9 Years After Release, Fans Still Call This Film of the Greatest Superhero Movies Ever

Nine years ago, the world said goodbye to Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in a movie that redefined superhero films. Logan, directed by James Mangold, premiered on March 3, 2017, and marked Jackman’s final outing as the iconic mutant.

The film is the tenth installment in the X-Men franchise and the third solo Wolverine story. From the start, it was billed as a darker, more mature take on the superhero genre, and audiences quickly agreed it delivered.

Set in 2029, the story shows a world where mutants are almost extinct. Logan is older, weaker, and working as a limousine driver while caring for a sick Charles Xavier, whose psychic powers are now unstable. His own healing abilities are fading, and his body shows years of battle scars.

Everything changes when he meets a young girl named Laura, who shares his abilities. Her arrival forces Logan back into a world of violence, responsibility, and heartbreak.

The movie was not just another superhero blockbuster, it was darker, grittier, and emotionally powerful. Critics praised the film for blending intense action with genuine emotional depth. Hugh Jackman makes the most of his final outing as Wolverine with a gritty, nuanced performance in a violent but surprisingly thoughtful superhero action film that defies genre conventions, wrote Rotten Tomatoes, which gave the movie a 93 percent positive rating. Metacritic scored it 77 out of 100, indicating generally favorable reviews. CinemaScore audiences rated it A−, and PostTrak gave it a perfect five out of five.

The performances of Jackman, Patrick Stewart as Professor X, and newcomer Dafne Keen as Laura were widely praised. IGN’s Scott Collura called it an emotional, heavy picture, but also an uplifting one that reminds us it’s okay to fight for something more, something better. Entertainment Weekly’s Chris Nashawaty described it as both the most violent film in the series and the most sentimental one. Many critics called it one of the greatest superhero movies ever made, noting its R-rated tone, Western-inspired style, and focus on human emotion rather than just spectacle.

Financially, Logan was a huge success. The movie earned $226.3 million in the United States and Canada and $392.7 million internationally, totaling $619.2 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. The film had a massive opening in 4,071 theaters, setting records for R-rated releases and IMAX screenings. It earned $9.5 million from Thursday previews alone and $88.4 million in its opening weekend, topping the box office and breaking several Wolverine and R-rated March records.

The international release also exceeded expectations. In China, Logan earned $106 million despite being trimmed by 14 minutes for age restrictions, making it the best-performing X-Men release in that market at the time. Other top openings came from Brazil, Korea, Russia, and the UK. Globally, it became one of the most successful R-rated superhero films in history.

Critics highlighted Logan’s mature approach to the genre, blending action with a Western-style, character-driven story. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian said it feels more like a survivalist thriller than a superhero film. Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com noted the fight choreography was fluid and gorgeous instead of just computer-generated effects. Many fans also appreciated the emotional farewell to Jackman’s Wolverine after 17 years in the role.

Logan was not only a box office hit but also earned critical acclaim as a serious, adult superhero movie. It was even nominated for an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, making it the first live-action superhero film recognized in that category. The combination of intense action, strong performances, and heartfelt storytelling made Logan a benchmark for mature superhero films, showing that comic book movies can be both thrilling and deeply moving.

Looking back, Logan stands as a milestone in superhero cinema. It gave fans a raw and emotional send-off for Wolverine and proved that superhero stories can explore human vulnerability, morality, and sacrifice. The film’s success and legacy continue to influence how filmmakers approach superhero narratives today.

What do you think? Do you still consider Logan one of the best superhero films ever? Share your thoughts in the comments.