While the 1980s saw the rise of the superhero film, with several entries in the Superman Franchise and Tim Burton's Batman setting the landmark for the genre, the 1990s is when the interest in 'caped crusaders' started to escalate with many more movies being produced.
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It was an interesting decade, with Marvel struggling to find its footing on the screen and a push for more diverse and dark content, pushing a lot of movies into the spotlight. This resulted in some entertaining flops, future classics, and forgotten gems. We will look at the 20 best from the decade, ranking up to our top pick.
Some ground rules for this list: We are only tackling one entry per franchise to offer some variety, so while many of the films in this list have a sequel(s), we have picked the best. In addition, we are somewhat strict with our definition of the genre, so while the first Robocop (1987) had certain elements of a superhero movie, the later installments moved away from this approach.
Finally, animated features have been excluded, so the phenomenal Batman: Mask of the Phantasm did not make this list (though you should definitely check that one out if you have not).
20 Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (1998) Close
Agent Nick Fury is brought back into service after exiling himself to the Yukon to deal with the global organization known as Hydra. The organization is led by the villainous Viper, who gets her namesake by using the venom of a Colombian tree frog to poison her victims. Fury must then work with the government and a crack team to stop Hydra's worldwide terrorism plans.
This Isn't Bay Watch
Your eyes are not deceiving you; that is 'The Hoff' himself as Nick Fury. Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. is a film that has remained out of the light for several reasons.
It was a made-for-TV movie, and it was not particularly good. Considered to be cookie cutter and a poor realization of the comic character, the charm is in David Hasselhoff in the lead role and a strong performance by Sandra Hess as the villain Viper. Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (1998) is currently unavailable to rent or stream.
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19 Captain America (1990) Close
After being transformed into a super soldier in World War II to fight against the Nazis, Steve Rogers is retired from service and put into stasis. However, he is brought back decades later to fight against his old nemesis, The Red Skull, who is aiming to take control of the USA by implanting a mind control device in the brain of the president.
He is aided by the daughter of his wartime romance, Sharon, and a young journalist named Sam Kolawetz to help Cap navigate the modern era and take down The Red Skull.
Low Budget Goofiness
The plastic thunk and awkward floating to the ground of Captain America's shield in the opening scenes should give you a rough idea of what you are in for with Albert Pyun's envisioning of the patriotic hero.
Pyun was a prominent figure of B-cinema, and while Captain America may be one of his more tame outings, it still has some of that low-budget charm from other works of his like Cyborg and Radioactive Dreams. Still, for Marvel fans, this is a poor outing for the hero. On a peculiar note, Captain American stars Matt Salinger, the son of author J.D. Salinger (Catcher in the Rye), giving some extra intrigue to the production. You can rent Captain America (1990) on Prime.
18 Blankman (1994) Close
Nerdy aspiring inventor Kevyn Major Howard decides to become a superhero after his grandmother is murdered by a gangster known as Michael "The Suit" Minelli. He dons the moniker Blankman and gets his brother's help, giving him the name "Other Guy." Blankman attempts to clean up the city with his various inventions, but it takes time for him to find his groove, offering a rather comedic rise of an unlikely hero.
From Zero to Hero
The '90s can certainly be seen as the era when superhero comedies became more relevant, and the Dayan Wamons-led Blankman is a great example of this. While originally panned by critics, the movie ended up garnering a cult following for its homage to the 'goofier' era of superheroes wherein Batman 'bang-eth' and 'boffed' countless henchmen.
Damon Wayans and David Alan Grier are comedically gifted performers, and the underlying positive messaging that prioritizes family and justice also gives the movie a soft and endearing tone despite how silly it gets. You can stream Blankman on Netflix.
17 Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D. (1990) Close
Bumbling New York City detective Harry Griswold is gifted with the powers of an ancient Japanese warrior after attending an amateur Kabuki play that ends with him being the sole survivor of a killing spree. Now armed with abilities like flight, heat-seeking chopsticks, and the ability to turn people into sushi, Sgt. Kabukiman must stop the evil Reginald Stuart and his goons from fulfilling an ancient evil prophecy that will summon the world-destroyer known as "The Evil One."
Troma's Other Politically Incorrect Hero
Far from any semblance of being PC, the original of Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D., coming from the crude yet often hilarious Troma production company, should give you an idea of the movie's tone. Yes, Troma dominated the '80s with Toxic Avenger and Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D. never quite reached the same heights, but the movie still had many of the same elements fans love: gross-out humor, random nudity, over-the-top action, and silly dialogue.
