Summary

Despite DC and Marvel predominate the genre , some of the best superhero movies do n’t fall under their view within theDCUorMCU . Superhero moving picture have been dominated by the DC andMarvel movie timelinesfor several decades , but the surge in popularity of superheroes in cinema predate the cinematic franchises that made the genre synonymous withDC and Marvel characters . In fact , some of the most compelling characters came from original ideas that challenged the comic book position quo .

Whether drawn from other graphic novel publishers like Dark Horse Comics or as entirely original superheroes penned by the filmmakers directly , thesesuperhero movies are among the bestthat do n’t ask comic book famous person . to boot , the law of similarity between these movies ' agonist and those of the foremost comic script creations are often used as a novel take on some tried - and - tested chemical formula . The independence of these movies from any wide property has also give way to some compelling sub - genres that only facilitate to make these stand - out examples in an otherwise very busy literary genre .

While they wo n’t be as fecund as premature years for myriad reasonableness , there are still plenty of superhero picture show releasing in 2024 to see forward to .

Split image of Venom in The Last Dance and Kraven the Hunter

10Hellboy Was Made By An Inspired Team

Sony Pictures Releasing (2004)

Before the maligned reboot featuring David Harbor in the titular role came 2004’sHellboydirected by the illusionist Guillermo Del Toro . The casting and theatre director alone forHellboywere , ironically , a match made in heaven , withDel Toro ’s key signature fashion lending itself perfectly to the mind - bending creature and subject matter of the Dark Horse Comics adaptation . Despite Perlman ’s dogged enthusiasm and the commercial-grade and critical success of the first two film , a third Hellboy movie to round out the trilogy remains unlikely . Meanwhile , another reboot , Hellboy : The Crooked Man , is in the work with a closer focus on horror elements .

9Mystery Men Was Ahead Of Its Time

Universal Pictures (1999)

Mystery Menis a comedy movie star a quarrelsome team of semi - superheroes boasting such powers as the ability to change state invisible when nobody is depend . Ben Stiller leads the mold as Mr. Furious , a man whose strength and lightness increase when he flies into a rage . Though it was released to assorted reviews in 1999 , the movie has since earned religious cult status , lauded as being ahead of its time when a release in the current climate of superhero mania would have bring a lot unruffled . Unfortunately , the timing mean thatMystery Menwas a box situation flop for Kinka Usher ’s directorial first appearance .

8Super Is A Violent Depiction Of Unprofessional Heroes

IFC Midnight (2010)

Anothersuperhero comedy moviethat put one of the most prominent manager of the genre on the map , James Gunn’sSuperwas a 2010 geographic expedition of what happens when a humanity dejected by the banality of his life sentence decides to take on a superhero nickname - in this typesetter’s case , " Crimson Bolt " - and crusade crime . Supertreads a darker path thanMystery Men , however , asit does n’t shy aside from the serious moment of taking on law-breaking when not bolster by superpowers . Its heavy ferocity was what partially led toSuperreceiving miscellaneous reviews on release .

7Megamind Offers A Fresh Spin On The Genre

Paramount Pictures/DreamWorks Animation (2010)

Megamindflips the superhero musical style on its head by picture the supervillain wrestling with his apparent triumph over the superhero . It was a smasher for DreamWorks Animation despite being its lowest - grossing movie of that point , and became lead actor Will Ferrell ’s highest - grossing film untilThe Lego Movie . Its commercial-grade success was no surprise , asit stands the mental testing of time as a parody of some of the superhero genre ’s most prominent figures .

6Chronicle Puts A Creative Spin On The Found Footage Genre

20th Century Fox (2012)

Before regain footage movies descend out of favor , Chronicledecided to deliver a singular spin on the superhero genre by show a superhero ( and supervillain ) origin taradiddle through the lenses of the main characters ' own cameras . These abilities comprise powerful psychokinesis , which helped to help some distinctly less shaky shot in the movie ’s former scenes . The darker theme favor by Josh Trank succeeded inChroniclewhere they failed in his much - malignedattempt at aFantastic Fourreboot .

The tortured fictional character of Andrew Detmer was also Dane DeHaan ’s breakout use , catapulting him into the company of the Hollywood elite for his haunting depiction of a sympathetic supervillain . The rootage of the principal champion ' superpowers reverberate the likes of theFantastic Fouras they are bestowed by some cosmic force-out , though the story itself is entirely original and pen by Trank himself , alongside screenwriter Max Landis . With that in head , it ’s no wonderment that Trank would go on to directFantastic Fourthree years later , though he failed to retake the magic ofChronicle .

