Tweet
Every major superpower that matters, ranked
37. Super Speed
Now that we have cars and airplanes and spaceships, the ability to get places very quickly is a little less... superpower-y. But during rush hour, this is definitely a good one to have in your back pocket. (Photo by: The CW)
36. Control of sea creatures
There are limited circumstances under which communication with and controlling all creatures of the sea will come in handy. But when those circumstances do come up (say, after the ice caps melt) you're all over it! (Photo by: Warner Brothers)
35. Super Soldier Serum
Super Soldier Serum makes people super strong and supplies super endurance and health regeneration; however, possible side effects include instant death and turning into a Nazi supervillain. (Photo by: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Pictures)
34. Just Being Really Good At Archery
If Arrow is a superhero, then this counts as a superpower. Plus, as Legolas and Katniss have proven, you can totally kick butt from a distance. Then again, so can a gun. Pointed back at you. (Photo by: Lionsgate)
33. Regeneration
Growing back limbs and instantly recovering from bullet wounds a la Deadpool sure comes in handy when you're fighting bad guys. But it still hurts, judging from how cranky Wolverine is all the time. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
32. Intangibility
Moving through walls is key for things like robbing banks, abducting world leaders, fitting in with other X-Men, and avoiding exes you see down the aisle at the grocery store. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
31. Super Strength
Really, is there any problem that can't be solved by smashing? Actually, yeah ... if Black Widow has anything to say about it. Forget we said anything. (Photo by: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Pictures)
30. The Force
The Force gives its users telekinesis, empathy, mind control, and the ability to sense when other Force users are nearby (or being slaughtered en masse). (Photo by: Lucasfilm)
29. Impenetrability
Defensive skills are generally underrated. Just ask Emma Frost, here ... and Luke Cage. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
28. Throwing Playing Cards Super Hard
All your enemies will die from paper cuts! Right, Gambit? If you're wondering why we ranked this one higher than The Force, well ... both Gambit and Force-sensitive people have kinetic powers. But only Gambit would ever think to split a bad guy's cornea using nothing but the jack of clubs. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
27. Time Travel
While important, you do run the risk of accidentally erasing yourself from history. There's always a catch with these middle-tier superpowers. (Photo by: BBC)
26. Weather control/Atmokinesis
Lightning, thunder, hail, tornadoes -- they all bend to your whim! We bet that Storm never got rained out when she was on vacation. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
25. Fire control/Pyrokinesis
"Kill it with fire" is always an option. Unless you're going up against, you know, Aquaman. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
24. Controlling Mean Plants
Not many superpowers offer the chance to poison people and combat the effects of climate change and greenhouse gasses. You can use this one to be a villain or a hero! (Photo by: Warner Bros. Pictures)
23. Bone Claws
These things are tough! But from the looks of it, not fun to rip out of your skin. Hey. At least you've got Healing Factor. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
22. Metal Claws
Definitely an upgrade from the bone version. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
21. Laser Vision
People are always saying "If looks could kill..." But Cyclops knows what happens if they really could! (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
20. Flight
Other than people constantly mistaking you for a bird (or is it a plane?), this one is neat. Until your neighbor gets a backyard drone. (Photo by: WB Home Entertainment)
19. Ice Control
Yes, we're ranking this one higher than flight. Why? Obviously you don't have a 7-year-old daughter. Plus, consider: In addition to technically giving you power over the world's entire water supply, this perk comes with the ability to use all of Mr. Freeze's puns from Batman & Robin. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
18. Shapeshifting
Being anyone you want could open a lot of doors. Then again, so could being super-hot and blue. Either way: win-win. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
17. Wall Crawling
Certainly gives you a better vantage point that most superpowers. Plus, you'll never suffer from being bitten by a brown recluse. (Photo by: Columbia Pictures)
16. Good Old-Fashioned Ass-Kicking Skills
OK, OK: Technically, Jessica Jones has super-strength. But her scrapping skills certainly seem to have more finesse than Bruce Banner's, so she gets her own category. As superpower rankings go, If you want to be a hero and save the day, this perk is kind of a necessity. (Photo by: Netflix)
15. Elemental Control
Controlling fire or water or whatever is fine, but controlling all of them is even better. (Photo by: Nickelodeon)
14. Force Field Generation
What use is beating people up if they can also beat you? This perk is like impenetrability, but without the skin damage. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
13. Power Absorption
Why bother having your own powers when you can just take them from other people? The big drawback of this one, obviously, is when you're around a bunch of boring people with no powers. (Photo by: NBC Universal)
