20 Weirdest Superhero Movies of All Time

There’s no doubting the popularity of superhero films. In the late 2010s, there was nothing like them, with multiplexes guaranteeing the presence of the genre in every single schedule of every day. Though the genre seemed to take a break after the MCU finished its most important phase from a commercial point of view, a full stop has never occurred. Studios capitalize on it and most likely will continue to, with TV and streaming enlarging the spectrum of the genre. Superhero films won’t go anywhere anytime soon, and with the announcement of X-Men ’97, a comeback is inevitable.

However, they weren’t always as friendly as they were during their peak. The evolution was necessary and effective, and what felt like an experimental style of storytelling became the most successful film format of the 21st century (so far). Needless to say, there’s a very high chance that what you see on the screens isn’t the only thing in existence. There are offshoots, and today we gather ourselves to celebrate the weird, the ugly, and the beautiful. These are the weirdest superhero films in the history of cinema.

20 The Meteor Man (1993)

In the superhero comedy The Meteor Man, Jefferson Reed is a naive schoolteacher who’s tired of living in a very violent version of Washington, D.C. Street crime is unstoppable and is led by crime lords who aren’t exactly ashamed of what they do for a living. One day, Reed is struck by a meteorite, is heavily injured, and is put in a hospital. But as it turns out, all his wounds are miraculously gone, and he has acquired superpowers. Of course, he turns into a vigilante, trying to get rid of crime in his neighborhood.

Funny Cameo Compilation and Not Much Else

Written, produced, directed, and starring Robert Townsend, The Meteor Man is an insane product of its time. Cheesy, and with the opposite of state-of-the-art special effects, the film was a cautionary tale trapped in a comedy with a superhero making a powerful statement about the need to fight street violence.

Not many people remember to this day, but those who grew up in the ’90s are probably quite familiar because of the reruns. It’s mostly remembered because of its cameos, which include Big Daddy Kane, Luther Vandross, Cypress Hill, and Sinbad, among others. The Meteor Man isn’t available to stream anywhere today.

19 Mystery Men (1999)

Mystery Men is the story of a gang of “super” heroes who have nothing super about them or any powers. They live in Champion City, where crime is controlled by Captain Amazing, a fearless dude heavily sponsored by brands who unfortunately gets captured by a disco-loving supervillain called Casanova Frankenstein.

The team of underdogs decides to take care of it by compiling a team of basically those who believe in the cause. From the bowling ball wiz called The Bowler to Spleen, a man capable of passing lethal gas, they will do everything at their disposal to restore peace.

Underrated and Clever Superhero Comedy

The film had an enormous cast of great performers. Ben Stiller, Janeane Garofalo, William H. Macy, Greg Kinnear, Geoffrey Rush, and Claire Forlani, among others. This is possibly where its budget went—one that was never recovered as the film was a box-office flop that people didn’t really understand. Today, it has the capacity to go into “cult movie” mode with its hilarious commentary on the genre. Now, where the heck is that sequel? You can rent Mystery Men on Apple TV.

18 Howard the Duck (1986)

Howard the Duck is the story of Howard, an anthropomorphic duck who lives in Duckworld and who accidentally lands on Earth after his armchair malfunctions. Beverly, a girl he defends by fighting some criminals, decides to help Howard get back, but there’s no hope. He gets a job, but he’s not very good at it, and Beverly always comforts him. Eventually, they get romantically involved. And if you don’t think the film is absurd enough, wait until Dark Overlord of the Universe shows up, kidnaps Beverly, and Howard tries to save her.

A Concept That Was Never Going to Work

Straight from the mind of George Lucas, Howard the Duck aims to be a superhero film, but it’s simply too inconsistent. Calling it that is actually an understatement if we see how it was received upon release. It’s still considered one of the worst films ever made. Yes, it garnered a solid cult following, but it isn’t exactly an average superhero film. Just think of this: when you think of superheroes, you don’t actually think of a horny humanoid duck who knows martial arts, right? You can rent Howard the Duck on Apple TV.

Related: 10 Marvel/DC Crossover Comics to Check out if You Love Superhero Movies

17 The Rocketeer (1991)

Joe Johnston’s The Rocketeer takes audiences to the late 1930s in California, where Howard Hughes has power and the Nazis have infiltrated American society. Hughes’ latest invention, a rocket pack, gets stolen, but it lands in the hands of a stunt pilot called Cliff Secord. Secord and his mechanic, Peevy, start experimenting with the device, and this instantly draws the attention of Nazis, criminals, and the FBI. What does Secord do? Well, he starts using it to fight crime.

