Superzeroes
Movies that deconstruct, subvert, parody, or poke fun at the superhero genre. Many are full-blown comedies. Some are deadly serious. A few are something in-between. While some of the films below are brilliant, many of them aren't very good. SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOMED.
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- DirectorLeslie H. MartinsonStarsAdam WestBurt WardLee MeriwetherThe Dynamic Duo faces four supervillains who plan to hold the world for ransom with the help of a secret invention that instantly dehydrates people.
- StarsStephen StrimpellDick GautierPaul SmithStanley is tasked with breaking into a household of moonshiners in the mountains. Stanley needs to deceive the man's girlfriend and persuade the group that he is skilled at breaking into vaults.
- CreatorBuck HenryStarsWilliam DanielsAlice GhostleyAnn PrentissCarter Nash discovered a liquid that could turn him into Captain Nice, a very shy superhero dominated by his mother.
- DirectorWilliam KleinStarsJohn AbbeyDelphine SeyrigDonald PleasenceMr. Freedom is an all-American superhero that destroys everyone who even remotely disagrees with imperialism. The film accounts his latest assignment to save France from being taken over by the commies.
- CreatorRoberto Gómez BolañosStarsRoberto Gómez BolañosCarlos VillagránRamón ValdésAn accident-prone superhero seems to cause more problems than the villains he faces.
- DirectorMartin DavidsonStarsJohn RitterAnne ArcherBert ConvyA struggling actor buying milk stops a robbery while wearing a superhero uniform, promoting a movie. The unknown hero decides to try again. Can he impress his cute neighbor?
- DirectorSergio CorbucciStarsTerence HillErnest BorgnineJoanne DruRed powder from a nuclear explosion gives a police officer super powers as long as he doesn't see anything red. He is eventually framed for murder and is unsuccessfully executed by many different methods.
- DirectorCharles JarrottStarsMichael CrawfordOliver ReedBarbara CarreraCartoonist Woody becomes the superhero he draws. Using his gadgets he helps a Soviet spy defect to the West.
- DirectorPhilippe MoraStarsAlan ArkinChristopher LeeKate FitzpatrickDuring WWII, Captain Invincible fought against Nazis using superpowers. Later falsely accused of communism, he retires in Australia. When a secret US weapon gets stolen, he's called back but struggles with alcoholism.
- 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.
- DirectorJim WynorskiStarsDick DurockHeather LocklearLouis JourdanIn this tongue-in-cheek sequel, the benevolent bog creature falls for the vegetarian, plant-loving daughter of the evil scientist who created him.The first film and the TV series that followed were all straight examples of the superhero genre. This sequel, however, is totally bonkers.
- 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.
- DirectorSam RaimiStarsLiam NeesonFrances McDormandColin FrielsA brilliant scientist left for dead returns to exact revenge on the people who burned him alive.The original "Darkman" does enough oddball things with the superhero genre to qualify it for this list. The sequels, on the other hand...
- DirectorMichael HerzLloyd KaufmanStarsRick GianasiSusan ByunBill WeedenA streetwise New York police officer transforms into the world's most unusual superhuman hero.
- DirectorIvan CardosoStarsAndrea BeltrãoHerson CapriNuno Leal MaiaO Anjo (The Angel) is a millionaire playboy who fights the forces of crime, especially his deadly enemy, the arch-villain Escorpião Escarlate (Scarlet Scorpion), who recently has kidnapped the fashion designer Glória Campos, who is in love with our hero.
- 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.
- DirectorRobert TownsendStarsRobert TownsendMarla GibbsEddie GriffinA high school teacher from a troubled inner city Washington D.C. neighborhood becomes a super-powered hero and takes on the gang that has been terrorizing his streets.
- DirectorMike BinderStarsDamon WayansDavid Alan GrierRobin GivensA simpleton inventor becomes a superhero with a bulletproof costume and a low budget.
- DirectorChuck RussellStarsJim CarreyCameron DiazPeter RiegertBank clerk Stanley Ipkiss is transformed into a manic superhero when he wears a mysterious mask.
- 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.The comics that "Judge Dredd" is (loosely) based off of was very satirical. The movie... Not so much.
- DirectorStewart SchillStarsTony CurtisArye GrossAlly WalkerA satire about an actor from the 1960s coming to terms with the pressures of today's entertainment industry.
- DirectorTrey ParkerStarsTrey ParkerDian BacharRobyn Lynne RaabNaive young Mormon Joe Young is recruited to act in porn movies.
- DirectorKinka UsherStarsBen StillerJaneane GarofaloWilliam H. MacyA group of inept amateur superheroes must try to save the day when a supervillain threatens to destroy a major superhero and the city.
- DirectorLloyd KaufmanStarsDavid MatteyClyde LewisHeidi SjursenThe Toxic Avenger must defend his friends from his own evil alternate universe doppelgänger, The Noxious Offender.
- 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.