12. Being the Only Person In the Universe Who Can Wield A Magic Hammer that Shoots Lightning
In addition to being fairly useful in fights, you can use it to fly, or just mess with people by putting it in on the toilet lid or in front of the refrigerator. (Photo by: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Pictures)
11. Super intelligence
Problem-solving is a big part of a hero's job. Of course, being super-smart also means you have to be a high-functioning sociopath, but who's counting? (Photo by: BBC)
10. Mindreading
"Know thy enemy" becomes much simpler when you can hear what they're thinking. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
9. Shrinking
We all thought this power was kind of stupid ... until we saw Ant-Man use it to avoid bullets and steal things. Turns out it's more versatile than we'd imagined. (Photo by: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Pictures)
8. Super Stretching
Strangle Hitler from the comfort of your living room! Or just never get up from the couch to get a drink from the fridge again. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
7. Invisibility
This is one of the classic which-is-better powers out there. Think of all the cool stuff you could do and see ... that isn't a locker room. C'mon. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
6. Technical prowess
In today's technologically advanced times, being able to commune with computers can get you far. If you think about it, your grandparents already think you have this superpower. (Photo by: NBC Universal)
5. Metal Control
Magneto uses this power mostly to fly and fling stuff at people, but it has defensive capabilities too: It makes most weapons obsolete (unless your arch-nemesis is particularly good with a wooden staff). (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
4. Telepathy
If you could communicate telepathically with people, you could go anywhere you wanted to without your phone. (But you'd probably still take your phone.) (Photo by: NBC Universal)
3. Precognition
Some say the ability to foresee the future is a terrible curse. If that's true, how come these guys get to spend all day every day in a pool? (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
2. Telekinesis
Being able to move anything with your mind makes you pretty unstoppable. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
1. Piles and Piles and Piles of Money
If you really think about it, Batman and Iron Man didn't start out with any real superpowers. And yet they're two of the best-known heroes of all time. Why is that? Because money talks. Even when -- or rather, especially when -- you want to be a superhero. (Photo by: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Pictures)
More...
Now that we have cars and airplanes and spaceships, the ability to get places very quickly is a little less... superpower-y. But during rush hour, this is definitely a good one to have in your back pocket. (Photo by: The CW)
36. Control of sea creatures
There are limited circumstances under which communication with and controlling all creatures of the sea will come in handy. But when those circumstances do come up (say, after the ice caps melt) you're all over it! (Photo by: Warner Brothers)
35. Super Soldier Serum
Super Soldier Serum makes people super strong and supplies super endurance and health regeneration; however, possible side effects include instant death and turning into a Nazi supervillain. (Photo by: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Pictures)
34. Just Being Really Good At Archery
If Arrow is a superhero, then this counts as a superpower. Plus, as Legolas and Katniss have proven, you can totally kick butt from a distance. Then again, so can a gun. Pointed back at you. (Photo by: Lionsgate)
33. Regeneration
Growing back limbs and instantly recovering from bullet wounds a la Deadpool sure comes in handy when you're fighting bad guys. But it still hurts, judging from how cranky Wolverine is all the time. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
32. Intangibility
Moving through walls is key for things like robbing banks, abducting world leaders, fitting in with other X-Men, and avoiding exes you see down the aisle at the grocery store. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
31. Super Strength
Really, is there any problem that can't be solved by smashing? Actually, yeah ... if Black Widow has anything to say about it. Forget we said anything. (Photo by: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Pictures)
30. The Force
The Force gives its users telekinesis, empathy, mind control, and the ability to sense when other Force users are nearby (or being slaughtered en masse). (Photo by: Lucasfilm)
29. Impenetrability
Defensive skills are generally underrated. Just ask Emma Frost, here ... and Luke Cage. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
28. Throwing Playing Cards Super Hard
All your enemies will die from paper cuts! Right, Gambit? If you're wondering why we ranked this one higher than The Force, well ... both Gambit and Force-sensitive people have kinetic powers. But only Gambit would ever think to split a bad guy's cornea using nothing but the jack of clubs. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
27. Time Travel
While important, you do run the risk of accidentally erasing yourself from history. There's always a catch with these middle-tier superpowers. (Photo by: BBC)
26. Weather control/Atmokinesis
