The Best Superhero Movies Not From Marvel or DC

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From a dedicated movie enthusiast, I must say that Marvel and DC, without a doubt, rule supreme in the realm of superhero films. Granted, they don’t own the sub-genre entirely, but when you look at their lineups filled with the comics industry’s most beloved heroes, it’s hard not to acknowledge their dominance.

To put it simply, there are numerous exceptional superhero films that aren’t part of Marvel or DC’s shared movie worlds. These films offer new perspectives on familiar themes, creative interpretations of lesser-known comics, and entirely original tales. Often, these movies challenge the norms and reshape our understanding of what a hero truly is.

One noteworthy favorite is Disney-Pixar’s “The Incredibles,” a movie that seamlessly combines family relationships, superhero adventures, and a mid-century aesthetic. Released in 2004 as an animated production, it delves into themes of conformity, the strength of unity, and the challenges of greatness.

M. Night Shyamalan’s 2000 movie, “Unbreakable,” is another valuable gem. This film presents a more subdued, realistic interpretation of the conventional superhero narrative. Initially less well-known, it eventually grew into a trilogy with the standalone horror film “Split” from 2016 and its sequel, “Glass,” released in 2019.

In other places, the film “Chronicle” from 2012 uses a distinct found-footage style to narrate an intricate superhero origin tale, whereas the movie “Kick-Ass” from 2010 alternates between dark humor and graphic violence as it critiques common superhero themes and vigilantism.

These films demonstrate that captivating superhero tales aren’t limited to the extensive universes of Marvel and DC. Instead, I encourage you to explore these movies and others like them, detailed below.

The Best Superhero Movies Not From Marvel or DC

1. The Crow

In the spirit of a gritty comic book series, the 1994 cult film “The Crow” is centered around the return to life of a musician who, along with his fiancée, was murdered on the eve of their wedding. Driven by grief over his lost lover, he swears vengeance supernaturally and embarks on a quest to track down and exact justice upon the criminals responsible for her demise.

This film is dark, stylish, and brimming with captivating action scenes. It’s a goth-rock fantasy of revenge that continues to be ahead of its time, while also embodying its ’90s roots through its nostalgic, industrial aesthetic and soundtrack. Regrettably, it is also remembered for the untimely death of its lead actor, Brandon Lee, who passed away during filming.

2. The Incredibles

In a retro-futuristic reimagining of the 1960s, the animated film The Incredibles presents the tale of a superhero family who were forced to live in suburban life by the government. When an evil genius with a personal grudge against Mr. Incredible plots to eliminate all supers forever, the family must unite their powers to vanquish him.

First released in 2004, this Pixar production continues to be celebrated for its critical acclaim and enduring popularity. Packed with thrilling action and endearing characters, the movie offers a thought-provoking narrative that tackles themes such as societal expectations, family dynamics, and the challenges of midlife.

3. Chronicle

In 2012, the movie “Chronicle” was unveiled. This film focuses on a threesome of Seattle high school students who unexpectedly acquire telekinetic and flight abilities after stumbling upon a strange artifact in the forest. At first, they employ their new powers to execute seemingly innocent pranks and boost their social standing. However, the situation takes a dark turn when one troubled boy resorts to violence. The imaginative sci-fi thriller masterfully combines the classic superhero origin narrative with found footage and teenage drama, immersing viewers in the boys’ intricate emotions and moral dilemmas, culminating in a heartbreaking airborne confrontation.

4. Sky High

Disney’s “Sky High” blends the familiar drama of school life with the thrilling action of a comic book movie suitable for the whole family, starring Kurt Russell as the beloved superhero, the Commander. This film centers around his teenage son who, despite not possessing any superpowers, attends a secret high school for superheroes. The 2005 film, sometimes overlooked, has become a cult classic among fans today. Although its mid-2000s vibe is nostalgic, it’s clear that the movie was forward-thinking in its smart and humorous approach to superhero themes.

5. Unbreakable

The 2000 film “Unbreakable,” directed by M. Night Shyamalan, was initially marketed as a psychological thriller but is actually a superhero movie in disguise. This movie came after his successful supernatural hit, “The Sixth Sense” in 1999. In “Unbreakable,” Bruce Willis plays an ordinary janitor who gains extraordinary abilities following an accident. Despite the misleading marketing campaign that downplayed its comic-book roots, it was a box office success and is now widely recognized as one of the greatest superhero films ever made.

6. Kick Ass

In the 2010 film “Kick-Ass,” an ordinary high school student named Dave transforms into the armored superhero known as Kick-Ass. After his initial adventure takes a turn for the worse, he undergoes surgery that leaves him with a partially metal skeleton and a measure of invincibility. However, he finds himself in over his head when his vigilantism catches the eye of a cruel crime boss, as well as a former cop-turned-superhero and his profane daughter, Hit-Girl.