- DirectorBill LaeMark TeagueStarsMark TeagueCharles DierkopKatherine VictorWhat if there was a real life super hero? What if he had real human problems? The trials and tribulations of such a man are examined in this hilarious mockumentary about an average super hero in today's world. Through news clips, interviews, commercials, appearances and file footage we get a glimpse at SuperGuy's personal life and take a long, hard look at soceity's reaction to this phenomenon. Imperfect and unable to live up to expectations, unfavorably compared to Superman and unable to be everywhere and save everybody. SuperGuy's only true Arch Enemy becomes the American Public who wants to crucify him for "doing good". In a world that desperately needs to believe in something and look up to someone, in a world full of despair, victims and wackos. SuperGuy fits right in.
- DirectorM. Night ShyamalanStarsBruce WillisSamuel L. JacksonRobin WrightA man learns something extraordinary about himself after a devastating accident.
- DirectorRobert TownsendStarsRobert TownsendMichael J. PaganAlex DatcherThe only normal member of a super-powered family feels left out and confused until he has the chance to use a talent of his own to save everyone.
- DirectorLouis C.K.StarsChris RockLance CroutherJ.B. Smoove"The Man" is baffled by a chill hero's invincible weapon: gibberish.
- CreatorBen EdlundStarsPatrick WarburtonDavid BurkeLiz VasseyThe story of superhero The Tick, based on the popular comic book.
- DirectorMark HamillStarsMark HamillDonna D'ErricoBilly WestThe relationship between Hollywood and comic book culture is lambasted in this mockumentary as a beloved heroic character is rung through the studio system.
- DirectorBrad BirdStarsCraig T. NelsonSamuel L. JacksonHolly HunterWhile trying to lead a quiet suburban life, a family of undercover superheroes are forced into action to save the world.
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsShô AikawaKyôka SuzukiAtsuro WatabeA down-and-out school teacher receives the calling to become the real life personification of an old television superhero, Zebraman.
- DirectorRichard LowryStarsBlane WheatleyMonica HimmelBrent MossThis is the battle to end all battles and pulse-pounding World War II action and intergalactic intrigue! Defending freedom and democracy is the incredible Yellow Jacket, Army fighter pilot turned winged superhero, now leading America's charge against Evil! He must battle the deliciously deadly DRAGON FLY and her JAPBOTS, outsmart an infamous Nazi scientist and destroy the demonic DOOMSDAY RAY! Then Yellow Jacket and his team make a startling discovery and must launch themselves into space where they confront the power-mad MONARCH OF THE MOON!
- DirectorBlake Van de GraafStarsDavid IngramPerry MucciMackenzie LushMild-mannered computer consultant Norman Neale has two great loves in this cruel world: Comic books and his office's effervescent main receptionist, Andrea Hicks. Norman spends his days dreaming of Andrea from the isolation of his cubicle and his nights dreaming of fighting crime from the solitude of his apartment. Then one fateful day Norman discovers that a fellow co-worker, Victor Ventura, a swaggering, pretty-boy salesman, has slight telekinetic abilities beyond his understanding. After discussing his mind-blowing discovery with his only friend Chuck, a know-it-all comic book store owner, Norman comes to the outlandish conclusion that he should train Victor to become a real-life superhero by helping him refine and expand his extraordinary ability. Norman envisions an exciting new future for himself battling the city's criminal elements as Victor's faithful sidekick. But as Victor grows in power Norman is faced with the heartbreaking realization that not all people with extraordinary abilities are meant to be heroes.
- DirectorMike MitchellStarsKurt RussellKelly PrestonMichael AngaranoSet in an era where superheroes are commonly known and accepted, young William Stronghold, the son of the Commander and Jetstream, tries to find a balance between being a normal teenager and an extraordinary being.
- DirectorHal HabermanJeremy PassmoreStarsMichael RapaportPaul BlackthorneJosh PeckA lonely comic book fan, Les Franken, has a reaction to medication and becomes convinced he's a superhero.
- DirectorIvan ReitmanStarsUma ThurmanLuke WilsonAnna FarisWhen a regular guy dumps a superhero for her neediness, she uses her powers to make his life a living hell.
- DirectorPeter HewittStarsTim AllenCourteney CoxChevy ChaseFormer superhero Jack is called back to work to transform an unlikely group of ragtag kids into superheroes at a private academy.
- DirectorHitoshi MatsumotoStarsHitoshi MatsumotoRiki TakeuchiUaAn eccentric man living alone in a decrepit house in Tokyo periodically transforms into a 100-foot tall giant in order to defend Japan against similarly sized monsters.
- DirectorTed SikoraStarsPerren HeddersonJocelyn WrzosekBryan JalovecDavid, a struggling comic book creator from Cleveland, spends his days cutting grass and his nights smoking it while desperately trying to keep his superhero fantasies alive. When Robyn, his aspiring fashion-designer girlfriend, makes him a Halloween costume of his original character Apama, it doesn't take David long to hit the streets and begin blundering towards disaster. This comic book Don Quixote is characterized by surreal flourishes, mixing dream, fantasy, and flashbacks that borrow as much from the art house as the comic shop. A midnight movie for superhero fans.
