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1. Logan
Logan is an American action film directed by James Mangold and starring Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne Keen. The film centers on an aging, ailing Wolverine/Logan mourning the deaths of his old friends, the X-Men. Caring for his ailing mentor suffering from Alzheimer's, Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), Logan fears he may not have much time left. Despite his efforts to remain hidden, hope comes to Logan in the form of a young girl named X-23 (Dafne Keen). Pursued by dark forces, Logan and Xavier agree to help the girl.
The film Logan has a budget of $97 million with a runtime of 137 minutes. Logan currently holds an IMDb rating of 8.1 and a Metascore of 77 on Metacritic. The film is rated R. Using an aging main character may not be typical for a superhero movie, but in the expanding world of comic book cinematic universes, it helps set it apart from other blockbusters. Similarly, the compelling performances by Jackman and Stewart may be some of the finest in their careers, made all the more poignant by signs that this could be their final roles. Co-star Dafne Keen is also incredibly impressive, showing what could be the start of a promising career in Hollywood.
DETAILS:
Release Year: 2017
Genres: Action, Drama, Science Fiction
Director: James Mangold
Stars: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne Keen
IMDb Rating: 8.1
2. Dredd
Dredd is a science fiction action film released in 2012 directed by Pete Travis and written and produced by Alex Garland. The film is based on the 2000 AD comic strip Judge Dredd and the character of the same name created by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra. Karl Urban stars as Judge Dredd, a law enforcement officer granted the power of judge, jury, and executioner in a vast, post-apocalyptic metropolis called Mega-City One, situated in a dystopian wasteland. Dredd and his rookie trainee, Judge Anderson, are tasked with restoring order to a 200-story apartment block and confronting the drug lord who reigns there, Ma-Ma.
Critics generally praised the visual effects, cast, and intense action sequences of Dredd, while criticisms focused on excessive violence and a perceived lack of the satirical elements present in the original comic. Despite positive reviews, Dredd only grossed over $41 million at the box office with an estimated budget of around $30-45 million. Dredd found greater success upon home release and has since been recognized as a cult favorite for its anti-hero theme, making it one of the most violent and dark films on the big screen.
DETAILS:
Release Year: 2012
Genres: Action, Science Fiction, Crime
Director: Pete Travis
Stars: Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, Lena Headey
IMDb Rating: 7.1
3. Deadpool
Deadpool is one of the most violent superhero films from the United States in 2016 based on the character of the same name in Marvel Comics. Deadpool brings its crude language and blood-soaked violence to the modern superhero world. 20th Century Fox is the main distributor of the Deadpool film. The movie stars Ryan Reynolds in the lead role along with Ed Skrein, Morena Baccarin, TJ Miller, Gina Carano, and Brianna Hildebrand. In the film, Wade Wilson relentlessly seeks the man who gave him mutant abilities and left him disfigured, seizing the opportunity to become an anti-hero Deadpool.
The Deadpool film achieved both financial and critical success, grossing over $782 million against a budget of $58 million, becoming the ninth highest-grossing film of 2016 and breaking numerous records, including the highest-grossing R-rated film at the time. Film critics praised Reynolds' performance, the film's unique style, and its faithful adaptation of comic book content, along with the film's visually stunning action sequences, although some criticism was directed at the formulaic plot construction. The film also received numerous awards and nominations, including two Golden Globe nominations and two Critics' Choice Awards.
DETAILS:
Release Year: 2016
Genres: Action, Comedy, Adventure
Director: Tim Miller
Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller
IMDb Rating: 8.0
4. Watchmen
Watchmen is a psychological thriller superhero film from the United States in 2009 based on the limited series of the same name from DC Comics 1986–1987 created by illustrator Dave Gibbons and writer Alan Moore. Directed by Zack Snyder from a screenplay by David Hayter and Alex Tse, the film features a main cast including Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Malin Åkerman, Carla Gugino, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Jackie Earle Haley, and Patrick Wilson. The film divided fans and critics into two camps with its praised style, but Snyder was accused of making an action film lacking the subtlety and humor of the original comic.