This dark comedy directed by Matthew Vaughn features fast-paced action sequences, brutal violence, and a touch of humor. Although the “Kick-Ass” comic series was first published under Marvel’s creator-owned imprint, the movie was not produced by Marvel, and the character is not part of the Marvel Universe, so it qualifies!

7. The Rocketeer

Inspired by its self-titled indie comic, Disney’s “The Rocketeer” follows the escapades of a 1930s stunt pilot who transforms into a superhero with the assistance of a unique rocket pack. Pursued by ruffian gangsters, snooping FBI agents, and relentless Nazis, the Rocketeer ultimately unearths a wicked plot revolving around his advanced technology.

A delightful tribute to the exhilarating action serials of the ’30s, it’s a thrilling, nostalgic journey filled with majestic airships, Art Deco elegance, and vintage Hollywood charm. Despite its poor performance at the box office in 1991, it garnered glowing reviews from critics and evolved into a beloved cult classic over the years.

8. Brightburn

In the 2019 horror movie Brightburn, directed by future Superman filmmaker James Gunn, we’re presented with an intriguing twist: “What if Superman turned out to be evil?” The story revolves around an alien child who lands on Earth and is taken in by a farm-dwelling couple. As he uncovers his extraordinary powers, his behavior becomes increasingly malevolent as he appears destined for a sinister path. In its final moments, Brightburn delivers a chilling dose of brutality and chaos, making it a must-see for horror fans.

9. Megamind

In this overlooked gem from DreamWorks Animation, Will Ferrell lends his voice to the dimwitted yet genius blue supervillain Megamind. Having finally vanquished his longtime adversary, Ferrell’s Megamind finds himself aimless and yearns for a new hero to challenge.

Despite some criticism for its predictable narrative, Megamind is more clever and amusing than it may initially seem. It possesses a goofy scientist charisma that appeals to all ages. (The “spee-ider” joke never fails to tickle my funny bone.)

10. Darkman

In a unique twist, Sam Raimi’s 1990 horror-superhero film, “Darkman,” stands out not just for its screenplay but also for its groundbreaking conception. Liam Neeson portrays a scientist who meets a grisly end at the hands of criminals, only to miraculously survive and seek vengeance using his own innovative mask-making technology (alongside a fractured mind). By blending brutal action with dark humor, “Darkman” is like watching a comic book scene unfold in real life after being drenched in blood.

The Most Underrated Superhero Movies

1. The Adventures of Captain Marvel

The origins of comic-book movies can be traced back to one iconic word: “Shazam!” The first superhero to leap from the comic books to the silver screen was Captain Marvel, starring in the action-packed serial “The Adventures of Captain Marvel” on Saturday mornings. Although its script, featuring the Big Red Cheese battling a villain known as “The Scorpion,” might not have earned a Nobel Prize for Literature (or even an Eisner Award), the energetic direction by William Witney and John English accurately captures the excitement of early comics. If you’re a fan of this genre, it’s worth seeing how it all began.

2. Big Hero 6

In the heart of thrilling sci-fi sequences, the animated film Big Hero 6 uniquely combines Disney’s charm with Marvel’s action. While the Disney elements shine brighter than the Marvel influences, the narrative becomes somewhat overwhelming due to a villain’s complex schemes involving stolen microbots technology. However, despite this, the movie effectively explores themes of grief and loss. Moreover, science has shown that soft-hearted robots are the most endearing, and Baymax (Scott Adsit) stands as the epitome of these lovable machines.

3. The Dark Knight Rises

The Dark Knight Rises” served as the exhilarating yet expansive finale to Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. In its endeavor to surpass “The Dark Knight,” it might have aimed too high – possibly explaining its mixed reviews from dedicated Nolan followers. Nevertheless, if more comic-book films aimed for something greater than mere entertainment, we would all benefit.

4. Hellboy II: The Golden Army

As a cinephile, I must confess that “Hellboy II: The Golden Army” surpassed the original in virtually every aspect. Gone are the one-dimensional characters from the first film, with Hellboy himself getting rid of his bland sidekick and sent off to Antarctica! The antagonists in this installment are far more captivating, their disdain for humanity giving them a tragic hero quality.

In terms of visuals, Del Toro’s signature style is evident throughout, with the effects being sharper and the creature designs more intriguing. What’s more, every character seems to have personal struggles at stake. Even the quirky Abe Sapien gets a well-deserved arc, complete with a love interest! Forget “The Shape of Water”; Del Toro should have received his Oscar for this masterpiece instead.

5. The Mask of Zorro

The movie that started the trend of modern superhero films was structured like a sequel to an unmade film, with the older Zorro (played by Anthony Hopkins) passing on his role and skills to Antonio Banderas. Directed by Martin Campbell, who later made “Casino Royale,” it had exciting action scenes and clever humor from Hopkins. Additionally, Catherine Zeta-Jones played her first significant role as the daughter of the original Zorro in this film.