If you have not yet watched this one, know that you are bound to be offended at some point; it has long been Troma's objective to push boundaries in a sensational way to draw in as many misfits as possible. Stream Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D. for free on Tubi or Plex.
16 Black Scorpion (1995) Close
Tired of the force's inability to curb crime, detective Darcy Walker decides to take matters into her own hands by transforming into the superhero, the Black Scorpion. Taking to the streets at night to beat her enemies to a pulp or chase them down with her super-tech car, Darcy soon finds herself involved in stopping a larger crime, as a mad scientist aims to poison the city's water supply.
A Delightfully Campy Made for TV Superhero Story
Fans who grew up watching TV series like Xena, Hercules, and Beastmaster will be familiar with the era of fantasy and action on a budget but packed with charm. While Black Scorpion would also become a TV series on the Sci-fi Channel years later, the made-for-TV-movie embodied the same approach as other series that had begun to seep into pop culture. Of course, nostalgia will play a part in how many viewers like this one, as every element is painfully low-budget and hammed up to the extreme. Black Scorpion is currently unavailable for streaming or rent, though you can watch the TV series for free on Tubi, Plex, or FreeVee.
15 The Guyver (1991) Close
Based on the Japanese manga Bio Booster Armor Guyver by Yoshiki Takaya, The Guyver follows a young man, Sean Baker, who becomes a super powered cyborg after discovering an alien artifact called "The Unit." Soon after discovering his powers, he learns of an evil corporation seeking it for themselves, and they soon launch their minions, Zoanoids, to take the suit from Sean.
A Cool Manga Adaptation
Mark Hamill, Jeffrey Combs, and Michael Berryman in supporting roles should be enough to perk some viewers up to check out this '90s cheesy superhero film inspired by Japanese manga.
The movie boasted some amazing practical effects and designs for the period and melded elements of martial arts action, horror, and B-movie silliness. It was also a unique concept, and its staying power with a modern audience is only let down by the bevy of Asian-inspired productions and more readily available international features making their way to the West decades later. The Guyver is currently unavailable to stream or rent.
Related 10 Superhero Movies That Stand Perfectly Fine on Their Own
You don't need additional films to provide context or continue the story; these superhero movies are perfect as is.
14 The Meteor Man (1993) Close
Local teacher Jefferson Reed feels powerless against the gang known as the "Golden Lords" that has overrun his community. However, this changes when a golden meteor from the sky strikes him and grants him superhuman abilities. Reed becomes Meteor Man and takes up the duty of cleaning up the city with the support of his family and friends.
Starting a Positive Trend in the Superhero Genre
The 90s saw a lot of progress in the superhero genre, with TheMeteor Man being the first of the era to explore the black experience with insight and wit. While not a box office success, the movie did garner a subsequent cult following thanks to the comedic beats of actor Robert Townsend, backed by a well-rounded cast, and its socially positive message.
There is a lot to love here, including plenty of fun action sequences that act as a love letter to comic books. Still, the plot here is pretty disjointed, with the movie touching on greatness but not entirely delivering; an important and fun superhero film but not among the best. The Meteor Man is currently unavailable to stream or rent.
13 Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995) Close
The villainous Lord Zedd and Rita Repulsa stumble upon a giant purple egg unearthed at a construction site in Angel Grove and open it up. The egg contains the evil being known as Ivan Ooze.
Having ruled the Earth 6,000 years before being imprisoned by Zordon, Ooze exacts revenge by powering down the Power Rangers' mentor and leaving them powerless. However, planning for this inevitability, Alpha 5 sends the Rangers to another planet to gain new powers so they can fight back and save Earth.
One of the Biggest Franchises of the '90s
If you were an 80s kid who grew up in the '90s, this movie was likely, in your youthful eyes, a landmark of cinema. Undeniably, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers were huge during the era, and the movie offered what fans wanted -- more Power Rangers.
Keeping the campiness and over-the-top action, the production offered better special and practical effects than ever seen in the franchise. It was also guided by stylish cinematography, giving it a polished look and pushing it beyond just being a longer episode of the hit TV show. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie is currently unavailable for rent or stream.
12 Spawn (1997) Close
Betrayed by his boss and murdered by other mercenaries ex-U.S. Marine Al Simmons is thrust into hell. Recruited into the devil's army, Al Simmons eventually makes a pact to return to Earth, where he finds that his wife has remarried, and he is mostly forgotten about. He decides to atone for his past by seeking revenge on those who took everything away from him and hunts down the boss and crew that crossed him.
