Over the years, Deadpool has had some great shining moments in every film where he appears, with each scene further defining and establishing the anti-hero as a fan favorite character. Wade Wilson has appeared in the Fox X-Men universe on multiple occasions, with his first appearance coming in 2009s X-Men Origins: Wolverine. However, the mainline movies from Fox, which were eventually folded into the MCU with Deadpool & Wolverine in 2024, provided the character with many of his best scenes of all time.

Despite the character always being played by Ryan Reynolds in live-action, the X-Men Origins version was a huge departure from the comic books that upset fans of Deadpool. However, it did provide a foundation for the solo film to be made, with Ryan Reynolds laying claim to the role and excitement building around such a Deadpool project due to leaked movie test footage in 2012. Since then, Deadpool has had plenty of time to shine on the big screen with some unforgettable moments for the Merc with the Mouth.

10

Wade Wilson’s Elevator Scene

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

Despite X-Men Origins: Wolverine eventually butchering the character and sewing his mouth shut, the movie did offer a promising look at Wade Wilson before the experiments that would turn him into Deadpool. Wilson has incredible reflexes and proficiency with weapons, which makes him an incredible weapon. Early in the movie, Wade is hired as part of the team that operates as a government strike force, known as Team X.

While Wade is given just a few moments to really shine in this movie, the scene where he is in the elevator with the team, and then rushes into the heavily secured room at the top floor, deflecting bullets with his rapidly spinning swords is incredible. This moment was later referenced in Deadpool 2 when Deadpool tries deflecting bullets with his swords, but many of the bullets break through and puncture the hero. Thankfully, his healing factor kicks in and he recovers swiftly to keep fighting.

9

Deadpool Fights Colossus & Negasonic Teenage Warhead

Deadpool (2016)

Once Wade stepped into his own solo films, however, things took a dramatic step up in terms of quality and action. In the first Deadpool movie, released in 2016, Wade Wilson finds himself the unfortunate victim of a terrible experiment that leaves him permanently scarred, but also causes his body to heal itself. The newfound powers come in useful as Wade attempts to track down the man responsible for his torture and experimentation, but before he can get to him, he is challenged by Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead of the X-Men.

However, Wade bites off more than he can chew by challenging Colossus, a man who is literally made of solid metal. Wade lashes out, punching and kicking, but in the process, he breaks his limbs. Colossus is easily able to cuff Wade and start carrying him away, but Wade’s determination and persistence lead to him tearing his own hand off and escaping. All while leaving his old hand in cuffs, giving Colossus the middle finger as a goodbye present.

8

Weasel Seeing Wade’s Face After The Accident

Deadpool (2016)

Again in Deadpool, Wade Wilson has a tough time adjusting to his new looks. Due to his burned and scarred appearance, Wade refuses to go and see Vanessa, but he does opt to visit an old mercenary friend, Weasel. Weasel is connected and likely one of the best sources of information on where to find Ajax.

Weasel tries to comfort Wade and reassure him that his new appearance can’t be that bad, but when Wade pulls back his hood, Weasel quickly changes his tune. This leads to one of the funniest and most quotable scenes in the movie, as Weasel describes in graphic detail how terrible Wade now looks. While the scene has no action, it is a great example of the comedy from these movies and the character’s self-deprecating humor.

7

Deadpool Rising From The Flames

Deadpool (2016)

Deadpool also includes one of the most badass scenes in the series when Wade makes his great escape from the lab where he was being experimented on. Starting out with Wade appearing to finally shut his mouth, he reveals that he was concealing a match in his mouth to help make his escape. Then, in a ball of fire and flames, Deadpool has one of the most spectacular and intense battles of the franchise as he brawls with his rival, Francis.

Although Deadpool does not ultimately win this fight, it sets the tone, and shows just how clever and innovative the character can be. Especially when he is hell-bent on revenge against someone who has been instrumental in permanently deforming him. Deadpool ends up on a spike, which would kill anyone else, but thanks to his powers, he manages to eventually break out and fight another day.

6

Deadpool & Domino Fighting Cable

Deadpool 2 (2018)

In Deadpool 2, the action takes another serious step up as Deadpool faces off against the powerful future fighter, Cable, played by Josh Brolin. In one scene where the pair fight in a truck, Deadpool and Cable go head-to-head as Domino (Zazie Beetz) drives the truck through difficult conditions. This scene pays tribute to the moment in 2009s X-Men Origins: Wolverine when Wade Wilson uses his rapid swordplay to deflect bullets, but Deadpool is much less successful.

