ann Weying to return (even if it's hard to imagine her wanting to have anything to do with self-confessed loser, Eddie) but I really hope she doesn't because Williams didn't help an already bad Marvel Comics adaptation.

T.J. Miller As Weasel

Even if you take aside the sexual assault scandal surrounding T.J. Miller, the actor was still a chore to watch in Deadpool 2. While his series of improvised one-liners mostly worked in the first instalment, they just came across like a total retread here and even though the sequel as a whole was somewhat a rinse and repeat job, Miller stands out as someone who was totally superfluous.

It's been said that he won't return for a third movie (assuming one actually happens) and that's no bad thing as Weasel really isn't a necessary character and is probably best forgotten, all things considered. No more cringe-worthy exchanges between him and Ryan Reynolds' Wade Wilson would certainly help matters, that's for sure, and I can't imagine Marvel Studios keeping him around.

Do you agree with this list? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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153 Comments

1 2 3 4

DiegoMD - 12/17/2018, 9:39 AM

Domino and Klaur are in the wrong categories

Also

This was unnecesary AF.

CAPTAINPINKEYE - 12/17/2018, 9:40 AM

Josh Brolin as Thanos was the best.

GhostDog - 12/17/2018, 9:40 AM

***Sees Andy Serkis As Ulysses Klaue on worst list***

FireandBlood - 12/17/2018, 9:43 AM

Jason Momoa’s performance pretty much consisted of “woo’s” and “alright’s” and nothing else. I mean sure, he was barely serviceable, but that’s about it. Pretty much every actor in the movie gave a better performance than him (and Amber Heard).

pesmerga44 - 12/17/2018, 9:45 AM

@ArthurMorgan - Don't forget

regularmovieguy - 12/17/2018, 9:47 AM

@ArthurMorgan

I actually thought he’d had have more “alright” and “hoo-rah” moments.

Him and Patrick Wilson going back and fourth was a highlight of the movie for me.

GhostDog - 12/17/2018, 9:44 AM

I would say Brolin did the best. He brought a nuance to a PURPLE CGI APE that...well that I didnt expect haha

benjithegreat - 12/17/2018, 2:38 PM

@BlackBeltJones - EXACTLY! He made someone that would otherwise be seen as a joke, the most relatable character in someone else's movie - amazingly done! So much is conveyed through just the face and the eyes alone! Which points out that as awesome as Brolin was, it was a number of people to thank for it. If the CG was not up to snuff, then whatever Brolin did would be completely useless. I give them all a big hand - all around!

MrDandy - 12/17/2018, 9:46 AM

This list is wack. Klaue was bad? I really enjoyed Andy Serkis and wish they hadn't killed him.

Also Tom Hardy's duel performance/dynamic was literally the only good thing in Venom

BatmanBeenDrinking - 12/17/2018, 9:55 AM

@MrDandy - the role just didn't fit hardy imo. Funny enough though I think Topher Grace would have played this role lot better and Tom Hardy would have played Spider-Man 3s Eddie brock better.

fanboy03191 - 12/17/2018, 12:11 PM

@BatmanBeenDrinking - Um... no?

BatmanBeenDrinking - 12/17/2018, 1:09 PM

@sharkman03191 - agree to disagree, but hardy definitely wasn't right for the role they definitely should have written him differently to better suite him

jessepostal - 12/17/2018, 9:47 AM

I see his “lists” are still stupid. Klaue belongs nowhere near the worst list, and aquaman belongs no where near the best list.

blackandyellow - 12/17/2018, 9:47 AM

I would add Benedict Cucumberface to best and Mark Ruffalo to worst.

regularmovieguy - 12/17/2018, 9:58 AM

@blackandyellow

This scene...👀

MCUKnight11 - 12/17/2018, 9:49 AM

I nominate Josh Brolin for best performance in CBM for 2018 as Thanos.

MarkCassidy - 12/17/2018, 9:52 AM

The worst section should just be made up of the Aquaman cast:)

MarkCassidy - 12/17/2018, 9:52 AM

@RorMachine - ...although Michelle Williams WAS atrocious.

KWilly - 12/17/2018, 9:56 AM

Say what you want about Venom as a movie, but Hardy did a great job as Brock. He really did look like he was being possessed by some alien. Looked convincing enough to me.

And Jake Johnson as Parker was such a great surprise. His washed out, pothead voice was perfect for the character.

1 2 3 4

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The 5 Best And Worst Performances In 2018's Marvel And DC Superhero Movies

It's been a busy year for superhero movies and with 2018 nearing its end and Aquaman about to splash down in theaters, we take a look at the five best performances, along with five that were just awful...

THE BEST Jake Johnson As Peter B. Parker

Michael B. Jordan As Erik Killmonger

Zazie Beetz As Domino

Jason Momoa As Aquaman

Josh Brolin As Thanos

...And THE WORST Tom Hardy As Eddie Brock

Peter Dinklage As Eitri

Andy Serkis As Ulysses Klaue

Michelle Williams As Ann Weying

T.J. Miller As Weasel

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THE BEST

Jake Johnson As Peter B. Parker

...And THE WORST

Tom Hardy As Eddie Brock