With the MCU being the most successful cinematic franchise in history, the superhero genre has never been so huge as it is now – but it stands on the shoulders of a compendium of early pioneers that all superhero fans should watch. The building blocks that make the best superhero movies were established long before Iron Man revolutionized the genre. In fact, some of the best examples of superhero movies don’t star Marvel or DC characters whatsoever.
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Fans of the genre will be intimately familiar with the typical characteristics of a superhero movie. They tend to star a protagonist with extraordinary abilities, hinge on themes like heroism and self-discovery, and deliver spectacle in spades as they borrow from other prevalent genres like sci-fi, fantasy, and action. The movies that excel at conveying these elements span decades, but some of the best examples of superhero movies were released when the genre was in its infancy.
You are watching: 10 Early Superhero Movies Every Superhero Fan Needs To Watch
10
Robocop Is A Paragon Of Justice
Released In July 1987
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RoboCop is an early superhero origin movie, as it depicts Alex Murphy’s transformation into the titular cyborg after being brutally murdered. The movie embraces the cyberpunk subgenre, depicting a dystopian USA ravaged by corporate greed while embracing satirical elements and an unabashed R-rating. RoboCop is an original character, with cybernetic enhancements that transform him into a tour de force whose morality and humanity clash with his corporate programming, making him a distinctly moral figure who eventually strives to uphold justice in its most virtuous sense.
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It’s here where RoboCop‘s influence on the genre can be seen. At its core, RoboCop is a tale of morality and using superhuman gifts to uplift humanity and its values. RoboCop was influenced by 2000 AD‘s Judge Dredd, a character whose self-titled adaptation in 2012 was also lavished with praise. There are also parallels to be drawn between it and Iron Man, as both characters are substantially enhanced through technology.
9
Blade Rescued Marvel’s Movie Prospects
Released In August 1998
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In 1998, Blade was hot on the heels of 1997’s Batman & Robin, managing to uphold the superhero genre when DC’s first Batman franchise fumbled. Blade is a vampire movie that just so happens to be adapting a Marvel character and one whose initial obscurity and subsequent rise to fame mirrors that of the MCU’s Iron Man. It tells the story of the titular daywalker, a unique human-vampire hybrid whose vampire powers come with none of the typical drawbacks, and his bloody origins as a vampire hunter.
Fondness for Blade stems largely from its visual style, action sequences, and Wesley Snipes’ depiction of the once-obscure character.
Like RoboCop, Blade is an R-rated exploration of the superhero trope. Blade has received middling-to-positive reviews despite its legendary status among genre aficionados. Fondness for Blade stems largely from its visual style, action sequences, and Wesley Snipes’ depiction of the once-obscure character. Before movies like X-Men would establish the stereotypical mold for modern superhero movies, Blade was an early look at what a no-holds-barred adult-themed adaptation could look like, which is what makes Blade’s cameo appearance in Deadpool & Wolverine so befitting.
8
Spider-Man 2 Set The Example For Superhero Sequels
Released In June 2004
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Spider-Man 2 is the highest-rated of Sam Raimi’s iconic Spider-Man trilogy, and for good reason. After Spider-Man detailed the now-done-to-death origin story for the titular superhero, Spider-Man 2 was dedicated to exploring the ramifications of his newfound powers. This is Peter Parker at his most relatable as he navigates the typical struggles of young adulthood and the incredible stresses that great power brings. Otto Octavius assumes the villainous role, sparking an interesting dynamic as one villain with whom Peter Parker has a deep personal relationship.
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While many superhero movie franchises can often struggle to deliver a satisfying sequel (a curse from which even Spider-Man couldn’t escape with Spider-Man 3), Spider-Man 2 remains the foremost example of a superhero sequel done right. Otto Octavius is one of the earliest and most enduring examples of the sympathetic villain whose influence was honored in the MCU’s Spider-Man: No Way Home for good reason. Despite being released in 2004, Spider-Man 2‘s action sequences and CGI still hold up as a paragon of how spectacular scenes can be rendered on the big screen.
7
Hellboy Is A Virtuous Outsider
Released September 2004
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Despite being adapted four times in the last two decades, Guillermo Del Toro’s Hellboy remains the paradigmatic adaptation of the titular superhero from hell. Hellboy features Ron Perlman’s standard-setting depiction of the eponymous character, presenting him as an established member of the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense. Hellboy delves into the occult and mythology, a rarely explored facet of the superhero genre while starring one of the most unique protagonists ever committed to live-action. Needless to say, all of these themes are a perfect match for Guillermo Del Toro’s iconic style.
