Best Superhero Horror Movies

Key Takeaways

Superhero movies are typically exciting but do not evoke feelings of dread, but some, like Priest, explore darker themes.
Constantine creates a bleak atmosphere and deviates from a happy ending, departing from typical superhero movie tropes.
The movie Blade features a unique vampire antihero, straying from the usual gothic horror or romantic portrayals of vampires.

As a film enthusiast with a penchant for superheroes and a soft spot for unconventional narratives, I must say these descriptions have piqued my interest!

Superhero films constitute a unique category of cinema, featuring courageous characters who harness their abilities to protect the planet from evil masterminds, sometimes leading to extensive property destruction. These films ignite excitement and adrenaline as audiences witness the battles between heroes and villains, cheering for one team or another.

Typically, such films do not evoke feelings of fear or discomfort through grotesque visuals in terms of characters, settings, or storylines. However, while no superhero movie will cause viewers to hide behind furniture out of fright, there are still many of these films that tread a fine line towards the ominous.

6 Priest

A Trained Warrior Must Face Dangerous Vampires

Release Date: May 13, 2011
Director: Scott Stewart
Running Time: 1hr 27m

For centuries, vampires and humans clashed in a brutal war that left our world in ruins, leading to the establishment of a theocratic government and an order of specially trained warriors, known as the Priests, to help humanity survive. When the war finally ended, many Priests struggled to readjust to civilian life. However, one former Priest was pulled from retirement when his niece was abducted by the ruthless vampire who had slaughtered her family. Acting against the Church’s orders, he embarked on a dangerous journey to save her, which in turn sparked a manhunt by other Priests sent by the Church.

The story of “Priest” unfolds across various settings, revealing an alternate Earth marred by conflict, painting a bleak, dystopian landscape suitable for the creatures inhabiting it. Shocking disclosures concerning Lucy’s ancestry and the Church’s stubborn refusal to acknowledge compelling evidence add intrigue, making “Priest” a captivating tale that deviates from the predictable trajectory of most superhero movies.

5 Brightburn

A Darker Take on the Superman Story

Release Date: May 24, 2019
Director: David Yarovesky
Running Time: 1hr 30m

In the story of DC’s Superman, we all know how he landed on Earth as a baby and was brought up by loving foster parents. He uses his powers for the greater good, making him one of the most honorable superheroes ever. However, what if the Superman portrayed in most media wasn’t as benevolent as we think? The film Brightburn delves into this concept, as it follows the story of Brandon, a boy found at the bottom of a crater by Tori and Kyle Breyer. They adopt him and raise him as their own child.

As his abilities manifest, so does a sinister aspect of his character. He grows progressively hostile, creating a chilling blend with his abilities to fly and display extraordinary strength. Following conventional superhero film tropes, Brandon appears to vanquish all adversaries, even those within his own family. The movie concludes on a ominous note, hinting that their world may only be experiencing the beginning of its troubles, as there is no one powerful enough to stand against him.

4 Constantine

An Occult Expert Who Battles Demons

Release Date: February 18th, 2005
Director: Francis Lawrence
Running Time: 2hrs 1m

In the realm of Constantine, a pact restricting demons from Earth is shattered, allowing these malevolent beings to infiltrate humans and ascend to our world. John Constantine, one of the scant individuals willing to perform the gritty tasks of expelling them from human hosts and sending them back to the abyss of hell, finds himself grappling with lung cancer. Aware of his limited time, he chooses not to seize life fully but instead persists in his duties, causing frustration for the angel Gabriel.

The movie Constantine carries an overwhelming sense of despair, with its dying protagonist and demon-ridden setting. Despite managing to outsmart the devil in the climax, thereby avoiding Hell’s fires for the time being, it’s far from the usual jubilant ending found in superhero films. Although he emerged victorious, Constantine’s victory doesn’t feel entirely complete, leaving it to the audience to determine whether he successfully outplayed Lucifer or if his soul was ultimately claimed in the end.

3 Blade

The Daywalker Who Hunts Vampires

Release Date: August 21, 1998
Director: Stephen Norrington
Running Time: 2hrs

One often overlooked and underappreciated Marvel film is the timeless classic, Blade. Despite being less popular than some other movies in the franchise, it definitely deserves more recognition, symbolically speaking. This fearsome vampire-slayer hero doesn’t owe his unique powers to extraterrestrial origins or a bite from a radioactive arachnid, but rather to his bloodthirsty nature as a creature of the night.

Rather than a traditional hero, he exhibits traits more akin to an anti-hero, employing his vampiric nature for good rather than evil. His mission involves eradicating the menace of his fellow vampires, particularly Deacon Frost, who embraces his vampirehood, hosting infamous blood-raves at his LA club. Typically, vampires are depicted in gothic horror or romantic films like “Let the Right One In” and “Only Lovers Left Alive”. However, this film stands out by featuring a vampire as the main character in a superhero movie, which proves to be a refreshing and successful take on the genre.

2 Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

The Multiverse Leads to Some Strange and Horrifying Places

In “Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness”, I found myself hopscotching through dimensions, a journey that took me to some truly bizarre and mind-bending realms. This movie marked Marvel’s foray into surreal horror, with the Scarlet Witch as its central character. Driven by an intense desire to be reunited with her two children, seen in her solo TV series, she was willing to do whatever it took, even if it meant sacrificing others. Her quest for power took her on a cosmic tour across various universes, with Doctor Strange hot on her heels, trying to thwart her plans.

The Marvel movies are renowned for their stunning and awe-inspiring visuals due to the hard work of their special effects team and a generous budget. In particular, “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” leans heavily into the realm of unsettling horror, featuring sequences that bend reality and warp characters in ways that only filmmakers like John Carpenter might imagine. For those seeking a genuinely terrifying superhero experience, “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” is definitely worth considering if you haven’t seen it yet.

1 The Crow

An Epic Tale of Love and Revenge

Release Date: May 13th, 1994
Director: Alex Proyas
Running Time: 1hr 42m

A year after Halloween, on the eve of their wedding day, Eric Draven and Shelley Webster suffered a terrible murder. The following All Hallows’ Eve, a crow visited Eric’s grave and resurrected him to avenge the injustice that had occurred the previous year. He was plagued by recollections of the devastating incident, ensuring he knew exactly whom to confront.

In this gritty film titled “The Crow“, Eric is seen methodically executing his murderous agenda, eliminating the violent, disorderly, and deranged gang members in a gruesomely artistic manner. After completing his tasks, he rests in peace, his soul merging with Shelley’s. The bittersweet conclusion brings Eric and Shelley back together, yet Sarah is left behind, mourning the loss of her friends once more. Unlike typical superhero movies, this film carries a somber and gothic tone throughout its narrative.

2024-10-13 11:03