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Summary
Superhero movie rank among the most successful in all cinema , and although the movies of theMCUandDCEUhave often dominated at the box office , there are many excellent examples of movies in the genre that do n’t belong to big franchises . It ’s no secret that superhero movies have become some of the most prevalent in the industriousness , owing to their fiscal voltage and far-flung appeal . Themovies of the MCUhave see Marvel derive something of a monopoly on the genre , with many of any give year ’s most hoped-for releases being Marvel Comics adjustment .
However , the MCU is n’t the only franchise around . TheDCEU and its moviesalso spun a large interconnect tale , albeit to considerably less success than Marvel . Despite there being major franchises dominating the literary genre , there are still several excellent superhero movies that do n’t belong to either . Many of these place upright alone as one - off write up , and some feature as part of their own smaller franchise . Though the shared universe has earned incredible achiever , it ’s not the defining factor in a good superhero film . Here are the 10 good superhero movies that are n’t part of the MCU or DCEU .
From multiple Batmans to Spider - Man , multiverses and prison term travel , here ’s our rundown of the best superhero movies ever .
10Chronicle Combines Superhero Action With A Found Footage Style
Chronicle (2012)
Chronicletells the story of three high school students who develop a bond after pull ahead telekinetic powers . Told in a found - footage format , the film stars Dane DeHaan and Michael B. Jordan , both of whom go on to star in major Marvel moving picture in the class that pursue . Chroniclewasn’t the most high - profile success , but it impressed critics with its testing of the more personal side of hero stories . A brawny piece of human drama that also happened to serve as a superhero movie , Chronicleis a great representative of a opinion - provoking standalone entree into the literary genre .
9Hancock Is An Original Spin On Common Superhero Tropes
Hancock (2008)
Superhero movies do n’t have to be part of theMCU ’s pic timelineor an accounting entry into the DCEU to attract big - name stars , as proven byHancock . Will Smith stars as the titular superhero , a houseless individual who overly consumes alcohol and performs Acts of the Apostles of undesirable heroism . It ’s not until a well - mean civilian ( Jason Bateman ) shows him some compassion and preface Hancock to his wife ( Charlize Theron ) that the zep start to bosom his potential . Hancockis another excellent standalone superhero flick that does n’t belong to the MCU or DCEU , but rather forges its own way of life through the genre .
8Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Is Still A Perfect Superhero Satire
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
There have been many adaptations of theTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlecomics , but few have stood the test of time as well as 1990 ’s live - military action movie of the same name . The moving-picture show might seem passably dated , but its campy presentation only adds to its continue magical spell . As the characters were developed as spoofs of democratic Marvel Cuban sandwich , the film ’s calorie-free - hearted nature taps perfectly into that air of kin - well-disposed satire , and even decades by and by , still embodies why the eponymous characters have become such a hold out basic of the superhero musical style .
7The Crow Fits A Specific Niche That Marvel And DC Rarely Attempt
The Crow (1994)
Though most modernistic superhero motion-picture show take on an air travel of light , hopeful , and inspirational , those qualities are n’t crucial to success in the writing style any more than MCU or DCEU status . The Crowproves exactly that , with its edgy ‘ 90s mediaeval vibe providing an alternative style of superhero motion picture . Brandon Lee stars as the titular vigilante , who returns from the dead to get revenge on the humans who murdered him . ThoughThe Crow ’s output was mired by tragedy , the movie itself stands as an excellent example of the different ways the superhero genre can be approached .
6Megamind Subverts Some Of The Genre’s Problematic Tropes
Megamind (2010)
The superhero genre is one that heavily bank on specific tropes and musical theme , butMegaminddelights in challenging them . The animated flick follow the titular reference , a supervillain who realizes his heroic bane is n’t the good guy he seems to be . With the resister ram to behave in a desperate style , Megamindsubverts the typical figure of speech of the genre , offer a well - save and cautiously consider spin on superhero storiesthat also pass off to be suitable for the whole family .
5Dredd Was An Instant Cult Classic That Brilliantly Realized The Character In Live-Action
Dredd (2012)
The motion picture of the MCU and DCEU might be the most successful and well - known comic book adaptations in modern picture palace , but Marvel and DC are n’t the only comics in the domain . 2000 AD’sJudge Dreddis a consistently popular figure in pop culture , and 2012’sDreddadapts his story to the big filmdom . The film became an instant cult classic , with Karl Urban ’s Dredd utterly capture the gruff heart and soul of the hard - edged law of nature enforcer . A gritty and violent example of an excellent superhero picture show that does n’t belong to the MCU or DCEU , Dreddremains a dear entry into the genre .
4Kick-Ass Is Equal Parts Brutal & Hilarious
Kick-Ass (2010)
Though theKick - Asscomics were publish by Marvel , the fibre is n’t part of their distinctive pantheon . As such , the 2010 movie of the same name is n’t considered a part of the MCU , but that sure does n’t make it any less pleasurable . Kick - Assfollows normal adolescent Dave ( Aaron Taylor - Johnson ) who resolve to become a vigilante after substantiate nerve legal injury that limit his ability to experience bother . His web into a severe world of criminals and highly - skilled crimefighters offers up subtly screaming action and tragedy , proving thatthe MCU does n’t have a monopoly on bring wittiness to the superhero genre .
3The Incredibles Proves Even The Youngest Audiences Love Superhero Stories
The Incredibles (2004)
When it comes to staggeringly successful movie studios , Marvel might well consider Pixar competition , even though the latter ’s movies are typically head at a much younger interview . However , the Disney - possess animation studio apartment did try their mitt at a superhero moving-picture show in 2004 withThe Incredibles , delivering a submarine sandwich motion picture that was perfectly inoffensive family play . The story of a family of superpowered beings , The Incrediblesstands apart from any pre - existing superhero franchise , establishing a perfectly accessible world for even the young of viewers .
2Watchmen Is A Noir Superhero Epic
Watchmen (2009)
Watchmenmay have been bring out by DC Comics , but it exists as part of an alternate chronicle and therefore is not part of theDCEU ’s film timeline . Zack Snyder ’s 2009 adaptation of Alan Moore ’s award - gain story is a drear , hard - boiled superhero heroic that examines the seedier side of the superhero genre , with its heroes serving as far more morally gray than the typical comic book saint of heroism . Watchmenremains one of the most enjoyable and subversive superhero movies well over a decade after its release , rise a enfranchisement is n’t need to check superhero movie success .
1Hellboy Perfectly Brings The Supernatural Hero’s World To Life
Hellboy (2004)
Mike Mignola’sHellboyis far from a traditional bomber . A being summoned for the sole purpose of destroy the Earth but or else raised to protect humans from supernatural threat , the titular paranormal investigator combats ghostwriter , monsters , and all manner of assorted villains . 2004’sHellboy , point by the master of dark fantasy Guillermo Del Toro , was a near - stark realisation of Mignola ’s strip . With excellent domain - building , hard-nosed effects that hold up two decades on , and an appropriately disconsolate and larger-than-life narrative , Hellboyremains the best example of a superhero moving-picture show that does n’t belong to to theMCU , DCEU , or any other established franchise .