The film Watchmen is set in an alternate history in 1985 at the height of the Cold War, when a group of American superheroes retire after investigating the murder of one of their own before uncovering a detail and a deadly conspiracy, while their moral limits are challenged by the extremely complex circumstances. After premiering worldwide at the Odeon Leicester Square on February 23, 2009, Watchmen officially released in both regular theaters and IMAX theaters on March 6, 2009, grossing over $55 million in its opening week and earning $185 million at the global box office.
DETAILS:
Release Year: 2009
Genres: Action, Drama, Mystery
Director: Zack Snyder
Stars: Jackie Earle Haley, Patrick Wilson, Carla Gugino
IMDb Rating: 7.6
5. Kick-Ass
Kick-Ass turned the superhero genre upside down with its fantastic characters and blood-soaked action. Adapted from the comic book of the same name by Mark Millar, Matthew Vaughn's Kick-Ass is a brilliant satirical take on the superhero mythos. Aaron Taylor-Johnson stars as Dave Lizewski, a bookish teenager who decides to don a wetsuit and become a real-life superhero. He soon discovers that fighting crime isn't as easy as Spider-Man or Batman make it look.
Kick-Ass delivers all the brutality and grit of real-life through the lens of a comedy film. Perhaps the most controversial moment in Kick-Ass is when Hit-Girl drops the C-bomb. This moment appeared in the third issue of the comic book. When Matthew Vaughn began pitching Kick-Ass to major Hollywood studios, none of them wanted to take on the violent project as Vaughn had envisioned. Eventually, the project landed at Lionsgate, where Vaughn produced independently and was distributed by Universal when it was ready for theatrical release. Despite causing some controversy for its profanity and violence carried out by a child, Kick-Ass was warmly embraced by both critics and audiences. In 2011, the film won the Empire Award for Best British Film. The film has gained a strong cult following since its release on DVD and Blu-ray.
DETAILS:
Release Year: 2010
Genres: Action, Comedy, Crime
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Stars: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nicolas Cage, Chloë Grace Moretz
IMDb Rating: 8.2
6. V For Vendetta
Based on Alan Moore's comic book, V For Vendetta introduces a dystopian future of Britain ravaged by plague, famine, and war, where a terrorist known as V fights against the British government with the help of a woman named Evey. The character V is a mystery, with plans to blow up the Houses of Parliament and the British High Chancellor's residence, aiming to overthrow the ruling party in Britain at the time. Throughout the film, very little basic information is revealed about him; viewers never even see his true face, hidden behind a smirking Guy Fawkes mask.
Having been a victim of government torture and oppression, V's fundamental principle lies in his famous quote: 'People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.' James McTeigue's 2006 action thriller V For Vendetta remains a celebrated cinematic masterpiece. Known for its enthusiastic reception from audiences and critics alike, the film's relevance lies in its timeless understanding of the dangers of totalitarianism, the nuanced character arc, and the subtle religious themes in the film's message.
DETAILS:
Release Year: 2006
Genres: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
Director: James McTeigue
Stars: Hugo Weaving, Natalie Portman, Rupert Graves
IMDb Rating: 8.2
7. Punisher: War Zone
Punisher: War Zone is a superhero horror-action film released in 2008 based on the Marvel Comics character Punisher, directed by Lexi Alexander. The film serves as a reboot following vigilante Frank Castle's war on crime and corruption, particularly against the disfigured gangster known as Billy 'Jigsaw' Russoti, rather than a sequel to The Punisher released in 2004. This is the third film adaptation of The Punisher, the second reboot, and the first film of two produced under the Marvel Knights banner, focusing on films aimed at mature audiences.