- DirectorFrederik Du ChauStarsPeter DinklageJason LeeAmy AdamsA Beagle must use his newly-bestowed superpowers to defend Capitol City from mad scientist Simon Barsinister.
- StarsNeil Patrick HarrisNathan FillionFelicia DayAn aspiring supervillain must balance his career and his pursuit of a beautiful do-gooder.
- DirectorPeter BergStarsWill SmithCharlize TheronJason BatemanHancock is a superhero whose ill-considered behavior regularly causes damage in the millions. He changes when the person he saves helps him improve his public image.
- DirectorCraig MazinStarsDrake BellLeslie NielsenSara PaxtonOrphaned high school student Rick Riker is bitten by a radioactive dragonfly, develops super powers (except for the ability to fly), and becomes a hero.
- 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.
- DirectorKieran MulroneyMichele MulroneyStarsJeff DanielsEmma StoneRyan ReynoldsA washed-up writer forms an unlikely friendship with a teenager from Long Island.
- DirectorRay GriggsStarsJustin WhalinRay GriggsDanielle HarrisA good guy with no powers joins a superhero team with no clue against a bad guy with no shame.
- 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.
- DirectorMichael MorrisseyStarsCaleb SteinmeyerZulay HenaoBill SageA traumatized boy grows into a shy, determined teenager who patrols the mean streets of New York City, helping those in need and dishing out severe punishment to remorseless thugs.
- DirectorLeon FordStarsRyan KwantenMaeve DermodyMarshall NapierGriff, office worker by day, superhero by night, has his world turned upside down when he meets Melody, a beautiful young scientist who shares his passion for the impossible.
- 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.
- DirectorTom McGrathStarsWill FerrellJonah HillBrad PittEvil genius Megamind finally defeats his do-gooder nemesis, Metro Man, but is left without a purpose in a superhero-free world.
- 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.
- DirectorJason TrostStarsJason TrostLucas TillJames RemarFour Super Heroes find themselves abducted by their Arch Nemesis and are forced to compete in a series of challenges in order to save an abandoned town full of kidnapped innocent civilians.
- DirectorPatrick DurhamStarsBrian Austin GreenMichael Clarke DuncanVinnie JonesGiven incredible power by an ancient Celtic Cross. Callan continues to fight evil... Now, joined by a team of weapons experts, Callan battles an unstoppable empire in Los Angeles.
- DirectorLuis BaroneStarsJuan MinujínVerónica SánchezJordi MollàSet in a decaying Buenos Aires, a poor Argentine (Minujin) wrestles with his newly discovered superpowers.
- DirectorIan FitzgibbonStarsThomas Brodie-SangsterLilly ForgáchIan FitzgibbonA dying 15-year-old boy draws stories of an invincible superhero as he struggles with his mortality.
- DirectorMichel GondryStarsSeth RogenJay ChouChristoph WaltzFollowing the death of his father, Britt Reid, heir to his father's large company, teams up with his late dad's assistant Kato to become a masked crime fighting team.The character of Green Hornet was originally a respected hero and remains so in the current comics. The movie turned him into a jerk, making it applicable for this list.
- DirectorDayyan EngStarsKevin SpaceyDaniel WuBeibi GongA troubled young man, Li faces pressure at work and problems at home with his moody wife. Chuck, rescues Li from the brink of despair and becomes an unlikely mentor. But who is Chuck really?
- DirectorJoe EckardtStarsFrankie MunizDallas PageAmber BoryckiA pizza delivery boy receives superhuman strength upon ingesting a genetically altered tomato. He must battle a corporation that is trying to steal his powers in order to save both the world and the girl of his dreams.
- 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.
- DirectorJosh TrankStarsDane DeHaanAlex RussellMichael B. JordanThree high school friends gain superpowers after making an incredible discovery underground. Soon they find their lives spinning out of control and their bond tested as they embrace their darker sides.
- 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.Though a much better movie then the Stallone version, this film still doesn't capture much of the dark humor of the original "Judge Dredd" comics.
- DirectorYûichi FukudaStarsRyohei SuzukiFumika ShimizuTsuyoshi MuroA high school boy receives mysterious superpowers from panties.
- 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.
- DirectorTodd BurrowsChristopher FolinoStarsChase WilliamsonAshley BellClancy BrownA masked vigilante who discovers the dark side to heroism. Going after the nation's most notorious super criminal leaves Sparks' life and reputation in ruins.
- DirectorDon HallChris WilliamsStarsRyan PotterScott AdsitJamie ChungA special bond develops between plus-sized inflatable robot Baymax and prodigy Hiro Hamada, who together team up with a group of friends to form a band of high-tech heroes.
- DirectorAlejandro G. IñárrituStarsMichael KeatonZach GalifianakisEdward NortonA washed-up superhero actor attempts to revive his fading career by writing, directing, and starring in a Broadway production.
- DirectorNick LoveStarsStephen DorffEddie GriffinLuis Da Silva Jr.Melvin, a reluctant Superhero, lives only for crime, women and drugs - until he realises that the only way he will ever get to see his estranged son is to go straight and fulfil his potential as a crime fighter.
- 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.