8 Essential Superhero Movies That Aren’t DC or Marvel
When people think of the superhero genre, it’s not uncommon for the top two to spring to mind. The DC Universe and the Marvel Cinematic Universe are two of the most globally known, loved, and successful franchises in the creation of huge-scale superhero storytelling. It has been that way for years and will likely remain so for a long time to come.
But what about the tales of heroes and villains that stem from other comic book origins or the originals that get their start through big-screen entertainment? There are multiple features that depict the general nature of this beloved genre that don’t have the names of DC or Marvel attached to them, and they deserve just as much recognition. There may not be as many that mean as much to people as those like Iron Man or Superman do. However, those features that exist outside of the two most prominent names in superhero movies are just as deserving of that same time and attention, thanks to some truly memorable and impactful stories.
8
‘Sky High’ (2005)
Directed by Mike Mitchell
Hero or sidekick? Kids who grew up in the mid to late 2000s will likely have at least heard of this 2005 teen superhero adventure from director Mike Mitchell. Attending school with the kids at Sky High meant you were the child of parents with superpowers and had much to learn in the way of honing your own unique abilities. For Will Stronghold, he had a lot to live up to, as his parents were considered the best of the best.
Sky High isn’t a typical high school. Its primary goal is that of teaching young students to use their powers to the best of their abilities and, of course, to determine who falls into the category of the all-important hero and who stands next to them as the all-important sidekick. Starring Michael Angarano, Kurt Russell, Kelly Preston, a young Danielle Panabaker, and many more, this cheesy yet enjoyable 2000s superhero movie will always be an entertaining trip down memory lane for those who grew up with it and a fun adventure for new youngsters who wish to attend superhero high school in the sky.
7
‘Brightburn’ (2019)
Directed by David Yarovesky
The horror side of the superhero genre isn’t seen all too often. However, when it is used and used correctly, it can provide a fresh, thrilling, edge-of-your-seat experience in the world of superheroes and, in these types of movies, primarily supervillains. At a glance, Brightburn is essentially a look at what could have happened had Superman chosen a different route than the heroic one he is so well known for, and it’s genuinely terrifying to see the chilling perspective of what someone with that strength and power would be capable of if used with dark intentions.
Brightburn may not be the most popular in the eyes of some critics, but as a horror superhero feature with the intention of freaking out its viewers, it’s really not that bad at all. In fact, it’s quite enjoyable from a horror standpoint. Produced by James Gunn and Kenneth Huang, Brightburn does a very good job of making people thankful that the Superman we all know chose the path he did and didn’t decide to start murdering people instead of helping them. It’s brutal, bloody, and downright creepy, but one of the best, most underrated horror superhero movies ever made.
6
‘Unbreakable’ (2000), ‘Split’ (2016), and ‘Glass’ (2019) aka ‘Unbreakable’ Trilogy
Directed by M. Night Shyamalan
The Unbreakable trilogy has become a trio of psychological horror movies with a dark twist on the superhero genre. It began with Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson‘s first installment in 2000, from which the trilogy gets its name. It then introduced a mysterious second part to the characters that would ultimately connect in 2016 with James McAvoy‘s Split before culminating the story in the now six-year-old Glass.
Glass may have ended on a weaker note than its predecessors, but for a trilogy as a whole, it is continuously capable of keeping viewers hook, line, and sinker into the story. It consistently has audiences wondering where the next twist or turn in the psychological trilogy will come, and there are a few moments that you don’t see coming at all. Overall, it’s an enjoyable depiction of their superhero origin stories. Psychological horror and superhero are two genres typically not paired together, but it somewhat worked for these three features.
5
‘Hellboy’ (2004)
Directed by Guillermo del Toro
Hellboy is a Dark Horse Comics character whose story has been attempted multiple times throughout the years, with the latest released in October last year to the majority of mixed reviews, as did its 2019 predecessor. But while the most recent additions to the Hellboy franchise may have crashed and burned, the original two in the series couldn’t be further from failure.