Punisher: War Zone was released in North America by Lionsgate on December 5, 2008, and it was released in the United Kingdom by Sony Pictures Releasing in 2009, amidst negative reviews revolving around the film, and producers could only gross $10 million worldwide, leading to the film being deemed a commercial failure. The film's related soundtrack reached number 23 on the Billboard Independent Albums chart. This is the final Punisher film produced by an outside studio before the rights were transferred to Marvel Studios, with Stevenson reprising his role as Castle in The Super Hero Squad Show. A series of television films were subsequently released on Netflix in 2017 and set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
DETAILS:
Release Year: 2008
Genres: Action, Drama, Crime
Director: Lexi Alexander
Stars: Ray Stevenson, Dominic West, Julie Benz
IMDb Rating: 5.9
8. RoboCop
RoboCop is an American science fiction action film from 1987 directed by Paul Verhoeven, with a screenplay by Edward Neumeier and Michael Miner. The film stars Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Kurtwood Smith, Daniel O'Herlihy, Ronny Cox, and Miguel Ferrer. Set in crime-ridden Detroit in the near future, RoboCop revolves around police officer Alex Murphy, who is murdered by a gang of criminals and subsequently revived by the mega-corporation Omni Consumer Products as the law-enforcing cyborg RoboCop. Unaware of his former life, RoboCop carries out a brutal campaign against crime while grappling with the remnants of his humanity.
The concept for RoboCop was formulated by Neumeier while working on the film Blade Runner (1982), and he further developed the idea with Miner. RoboCop was a financial success upon its release in July 1987, grossing $53.4 million. Critics praised the film as an intelligent action movie with deeper philosophical messages and sharper satire on extreme violence throughout. The film received several award nominations and won an Academy Award, as well as numerous Saturn Awards. Since its release, the film has been analyzed for themes including the nature of humanity, personal identity, corporate greed, and corruption.
DETAILS:
Release Year: 1987
Genres: Action, Science Fiction, Crime
Director: Paul Verhoeven
Stars: Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Dan O'Herlihy
IMDb Rating: 7.6
9. The Crow
The Crow is a 1994 American action-packed superhero horror film based on the comic book of the same name by James O'Barr. Directed by Alex Proyas, with David J.Schow and John Shirley as co-screenwriters, Brandon Lee stars as the lead. On Devil's Night (October 30), the lives of lovers - rock musician Eric Draven and his fiancée Shelly Webster, planning to marry on Halloween, are brutally ended by a gang of home invaders. A year later, a crow taps on Eric's grave and he rises from his grave. Discovering he is invulnerable and possesses superhuman abilities, he sets out to hunt down and eliminate the street gang responsible for the murders with the assistance of the crow, regarded as the mystical guide.
While The Crow is notable for its stylish action sequences, dark atmosphere, gothic art direction, and energetically charged soundtrack, Brandon Lee's untimely death led to production being temporarily halted, and after serious consideration about whether to complete the film or not, it was finished through rewrites and the use of double stand-ins and digital effects. The film proved to be a success and became a highly influential film in the years following its release. Its success led to commercial licensing for a sequel and two spin-off TV series.
DETAILS:
Release Year: 1994
Genres: Action, Drama, Crime
Director: Alex Proyas
Stars: Brandon Lee, Michael Wincott, Rochelle Davis
IMDb Rating: 7.5
10. The Dark Knight
The Dark Knight is the 2008 sequel to Batman Begins. Directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Christian Bale as Batman, The Dark Knight proved to be the most commercially successful installment in its franchise and any other film preceding or following it. The untimely death of young actor Heath Ledger and the subsequent media frenzy significantly influenced public perception of the film. Another sequel titled The Dark Knight Rises was released in 2012, marking the return of both Nolan and Bale.
Batman faces his greatest challenge yet as he battles against the Joker, a nihilistic supervillain with dark plans for Gotham City. The film not only garnered widespread acclaim but many film enthusiasts also regard it as a cinematic masterpiece on par with Best Picture nominees. The Dark Knight truly exploded onto the scene and received positive reception from critics as a serious television drama, largely due to the performances of the cast, especially Ledger as the Joker. At its peak, the film was the second-highest-grossing film of all time in the United States (after Titanic (1997)) and the fourth highest-grossing worldwide (after Titanic, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest).
DETAILS:
Release Year: 2010
Genres: Action, Drama, Crime
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart
IMDb Rating: 9.0
