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    The 17 Best Third Acts In Superhero Movies

    "Big CGI fight coming up!" — Wade Wilson

    One of the biggest complaints about superhero movies is the climactic third act being a bombastic CGI battle that clashes with the rest of the film.

    17. Doctor Strange

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    Marvel Studios / Via YouTube

    After Kaecilius destroys all the Sanctums, Strange is forced to freeze time and face Dormammu in the Dark Dimension. While this confrontation could've been another CGI light show, Strange is well aware that he can't win against Dormammu. Instead, he uses the Time Stone to trap himself and the Cosmic Conqueror in an infinite loop. Strange thus wins the battle by bargaining to end their conflict and for Dormammu to never return.

    16. X-Men: Days of Future Past

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    20th Century Studios / Via YouTube

    In the third act of this time-traveling epic, we see X-Men fighting the Sentinels in both the future and the past. On the one hand, we see Magneto drop a baseball stadium around the White House with his band of robot soldiers. On the other hand, we see the X-Men taking on an entire Sentinel army that slaughters them one by one. But in the midst of all the death and destruction, a young Magneto makes a rousing speech to the world that literally echoes through the ages. And the outcome comes down to Mystique's choice to spare Trask and walk away from her path of vengeance, making for one of the most impactful scenes in the entire franchise.

    15. Black Panther

    T'Challa walking in a Wakandan field with his arms out in the teaser trailer for "Black Panther"

    14. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

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    Marvel Studios / Via YouTube

    After learning of Ego's evil plan, the Guardians of the Galaxy reunite to destroy the Living Planet from the inside. Though the Celestial nearly overpowers our heroes, Star-Lord unleashes his true power and faces his father one-on-one. With a killer soundtrack, stunning visual effects, and plenty of heartfelt moments, this third act will keep your eyes laser-focused on the screen the whole way through. But it's Yondu's tear-jerking sacrifice to save Peter and the funeral that followed that made this amongst the most beautiful endings in the MCU.

    13. Thor: Ragnarok

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    Marvel Studios / Via YouTube

    Who could forget Thor flying down from the sky to the tune of Led Zeppelin? After spending most of the film stripped of his powers, Thor learns to tap into his true strength on his own and defend Asgard from Hela and her army. But even after that, he and Loki are forced to revive Surtur and destroy Asgard to defeat her. Though Korg undermined the tragedy a bit, the film still ended on a very high note.

    12. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

    Zombie Strange floating with the Souls of the Damned in "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness"

    11. Guardians of the Galaxy

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    Marvel Studios / Via YouTube

    How often does the fate of the galaxy rest on a dance-off? Though this film featured an outstanding space battle between the Guardians, the Nova Corps, and Ronan's army, what really stood out was Quill's decision to distract Ronan by breaking out some dance moves. But the moment Quill grabs the Power Stone and joins hands with his allies creates a dazzling and poignant climax that made the Guardians of the Galaxy one of the most beloved heroes this side of the Milky Way.

    10. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

    Gwen, Miles, and Peter wearing their Spider-Man suits inside Kingpin's supercollider in "Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse"

    9. Captain America: Civil War

    Captain America blocking Iron Man's blast in "Captain America: Civil War"

    8. Man of Steel

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    Warner Bros. / Via YouTube

    The first film in the DCEU came right out the gates with an all-out war. Teaming up with the US military, Superman fights to destroy General Zod's World Engine as it tears through Metropolis. But even after succeeding, the Man of Steel still has to face the evil Kryptonian in a Dragon Ball Z-style showdown. With mind-blowing action and heart-pounding music, this scene really gives audiences the sense that two gods are fighting for the fate of the world. And though Superman reigns victorious over Zod, the way he laments having to kill for the first time brings this hero down to earth.

    7. The Suicide Squad

    Bloodsport firing a cannon at Starro with the rest of the squad behind him in "The Suicide Squad"

    6. The Avengers

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    Marvel Studios / Via YouTube

    This one set the template for every final battle that followed it. After Loki summons the Chitauri to New York, the Avengers assemble to take them all down. This climactic battle is filled to the brim with memorable moments, such as the Hulk beating Loki senseless and Iron Man sending a nuke into space. But what makes this battle so great is how each Avenger plays off each other, combining their powers and skills to battle their foes and save the people in a stellar display of teamwork and heroism.

    5. Zack Snyder's Justice League

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    Warner Bros. / Via YouTube

    In this long-awaited director's cut, the Justice League faces off against Steppenwolf and his army at his fortress in Russia. But even after Superman appears and mops the floor with Steppenwolf, the League is too late to stop the Unity, and all seems lost. But right at the last second, Flash enters the Speed Force and runs back in time in a truly glorious display. And then, Cyborg ends up saving the day by overcoming the Mother Boxes and separating them, proving once and for all that he is the heart of this film.

    4. The Dark Knight

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    Warner Bros. / Via YouTube

    In the final battle for Gotham's soul, Batman fights to stop Joker from blowing up a pair of boats filled with people escaping the city. Featuring outstanding practical effects and clever twists, Christopher Nolan gives audiences a suspenseful and gripping climax whose conclusion is determined by the citizens of Gotham. But even then, Batman must confront the tragic villain, Two-Face, bringing it all down to a clash of ideals that ends with Batman breaking his one rule by killing Dent and taking the fall for his murders. And Gordon's final monologue perfectly sums up Batman's character in one of the greatest film endings of all time.

    3. Avengers: Infinity War

    Thanos arriving on Titan in "Avengers: Infinity War"

    2. Spider-Man: No Way Home

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    youtube.com / Via YouTube

    After losing his Aunt May, Peter teams up with two of his variants to cure all the villains he summoned and save the city. What follows is an epic battle with three Spider-Men at the Statue of Liberty right out of every fan's dream; each web-slinger gets a moment to reconcile with themselves and each of their enemies throughout the battle. But what really stands out here is the final fistfight between Peter-One and the Green Goblin. You can really feel all of Spider-Man's rage toward him pour out with each attack. But in the end, Peter spares Norman, heals him, and allows Doctor Strange to wipe the world's memory of him, leading to a tearful goodbye between Peter and his friends.

    1. Avengers: Endgame

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    Marvel Studios / Via YouTube

    Eleven years and 22 films built up to this climactic battle. After Thanos travels to the present to once again claim the Infinity Stones, Doctor Strange portals heroes from all across the MCU to join the Avengers in a Lord of the Rings-style battle. This climax had everything, from Captain America wielding Mjolnir against Thanos to Spider-Man riding a pegasus while running the Infinity Gauntlet across the battlefield like a football. But it all ends once Iron Man sacrifices himself to annihilate Thanos and his army, uttering his now legendary catchphrase.

    Do you agree with this list? Were there any other super third acts that I missed? Please let me know in the comments section below.