A Classic Film That Should Return

Despite receiving positive reviews from critics and viewers, the movie did not make a huge profit for Disney. It just wasn’t what they were looking for in terms of franchise building. But The Rocketeer is an exciting sci-fi action film that goes down the superhero path because of its premise, but it doesn’t suffer from pointless violence. The special effects are impressive, and the production design is one of the best you’ll see in the world of live-action Disney. Everyone’s still waiting for the sequel to be made. You can stream The Rocketeer on Disney+.

16 The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984)

W. D. Richter’s production of The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension is a great example of cinema that was only possible in the more open-minded era of the ’80s. Both from the audience and also from the producers’ perspective. Such a film would not be made today.

It tells the story of Dr. Buckaroo Banzai, a surgeon, physicist, pilot, and guitar god who accepts the challenge of saving Earth from aliens from Planet 10. Oh, and he also has to fight against Dr. Emilio Lizardo, a scientist who’s behind Banzai’s technology and becomes obsessed with the oscillation overthruster, a device that allows interdimensional travel.

The Strange One that Wouldn’t Be Made Today

The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension isn’t only a weird superhero film. It’s a weird film, period. The script, the tone, the characters. Starring a plethora of notable actors like Peter Weller, Clancy Brown, Ellen Barkin, John Lithgow, Jeff Goldblum, Dan Hedaya, and Christopher Lloyd, among others, the film is an ’80s superhero classic film that still feels authentic and original.

Unfortunately, people didn’t really understand the premise and concept, and the box-office results were more than horrible. If you’re into ’80s technology, this is one you should watch right away. You can stream The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension on Tubi.

15 The Mask (1994)

Chuck Russell’s The Mask is the story of Stanley Ipkiss, a bank clerk who isn’t exactly a successful and appealing dude. He’s also pretty naive and doesn’t realize a new customer is actually trying to gather information for a robbery. Edge City is at the hands of a crime lord who seems unstoppable.

But Stanley finds something that will change his life. A wooden mask that, when worn, turns the person into a loud and powerful entity that has the capacity to turn the impossible into the possible. For Stanley, wearing the mask means he acquires powers that, as he literally says, will make him a superhero, get the girl, and fight a very relentless crime lord.

A Comedy Icon Is Born

Jim Carrey wasn’t exactly a new guy in the industry when he starred in The Mask. However, this was the one that put him in the spotlight, in the most important year of his career (in 1994, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Dumb and Dumber were also released). It’s probably his best performance because it allowed him to express his comedic skills without any limits and with the help of spectacular special effects that still look great to this day. Yes, it’s a superhero comedy thriller that doesn’t respect the rules of its genres and ends up being a very entertaining experience. You can rent The Mask on Prime Video.

14 Super (2010)

In Super, Frank Darbo is a cook who’s in a constant state of daydreaming. But he isn’t a dumb dude with a lack of attention to details. He just wishes he were someone else. His wife leaves him, and Frank’s only goal is to follow a vision he has during a depressive state. Frank believes God has chosen him to defend the locals against crime. Frank becomes The Crimson Bolt and starts fighting anyone who doesn’t follow the rules. So far, we’ve described an average film, but there’s nothing normal about this one.

An Underrated “Superhero” Flick That’s Worth Revisiting

After his feature directorial debut and before making Guardians of the Galaxy for the MCU, James Gunn approached the superhero genre differently. Written and directed by Gunn, Super is an extremely original superhero film that doesn’t streamline itself into an idealistic and mostly fake concept. It just goes with its own flow of realism.

There’s nothing supernatural about The Crimson Bolt, but audiences don’t need more from him. Frank is portrayed by The Office actor Rainn Wilson, who has been very clear about this being his most memorable performance. You can stream Super on Tubi.

13 Deadpool (2016)

Deadpool is Tim Miller’s superhero film for 20th Century Fox that hinges on comedy ground very frequently. Sure, it’s a spin-off of X-Men, but it’s impossible to say it’s part of the world from the perspective of its context. Wade Wilson is simply not an average superhero.

In the film, the first of what are now three films, Wade Wilson is a former special forces operative who’s now working as a contract killer. He falls in love and gets married, but then tragedy strikes. Wade has cancer and simply takes off without telling anyone. When he accepts experimental treatment, Wade becomes invincible. He gets horribly scarred, but the serum in his body allows him to regenerate from every wound. Guess what happens when he finds out he can fight crime.