Lightning, thunder, hail, tornadoes -- they all bend to your whim! We bet that Storm never got rained out when she was on vacation. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
25. Fire control/Pyrokinesis
"Kill it with fire" is always an option. Unless you're going up against, you know, Aquaman. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
24. Controlling Mean Plants
Not many superpowers offer the chance to poison people and combat the effects of climate change and greenhouse gasses. You can use this one to be a villain or a hero! (Photo by: Warner Bros. Pictures)
23. Bone Claws
These things are tough! But from the looks of it, not fun to rip out of your skin. Hey. At least you've got Healing Factor. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
22. Metal Claws
Definitely an upgrade from the bone version. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
21. Laser Vision
People are always saying "If looks could kill..." But Cyclops knows what happens if they really could! (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
20. Flight
Other than people constantly mistaking you for a bird (or is it a plane?), this one is neat. Until your neighbor gets a backyard drone. (Photo by: WB Home Entertainment)
19. Ice Control
Yes, we're ranking this one higher than flight. Why? Obviously you don't have a 7-year-old daughter. Plus, consider: In addition to technically giving you power over the world's entire water supply, this perk comes with the ability to use all of Mr. Freeze's puns from Batman & Robin. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
18. Shapeshifting
Being anyone you want could open a lot of doors. Then again, so could being super-hot and blue. Either way: win-win. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
17. Wall Crawling
Certainly gives you a better vantage point that most superpowers. Plus, you'll never suffer from being bitten by a brown recluse. (Photo by: Columbia Pictures)
16. Good Old-Fashioned Ass-Kicking Skills
OK, OK: Technically, Jessica Jones has super-strength. But her scrapping skills certainly seem to have more finesse than Bruce Banner's, so she gets her own category. As superpower rankings go, If you want to be a hero and save the day, this perk is kind of a necessity. (Photo by: Netflix)
15. Elemental Control
Controlling fire or water or whatever is fine, but controlling all of them is even better. (Photo by: Nickelodeon)
14. Force Field Generation
What use is beating people up if they can also beat you? This perk is like impenetrability, but without the skin damage. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
13. Power Absorption
Why bother having your own powers when you can just take them from other people? The big drawback of this one, obviously, is when you're around a bunch of boring people with no powers. (Photo by: NBC Universal)
12. Being the Only Person In the Universe Who Can Wield A Magic Hammer that Shoots Lightning
In addition to being fairly useful in fights, you can use it to fly, or just mess with people by putting it in on the toilet lid or in front of the refrigerator. (Photo by: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Pictures)
11. Super intelligence
Problem-solving is a big part of a hero's job. Of course, being super-smart also means you have to be a high-functioning sociopath, but who's counting? (Photo by: BBC)
10. Mindreading
"Know thy enemy" becomes much simpler when you can hear what they're thinking. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
9. Shrinking
We all thought this power was kind of stupid ... until we saw Ant-Man use it to avoid bullets and steal things. Turns out it's more versatile than we'd imagined. (Photo by: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Pictures)
8. Super Stretching
Strangle Hitler from the comfort of your living room! Or just never get up from the couch to get a drink from the fridge again. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
7. Invisibility
This is one of the classic which-is-better powers out there. Think of all the cool stuff you could do and see ... that isn't a locker room. C'mon. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
6. Technical prowess
In today's technologically advanced times, being able to commune with computers can get you far. If you think about it, your grandparents already think you have this superpower. (Photo by: NBC Universal)
5. Metal Control
Magneto uses this power mostly to fly and fling stuff at people, but it has defensive capabilities too: It makes most weapons obsolete (unless your arch-nemesis is particularly good with a wooden staff). (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
4. Telepathy
If you could communicate telepathically with people, you could go anywhere you wanted to without your phone. (But you'd probably still take your phone.) (Photo by: NBC Universal)
3. Precognition
Some say the ability to foresee the future is a terrible curse. If that's true, how come these guys get to spend all day every day in a pool? (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
2. Telekinesis
Being able to move anything with your mind makes you pretty unstoppable. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)
1. Piles and Piles and Piles of Money
If you really think about it, Batman and Iron Man didn't start out with any real superpowers. And yet they're two of the best-known heroes of all time. Why is that? Because money talks. Even when -- or rather, especially when -- you want to be a superhero. (Photo by: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Pictures)
More...