Superheroes don't have to be sexy — sexy is not one of the qualities necessary to save the world — but it sure doesn't hurt. There's a reason why actors who star in superhero films are heartthrobs or named People's Sexiest Man Alive (hey, Chris Hemsworth). Superheroes tend to be sexy — it's just how Hollywood works. That said, it can be tough to make a sexy superhero movie, mostly because these films are almost always lacking in sex. There's always a lot of eye candy, that's a given, but there's a difference between a movie filled with sexy people and a sexy movie.
What makes a superhero sexy? Is it a sex scene, an unnaturally attractive lead, or a high level of sexual tension? The answer, it turns out, is likely a mixture of the three (this is very scientific, people). And, depending on what audiences find attractive, different superhero movies will be more sexy than others. (Please, someone tell Michael Bay that big boobs, tan skin and permanently pouty lips aren't always attractive to everybody.) Here are the nine sexiest superhero movies, and an explanation of what makes them so darn sexy.
1. Captain America: Civil War
Captain America: Civil War does feature a much-shipped love story — that between Captain America (Chris Evans) and his BFF Bucky (Sebastian Stan). Sadly, there isn't an official love story between the two oldest friends of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but the tension and gorgeousness of these two buddies make for an irresistible amount of sexy. Also: those biceps.
Stream Captain America: Civil War here.
2. The Dark Knight Rises
The final installment in Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy starring Christian Bale finally added two capable female characters to the mix, amping up the sexy factor. Anne Hathaway's Selina (aka Catwoman) and Marion Cotillard's Miranda added some much needed sexual tension to the series, both engaging in some flirtations with Bruce Wayne himself.
Stream The Dark Knight Rises here.
3. X-Men: Days of Future Past
There's a reason X-Men movies keep getting made, and that reason is named Hugh Jackman. In X-Men: Days of Future Past, Jackman gets naked as Wolverine and shares the screen with First Class heartthrobs Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, and Jennifer Lawrence. Sure, the movie lacks a real love story or, well, sex of any kind, but it more than makes up for it in tense stares and eye candy.
Stream X-Men: Days of Future Past here.
4. Thor
Thor is ultimate MCU sexiness only because it combines two kinds of sexy: the godlike body of Chris Hemsworth's Thor and the irresistible intensity of Tom Hiddleston's Loki. Sexy gods for everyone.
5. Daredevil
Daredevil might be a joke now, but looking back on Ben Affleck's first superhero outing, there's no denying that his chemistry with co-star (and future wife) Jennifer Garner was smoking hot.
6. Batman & Robin
Uma Thurman's Poison Ivy and George Clooney as Bruce Wayne are almost enough to send you into a cloud of lust so blinding, it makes you forget how terrible Batman & Robin really is — almost.
7. Deadpool
Yes, Deadpool features mostly-naked Ryan Reynolds and a sex montage, hence its spot on the list of sexiest superhero movies, but it's also sexy because it's hilarious. Funny really is sexy.
8. Catwoman
Again, Catwoman might not have been beloved by critics, but a movie definitely does not have to be good to be sexy. I doubt there's a person on Earth capable of seeing Halle Berry as Catwoman and declaring it not sexy — it's simply impossible.
9. Watchmen
Unlike most other films on this list, Watchmen does contain a few sex scenes (though the rape scene is far from sexy). Watchmen's sex appeal comes mostly from a few intriguing love stories and the tension that comes from seeing flawed people be thrust into the life of a superhero.
Honorable mention: Fantastic Four, for Chris Evans naked save a pink puffy jacket.
No doubt, this list will be constantly changing as Marvel and DC roll out their next wave of superhero movies. The Black Panther cast alone is enough to make me want to put it on the list: does it get any sexier than Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong'o, and Michael B. Jordan? Damn.
Images: Warner Bros Pictures; Giphy (9)
