X-Men (2000)

Fox released the first X-Men movie in 2000, with a fairly stellar cast that included the likes of Sir Patrick Stewart, Sir Ian McKellen and Halle Berry. However, its star was the little-known Australian actor, Hugh Jackman. This, combined with the fact that the X-Men presented a potentially risky concept for a movie, meant that the movie was absolutely not expected to do amazingly well.

But it did. It was a critical and commercial success, and it made Jackman a global megastar. He excelled as Wolverine among the cast of much bigger stars – all of whom played their parts brilliantly, of course. It kicked off a franchise that, remarkably, is still going strong today, sixteen years later.

It’s hard to believe that the X-Men’s initial success wasn’t expected, given its status as a movie franchise now, but it really was a surprise that it did so well.

And now for the second non-Marvel or DC character on this list.