While Marvel and DC characters have dominated both the comic book medium and blockbuster cinema, not every film based on comics follows caped heroes. In fact, an array of critically acclaimed films from a variety of genres are based on graphic novels, some of which helped raise the bar for their medium.
Comic book movies have experienced a boom over the last two decades, thanks in large part to the unprecedented success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). As properties like Iron Man and the Guardians of the Galaxy went from obscurity to the mainstream, studios looked to more stories to captivate audiences. Ranging from pastiches of beloved spy thrillers to award-winning dramas, an array of brilliant films have shown that comics are more than just capes and cowls.
10
Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)
Based on Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons’ Secret Service (2012)
Few comic book creators have made out as well from the boom in movie adaptations as Mark Millar. Best known for his work on Kick-ᴀss, “Old Man Logan” and Civil War, the creator made his mark on the spy genre through his collaboration with Dave Gibbons on Secret Service. In 2014, the story was handed off to director Matthew Vaughn, whose film tells the story of Eggsy, a working-class youth who’s recruited by the тιтular spy agency.
One of the 2010s’ best action movies, Kingsman: The Secret Service gave audiences a high-octane take on James Bond for the 21st century, using the perspective of a blue collar youth in place of the suave 007. From its laugh-out-loud humor to action sequences that put Mission: Impossible to shame, the film earned the love of action and comedy fans alike. From its unique gadgets to mastery of subtle parody, the film is a welcome departure from the tone of old school spy movies towards something more modern.
9
300 (2007)
Based on Frank Miller and Lynn Varley’s 300 (1998)
Under Dark Horse comics, Frank Miller mythologized the battle between Leonidas’ Spartan warriors and an army of invading Persians in his comic book 300. In 2007, director Zack Snyder adapted the five-issue miniseries to the big screen, using his signature love of slow motion to ensure a visually-captivating action movie. Bringing style to Ancient Greece, the film plays on an exaggerated perspective of the conflict, pitting just three hundred soldiers against a million-man army.
300 plays brilliantly on the last stand trope and gives audiences one of the best celebrations of machismo ever seen on the big screen. Glorifying the Spartans like no film before it, Snyder’s epic made the typical action film of its day seem amateurish by comparison through its breathtaking battle sequences. Becoming a genuine cultural touchstone of the 2000s, the film perfected the “sword and sandal” sub-genre, with no movie since surpᴀssing it.
8
30 Days of Night (2007)
Based on Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith’s 30 Days of Night (2002)
In 2002, horror comic creators Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith gave then-aspiring publisher IDW Publishing one of its first real hits in 30 Days of Night. Using the cover of Alaska’s month-long night to craft a terrifying vampire survival story, the miniseries was picked up by Sam Raimi, who produced it through Columbia Pictures. Having originally been pitched by the creators to be a film, the story naturally made for one of the year’s best horror films.
30 Days of Night uses the isolation and helplessness of its desolate Arctic setting to deliver the same terror as classic films like The Thing. As one of the scariest depictions of vampires in a time when the genre was trending towards fantasy instead of horror, the movie made audiences fear the bloodsuckers the way they should be.
7
Extraction (2020)
Based on Ande Parks and Fernando Leon Gonzalez’ Ciudad (2012)
While many comic book adaptations are of well-known mainstream books, some studios have proven an ability to turn the most obscure stories into gold. Few films are as much a testament to this as Netflix’s adaptation of Ciudad, a graphic novel that follows a hardened mercenary on a seemingly impossible rescue mission. The movie cast Chris Hemsworth, H๏τ off his success as the MCU’s Thor, as Tyler Rake, the elite warrior tasked with saving a boy in India.
Extraction built on the success and style of successful action movies like John Wick and The Raid, leading viewers on an explosive, nerve-wracking escape. Along with its 2023 sequel, director Sam Hargrave’s treatment of the graphic novel delivered a gritty and stunning action story, one especially tailored to fans of shoot ’em up video games.
6
Dredd (2012)
Based on John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra’s Judge Dredd (1977-Present)
Since 1977, John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra’s legendary antihero, Judge Dredd, has been one of Britain’s leading comic book properties. After a critically panned 1995 adaptation with Sylvester Stallone in the leading role, Mega-City One’s toughest cop was finally done justice in 2012’s Dredd. Casting Karl Urban as the gritty lawman, the movie follows him and his partner, Anderson, as they contend with a ruthless crime lord and her gang in a sealed-off tower block.
