Comic book movies, from the MCU, DCU, and beyond, are traditionally packed with spectacle and outlandish scenes, but some moments can bleed into outright ridiculousness. For the most part, the most unbelievable scenes in comic book movies are perfectly permissible given the wider context. Sometimes, they can be so bad that they’re good. On the other hand, some scenes are far too unrealistic despite the setting.
Even some of the best superhero movies aren’t immune to ridiculous scenes. For the most part, the absurdity of certain moments still doesn’t harm the overall quality and can even make them more lovable for their silliness. Then there are the more maligned comic book movies where ridiculous scenes feel particularly apt for all the wrong reasons.
Superman Reverses Time In Superman
Superman is rightly championed as a paragon of the superhero movie genre, setting a bar that few have managed to clear since. Depicting the Man of Steel in live-action for the first time, audiences were wowed by the litany of powers at his disposal and Christopher Reeve’s heartwarming characterization. Nevertheless, the scene towards the end where Superman reverses time to revive Lois Lane remains a sticking point for some.
Discounting the fact that this particular ability negates all stakes for Superman, who can orchestrate a do-over when he wishes, the mechanics make little sense. Superman seemingly reverses time by reversing the rotation of the Earth, spinning in the opposite direction to correct it and move time forward. Although the movie stars a flying alien that shoots lasers from his eyes, this particular scene was a bridge too far.
Peter Parker’s Emo Era In Spider-Man 3
The third and final installment tragically marred Tobey Maguire’s celebrated tenure as Spider-Man in his self-titled trilogy. Although Maguire himself was not to blame for the criticisms leveled at Spider-Man 3 (that particular buck stops mainly with the villains), he is central to a scene so ridiculous it spawned one of the most enduring memes of the 21st century. Namely, “Bully Maguire” AKA “Emo Peter Parker.”
Peter’s encounter with the symbiote reveals a darker side of Peter Parker that, in this instance, makes him an insufferable jerk who thinks too highly of himself. Considering Peter Parker is supposed to be a nerd, his brief indulgence in egotism is appropriately awkward, but awkward nonetheless. Some of his most ridiculous moments include dancing in the street, his new haircut, and announcing that he is “Going to put some dirt in [Eddie Brock’s] eye.“
Martha Saves The Day In Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice
Batman v Superman is a pretty divisive comic book movie, but one scene in particular stands out as the linchpin of this division. When the titular characters duke it out like the title promised, Batman gains the upper hand against a figure he perceives to be too dangerous to live on Earth. Moments before striking the final blow, however, he is prompted to relent when Superman says a familiar name: Martha.
As it turns out, Superman and Batman’s mothers share a name. This causes Batman to hesitate and demand that Superman explain himself. Although Lois’ subsequent explanation prompts Bruce to end his assault after recognizing Superman’s humanity, the scene is now notorious for shoehorning the reveal at an awkward moment rather than having Superman call out to Batman to save his “mom” first.
Storm’s Underwhelming One-Liner In X-Men
Along with 2002’s Spider-Man, X-Men set a standard for superhero movies in the modern era. It struck precisely the right chord with casual audiences, refraining from leaning into the more unbelievable aspects of the X-Men’s long comic book history while homing in on what makes them so compelling, from their individual personalities to their powers.
Unfortunately, one scene-killing line made it into the movie’s final cut. Just as Storm is about to defeat Toad by smiting him with a lightning bolt, she sets up what is seemingly about to be an epic one-liner with the question, “Do you know what happens to a toad when it’s struck by lightning?” Only to follow up with the frustratingly underwhelming “The same thing that happens to everything else.” Although Storm is supposed to be one of the X-Men’s most scene-stealing members, this one line did her a huge disservice.
Batman & Robin’s Bidding War
1997’s Batman & Robin is largely believed to have killed Batman’s cinematic hopes before the character was spectacularly revived in 2005’s Batman Begins. This is thanks to the movie mistreating the character, leaning into the campiest depiction of both the titular characters and their adversaries (with Bane perhaps being the most egregious example of the latter).
One scene in particular highlights the movie’s overall ridiculousness. Upon being wooed by Poison Ivy by inanely inhaling her pheromone dust, the two engage in a bidding war for her company, climbing from $1 million to $7 million. To prove he can afford such a mind-boggling price, Batman then produces a bat-themed credit card, declaring, “Never leave the cave without it.”
The Thing’s Catchphrase Origins Revealed In Fantastic Four
One of Ben Grimm’s most sacrosanct features is his instantly recognizable catchphrase, “It’s clobberin’ time!” The phrase is so inexorable that the anticipation of hearing Ben Grimm utter the phrase became a key part of the marketing for 2025’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The MCU’s handling of the titular team was far better received than its maligned 2015 predecessor, however, which did not get off to a great start. In an early scene depicting Ben’s childhood, the phrase is first spoken by his abusive older brother before smacking Grimm.
Grimm later co-opts the phrase in the Fantastic Four’s final bout with Doctor Doom, yelling it before sending their adversary flying. Taken together, these scenes run roughshod over Ben Grimm’s traditional characterization, typifying the movie’s unappreciated dark tones that ultimately harmed it. It also makes little sense that Ben Grimm would use a phrase linked to his childhood trauma in a moment of triumph.
The Basketball Courtship In Catwoman
Catwoman is primarily known for being one of the worst comic book movies ever made. In a sea of scenes that illustrate why, however, the one in which Catwoman flirtatiously plays a one-on-one game of basketball with her love interest, Tom Lone, stands out. In fact, the infamous basketball court scene is often considered the worst movie scene ever.
While the premise of having Patience Phillips and Tom Lone grow closer on a basketball court filled with cheering children, complete with entirely unnecessary acrobatics, is baffling enough, the scene is also literally dizzying. Like other scenes in Catwoman, it is overstuffed with jump cuts and shaky camera work, ostensibly intended to make the scene more dynamic. Instead, it left viewers dazed and confused.
MODOK’s MCU Debut In Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania
MODOK is an inherently ridiculous Marvel Comics villain, so Marvel Studios was always going to struggle to adapt the character into its more grounded cinematic universe. It is no surprise, then, that he was used as a comic relief character, though this isn’t precisely where Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania earned the ire of audiences. Instead, the reveal that MODOK was Darren Cross, whose enlarged head was alarmingly uncanny, was challenging to comprehend.
Not only was MODOK’s characterization a stark departure from comic book precedent, but it also hampered Darren Cross’s MCU legacy. Despite debuting in Ant-Man as a particularly nefarious nemesis, he is reduced to an almost bumbling henchman in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, diminishing his villainy to the point of feeling almost vindictive.
Daredevil’s Playground Fight
2003’s Daredevil was released at a tumultuous time for superhero movies, when the prestige built by installments like Spider-Man was dampened by others like Catwoman. Daredevil, unfortunately, fits the latter category. Like Catwoman, one scene exemplifies the issues many audiences had with the movie. The playground fight scene between Matt Murdock and Elektra Natchios is bewilderingly hammy, complete with performative maneuvers and cringeworthy dialogue.
Although he is a beloved figure in Marvel Comics, Matt Murdock comes across as a total sleaze as he refuses to take Elektra’s “no” for an answer, ultimately sparking the fight. At the same time, Elektra’s attempt to fight him off could have caused some severe damage if Matt Murdock were not already proficient in hand-to-hand combat. Another bewildering factor that mirrors Catwoman is that this physically flirtatious interaction occurs in the vicinity of children playing.
The Flerken Evacuation In The Marvels
Although it is a solid addition to the MCU, The Marvels fell flat upon release, earning the undesirable distinction of being the franchise’s lowest-grossing movie. Although there are multiple reasons The Marvels failed, it’s hard to argue it wasn’t a fun movie, as illustrated by its most ridiculous scene. In an attempt to evacuate SABER swiftly, the Marvels decide to store the structure’s staff in the pocket dimensions that form the stomachs of a litter of newborn flerkens.
After the plan to hoover up the station’s screaming and panicked staff is a success, the flerkens are then packed onto an escape pod and proceed to float in space to the tune of Cats‘ “Memory.” It is easily one of the MCU’s most ridiculous scenes, but hilarious nonetheless.
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