The One that Dared to be Different

One of the best action comedies in modern cinema, Deadpool is exactly what Disney and its peers are afraid of being. Under the umbrella of Fox, there was no excuse to make Deadpool a friendly superhero, so they just went with a different flow of raunchy comedy and extreme violence.

This way, Deadpool became a memorable black sheep that, even though it followed the narrative rules of superhero films, wasn’t an average “hero saves the day” film. Wade Wilson is the perfect antihero and a great example of weird superhero cinema that matters. You can stream Deadpool on Disney+.

12 Blankman (1994)

In Mike Binder’s Blankman, Darryl and Kevin Walker are brothers who grew up fans of everything regarding superheroes, especially Batman. Darryl is a nerdy inventor with a nasal and obnoxious voice, and Kevin is a cameraman for a tabloid outlet. They live with their grandma, but unfortunately, she gets murdered by criminals working for a famous mobster.

This event and the following lack of justice put Darryl in a trance, or so Kevin thinks. Thinking this is his brother’s way to cope, he encourages him to build an identity so they can fight crime and eventually get their revenge.

Not Exactly a People’s Favorite

Starring Damon Wayans at the peak of stardom, Blankman is an obscure parody that no one took seriously back in 1994. But the film’s sparse moments of comedy and excitement come at the hands of the actor, whose ability to provide comic relief is proven throughout the entire film. The film was panned by critics, who didn’t click with the silly portrayal of a vigilante who wears a costume like the one you would make while on a drinking binge at your grandma’s closet. You can stream Blankman on PlutoTV.

11 Chronicle (2012)

Chronicle tells the story of Andrew, Matt, and Steve as they discover something extraordinary in the woods. After “making contact,” they start exhibiting weird abilities. Andrew is always recording with his video camera, so what begins as an adventure turns into classic teenage shenanigans. The thing is that their limits are not drawn early on. They can’t control themselves and begin using their superpowers for things other than good. Andrew wasn’t exactly a popular guy, so when Matt confronts him, his attitude turns into that of a villain. Do you see where we’re going here?

The most interesting approach to the genre on the list is one of the best antihero sci-fi films of all time. It’s well-acted, the special effects are great, and the found footage format is cleverly used to make this a unique experience that you will not forget. The best thing about it is how it uses its dramatic dynamic to appeal to fans of the superhero genre and to give its dramatic arc a well-rounded climax. This very bizarre superhero film features Michael B. Jordan (Steve) in one of his early roles. You can rent Chronicle on Apple TV.

10 Darkman (1990)

Sam Raimi’s Darkman tells the story of Peyton Westlake, a specialist on burn victims who’s developing a new technology for helping those who have been burned beyond recognition. His girlfriend, Julie Hastings, is an attorney who has just uncovered a major conspiracy. When mobsters attack Dr. Westlake in retribution, he’s left for dead after burning his hands and face with acid. They then blow up the lab, and Julie witnesses his death.

Only he has survived but is unrecognizable. He also is unable to feel pain, which becomes crucial when he develops a new synthetic skin he can wear to fight crime, avenge his attack, and finally reveal to Julie that he’s the same man, only horribly burned behind the mask that he’s built.

One of the Best Superhero Movies of the 1990s

Before making his version of Spider-Man, Raimi had to leave his horror past behind. Three years ago, he had made Evil Dead II, and had made a name for himself in horror circles. But after trying to do his version of The Shadow or Batman, no one liked his pitch. So he set out to make his own superhero film.

Darkman has horror elements and enough action sequences to keep you on the edge of your seat, and it’s probably the most underrated film on this list. Raimi’s homage to Universal Pictures’ horror films of the ’30s stars Liam Neeson and Frances McDormand in roles you would never see them play again after their careers blew up. You can rent Darkman on Apple TV.

Based on Alan Moore’s comic book series, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen tells the story of Allan Quartermain, an adventurer who thought he had retired for good until he’s recruited to prevent a terrorist group from bombing a secret meeting where world leaders will gather. But M, the recruiter, also adds a lot of spice to the mix. He forms the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, which also includes Captain Nemo, Mina Harker (Jonathan’s wife and Dracula’s nemesis), Dr. Hyde (yes, the one you know about), and Tom Sawyer.

A VFX Collection of Nonsense

Starring Sean Connery in a rare modern performance outside the Bond-verse, which was also one of his last appearances on the big screen, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is an inconsistent mess of a movie that was critically panned, but audiences seemed to like it enough.

