All R rated superhero movies ever made.
With all the recent buzz about Logan and Deadpool, let's remember for a second that they were by no means first R rated superhero movies.
The best independent films here are Defendor, Super, The Crow, Darkman and Robocop.
As for the big budget films, my preference goes to The Matrix, Watchmen, V for Vendetta, Sin City and Constantine.
Here you can find the full list with more info about the production budget and box office: https://indiescifi451.com/2017/07/12/full-list-of-all-r-rated-superhero-movies-ever-made/
The best independent films here are Defendor, Super, The Crow, Darkman and Robocop.
As for the big budget films, my preference goes to The Matrix, Watchmen, V for Vendetta, Sin City and Constantine.
Here you can find the full list with more info about the production budget and box office: https://indiescifi451.com/2017/07/12/full-list-of-all-r-rated-superhero-movies-ever-made/
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- DirectorLana WachowskiLilly WachowskiStarsKeanu ReevesLaurence FishburneCarrie-Anne MossWhen a beautiful stranger leads computer hacker Neo to a forbidding underworld, he discovers the shocking truth--the life he knows is the elaborate deception of an evil cyber-intelligence.A unique example of a smart, innovative and visually gorgeous science fiction movie. I'm curious though if someone will ever dare to do an unnecessary remake. Big bosses love remakes, don't they?
- DirectorPeter StebbingsStarsWoody HarrelsonKat DenningsSandra OhArthur Poppington, a regular man who adopts a superhero persona, known as "Defendor", combs the city streets at night, in search of his archenemy, Captain Industry.A must-see for anyone who loves independent cinema. Incredible performance by Woody Harrelson.
- DirectorZack SnyderStarsJackie Earle HaleyPatrick WilsonCarla GuginoIn a version of 1985 where superheroes exist, the murder of a colleague sends active vigilante Rorschach on the trail of a conspiracy that will change the course of history.Damn, I wish Zack Snyder could always make movies like Watchmen and not like Batman v Superman... I'd like to know what the hell gave him $184 million budget with not a really well-known cast. Based on the comics by Alan Moore.
- DirectorJames McTeigueStarsHugo WeavingNatalie PortmanRupert GravesIn a future British dystopian society, a shadowy freedom fighter, known only by the alias of "V", plots to overthrow the tyrannical government - with the help of a young woman.Probably one of the smartiest entries on this list. Based on the comics by Alan Moore.
- DirectorFrank MillerQuentin TarantinoRobert RodriguezStarsMickey RourkeClive OwenBruce WillisAn exploration of the dark and miserable Basin City and three of its residents, all of whom are caught up in violent corruption.Not so many movies have such incredible visuals combined with a stellar cast.
- DirectorJames GunnStarsRainn WilsonElliot PageLiv TylerAfter his wife falls under the influence of a drug dealer, an everyday guy transforms himself into Crimson Bolt, a superhero with the best intentions, but lacking in heroic skills.This is what James Gunn directed before he was invited to do The Guardians of the Galaxy. Amazing cast. Lots of violence.
- DirectorPaul VerhoevenStarsPeter WellerNancy AllenDan O'HerlihyIn a dystopic and crime-ridden Detroit, a terminally wounded cop returns to the force as a powerful cyborg haunted by submerged memories.One of the first commercially successful entries on this list.
- DirectorFrancis LawrenceStarsKeanu ReevesRachel WeiszDjimon HounsouSupernatural exorcist and demonologist John Constantine helps a policewoman prove her sister's death was not a suicide, but something more....I've always felt like Constantine was underrated. Peter Stormare's and Tilda Swinton's performances were awesome.
- DirectorPete TravisStarsKarl UrbanOlivia ThirlbyLena HeadeyIn a violent, futuristic city where the police have the authority to act as judge, jury and executioner, a cop teams with a trainee to take down a gang that deals the reality-altering drug, SLO-MO.Not often a remake is received better by the critics than the original, isn't it?
