Marvel Studios broke new ground as critics ranked one of its biggest films among the greatest action movies ever made.
Black Panther premiered in the United States on Feb. 16, 2018. The movie follows Prince T’Challa, played by the late Chadwick Boseman, as he returns home after his father’s death to become king of Wakanda. However, Erik “Killmonger” Stevens, portrayed by Michael B. Jordan, challenges his claim to the throne.
Killmonger wants to seize Wakanda’s vibranium to arm oppressed people around the world. By doing so, he hopes to spark violent uprisings to overthrow existing governments to create a new world order.
T’Challa joins forces with his sister Shuri, played by Letitia Wright, and fights alongside the Dora Milaje, an elite all-female special forces group led by Okoye, portrayed by Danai Gurira. Lupita Nyong’o joins the cast as Nakia, a Wakandan spy and T’Challa’s love interest.
Director Ryan Coogler’s film ranked No. 9 on Rolling Stone’s list of the “50 Best Action Movies of All Time.” It was the only superhero film in the top 10. The list also includes iconic films such as Mad Max: Fury Road (No. 1), Die Hard (No. 2), John Wick (No. 3), The Matrix (No. 6) and Seven Samurai (No. 8).
Rolling Stone praised the movie’s world-building, cultural impact and action sequences. The publication said Black Panther proved superhero blockbusters could be entertaining, thought-provoking and socially meaningful without sacrificing mainstream appeal. It also lauded Coogler’s staging of the film’s action sequences.
“It is to men-in-cape movies what Stagecoach was to the Western, i.e. a major genre level-up,” Rolling Stone wrote. “And Coogler displays an incredible sense of how to stage action, whether it’s T’Challa taking on a few terrorists, a firefight in a South Korean casino that involves wig-throwing or a massive spectacle that will decide the fate of an African utopia.”
The film combines political drama with large-scale action. That mix helped it stand out from other superhero films.
Marvel has released dozens of blockbuster films over the years, but Black Panther remains its highest-ranked entry on Rolling Stone’s curated list. Logan placed at No. 22, while Avengers: Endgame landed at No. 33.
Black Panther earned more than $1.3 billion at the worldwide box office. It also received seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. It was the first superhero movie to earn that prestigious nomination.
The Rolling Stone No. 9 ranking further cements Boseman’s defining superhero role. It also reinforces the film’s legacy as one of the greatest action movies ever made, proving it is not just another fun superhero flick.
Related: 12 Years Ago Today: One of the ‘Best Superhero Movies of All Time’ Premiered
This story was originally published by Men’s Journal on Jul 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men’s Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