Most of the film’s issues have to do with Connery’s clash with director Stephen Norrington, who, along with the writers, never worked again on a live-action film. Connery also learned his lesson, and he also retired from acting after the debacle of a strange horror-action superhero film that no one seems to remember today. You can stream The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen on Hulu.

8 Brightburn (2019)

In Brightburn, 12-year-old Brandon Breyer is convinced he’s a regular boy. But as the film’s intro will reveal, his parents actually recovered from a UFO crash site. Puberty seems to be the perfect period for Brandon’s powers to emerge, and he starts showing super strength and the ability to fly. So far, so good, right?

But things take a dark turn in Brightburn. A “horror movie” kind of direction, in which Brandon reveals he has anger issues he can’t control. He’s socially awkward as well, but he uses his powers to hover outside the window of the house where his crush lives. Eventually, he becomes incontrollable, and Brandon proves that some superheroes are better if left unborn.

The Antihero That Should Have Been Better

With a solid premise like that, Brightburn should have been much better. Especially considering superhero guru James Gunn is behind the production and his brothers were the screenwriters. But the movie fails considerably when paying respect to the superhero genre, often trying to stay within the boundaries of Brandon’s arc and trying to justify his acts and behavior. If you see this weird superhero adventure as a pure horror film, you will enjoy it much more. You can stream Brightburn on fuboTV.

7 Spawn (1997)

Spawn tells the story of Al Simmons, a marine corps super soldier who hates his ethically ambiguous line of work. His latest mission brings him to North Korea, where he’s supposed to infiltrate a weapons plant. But his superior is actually trying to kill him. Jason Wynn orders his best assassin to kill Al and leave no evidence. Simmons is burned to death and taken to Hell, where he’s offered a deal. If he becomes a servant, he will be able to see his wife again.

Al returns as Spawn, an antihero coming straight from hell who seeks revenge and will stop at nothing until he gets it. But then a clown-like entity known as Violator is sent to make sure Spawn follows through with his orders, and while he isn’t exactly a threat, he’s the most interesting character in the movie.

A Misunderstood Film

Mark A.Z. Dippé, the special effects wizard that created the special effects for Jurassic Park and Terminator 2: Judgment Day, attempted to enter Hollywood royalty with his film, Spawn. The result wasn’t exactly a grand welcome. The special effects and makeup are fantastic, but the film feels like an unfinished product whose themes of religion and theology aren’t exactly developed enough.

Based on Todd McFarlane’s comic book series, Spawn’s constantly remembered due to its risky “metal meets techno” soundtrack and because audiences have been waiting forever for a reboot. You can rent Spawn on Prime Video.

6 Hancock (2008)

In Hancock, by actor-turned-director Peter Berg, John Hancock’s powers have the capacity to save the world from any threat. That is, if he learns how to use them. The man is an alcoholic, foul-mouthed superhuman whose powers can’t save him from public scrutiny.

But when he saves the right guy, things change. Ray Embrey offers Hancock the chance to change his image and become the superhero people will really like. Only Ray’s wife is against this, but there is reason for such rejection, which is the real motif behind this really underrated film.

An Underrated Superhero Drama

Berg’s insane twist of a superhero film, Hancock, spent many years in development hell as no one picked up on the idea. But then in 2005, Will Smith signed on to play the antihero, and a few changes of directors later, we were treated to this bizarre and heavily dramatic superhero film.

The special effects are great, but what moves Hancock is its plot, a character-driven journey that’s unlike any other superhero arc you’ve seen in the past. It’s, without a doubt, one of the best superhero films outside the DC or Marvel spectrum. You can rent Hancock on Prime Video.

5 Kick-Ass (2010)

Kick-Ass is the story of Dave Lizewski, a pretty average teenager whose idea of fun consists of reading comic books. He gets inspired by them and does the impossible to become a real-life superhero. He makes the costumes and buys the hardware, but he doesn’t really achieve his goal. After continuing his training, and after he saves a man in a gang attack, he decides to call himself Kick-Ass. Eventually, he’s recruited by Big Daddy and Hit-Girl, a father-daughter duo who also fight crime, and he joins them to take down the man who framed Big Daddy.

The One Exclusively Suited for Adults

Before dedicating himself to other superhero franchises like X-Men and Kingsman, Matthew Vaughn tried it with Kick-Ass. The result is an ultraviolent piece that was unlike anything that had been released up to that point.

