The superhero genre isn’t just about Marvel and DC. There are countless hidden gems just waiting to give you a new perspective on the genre, building on old ideas and adding their own. Here are 18 superhero movies that might have flown under your radar but are definitely worth your time.
Defendor
Woody Harrelson portrays Arthur Poppington, a man suffering from mental problems who leads a double life as the vigilante Defender. With an unusual arsenal of marbles and lime juice, he fights villains while trying to find the Captain of Industry. It’s a darkly touching story that explores the fine line between obsession and heroism.
Hero at Large
This superhero comedy stars John Ritter as an actor who also plays an off-stage superhero. The budget didn’t allow for special effects, so the movie focuses more on the personal journey of our hero, who finds that the most powerful thing about him is his integrity. It’s overly sweet and slightly cheesy, but it works wonderfully.
K-20: Legend of the Mask
Set in an alternate version of Japan in 1949, this movie follows a master thief in the guise of a vigilante, desperate to clear his name. Takeshi Kaneshiro stars as the movie takes us through a dark underground world where World War II never occurred. It seamlessly blends pulp adventure with a rich alternate-history setting for an action-packed movie.
Ultraman: Rising
A Netflix animated movie, Ultraman: Rising focuses on baseballer-turned-Ultraman Kenji Sato as he faces the new challenge of balancing his duty to save the world with the side gig of babysitting a 35-foot baby kaiju. Shannon Tindle’s direction hits just the right note between heartwarming and heroic, giving us a fun movie with the perfect mix of action, humor, and family.
The Specials
The Specials is a 2000 comedy directed by Craig Mazin about a group of larger-than-life characters who make up an underfunded superhero team stuck with the rejected villains. Over the course of the movie, they must face their own personal issues and complicated team dynamics, focusing on their time off rather than the action.
Blankman
Starring Damon Wayans, this 1994 comedy focuses on a nerd’s rise to superherodom. The protagonist battles crime in his neighborhood, arming himself with homemade gadgets under the name Blankman and accompanied by his sidekick, Other Guy. The movie is a light-hearted spoof with slapstick humor and some more heartfelt moments.
The Heroic Trio
This Hong Kong action movie teams up three superhero women who pit themselves against a baby-snatching villain. This is an absolute feast of wire-fu, martial arts, and high-octane stunts from Johnnie To, with hand-to-hand fights making frequent appearances. Starring Maggie Cheung, Anita Mui, and Michelle Yeoh, this is an absolute must-see for action fans.
Darkman
Directed by Sam Raimi, this 1990 film stars Liam Neeson as a scientist who becomes Darkman after being disfigured in a mob attack. Seeking revenge against the criminals who wronged him, he uses synthetic skin to disguise himself and hunt them down. It’s a gritty, action-packed movie in Raimi’s signature style.
Super
Rainn Wilson plays a completely unremarkable man in Super, reliving his few good memories over and over until his wife leaves him and he becomes the Crimson Bolt. James Gunn directs this dark comedy, which is violent, twisted, and surprisingly emotional. It’s a unique take on the vigilante genre with a standout performance from Wilson.
Mystery Men
This 1999 ensemble comedy stars Ben Stiller, William H. Macy, and Hank Azaria as less-than-impressive superheroes with questionable powers. Directed by Kinka Usher, it’s a fun, offbeat film that parodies superhero tropes while celebrating the underdogs.
The Meteor Man
Robert Townsend directed and played the lead role in this 1993 movie about a schoolteacher who gets superpowers after being hit by a meteor. He uses his new powers to clean up the neighborhood and stop gang violence. The messages about community and heroism make this a light-hearted movie the whole family can enjoy.
Condorman
Made in 1981, this live-action Disney comedy casts Michael Crawford as a comic-strip artist who is transformed into his own square-jawed, muscle-bound hero, Condorman. Using his arsenal of hi-tech hardware to launch one mission after another, he alternately fights evil and rescues the innocent. It’s a campy, fun adventure that throws the CIA and FBI into the mix for a spy genre crossover.
The Phantom
Billy Zane stars as the purple-clad hero The Phantom in this 1996 movie, based on the comic strip of the same name. Set in the 1930s, The Phantom must fight to protect a jungle tribe and stop a power-hungry businessman’s plans.
The Rocketeer
Directed by Joe Johnston, this 1991 film follows a stunt pilot who discovers a rocket pack that turns him into a flying superhero. Set in pre-World War II Los Angeles, The Rocketeer is an action-packed movie with solid performances and impressive special effects. Sadly, it was a box-office disappointment despite getting mostly positive critical reviews.
Swamp Thing
Wes Craven’s 1982 adaptation of the DC comic character of the same name stars Ray Wise as the titular being, with Dick Durock handling the creature scenes. After a lab accident, scientist Alec Holland becomes the Swamp Thing and must battle an evil genius intent on experimenting on him.
Chronicle
Directed by Josh Trank, Chronicle is a 2012 found-footage movie about three high school friends who get mysterious telekinetic powers after finding a strange crystal underground. Things turn dark as they explore their new abilities, with Andrew (Dane DeHaan) rapidly becoming more violent. Chronicle gives a gritty and realistic touch to the classic superhero origin story, with solid performances and decent special effects that make this movie come to life.
Freaks
In this 2018 movie, Lexy Kolker stars as Chloe Lewis, a young girl with supernatural abilities who her paranoid father hides away. As she discovers the truth about her powers, she must confront the outside world while still growing into them. Directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, Freaks is a tense, emotional thriller with a fresh perspective on superhuman abilities.
Sky High
Set in a high school for teenage superheroes, Sky High is a 2005 Disney movie that follows Will Stronghold (Michael Angarano), a boy whose parents are famous superheroes. A fun, family-friendly movie with an entertaining script and a positive message about identity and teamwork.
