6 Superhero Movies And Shows That You Probably Didn’t Know Became Franchises

Superhero movies are incredibly popular right now, but some started as unexpected successes and grew into full-blown franchises. While Marvel and DC are well-known for building cinematic universes, many other superhero films – both from major studios and independent creators – quietly launched sequels, spin-offs, and related content. What’s really interesting about these cases is just how surprisingly they took off.

I’ve noticed something really interesting lately – a lot of movies and shows that started out as smaller, niche hits have actually become huge franchises without a lot of people even realizing it! Some kept going with direct-to-video sequels, while others expanded through spin-offs, books, or even revivals years later. It just proves you don’t need a massive budget to create a lasting story and a dedicated fanbase – these projects really show that.

Darkman (1990)

Before directing the blockbuster Spider-Man films, Sam Raimi made Darkman in 1990 – a raw, energetic take on the superhero story. Starring Liam Neeson as scientist Peyton Westlake, the film follows a man who, after being horribly disfigured and left for dead, returns to get revenge on those who wronged him. Its serious atmosphere and use of real-world effects helped it develop a dedicated fanbase.

Most people don’t realize the original Darkman movie led to a series of sequels. Universal Pictures quietly created a franchise with Darkman II: The Return of Durant (1995) and Darkman III: Die Darkman Die (1996), which starred Arnold Vosloo as the superhero. While made with smaller budgets, these films continued to delve into the ideas of identity, the lasting effects of trauma, and Westlake’s ongoing pursuit of justice.

Because the films were released directly to video, most people didn’t notice them at the time. However, the Darkman series is now recognized as one of the first attempts to create a long-running superhero franchise. It expanded beyond the films to include a comic book published by Marvel, several novels, and a video game.

Back in 1992, Universal made a TV pilot based on Darkman for Fox, but the network didn’t end up airing it or turning it into a series. Despite this, Darkman became a well-known, repeating figure in action movies—a classic antihero—well before superheroes became so popular in Hollywood.

Chronicle (2012)

Custom Image by Milica Djordjevic

Released in 2012, Chronicle quickly became popular because of its realistic, documentary-style approach and focus on the characters’ emotional journeys. The film, directed by Josh Trank, follows three teenagers who develop telekinetic powers, and explores how this leads to a gradually unfolding tragedy. Its realistic feel and emphasis on character development set it apart from many superhero movies of that time.

While many people celebrated the success of Chronicle, discussions about a second movie began almost immediately. The studio, Fox, even asked writers to create several versions of a sequel, but the director, Josh Trank, wasn’t keen on making one. Eventually, disagreements over the creative direction put the project on hold for years.

In August 2021, Fox announced a follow-up movie to Chronicle, featuring an all-female cast. The sequel is expected to take place a decade after the first film and will explore themes of misinformation and conspiracies. It aims to maintain the gritty realism of the original while also pushing the boundaries of what superhero movies can be.

The Crow (1994)

Alex Proyas’s 1994 film, The Crow, is still a beloved cult classic, largely remembered for the tragic death of its star, Brandon Lee, and its strikingly dark and atmospheric visuals. The movie tells the story of Eric Draven, a man who returns from the dead to get revenge for his partner’s violent murder. It cleverly blended elements of horror, detective stories, and superhero films to create a truly original work.

With its gritty storytelling, dark city settings, and stylish direction, The Crow had a huge impact on filmmaking. Because the first movie told a complete story of revenge, many people thought it was a standalone film. However, the studio actually continued the franchise for years after the original became a beloved classic.

The first Crow movie spawned three sequels: The Crow: City of Angels (1996), The Crow: Salvation (2000), and The Crow: Wicked Prayer (2005). Each film featured new characters drawn from the Crow comic books, and each took on the role of the resurrected hero. Although none of the sequels were as popular as the original, they all offered unique takes on themes of loss, coming back to life, and seeking justice.