Todd McFarlane's Spawn Defined '90s Superheroes
Two things can be true at the same time; looking back at the special effects of Spawn in a modern context reminds us of just how bad 90s CGI was, but at the same time, it is impressive for the era what they were able to craft to bring Spawn to the screen.
The movie also offers a rather dark take on what it means to be a hero, which has always been a draw to the character that has kept him relevant and one of the best-selling characters in comic books. Michael Jai White did a phenomenal job as Spawn, Jon Leguzimo is at his most deranged yet entertaining, and Martin Sheen makes a great villain. Let's hope that reboot comes soon!You can rent Spawn on Apple TV, Prime, or YouTube.
11 The Shadow (1994) The Shadow PG-13
Release Date July 4, 1994 Director Russell Mulcahy Cast Alec Baldwin , John Lone , Penelope Ann Miller , Peter Boyle , Ian McKellen , Tim Curry , Jonathan Winters Main Genre Action Runtime 108 Minutes
Drawn from the pages of pulp magazines and radio palys, The Shadow crept onto the screen with Alec Baldwin playing the titular hero. The movie tells the origin of The Shadow (real name Lamont Cranston), a wealthy playboy and reformed drug kingpin who got his abilities from a Tibetan mystic who taught him how to hypnotize others and change their perceptions of reality, allowing him to hide in the shadows.
The Shadow uses these abilities to fight crime, but he is soon challenged by a psychic and a descendant of Genghis Kahn, who is building an atomic bomb.
Pulp Heroism in a Gritty '30s New York
The Shadow's sharp 1930s aesthetic easily draws viewers into its pulp-inspired origins. In addition, Alec Baldwin is perfectly cast in this role. Presenting the suave, cool, and collected debutante turned-hero feels like a natural progression in his performance. Unfortunately, the movie was a commercial flop on its release, with many critics feeling it fell short of its potential.
Visiting the movie decades later, one can see what the production aimed to accomplish, and there are still plenty of great moments of action and drama here. Rent The Shadow on Apple TV, Prime, or YouTube.
10 Mystery Men (1999) Mystery Men Director Kinka Usher Cast Ben Stiller , Janeane Garofalo , William H. Macy , Hank Azaria , Kel Mitchell , Paul Reubens , Wes Studi , Greg Kinnear Main Genre superheroes
Beloved hero, Captain Amazing, decides to spring his arch-nemesis, Casanova Frankenstein, from prison to get more publicity around his name when he captures him again. However, Cassanova outsmarts the hero and soon captures him, shocking the superhero community. Enter the d-list of heroes, which includes Mr. Furious (Ben Stiller), The Blue Raja (Hank Azaria), The Shoveler (William H. Macy), and The Bowler (Janeane Garofalo), among others, to try to step up and save the day.
Digging into the D-List of Superheros
A highly entertaining superhero spoof, Mystery Men (1999) benefitted from its casting of some of the best comedic actors of the decade. The movie is also highly quotable and has a few fun action sequences where the heroes get to utilize their otherwise useless powers.
The '90s were not kind to superhero movies, and like many on this list, Mystery Men was a flop at the box office that found later cult appeal. For fans of Ben Stiller, this may not be his best performance, but it is certainly an underrated one. You can stream Mystery Men on Starz.
9 Doctor Mordrid (1992) Close
An ancient evil has arrived in New York when a sorcerer known as Kabal breaks free of his 100-year imprisonment with revenge on his mind. Thankfully, Doctor Mordrid has been waiting for this day and is prepared to fight his old foe to save Earth. Mordrid begins to search for Kabal with the help of police researcher Samantha Hunt to prevent him from regaining his full power.
A Horror Icon Steps Into the Role of Hero
Before there was Dr. Strange, Doctor Mordid hit the screen, beating out Marvel's mystical hero by decades. While the characters are very similar, the approach here is different. Oozing low-budget charm, the real draw here is having cult favorite Jeffrey Combs (Re-Animator) in the lead role, hamming it up in the best sense of the word.
This remains one of the underappreciated Full Moon productions of the '90s, with a wonderful blend of magical battles, cheesy dialogue, and some stop-motion dinosaurs to boot. This may not be the best superhero movie of the era, but it is one of the most entertaining. You can stream Doctor Mordrid on Prime, Tubi, or Plex.
8 Orgazmo (1997) Close
Mormon missionary Joe Young gets drawn into the adult industry world after stumbling upon a shoot while trying to spread the good word. At first, taking a single job for money for his wedding with his fiancee Lisa, his hero alter-ego Orgazmo becomes a cult hit, and soon Joe is a hot name in the industry. Joe decides to quit, but to keep him making movies, producers kidnap Lisa, forcing the timid Mormon to embrace the alter ego of Orgazmo in real life to save his partner.
