Feature films based on comics characters have proven to be a massive asset to the film industry in recent years, but which of them are the most successful overall? We took a look at the ten comic movies that took the most money worldwide at the box office to bring you this list. Of course, you can already guess what is number one, but the rest of the list contains some surprises along the way...

10. BATMAN BEGINS

Christopher Nolan’s first Batman film is surprisingly low in the chart taking into account just how influential it turned out to be. A masterclass in reinvention, it is a gritty, gripping film that will be enjoyed for a long time to come.

Worldwide box office: 352 million dollars

9. SUPERMAN RETURNS

X-men director Bryan Singer brought the Man of Steel back to our screens for this rather dull offering in which not a great deal happens. Brandon Routh was spot on as Clark and Superman though.

Worldwide Box Office: 389 million dollars

8. X-MEN 2 (aka X2 or X-MEN UNITED)

The X-Men trilogy’s 2^nd part sits at number 8 in the top ten comic movies. A nigh-on perfect melding of character and action, this is by far the most complete entry in the X franchise, and pleased both fans and critics alike.

Worldwide Box Office: 406 million dollars

7. BATMAN

Tim Burton’s vision of the Batman saga began with this 1989 film. While it is far from flawless, it was a masterful retelling of the war between Batman and the Joker, and featured excellent performances from lead actors Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson.

Worldwide Box Office: 413 million dollars

6. X-MEN: THE LAST STAND

The third part of the X-Men movie series certainly had its faults, but fans still flocked to it in droves. The film took some great big liberties with established X-men lore, but it performed well enough at the box office to warrant a new Wolverine solo movie to be made, as well as the forthcoming Magneto film.

Worldwide Box Office: 455 million dollars

5. IRON MAN

The first film to star Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark and Iron man proved to be a huge worldwide hit at the box office and is set to spawn two sequels, as well as kick starting the whole ‘Marvel Movie Universe’ as a coherent world in its own right. The film is pretty much a perfect move from page to screen for ol’ shellhead.

World Box Office: 567 million dollars

4. SPIDER-MAN 2

When Spider-man faced down Doctor Octopus, fans all over the world watched in awe as Sam Raimi brought us the definitive Spider-Man film. This second part of the Spider-Man franchise is without a doubt the most faithful movie rendition of a Marvel Comics property thus far, and the moment in which Mary Jane discovers who Spider-man really is still hits the spot today.

Worldwide Box Office: 783 million dollars

3. SPIDER-MAN

The first big screen adventure for the legendary webslinger was loved by fans young an old despite some viewers taking issue with certain elements of the film such as the Green Goblin’s odd, Power rangers styled costume. The film was a relentlessly exciting piece of popcorn cinema that brought us some of the best visuals ever to grace a comic book movie.

Worldwide Box Office: 806 million dollars

2.SPIDER-MAN 3

At present, the third Spider-Man movie is the second biggest comic book film of all time. Featuring the villains Sandman and Venom, as well as the new Goblin, this was loved by some and hated by others, but it stands as the biggest of the Marvel films so far, and has brought about the dawning of a new Spider-man series of movies as well as a proposed Venom solo film.

Worlwide Box Office: 885 million dollars

1. THE DARK KNIGHT

The latest Batman film, featuring the late Heath Ledger as the Joker, has now become thebiggest-grossing superhero movie of all time, and isn;t far off knocking down Titanic's record to be come the highest grossing film ever made. The numbers for the Dark Knight's perfomance are growing daily, and keep on edging towards the billion dollar mark from box office receipts alone. Surely the eventual DVD release will continue its quest to smash every record in sight.

Worldwide Box Office (So far): 920 million dollars (and counting!)