- DirectorMatthew VaughnStarsAaron Taylor-JohnsonNicolas CageChloë Grace MoretzDave Lizewski is an unnoticed high school student and comic book fan who one day decides to become a superhero, even though he has no powers, training or meaningful reason to do so.A big budget and less tragic version of Defendor/Super. Unusually weird and funny Nicholas Cage.
- DirectorJames MangoldStarsHugh JackmanPatrick StewartDafne KeenIn a future where mutants are nearly extinct, an elderly and weary Logan leads a quiet life. But when Laura, a mutant child pursued by scientists, comes to him for help, he must get her to safety.
- DirectorLana WachowskiLilly WachowskiStarsKeanu ReevesLaurence FishburneCarrie-Anne MossFreedom fighters Neo, Trinity and Morpheus continue to lead the revolt against the Machine Army, unleashing their arsenal of extraordinary skills and weaponry against the systematic forces of repression and exploitation.
- DirectorLana WachowskiLilly WachowskiStarsKeanu ReevesLaurence FishburneCarrie-Anne MossThe human city of Zion defends itself against the massive invasion of the machines as Neo fights to end the war at another front while also opposing the rogue Agent Smith.
- DirectorAlex ProyasStarsBrandon LeeMichael WincottRochelle DavisA man brutally murdered comes back to life as an undead avenger of his and his fiancée's murder.Alex Proyas should release 1 movie per year. At least.
- DirectorGuillermo del ToroStarsWesley SnipesKris KristoffersonRon PerlmanBlade forms an uneasy alliance with the vampire council in order to combat the Reapers, who are feeding on vampires.Guillermo del Toro, Guillermo del Toro, Guillermo del Toro!
- DirectorSam RaimiStarsLiam NeesonFrances McDormandColin FrielsA brilliant scientist left for dead returns to exact revenge on the people who burned him alive.Liam Neeson was a superhero long before Taken. Sam Raimi did superhero movies long before Spider-Man. As it usually happens, Darkman was followed by a lousy sequel.
- DirectorStephen NorringtonStarsWesley SnipesStephen DorffKris KristoffersonA half-vampire, half-mortal man becomes a protector of the mortal race, while slaying evil vampires.Based on a Marvel Comics character. The first commercially successful R rated superhero movie - $131 million box office with $45 million box office.
- DirectorMichael HerzLloyd KaufmanStarsAndree MarandaMitch CohenJennifer BabtistTromaville has a monstrous new hero. The Toxic Avenger is born when meek mop boy Melvin falls into a vat of toxic waste. Now evildoers will have a lot to lose.Probably the first ever R rated superhero movie.
- DirectorHal HabermanJeremy PassmoreStarsMichael RapaportPaul BlackthorneJosh PeckA lonely comic book fan, Les Franken, has a reaction to medication and becomes convinced he's a superhero.
- DirectorTimur BekmambetovStarsAngelina JolieJames McAvoyMorgan FreemanA frustrated office worker discovers that he is the son of a professional assassin, and that he shares his father's superhuman killing abilities.First English/Hollywood movie of Russian director Timur Bekmambetov (check-out Night Watch and Day Watch!). Good cast, lots of gore and awesome visuals, mask well the stupid plot and mediocre screenplay.
- DirectorJonathan HensleighStarsThomas JaneJohn TravoltaSamantha MathisAn undercover FBI agent becomes a vigilante and sets out to unleash his wrath upon the corrupt businessman who slaughtered his entire family at a reunion.I still prefer The Punisher from the Daredevil Netflix 2015 series.
- DirectorFrank MillerRobert RodriguezStarsMickey RourkeJessica AlbaJosh BrolinSome of Sin City's most hard-boiled citizens cross paths with a few of its more reviled inhabitants.This one was a big disappointment for everybody. It's not bad, but it just stands nowhere near the original. The only really good thing here was an awesome Joseph Gordon-Levitt (I apologize in advance for all Eva Green fans).