The first Hellboy feature film hit theaters in April 2004, splashing the hand-drawn comic pages of its readable counterpart onto the big screen with some impressive visuals and a devilishly charismatic main character to keep audiences hooked from beginning to end. Hellboy and its subsequent franchise may not be the most financially successful superhero movie ever. But the early 2000s nostalgia the original and its sequel, The Golden Army, hold for many fans is enough to keep them alive in the hearts of those who love them no matter how much time passes.
4
‘Kick-Ass’ (2010)
Directed by Matthew Vaughn
Kick-Ass is far from an average everyday superhero adventure that the whole family can sit down and enjoy, and it well and truly earns its R rating. The premise of this fifteen-year-old feature from director Matthew Vaughn is that of a group of individuals, primarily kids and teenagers, who wonder what would happen if superheroes were real. To test their curiosity, the masks go on, the fight skills come out to play, and much blood is shed with several graphic shots to the head.
As mentioned, it’s not your typical superhero movie. Think Deadpool-level combat with kids behind the wheel; that should give an idea. It’s probably not a good movie contender for those who aren’t fans of close-up violence. But for people who love an action comedy with a spoof-like take on the genre, it works incredibly well at what it set out to do. The Kick-Ass character may have originally been introduced in Marvel Comics, but the film has no ties to the MCU and is not owned by their production companies. Kick-Ass is a wacky, action-packed feature that any fan of the superhero genre should find the time to watch at least once.
- Release Date
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March 22, 2010
- Runtime
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117 minutes
- Director
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Matthew Vaughn
- Writers
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Jane Goldman, Matthew Vaughn, Mark Millar, John Romita Jr.
3
‘Megamind’ (2010)
Directed by Tom McGrath
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Megamind is a highly enjoyable animated superhero movie but is also one of the most criminally underrated. It could arguably be considered a spoofy-style superhero feature that has some similar aspects to Superman and previous films of its kind. But it’s a strong and very cleverly written feature of its own accord that plays to the likeness of both adults and children.
The movie depicts the individual lives of two babies evacuated to the safety of Earth after conflict on their home planets breaks out. They live two drastically different upbringings and become sworn enemies, one becoming a hero known as Metro Man (Brad Pitt) and the other taking on the persona of Megamind (Will Ferrell), who is essentially a spoofed Lex Luthor. Megamind has become an internet meme in more ways than one, has gained a wider following over the years despite still being rather underappreciated, and is genuinely funny from start to finish. However, it has a lot of heart within that doesn’t go unnoticed. For those fans of animation, spoofs, enjoyable dialogue, and entertaining characters, Megamind is perfect for everyone.
2
‘The Crow’ (1994)
Directed by Alex Proyas
The darkest movie on this list is also perhaps the most infamous, surrounded by mystique since even before its release. Due to the devastating accidental death of star Brandon Lee during production, Alex Proyas‘ film based on the comic created by James O’Barr carried a substantial amount of weight due to off-screen reasons. Pretty much everything on-screen carried a lot of weight too: the gripping thriller about a supernatural avenger is generally considered one of the best superhero movies of all time.
2024 saw a new version of The Crow—not technically a remake, though certainly a second swing at the source material—and it’s widely considered a dud. Despite starring the typically magnetic Bill Skarsgård, the 2024 film was a total misfire that seemed more like a John Wick ripoff than anything in the superhero genre.
1
‘The Incredibles’ (2004)
Directed by Brad Bird
The Incredibles is one of the most popular additions to Pixar‘s filmography, and it’s arguably one of a few that mean the most to fans worldwide. The animated adventure tells the story of a family of superheroes that must come out of hiding and work to save those around them when a new supervillain emerges and starts causing havoc.
Not only has The Incredibles become one of the most referenced superhero movies that don’t belong to Marvel or DC, but it’s also solidified itself as one of the most cherished stories from the animation genre as a whole. There’s no age limit to those who can enjoy this movie, and it’s one of those features perfect for easy repeat viewing. It never gets old, it’s fun for the whole family, and always a go-to for many fans. Now, where’s that super suit?
- Release Date
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October 27, 2004
- Runtime
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115 minutes
- Director
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Brad Bird
- Writers
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Brad Bird