From the Minds Behind South Park
Trey Parker and Matt Stone have found infamy with South Park, but the duo has worked on several movies starring themselves that often go overlooked when measuring their comedic brilliance. Orgazmo is the kind of crass comedy one would expect from the duo, delivering memorable lines and a silly premise that stands out from other humorous superhero movies of the era.
Of course, if you dislike South Park, this movie will only validate any disdain for the duo; fans of the show should watch or revisit Orgazmo. You can rent Orgazmo on Prime, Amazon, or YouTube.
Related The 20 Most Underrated Performances in Superhero Movies, Ranked
Superhero cinema has given us many remarkable performances in its history. But here are the ones that really didn't get the recognition they deserved.
7 The Rocketeer (1991) The Rocketeer Where to Watch
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Director Joe Johnston Cast Billy Campbell , Jennifer Connelly , Alan Arkin , Timothy Dalton , Paul Sorvino , Terry O'Quinn Main Genre Action
Set in L.A. the late 1930s, The Rocketeer follows stunt pilot Cliff Secord, who discovers a mysterious rocket pack hidden by gangsters fleeing the police. The device allows him to take to the skies, and he soon uses these abilities to perform heroic acts. Yet, his bravery also attracts the attention of the FBI, gangsters, and even nazi spies, forcing him with a great burden of protection and using the found technology.
An Underrated Disney Classic
While Disney would become synonymous with the superhero genre in the modern era, they were relatively quiet during the decade; The Rocketeer was the only one produced directly by the House of Mouse.
This is certainly the most family-friendly entry on this list because of it, and it has those heartwarming moments and beautiful visual direction that wonderfully captured the 30s era and imbued it with a diesel-punk aesthetic of the comics. The performances of Billy Campbell, Jennifer Connelly, and Alan Arkin are also great.
6 Darkman (1990) Darkman Where to Watch
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Release Date August 24, 1990 Director Sam Raimi Cast Liam Neeson , Frances McDormand , Colin Friels , Larry Drake , Nelson Mashita , Jessie Lawrence Ferguson Main Genre Action
Mild-mannered scientist Peyton Westlake is working on synthetic skin that will revolutionize the medical industry. While he is struggling to perfect his formula, he is assaulted at his lab by gangsters who are looking for a document that could incriminate Westlake's girlfriend and end up burning him with his experiments in the process.
When Westlake awakes in the hospital, horribly burned, she learns he has fused with his synthetic skin and can now emulate others for a short time. He uses this newfound ability to get revenge.
Sam Raimi's First Superhero Movie
While Sam Raimi would rule the superhero genre in the 2000s with Spider-Man, there were inklings of the director's ability to tackle the genre back with Darkman. Blending elements of horror, action, and tragedy, the movie is one of the decade's unique superhero outings. Liam Neeson is great as the broken and disfigured hero, perfectly capturing the tortured soul of Peyton Westlake. The design of Darkman is also one of, if not the, coolest of the 1990s.
5 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) PG Release Date March 30, 1990 Director Steve Barron Cast Brian Tochi , Josh Pais , Corey Feldman , Robbie Rist , Kevin Clash , David McCharen , Michael McConnohie , James Saito , judith hoag , Elias Koteas Main Genre Action Runtime 93 Minutes
Investigating a crime wave washing over the city, reporter April O'Neil finds herself confronted by the foot clan one night, only to be saved by a mysterious group of turtles. As she investigates further, she learns of the underground martial artists led by their wise instructor, Splinter. Trying to live a peaceful life, Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael are brought into fighting the clan with the aid of April O'Neil after their leader, Shredder, kidnaps their mentor.
Turtle Power, Cowabunga, Etc.
While the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles would separate from their darker origins in the comic books to create the TV series, the movie struck a nice balance between the more family-friendly and brooding comic versions. The design of the turtles from the Jim Henson Company was also well handled, allowing the movie's dramatic elements to work thanks to their lifelike presence.
That said, the movie was still aware of where the turtles were in pop culture and embedded it with light-hearted humor, a well-rounded and fully realized superhero movie. You can rent Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) on Apple TV, Prime, or YouTube.