- DirectorDavid S. GoyerStarsWesley SnipesKris KristoffersonParker PoseyBlade, now a wanted man by the FBI, must join forces with the Nightstalkers to face his most challenging enemy yet: Dracula.
- DirectorSteve WangStarsDavid HayterKathy ChristophersonBruno PatrickSean Barker, unwilling host to an alien bio-armor known as the Guyver, must fight the Kronos Corporation again before they discover the secrets of the Guyver's origin.The only movie on this list where the sequel was more successful than the original.
- DirectorDanny CannonStarsSylvester StalloneArmand AssanteRob SchneiderIn a dystopian future, Joseph Dredd, the most famous Judge (a police officer with instant field judiciary powers), is convicted for a crime he did not commit and must face his murderous counterpart.$90 million budget, 5.5 IMDb rating, Sylvester Stallone. That's enough to put it on a must-see list, right?
- DirectorMark A.Z. DippéStarsMichael Jai WhiteJohn LeguizamoMartin SheenAn elite mercenary is killed, but comes back from Hell as a reluctant soldier of the Devil.Spawn was badly received, but it was an interesting artistical take on superheroes. Ebert was probably the only one who loved it (3.5/4!). 18% of Rotten Tomatoes. But we don't care about the critics, do we?
- DirectorHal HabermanJeremy PassmoreStarsMichael RapaportPaul BlackthorneJosh PeckA lonely comic book fan, Les Franken, has a reaction to medication and becomes convinced he's a superhero.
- DirectorIrvin KershnerStarsPeter WellerNancy AllenBelinda BauerRoboCop returns to protect the citizens of old Detroit but faces a deadly challenge when a rogue OCP member secretly creates a new, evil RoboCop 2.Peter Weller did Screamers as well, by the way.
- DirectorJonathan KesselmanStarsAdam GoldbergAndy DickJudy GreerAn orthodox Jewish blaxploitation hero saves Hanukkah from the clutches of Santa Claus' evil son.The title is pretty self-explanatory.
- DirectorCraig MazinStarsRob LoweThomas Haden ChurchPaget BrewsterThe sixth or seventh best superhero team in the world pursue their rightful place in the harshly competitive world of toy tie-ins and fighting evil.written by James Gunn (Super, Guardians of the Galaxy). I wonder if the guys that called him to direct Guardians of the Galaxy have actually watched this movie.
- DirectorDaniel LeeStarsJet LiChing Wan LauKaren MokA survivor of a supersoldier project must fight his former comrades as a masked hero.With Jet Li, the only mortal who beat Chuck Norris.
- DirectorJohnnie ToStarsMichelle YeohAnita MuiMaggie CheungWhile one tough woman with an invisible robe has stolen 18 babies for her powerful master, two other tough women and the cops try to stop her.In 2008, the film critic website Rotten Tomatoes ranked her the greatest action heroine of all time. In 2009, she was listed by People – as the only Asian actress – as one of the "35 All-Time Screen Beauties".
And in 1993 she did The Heroic Trio! Yahoo. - DirectorRachel TalalayStarsLori PettyIce-TNaomi WattsA girl is among the few survivors of a dystopian Earth. Riding a war tank, she fights against the tyranny of a mega-corporation that dominates the remaining potable water supply of the planet.$25 million budget and a box office disaster ($6 million).
- DirectorJeff WadlowStarsAaron Taylor-JohnsonChloë Grace MoretzChristopher Mintz-PlasseFollowing Kick-Ass' heroics, other citizens are inspired to become masked crusaders, but Red Mist leads his own group of evil super-villains to get revenge, kill Kick-Ass, and destroy everything he stands for.Unnecessary sequels rule the world.
- DirectorZack SnyderStarsBen AffleckHenry CavillAmy AdamsBatman is manipulated by Lex Luthor to fear Superman. Superman´s existence is meanwhile dividing the world and he is framed for murder during an international crisis. The heroes clash and force the neutral Wonder Woman to reemerge.Only the Extended Cut was R rated - but it will barely prevent you from sleeping.
- DirectorMark GoldblattStarsDolph LundgrenLouis Gossett Jr.Jeroen KrabbéWhen Frank Castle's family is murdered by criminals, he wages war on crime as a vigilante assassin known only as The Punisher.With Dolph Lundgren who is playing Dolph Lundgren. And that makes it perfect.
- DirectorLexi AlexanderStarsRay StevensonDominic WestJulie BenzFrank Castle, known as the Punisher, ruthlessly demolishes organized crime, but it starts an even bigger war.
- DirectorJordan GallandStarsKris LemcheBrooke NevinJoey KernAt a time when superheroes have lost government funding and public support, a superhero meets a girl who can help him overcome his own emotional crisis.
- DirectorTim PopeStarsVincent PerezMia KirshnerRichard BrooksThe spirit of the Crow resurrects another man seeking revenge for the murder of his son.Plus other endless sequels... Poor Brandon Lee. No irony intended here.
- DirectorMark Steven JohnsonStarsBen AffleckJennifer GarnerColin FarrellA man blinded by toxic waste which also enhanced his remaining senses fights crime as an acrobatic martial arts superhero.Only the Director's Cut was R rated. The 2015 TV series were way better.
- DirectorMichael HerzLloyd KaufmanStarsRon FazioJohn AltamuraPhoebe LegereThe Toxic Avenger is tricked into traveling to Tokyo to search for his estranged father, leaving Tromaville open to complete domination by an evil corporation.
- DirectorMichael HerzLloyd KaufmanStarsRon FazioPhoebe LegereJohn AltamuraToxie finds he has nothing to do as a superhero, as he has ridden his city of evil. He decides to go to work for a major corporation, which he discovers may be the evilest of all his adversaries.
- DirectorShawn CrahanStarsKim CoatesTyler RossMeadow WilliamsBased on the graphic novel, a police officer who can't be stopped by death returns to the streets time and time again to fight crime.Directed by one of the founding members of Slipknot.
- DirectorBrian YuznaStarsMark FrostIsabel BrookJennifer RopeA man sells his soul to the devil to gain superpowers and avenge his girlfriend's brutal murder. When he realizes that the price is the soul of his new love interest, he turns on the devil.Welcome to the world of trash, kiddies...
- DirectorHark TsuiStarsAndy OnTobin BellJon PolitoThe Black Mask must stop a group intent on setting off a DNA bomb that could cause mutations to the human race....with its trashy sequels...
- DirectorJonathan WinfreyStarsAshley PeldonRick RossovichMichael WisemanDarcy is a cop who is also a supehero named Black Scorpion at night who kicks and beats evildoers to a pulp. She soon catches wind of an asthmatic mad scientist who plans on tainting the city's air supply with a toxin. Only Darcy in her superhero garb can stop him with the assistance of a petty thief named Argyle and a really cool car....trashy erotic superhero movies...
("I wanted to do a female Superman-Spiderman-Batman," - said the director.
''I figured this would be pretty easy in Hollywood. It turned out to be incredibly difficult. I've never seen so many beautiful bad actresses in my life,'' - he said.
Well, we all know that the superhero costumes cover all the body only for male superheroes, right?) - DirectorJohnny CrashStarsErin BrownJulian WellsDarian CaineA socially awkward young woman gets bitten by a radioactive spider and becomes a crime-fighting superhero and tries to defeat a nefarious super villain while going after any man (or woman) she wants to bed down with....and very trashy erotic superhero movies.
This movie is even too trashy to close this list. - DirectorTim MillerStarsRyan ReynoldsMorena BaccarinT.J. MillerA wisecracking mercenary gets experimented on and becomes immortal yet hideously scarred, and sets out to track down the man who ruined his looks.I am sure Deadpool would be more than happy to be at the end of the list. It's truly his spirit.