The profanity, the gore, and the depth of the characters made it a compelling shift in the genre that appealed to everyone who was bored with the same formula. This weird superhero concept is currently being rebooted, but we’re doubtful if it’ll follow the same agenda of “rules mean nothing.” It should. You can stream Kick-Ass on Peacock Premium.

Related: 11 Superhero Movies That Took Home Academy Awards

4 The Suicide Squad (2021)

The Suicide Squad is a revamping of the big-screen portrayals of the characters we had seen first in David Ayer’s film of 2016. Far from being the same film, this time James Gunn is leading the ship, and he pushes for a more atypical film that runs on the same premise of convicts who accept a dangerous gig if it means their sentences will be cut down. This is how a group gets sent to Corto Maltese to get rid of a gigantic alien starfish before it falls into the hands of a local dictator.

Extremely Violent and Fun Superhero Joint

Written and directed by James Gunn on his first step to transition to Warner Bros. and DC, The Suicide Squad was Warner’s best attempt at injecting new life into the franchise that was supposed to compete against the more prominent one from Marvel.

But the result is something incomparable that cleverly balances its comedy and action elements to appeal to most members of the audience, but it’s not afraid to go against the rules. And that it does with a fascinating set of characters that Gunn designs to his own preference. It was good enough to leave an imprint and still make us wonder what will happen to the franchise. You can stream The Suicide Squad on Max.

3 Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Guardians of the Galaxy is the first volume of a set of movies that don’t run at the same pace as their peers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This one is a black sheep with enough references and pop culture winks to make you wonder if the director is actually taking it seriously. The film tells the story of Peter Quill, a treasure hunter who finds an orb on an abandoned planet. After a price is put on his head, Quill begins running, but a series of alien criminals join him in the quest for something much bigger.

A Pebble in the Shoe

Also by James Gunn, Guardians of the Galaxy was the film that changed the formula of the MCU when it got streamlined into being a product for fans and not much else. Gunn entered the picture and made a funny and very entertaining movie that never went outside its universe and contributed to the bigger story from the perspective of logic.

But not much else. It features enough needle drops to convince you of the fact that it isn’t a regular Disney film, and its central characters are among the most compelling in the MCU. You can stream Guardians of the Galaxy on Disney+.

2 Unbreakable (2000)

In 2000, we were presented with a trailer that spoke highly of the writer behind Unbreakable. In the very short preview, we saw the story of security guard David Dunn as he boards a train that’s taking him back home. The train derails, and all passengers are killed, except Dunn, who stands up without a scratch and people as a saint. As it turns out, David is a special man who’s able to indulge in superhuman strength and has no recollection of ever being sick. But all heroes have a nemesis. And David will meet him soon.

A Weird Approach That’s Shyamalan’s Best Film

For some, it’s M. Night Shyamalan’s best film. We can’t argue against that, given how effective and well-written it is. The most important thing is that, as audience viewers, we don’t acknowledge the fact that Shyamalan is playing with us by inserting another genre very slowly.

It’s not until the not-so-climactic ending that we become aware that this is a superhero film that doesn’t recognize the rules of the genre and instead portrays a man dealing with something extraordinary. Not only his capacity to fight crime but also the fact that he has an antagonist in this world that will do anything to make him recognize his true nature. You can stream Unbreakable on Max.

1 The Toxic Avenger (1984)

The Toxic Avenger tells the story of Melvin Ferd Junko III, a janitor who’s constantly being bullied by idiotic clients at the health club where Melvin currently works. The bullying goes too far, and Melvin is summoned into a bad joke and gets chased by his attackers, who can’t help but see him fall into toxic waste. Badly burned and deformed, Melvin goes home and gets in the bathtub to see if he’ll recover. Instead, he’s turned into a massive monster with superhuman strength. The next day, he’s the new superhero that will change things in Tromaville, New Jersey.

The Weirdest Film on the List by Far

Straight out of the mind of Lloyd Kaufman and his company, Troma Entertainment, The Toxic Avenger is an extremely weird superhero film that Kaufman thought of when he read an article that said horror films were becoming less popular. He set out to make his own version of it and instead produced a bizarre and graphic superhero film that’s anything but uplifting and pretty.

​​​​​​​On the contrary, it runs on its own sense of humor and features a splatterfest of practical effects and gore, unlike anything you’ve seen in the universe of superheroes. The reboot, which is coming in the future, only makes us wonder about what they’ll bring back from the original. You can stream The Toxic Avenger​​​​​​​ on Freevee.

Let’s stay off the beaten path of superhero films and take a look at the most unlikable superheroes in movies: