10 Best Non-Marvel And Non-DC Superhero Films

TV & Film

Feb 9

Kick-Ass 2 Promo poster — Image Source: Empire

Marvel and DC films have become synonymous with superhero movies and it is easy to forget other gems exist beyond the realms of these franchises. In this article, we bring you 10 super awesome superhero movies from all over the world that have not been created by Marvel and DC, but are worth your time if you enjoy superhero movies. To preserve objectivity, the movies have been ranked based on their IMDb ratings. This list also does not include animated movies. Let’s dive in!

10. Yeom-Iyeok (IMDb Rating: 5.9)

Titled Psychokinesis in English, this 2018 South Korean movie is written and directed by Yeon Sang-ho. Security personnel Seok-heon (played by Seung-ryong Ryu) develops telekinetic powers after he drinks water from a mountain spring created by a meteor. He then uses these powers to help his estranged daughter, Roo-mi (played by Shim Eun-kyung) save her fried chicken restaurant from an evil construction company.

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9. Super Fuzz (IMDb Rating: 6.3)

This 1980 Italian superhero comedy directed by Sergio Corbucci tells the story of officer Dave Speed’s (played by Terence Hill) adventures when he gains a bunch of superpowers after inadvertently getting exposed to nuclear radiation. Similar to Green Lantern’s weakness to the color yellow, the color red neutralizes his power.

8. The Heroic Trio (IMDb Rating: 6.5)

The legendary Michelle Yeoh plays the Invisible Woman in this 1993 Hong Kong superhero action film directed by Johnnie To. The Invisible Woman is on a baby kidnapping spree to serve the Evil Master. However, her efforts are thwarted by her sword-slinging, knife-throwing, crime-fighting vigilante sister Wonder Woman (played by Anita Mu) and her childhood friend Thief Catcher (played by Maggie Cheung) who is now a bounty hunter.

7. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (IMDb Rating: 6.7)

The 1990 chelonian-themed superhero movie was directed by Steve Barron and was based on the comic book series of the same name. Four turtles named after Renaissance artists fight off the ninja Foot Clan responsible for propagating a silent crime wave.

6. The Mask (IMDb Rating: 6.9)

Jim Carrey brought the green-faced maniacal superhero to life in the Chuck Russell-directed 1994 movie, The Mask. The film was based on a comic series of the same name published by Dark Horse Comics. Stanley Ipkiss, a shy and insecure bank clerk, is the proverbial doormat. Little does he know that his life is about to change forever when he picks up an ancient wooden mask. Wearing the mask, which is actually the Mask of Loki, turns Stanley into the Mask, giving him a variety of superpowers that help him fight crime.

5. Unbreakable (IMDb Rating 7.3)

M. Night Shyamalan’s 2000 superhero thriller is the first in the Unbreakable trilogy. Comic book expert, Elijah Price (played by Samuel L. Jackson), who suffers from brittle bone disease, seeks out former star football player and train wreck survivor David Dunn (played by Bruce Willis) and tries to convince him that David is unbreakable, the opposite of Elijah. David soon finds out he has other superpowers such as the ability to know the crimes that someone committed by touching them. These abilities help him uncover Elijah’s dark truth.

4. The Crow (IMDb Rating: 7.5)

The 1994 supernatural superhero movie is based on the James O’Barr comic. Brandon Lee (Bruce Lee’s son) plays Eric Draven, the resurrected rock musician, who has been bestowed with supernatural abilities. He is guided by a crow in avenging the murder of his fiancee. Tragically, Lee was fatally wounded during production. The film has since gained a cult following.

3. Kick-Ass (IMDb Rating: 7.6)

Matthew Vaughn’s 2010 superhero comedy is based on a comic series of the same name. Though the comic series was originally published by Marvel, the Kick-Ass franchise is no longer owned by Marvel.

Aaron Johnson plays the titular character who is an ordinary teenager with dreams of becoming a superhero. He gets embroiled in Big Daddy’s (played by Nicholas Cage) plans of revenge.

2. RoboCop (IMDb Rating: 7.6)

Director Paul Verhoeven’s RoboCop is a 1987 science fiction superhero movie that reflects on the possible effects of mechanization on society and the resulting loss of humanity. Set in a dystopian future, it follows the life, or the lack thereof, of the former police officer Alex Murphy (played by Peter Weller) who is revived from a fatal incident as the cyborg law enforcer RoboCop. The film is considered to be one of the best in the genre and is praised for its philosophical and satirical themes.

1. Mr. India (IMDb Rating: 7.7)

The 1987 Shekhar Kapur movie gave India its very own superhero, Mr. India, whose secret identity is that of the ordinary and destitute street violinist with a big heart, Arun Verma (played by Anil Kapoor). When Arun discovers a cloaking device invented by his late father, he uses it to become the invisible Mr. India to save the country from the evil Mogambo (played by Amrish Puri). The movie acquires a cult status in India and is cherished for its music, actors, and the theme of the victory of good over evil.

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