Superhero movies may have peaked with the MCU, but they have been around for a long time, with some movies fading from memory altogether. Superhero movies have always fallen into a weird cross-section of fantasy, sci-fi, and action. However, the rise of popular franchises like the MCU helped to further define the genre.

But long before the MCU, there were plenty of superhero movies. However, beyond the most notable movies, such as the Richard Donner Superman films, Tim Burton’s Batman, Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man, and Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, many of these movies faded into obscurity. But many deserve another look from fans of the genre overall.

10

Mystery Men

In the 1990s and early 2000s, parody movies were spiking in popularity. And while Mystery Men isn’t explicitly a parody movie, it’s clearly a goof on popular superhero team stories like The Justice League. But this film excels in comedy, and features an incredible star-studded cast.

Ben Stiller, Hank Azaria, William H. Macey, Greg Kinnear and more all came together in this satirical superhero story about a group of B-list heroes who are left to save the day. It’s laugh-out-loud hilarious, and there are some genuinely touching moments that make it extremely worthwhile to watch.

9

Darkman

Long before Sam Raimi got a chance to adapt Spider-Man for the big screen, Raimi was actually chasing a goal to adapt a different hero named The Shadow. Unfortunately, his advances were rebuffed and Raimi was unsuccessful, but it did motivate him to create an original superhero story instead.

This led to Raimi directing an incredible sleeper hit, Darkman, starring Liam Neeson. Neeson is, of course, known for his incredible work on films like Schindler’s List, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Batman Begins.

However, in 1990, Neeson played a dark and vengeful superhero called Darkman. After experiments led to him gaining superpowers, he also suffered from a severely altered mind, which led him to seek vengeance on the people who experimented on him.

8

Unbreakable

Next up, a spectacular story from director M. Night Shyamalan. Unbreakable stars Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson in a superhero story with a twist. David Dunn is an ordinary man, with an ordinary family, but after becoming the sole survivor of a major incident, his life takes a dramatic turn.

as it turns out, Dunn is special, and he has never been sick, or injured. The movie approaches superhero stories in a different way, which is pretty on brand for Shyamalan, but the execution of this piece makes it one of his absolute best.

And casting Jackson as the villain proved an incredible choice as he brings gravity, tension, and intrigue to the piece with incredible efficacy. It all comes together in the end, and the movie stands out as an underrated gem in the genre.

7

Sky High

While there are plenty of superhero stories for kids, and equally plenty for adults, only a few successfully manage to pull off the coming-of-age subgenre. However, Sky High is one of the best in this category, and one that deserves a lot more recognition.

In a world where superheroes are plentiful, the world has established routines and insтιтutions to help guide the new generation of heroes on their way. And when the son of two of the world’s most impressive heroes enters high school, everyone expects him to be just as impressive as his parents.

Unfortunately, Will Stronghold is proving to be a late bloomer, and while his peers excel and embrace their powers, Will lags behind. It’s fun, vibrant, and a brilliant approach to the superhero genre.

6

Push

Before Chris Evans became Captain America in the MCU, he starred in Push alongside a young Dakota Fanning. This incredible superhero thriller explores a world where some humans have evolved to possess one of a few special gifts.

With Movers, Watchers, and Pushers, a new breed of humans is capable of doing things that most people could only imagine. However, the government is keen to crack down on rogue-powered people that exist outside their control.

The film follows a complex narrative where amateur-powered people tag together to avoid capture, and complete a mysterious mission.

5

The Losers

Chris Evans also starred in another comic book adaptation in 2010, alongside future MCU co-star, Zoe Saldaña, and The Boys star, Jeffrey Dean Morgan. While The Losers doesn’t actually follow superheroes, it is based on a comic book series by Vertigo.

This ragtag group of elite and highly skilled operatives go deep undercover, faking their own deaths when they learn that their organization has betrayed them. The film pulls together a stunning cast, and delivers thrilling action throughout.

4

Super

Before James Gunn tackled the Guardians of the Galaxy for the MCU, he wrote and directed Super, a dark comedy superhero movie starring The Office’s Rainn Wilson.

The film has a lot in common with Kick-ᴀss, in regards to having a non-powered person become a crime fighter. However, the film is a lot more focused on the comedy of this idea, rather than having the character becoming an overly successful hero.

The film also features a star-studded cast, and while it leans heavily into the wackiness of the plot, there are a lot of iconic moments that make this movie stand out from the crowd.

3

The Green Hornet

The Green Hornet got some negative press in 2011 with the movie starring Seth Rogen and Jay Chou, but despite this, it’s got a lot of heart. The film is inspired by a much earlier TV show, and it follows on from an earlier adaptation released in 1994.

However, where this version of the film stands out is its ability to connect with modern audiences. The 1994 movie has a lot to offer, and the action and espionage is top-notch, but Seth Rogen’s comedic touch, and the dynamics between his character and his ᴀssistant make this one not to miss.

2

The Rocketeer

But that is not to say that some of the more classic superhero hits can’t resonate today. Take The Rocketeer for example, a movie that originally came out way back in 1991. The film is also a period piece, set back in 1938.

When a stunt pilot discovers a highly advanced, experimental rocket pack, he manages to get a handle on how to use the thing with incredible skill and prowess. And as a result, he begins to use the rocket to perform acts of heroism.

However, the government is desperate to get the pack back, after having lost track of it earlier on. This film is tense, dramatic, and full of spectacles that make the ordinary extraordinary. The Rocketeer should definitely be included on any watchlist for underrated and obscure superhero movies.

1

Spawn

Spawn achieved the height of its popularity in the 1990s. With the comic, an animated series, an animated film, and the live-action film all coming out in short succession. However, since then, Todd McFarlane’s most notorious creation has faded into obscurity.

The film has a similar plot to The Crow, though the actual superheroics are taken to another level. When a US Marine is viciously murdered, he is reluctantly resurrected as a leader of Hell’s army. This evidently leads to some chaos in the realm of the living, with a stunning superhero at the helm.

While this movie has had more than its fair share of criticisms, it’s well worth checking out even just for the performance of Michael Jai White in his leading role. However, there are a lot of highlight moments in this movie that defy its status as a forgotten superhero movie in an increasingly cluttered genre.