5Hancock Grapples With A Fascinating Concept

Sony Pictures Releasing (2008)

Though it was hampered by a bewildering 2d half , Hancockwas a relatively former example of a superhero movie that flew in the face of the typical superhero formula . Instead , its titular " hoagie " is distinctly hesitant about the powers at his administration and what he is await to do with them . The original story was compose by Vy Vincent Ngo in 1996 but was only released a decennium later . This was a boon given the relevance of superhero picture in 2008 compared to the 90s , no doubt helping to catapultHancockinto being the fourth - gamey - grossing motion-picture show of 2008 .

4Dredd Is Gorgeously Faithful To Its Comic Origins

Entertainment Film Distributors (2012)

Dreddwouldn’t be out of place as a DC attribute in a interchangeable mineral vein toWatchmen . It deal with a dystopian future in which a ruthless police force out - of which Judge Dredd is a part - acts as jurist , juries , and executioners within urban center comprising gargantuan tower blocks . Dreddtakes place in 2080 in Mega City One , where Lena Heady ’s Ma - Ma peddles the drug " slo - mo . “The effects of this drug facilitate some exceptional slow - apparent movement sequencesas Dredd and his fellow Judges mete out ruthless " justice " on the inhabitants of the deceivingly name Peach Trees tower block .

3The Mask Is Perfectly Cast Chaos

New Line Cinema (1994)

The Maskis another publishing from Dark Horse Comics that follows Stanley Ipkiss as he number into the self-command of a masquerade party that turns him into The Mask , be intimate as Big Head in the cartoon strip . While in this green - skinned pretence , Ipkiss displays a overplus of cartoonish abilities that allow him to fly the coop rings around cops and felon alike . Though he is far from heroic , the movie ’s culmination set him up as an impossibly hold anti - hero as he goes against the organized offence outfit of the movie and Dorian Tyrell , specifically .

The Maskbecame a commercial and decisive hit as it raked in $ 350 million against a budget of around $ 20 million , and catapulted its independent star , Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz , into superstardom . Carrey ’s execution as the phrenetic Big Head is a highlight , as his signature brand of slapstick comedy marries utterly with the rootage material . Unfortunately , despite the moving picture ’s success , the Carrey - devoid sequel , Son of the Mask , was an all - pear-shaped flop , failing to do justice to the master in any way .

2The Crow Is The Ultimate Cult Classic

Miramax Films (1994)

The 1994 adaptation of the 1989 in writing novel by James O’Barr garnered cult status and a surprising amount of net after more than tripling its budget . Praise was lavished on the motion-picture show for its stylish action sequences and grungier take on the superhero genrein an era that spawned the chaotically colourful early Batman movies . Three sequel followed , though these were far less well - received .

A fifth continuation / reboot ofThe Crowstarring Bill Skarsgard as Eric Draven is slated for vent in 2024 .

1The Incredibles Is Proof Of Disney’s Superhero Prowess

Buena Vista Pictures (2004)

Five year before Disney larn Marvel , the studio curve its tooth on the superhero genre withThe Incredibles , which was widely clap , realize two Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Sound Mixing . It follows a super - powered family in a world where heighten individuals are de jure require to subdue their great power , much to the dismay of the ace - strong Mr. Incredible . Lauded for its incredibly play take on the superhero genre , The Incrediblesremains one of the finest representative of the literary genre that theMCUor DCU have no hand in .

Nextwave team

Gorr at the Altar of Eternity in Thor Love and Thunder

Split image of Judge Dredd (Karl Urban) pointing a gun and Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) smiling and running towards the viewer

Ron Perlman as Hellboy in Hellboy (2004) with his hands on his legs

The cast of Mystery Men stand in a heroic pose

An image of the Crimson Bolt (Rainn Wilson) looking sad in Super

Dane Dehaan as Andrew Detmer lying in bed with his hands in the air, trying his new powers in Chronicle

Will Smith lies in the road in Hancock

Custom image of Jim Carrey in The Mask smiling

Brandon Lee smiling and looking menacing in The Crow

Marvel Cinematic Universe

DC Extended Universe