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Hellboy pioneers the concept of a powerful protagonist who struggles to reconcile his monstrous appearance with his inherent virtues, typifying the difficulties faced by many superheroes who strive to fit into societal standards. This struggle is exacerbated by his hellish origins, which causes him to file his horns to appear less demonic. It is also an early live-action depiction of a supernatural team, one of the most compelling tropes of the genre as exemplified by the likes of the X-Men, Fantastic Four, and the Suicide Squad.
6
The Mask Is The Quintessential Superhero Comedy
Released August 1994
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The Mask is a relatively loose adaptation of the Dark Horse Comics publication of the same name that foregoes the horror elements of the source material to instead focus on a family-friendly brand of comedy. It stars Jim Carrey in one of his breakout roles as Stanley Ipkiss, a meek and troubled protagonist whose fortunes are changed by a mask that, when worn, transforms him into the eponymous Mask (AKA Big Head in the comic), a polar-opposite persona with the inexplicably cartoonish ability to warp reality. It is an exceptionally unique yet acclaimed example of an early superhero movie.
The Mask was the most profitable superhero movie of all time until 2019’s Joker.
The Mask would remain an outlier in its depiction of a true slapstick superhero were it not for Deadpool now occupying the same sphere. Nevertheless, the movie is still full of pathos as it delves into the struggle of dual identities and quite literally hiding behind a mask. In a trope that would also be explored by such modern movies as Shazam!, Venom, and Green Lantern, The Mask is an early example of the concept of a normal person transformed at will into a superhero by some external force, rather than one whose powers are innate.
5
The Crow Is A Superhero Cult Classic
Released June 1994
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Released in the same year as The Mask, 1994’s The Crow strikes a distinctly darker tone that embraces supernatural horror and gothic themes. It tells a story of vengeance as the titular protagonist, rock musician Eric Draven, seeks retribution for the brutal murders of himself and his fiance. The Crow is unique in the superhero genre for being a cult classic, with its darker themes resonating with a specific audience that isn’t typically associated with superhero movie fandom. It garnered critical acclaim in part for the performance of star Brandon Lee, who tragically died during filming.
The 2024 remake of The Crow starring Bill Skarsgard in the titular role suffered critically and financially.
There are very few examples of superhero movies that emulate the distinctly gothic style of The Crow, making it one of the most distinctive movies in the genre. It flips many superhero tropes on their head by delving into themes of vengeance, a motive typically reserved for superhero movie villains. Its dark, character-driven narrative can be compared to 2019’s Joker, whose exploration of a tortured protagonist with a bloodthirsty vendetta became one of the most successful superhero movies of all time.
4
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm Set The Standard For Animated Superhero Movies
Released December 1993
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Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is one of the earliest animated movies released by DC based on its iconic animation, Batman: The Animated Series. It remains a definitive adaptation of the Batman mythos, exploring the earlier days of Batman as the barely-established Caped Crusader of Gotham, his character-defining romances, and his deep-seated rivalry with the Joker. Although DC’s animated movies arguably enjoyed their heyday in the 2010s, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm remains one of the most highly-regarded animated superhero movies ever made.
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is a perfect example of why Hamill’s take on the Joker is one of the best.
While discussions continue to rage about which depiction of the Joker is the best in live-action movies, Mark Hamill is criminally overlooked by virtue of his rendition being animated. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is a perfect example of why Hamill’s take on the Joker is one of the best. The fact that Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is animated, meanwhile, belies its expert navigation of adult themes, something which would come to typify DC’s celebrated animated movies years later.
3
X-Men Kicked Off The Modern Superhero Genre
Released August 2000
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Just two years after Blade reinstated confidence in Marvel movies, X-Men took a more family-friendly approach to Marvel’s most iconic characters and arguably sparked the modern era of the superhero blockbuster. While the titular team’s origins wouldn’t be depicted for another 11 years with X-Men: First Class, X-Men expertly navigates a team chock-full of unique and interesting characters, treading the fine line between being grounded and harnessing the team’s inherently fantastical features. It was critically acclaimed upon release and sparked a franchise whose decades-spanning legacy was recently honored in Deadpool & Wolverine.
the success of 1999’s The Matrix inspired the notoriously comic-inaccurate black leathers in X-Men, a prime example of how the movie opted to make the inherently ostentatious team more grounded.