6. The Phantom

When The Phantom appears online (not very frequently), it’s often to poke fun at Billy Zane’s purple costume, which accurately represents the original Lee Falk comics, or its catchphrase “Slam evil!”. However, there are some excellent practical stunt sequences in the movie ‘The Phantom’, and Billy Zane is quite endearing as the Phantom. Catherine Zeta-Jones, who was young and strikingly beautiful at the time, plays an immoral pirate. I’m not particularly fond of the climactic and puzzling laser fight between Zane and Treat Williams, and the movie seems like a shorter version of a more intricate story (or perhaps multiple stories by Falk). Nevertheless, The Phantom has a horse and a wolf as his companions, and in one scene, they communicate through barks and growls. This tops anything Batman has to offer.

7. The Punisher

In this reimagining, the vigilante Frank Castle resides in an underground hideout akin to that of the Ninja Turtles, engages in combat with underwater ninjas (much like the Ninja Turtles), speaks in a gruff manner similar to Dolph Lundgren, confronts the Yakuza within an antiquated amusement park where multiple adversaries simultaneously ride large slides while shooting guns, and in one instance, after Frank demolishes a mobster’s residence, a journalist exclaims “Goodness gracious, it’s The Punisher!” This initial film adaptation of The Punisher may not be the most renowned portrayal of the character, but for my personal enjoyment, I find it to be undeniably entertaining.

8. Sky High

Before Disney acquired Marvel, they attempted to launch their own comic book series based on the concept of “Sky High,” which bore similarities to both the X-Men and Harry Potter. This school was designed for budding superhumans, where students were categorized as heroes (representing jocks) or sidekicks (similar to nerds). Sky High, despite its clever metaphor, had a lot of heart and boasted an impressive ensemble cast of adult characters, including Kurt Russell, Lynda Carter, Cloris Leachman, and Bruce Campbell. Although it didn’t earn enough to warrant a sequel, the film stands tall alongside any of the popular Marvel movies currently available for streaming.

9. Spider-Man 3

The final Spider-Man film directed by Sam Raimi has been unfairly criticized, even by Raimi himself. While it’s true that not everything in the movie is perfect, there are many strong points, such as some of the best action sequences from the Maguire trilogy, like the thrilling mid-air rescue of Gwen Stacy. The main issue for many viewers is the portrayal of Venom, particularly how Raimi uses the black suit as a running joke, which was quite out of sync with the trend towards dark and gritty superheroes at that time. However, when you consider Spider-Man 3 as Raimi intentionally satirizing the concept of a “dark” comic book movie through Venom, the film makes more sense and becomes more enjoyable.

10. Superman III

In an era when each superhero film must be a battle for the universe’s survival with grandiose stakes and stunning visual effects, there is merit in a modest and intentionally comical film like “Superman III”. Portions of it resemble a Tati-inspired comedy, with Superman occasionally appearing as if he’s wandered into it from another universe, much like an adaptation of a peculiar issue of “Metropolis Chronicles”. Other segments offer a subtle but incisive commentary on capitalism – a system that Superman has been fighting since his earliest escapades in “Action Comics”. Moreover, it’s challenging to fully discount a movie where Superman transforms into an antagonist and his first action is correcting the Leaning Tower of Pisa, seemingly just to annoy a modest souvenir vendor. What a jerk he was!

11. Swamp Thing

As a passionate cinephile, I can’t help but reminisce about my encounter with the legendary Swamp Thing back in the day! Two years prior to “A Nightmare on Elm Street”, the master of horror, Wes Craven, brought this iconic DC Comics creature to life on the big screen. The role of the scientist turned sentient swamp being was brilliantly portrayed by Ray Wise, following a dreadful lab accident.

Craven’s vision for Swamp Thing was grander than his budget allowed, with the costume appearing more impressive in the subsequent sequel. However, the original Swamp Thing offers a unique blend of chills, laughter, and a touch of poetic wisdom about our natural world. Although this movie is often overlooked now, before the green giant makes his comeback in a new film (rumored to be directed by James Mangold of “Logan” fame), it’s definitely worth revisiting the roots of this fascinating character on the silver screen.

12. Teen Titans Go! To the Movies

Pay attention, lovers of metacomedy: The upcoming live-action adaptation of the long-running Cartoon Network series featuring DC’s teen sidekicks could ruthlessly question the concept of superhero films even further than The LEGO Batman Movie. (It also features Will Arnett voicing the villain, Slade.) When Robin complains about how every DC hero except him is getting a movie (and he’s right!), the Titans head to Hollywood, where they learn that the only way they can get their own spinoff is if no other heroes exist. They do what any excellent caped crusaders would do in this situation: They travel back in time to prevent Superman, Batman, and the rest of the Justice League from ever wearing a cape or cowl. Additionally, Nicolas Cage takes on the role of Superman! Teen Titans Go! to the Movies is not only an underappreciated film, but it’s also highly rewatchable, particularly for parents with kids who enjoy goofy humor.

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2025-07-25 19:28