However, the entire scene is packed with incredible moments and quippy lines from Deadpool as he tries to stop Cable from killing a kid. Domino also has her powers of luck on full display during this scene as she appears to land on her feet, no matter what happens. It’s also a monumental moment for comics fans, as Deadpool and Cable often team up in the books, and this is one of their first proper interactions in the franchise.

5

The X-Force Jumps Into Action

Deadpool 2 (2018)

Deadpool 2 also introduces one of the most popular teams that Deadpool is a part of, the X-Force. After spending time recruiting several of the best and brightest super people to aid him in his mission, Deadpool and the X-Force gear up for an epic extraction mission. However, things go south quickly after the team jumps out of the plane.

Despite being warned countless times about the strong winds, Deadpool made the executive choice to go ahead with their mission anyway, sending his whole team out of a plane and into the stormy weather. Unfortunately, the weather had a greater effect than Deadpool thought it would, and aside from Deadpool and lucky Domino, the entire team was wiped out in the span of just a few minutes. Tragic, but also one of the most hilarious moments in the series.

4

Deadpool & Crew Rescue Vanessa

Deadpool (2016)

In the final epic battle of Deadpool, the hero manages to team up with Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead to take on a rescue mission and save Vanessa. After avoiding her for so long, Deadpool finally comes face to face with the love of his life, and the only thing that stands between him and his future with her, is his rival, Francis, aka, Ajax. The battle is long, and takes place on multiple levels, but it is exactly the payoff the movie deserves.

Wade finally gets revenge on the man who changed him forever, he wins back his girlfriend, and he makes some friends along the way. Of course, he still chooses to follow his own path, and despite Colossus trying to persuade him to not kill Ajax, Wade fires a round into his head. This is a scene that perfectly captures the heroism, and the chaos that Deadpool brings to the table.

3

Deadpool’s Selfless Sacrifice

Deadpool 2 (2018)

When Rusty is about to become a villain, Cable sees the last opportunity to stop him slipping away, and so he chooses to take the shot. However, Deadpool is unwilling to give up on Rusty, no matter what Cable thinks he becomes in the future. Despite wearing a neck brace that suppresses his healing, Deadpool jumps in the way of the bullet and takes the hit, saving Rusty’s life.

This moment is incredibly heartfelt and emotional, but it is also full of Deadpool’s signature humor. As the character is dying, the reality of his sacrifice changes the future and Cable is able to see this from the burnt teddy belonging to his daughter suddenly becoming clean again. Deadpool gave up his life, and became a real hero, and as a reward, Cable gave up his chance to go home and saved Deadpool’s life instead.

2

Fixing The Timeline

Deadpool 2 (2018)

However, Deadpool isn’t always so selfless. Some time after his sacrifice and Cable giving up his chance to go home, Deadpool has Negasonic Teenage Warhead fix Cable’s time jumping device. Rather than simply return the device to Cable, Deadpool chooses to make a few quick stops and correct the timeline as he sees it. This trip includes saving Vanessa, helping Peter avoid a horrific death like the rest of the X-Force, and killing multiple versions of Ryan Reynolds.

This moment is, of course, played for laughs, but it is also a great way to close out and fix the timelines of previous errors, at least in Deadpool’s reality. It is also the perfect example of Deadpool breaking the fourth wall as he travels through multiple events and realities to right wrongs. Breaking the fourth wall is an essential part of the character, and this is one of the best uses of this quirk in the character’s history.

1

Maximum Effort

Deadpool (2016)

However, none of this would have been possible if Ryan Reynolds hadn’t made Deadpool his passion project and got the movie made. This largely came as a result of leaked footage that came out in 2012. The scene sees Reynolds’ Deadpool in a full bodysuit speaking to the audience on top of a bridge, before saying “Maximum Effort,” and diving to take out a group of criminals below. This scene, of course, made it into the final movie in 2016, with significant improvements, and it ultimately created one of the most iconic superhero scenes of all time.

From Deadpool taking out bad guys at high speed, to the fourth wall breaks, and the reveal of his numerous powers, this scene has it all. The sequence is also extremely well-designed and thought out, with perfect pacing and cinematic photography throughout. Ultimately, it’s hard to top, but this is yet another one of the greatest Deadpool moments to appear on the big screen in the franchise.