Despite taking some creative liberties designed to broaden its appeal to cinemagoers, X-Men does not shy away from the team’s most defining characteristics and leans into the X-Men’s central motifs of discrimination. The wise moves taken by those involved in X-Men are almost singlehandedly responsible for popularizing the genre and springboarding the gargantuan phenomenon it has now become. Now that the X-Men have returned to Marvel ownership, the team’s cinematic story looks set to continue as the genre’s most enduring and influential.
2
Batman Proved That Superhero Movies Can Be Blockbusters
Released August 1989
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Batman isn’t the first live-action Batman movie ever made, but it set a new standard for the caped crusader and the genre as a whole. Directed by the visionary Tim Burton, Batman leaned into the gothic themes most often ascribed to the character in DC Comics while transforming the typical flagship superhero into a more nuanced protagonist. Batman isn’t so much an origin story for the titular hero as it is for his arch-nemesis, Joker, with whom Tim Burton takes some creative liberties that pay off in spades.
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Earning over $400 million worldwide, Batman set a new precedent for superhero movies as exceptionally profitable endeavors. Despite stopping short of embracing distinctly more adult themes of such movies as The Crow, it also showed how the genre can lean into darker elements, solidifying PG-13 as the sweet spot for superhero movie age ratings. Performances by Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson, meanwhile, remain definitive examples of their respective characters. Batman‘s gothic tones can be seen replicated in almost every subsequent adaptation of the iconic character while maintaining a certain brevity that now typifies the modern MCU.
1
Superman: The Movie Is The Definitive Early Superhero Movie
Released December 1978
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Whereas Blade may have changed Marvel’s cinematic fortunes in 1998, 1978’s Superman is lauded as doing the same for the superhero genre as a whole. The cultural impact of Superman is hard to overstate after it brought the comic book page to life with a faithful depiction of Superman’s origins and most defining characteristics. Until that point, Superman was the most expensive movie ever made, with a $300 million global box office that, like Batman, proved that the genre had staying power in Hollywood.
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Superman is arguably the most definitive early superhero movie that current fans of the genre need to watch. Superman defined what a superhero movie should be, turning a live-action protagonist into a spectacle beyond belief and proving how well characters once confined to comic book panels could work on the big screen with the clever use of special effects. While the DCU and MCU continue to push boundaries with what the genre can achieve, both franchises have Superman to thank for paving the way.
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Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a multimedia superhero franchise that began in 2008 with Paramount’s Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr. The franchise quickly grew in popularity, with Disney eventually buying out Marvel Entertainment in 2009. The MCU consists of dozens of movies and TV shows, most notably Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision, and Loki.
Created by
Kevin Feige
First Film
Iron Man
First TV Show
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Cast
Robert Downey Jr.
, Chris Evans
, Scarlett Johansson
, Samuel L. Jackson
, Jeremy Renner
, Chris Hemsworth
, Mark Ruffalo
, Edward Norton
, Paul Rudd
, Tom Holland
, Tom Hiddleston
, Anthony Mackie
, Cobie Smulders
, Brie Larson
, Chadwick Boseman
, Sebastian Stan
, Chris Pratt
, Dave Bautista
, Zoe Saldana
, Bradley Cooper
, Vin Diesel
, Pom Klementieff
, Josh Brolin
, Karen Gillan
, Clark Gregg
, Paul Bettany
, Don Cheadle
, Benedict Cumberbatch
, Evangeline Lilly
, Simu Liu
, Aaron Taylor-Johnson
, Angelina Jolie
, Kit Harington
, Salma Hayek
, Richard Madden
, Barry Keoghan
, Gemma Chan
, Ma Dong-seok
, Brian Tyree Henry
, Kumail Nanjiani
, Lauren Ridloff
, Lia McHugh
, Jonathan Majors
Expand
Upcoming MCU Movies
-
Captain America: Brave New World
Release Date
February 14, 2025
-
Thunderbolts*
Release Date
May 2, 2025
-
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Release Date
July 25, 2025
-
Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
Release Date
-
Spider-Man Homecoming 4
Release Date
July 24, 2026
-
Avengers: Secret Wars
Release Date
May 7, 2027
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Category: Entertainment