Dredd took the premise behind the previous year’s breakout action hit The Raid and brought it to Mega-City One, giving the antihero no choice but to shoot his way to survival. Directed by Pete Travis, the movie’s use of stylish slow-motion shootouts and a darker tone than the ’95 movie made for one of the decade’s best cult hits. Where the Stallone version was an exercise in world-building, this gritty reboot was simply perfect for the character.
5
Sin City (2005)
Based on Frank Miller’s Sin City Universe (1991-Present)
After turning Daredevil and Batman into two of the best heroes in print, comic book legend Frank Miller introduced the world to his Sin City universe. Beginning in 1991, these comics paid homage to the old days of hard-boiled pulp magazines, focusing on a slew of flawed, but valiant antiheroes in a city marred by violence and corruption. In 2005, Miller himself teamed up with several prominent ’90s directors, such as Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez, to bring his stories to life.
Exploring the fight of a hardened detective, a vengeful criminal, and a community of Sєx workers against the mob, Miller’s directorial debut makes for a brilliant thriller anthology. Calling back to the days of film Noir, few movies have offered audiences as direct and faithful an adaptation of original source material as Sin City. From Bruce Willis to Mickey Rourke, the entire cast sells viewers on the grimy setting and tough guy heroes from beginning to end.
4
Snowpiercer (2013)
Based on Jacques Lob and Jean-Marc Rochette’s Le Transperceneige (1982)
Dystopia has been explored in an array of movies and comics, but very few films have been able to match the intensity and fast-paced thrill of 2013’s Snowpiercer. Set aboard a giant, Noah’s Ark-like train carrying the last remnants of humanity through a frozen wasteland, the film uses class revolution to craft a gritty, violent, and disturbing action story. Focusing on Curtis, a champion of the oppressed, the film is one big analogy for class warfare.
Using train cars as a metaphor for the class system, Bong Joon Ho’s thrilling sci-fi movie puts the true horror of extreme inequality on display. Building on the story of the French graphic novel Le Transperceneige, the film stands out as one of the most unique takes on dystopia to date. Wearing its political message on its sleeve, the film is a grim, emotional journey from the bottom of society to the top, one with plenty of twists along the way.
3
V For Vendetta (2005)
Based on Alan Moore and David Lloyd’s V For Vendetta (1988)
In the history of modern comics, it’s hard to avoid the influence of Alan Moore. Best known for his creation of Watchmen alongside artist Dave Gibbons, he revitalized characters like Swamp Thing, becoming one of the best-selling writers in the medium’s history. However, much of his most renowned work actually stems from his writing outside the superhero genre, with V For Vendetta being a classic.
Set in a fascistic dystopian Britain where a vigilante teams up with a prosтιтute to fight the state, V For Vendetta leads the audience through an explanation of how totalitarian governments build and maintain power. Written for the big screen by the Wachowski sisters fresh from the success of The Matrix, the film left audiences captivated by the symbolism of V and his war against tyranny — and it became a hallmark of real-world anti-fascist movements.
2
A History of Violence (2005)
Based on John Wagner and Vince Locke’s A History of Violence (1997)
After immortalizing his career through his work on Judge Dredd, John Wagner gave readers a gritty and grounded crime story in his 1997 graphic novel A History of Violence. Exploring the mystery surrounding a small-town hero’s past, the story was then adapted into one of the best crime dramas of the 2000s. Starring Viggo Mortensen in the leading role of Tom Stall, the film keeps viewers in a state of suspense as it forces them to question competing narratives until the final reveal.
A History of Violence brings an exceptional line-up of stars, from Ed Harris and Maria Bello to Mortensen himself, earning two Oscar nominations for the cast and screenplay. Whether experienced as a crime mystery or family drama, the film’s exploration of its characters helped remind critics that comics can inspire the best of cinema.
1
Road to Perdition (2002)
Based on Max Allan Collins and Richard Piers Rayner’s Road to Perdition (1998)
When it comes to the crime genre, two things have always been universally popular with audiences: gangsters and revenge. In his graphic novel Road to Perdition, Max Allan Collins combined the two, exploring the story of a mob enforcer and his son as they seek revenge against the gangster who killed their family. In 2002, director Sam Mendes was joined by a phenomenal cast, which included Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, and Daniel Craig, in adapting the story.
Road to Perdition makes for a thrilling and emotional tale of revenge, one surprisingly tender and bittersweet considering its genre. Showcasing an array of ruthless characters, from ᴀssᴀssins to the film’s protagonist, the film is among the most underrated gangster pictures of the 21st century.