The Crow expanded beyond its original film into a short-lived television series, titled The Crow: Stairway to Heaven. The movie series was recently rebooted in 2024 with Bill Skarsgård in the lead role. In addition to the films, numerous novels and comic books have been created based on the original source material. Even after many years, The Crow keeps finding new life, demonstrating that its powerful story continues to resonate with audiences and sustain a long-lasting franchise.

The Toxic Avenger (1984)

Originally a low-budget, over-the-top film from Troma Entertainment, The Toxic Avenger (1984) was packed with silly humor, graphic violence, and intentionally ridiculous moments. The story of Toxie, a janitor who becomes a mutant superhero, didn’t seem likely to become a hit, but it quickly gained a huge and dedicated fan base. Its unique blend of superhero elements and gritty, satirical humor set it apart from other films of the era.

The film unexpectedly became a major franchise, leading to three sequels: The Toxic Avenger Part II (1989), The Toxic Avenger Part III (1989), and Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV (2000). Toxie even starred in a cartoon for kids, Toxic Crusaders, and inspired video games and other products. The franchise’s over-the-top silliness actually became one of the things people loved about it.

The biggest surprise came years later with a new version starring Peter Dinklage and produced by Legendary. This recent remake shows that The Toxic Avenger has proven surprisingly durable – it’s gone from a cult favorite to a long-lasting franchise. In fact, it was even adapted into a rock musical in 2008 that toured the world for nine years.

The Boys (2019-)

As a total movie and TV buff, I was completely hooked by The Boys when it came out. What really grabbed me was how it just ripped apart the whole superhero idea – it wasn’t about capes and glory, but a really gritty, cynical look at what would actually happen if people with powers existed. It’s shockingly violent, yeah, but it’s also smart and funny, with surprisingly complex characters. The show imagines a world where superheroes are basically puppets of big corporations, and it follows this group of underdogs, ‘The Boys,’ who are trying to take them down. It’s a total game-changer and unlike anything else out there.

Many viewers may not know that this show is already the core of a larger, connected universe. Amazon’s Prime Video has built upon the original series with spin-offs like The Boys Presents: Diabolical, an animated series that tells different stories and explores new styles. The universe expanded even more with the show Gen V.

I’m really hooked on Gen V – it’s amazing to watch these college-aged heroes uncover how messed up Vought’s training actually is. And it’s not just that show, either! They’ve announced even more content, like Vought Rising and a spin-off set in Mexico called The Boys: Mexico. Plus, they’ve been doing a ton of stuff online, including a news show that feels like it’s from the world of The Boys, and even… well, let’s just say an adult film set in that universe too!

A podcast called Deeper, Deeper, told from the point of view of two characters, has also been created. What started as just one adaptation has grown into a successful series of related content. The surprising popularity of The Boys shows that audiences are eager for superhero stories that are darker and challenge traditional tropes, and the world of the show continues to expand quickly.

Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995)

Many consider Batman: The Animated Series (1992) to be one of the best superhero cartoons of all time, and it significantly impacted how Batman is seen by fans today. The show’s distinctive dark look, complex stories, and memorable voice acting quickly made it a classic. But a lot of people don’t know that the series actually went far beyond its initial episodes.

The popular cartoon Batman: The Animated Series led to several follow-up shows, like The New Batman Adventures and Batman Beyond, all of which continued the same storyline. This consistent story carried over into other DC animated universe projects as well. The series also resulted in two movies – Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, which was even shown in theaters, and Batman & Mr. Freeze: Subzero.

Early video games like Batman: Vengeance and Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu were based on the look and story of Batman: The Animated Series, and were released on many older gaming systems. More recent games, including the Lego Batman series and the Batman: Arkham games, still pay tribute to Batman: TAS with nods and character designs inspired by the show.

The world of Batman: The Animated Series continued to expand through several comic book series, most notably The Batman Adventures and Batman: The Adventures Continue. The latter, released in 2020, proves how enduringly popular the show has been. This extensive expansion across different media essentially created its own separate Batman universe. Even decades after it first aired, the impact of Batman: TAS continues to grow.

2025-11-24 00:14