4 Batman Returns (1992) Batman Returns Where to Watch
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Release Date June 19, 1992 Director Tim Burton Cast Michael Keaton , Danny DeVito , Michelle Pfeiffer , Christopher Walken , Michael Gough , Michael Murphy Main Genre Action
The caped crusader faces new challenges in Batman Returns, the sequel to the landmark superhero movie Batman (1989). Bruce Wayne conflicts with wealthy industrialist Max Shreck and a deformed, ruthless crime boss, Oswald Cobblepot, better known as The Penguin, who have teamed up to take over Gotham. Things are further complicated with the appearance of a skilled thief, Catwoman, who Bruce Wayne finds himself attracted to both her in and out of costume.
A Monumental Sequel to the Best Superhero Movie of the '80s
Tim Burton would continue to deliver the same dark gothic aesthetic that made the first movie such a fan-favorite and critical success. This is arguably the best-cast film in the franchise, with Michael Keaton as Batman/Bruce Wayne, Danny DeVito as The Penguin, and Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman.
Despite stiff competition in the 1990s, time has been the most charitable to Batman Returns, and the movie is considered a classic for a good reason; even if some found it a bit disturbing at the time.
3 The Mask The Mask Where to Watch
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Release Date July 29, 1994 Director Chuck Russell Cast Jim Carrey , Peter Riegert , Peter Greene , Amy Yasbeck , Richard Jeni , Orestes Matacena Main Genre Comedy
Stanley Ipkiss is a shy banker struggling to find his voice at work. This changes when he happens upon a wooden mask and puts it on, awakening a cartoonish superhero with a knack for gag comedy and one-liners. Stanley begins to get revenge on his various tormentors who took advantage of his mild nature, but this soon catches the attention of gangster Dorian Tyrell, who wants the power for himself.
We All Wear Masks
The Mask was an impressive mix of so many great elements; you had the breakout performance of Jim Carrey, whose method approach to acting brought The Mask to life; Cameron Diaz's memorable debut; groundbreaking visual effects that still pop to this date; and tons of quotable one-liners from the cartoonish hero. The production may be surface-level silliness, keeping it from being listed any higher in this list, but it is entertaining chaos certainly worth revisiting.
2 The Crow (1994) The Crow Where to Watch
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Release Date May 19, 1994 Director Alex Proyas Cast Brandon Lee , Rochelle Davis , Ernie Hudson , Michael Wincott , Ling Bai , Sofia Shinas Main Genre Action
Aspiring musician Eric Draven is looking to build a better life for himself and the love of his life and future fiancée, Shelly. However, after the two are attacked and Eric is thrown out of a window to his death, the dream is shattered. Resurrected a year later by a mysterious crow, Eric begins a crusade in an attempt to rebuild his life and help others while slowly hunting down each gang member responsible for his death.
You Can't Go as The Crow This Halloween, I'm Going as The Crow!
Has there ever been such a sublime mix of goth culture, action, horror, and tragedy as The Crow? We would be hard-pressed to find anything comparable, and the movie still stands as a quintessential cult classic.
Even though it was a blockbuster on release, the love for the Brandon Lee-led movie has stayed consistent and become influential in the lives of many a dark and brooding teenager (and occasional adult). This is not to downplay or infantilize the content, the movie is beautifully tragic in both story and visuals. Its somber themes and violence may have piqued a younger generation, but it has resonated far beyond that.
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1 Blade (1998) Blade (1998) R Release Date August 21, 1998 Director Stephen Norrington Cast Wesley Snipes , Stephen Dorff , Kris Kristofferson , N'Bushe Wright , Donal Logue , Udo Kier Main Genre Action Runtime 2hr
The half-vampire Blade, raised by a vampire-hunter named Whistler, has made it his life goal to exterminate the vampires that prey on humans.
However, rising through the ranks of the vampire society, Deacon Frost has taken a radical approach to human-vampiric relations, believing that his kind should not hide in the night and dominate humanity instead of treating them like cattle. This puts him on the path with Blade and his most recent ally, Karen Jensen, a hematologist who has developed a cure for vampirism.
Bloody Fun
Marvel had a rather abysmal decade on the screen regarding commercial success, but Blade broke the mold for the comic company while bringing an R-rated, horror-inspired hero to the forefront of the '90s.
The movie boasted stylish visuals, intense action, and plenty of viscera (who doesn't want to go to the blood sprinkler rave?). The performances from Wesley Snipes and Stephen Dorff are also high-energy and entertaining. Where Batman (1989) refined the approach to superhero movies with subtle brilliance, Blade kicked down the door and told you directly what the new direction of superhero movies would be. You can rent Blade on Apple TV, Prime or YouTube.
