Superhero movies have a cult fan following across the globe, and the box-office collections that these movies get indicates that superhero movies are here to stay for long. We are going a bit retro and will be looking at a list of superhero movies that were released before 1990. We also include human characters that are considered as superheroes for their brave, heroic deeds. Let’s have a look at top 10 must-watch classic superhero movies.
Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing is directed by Wes Craven and was released in the year 1982. The star cast of the movie includes Dick Durock, Louis Jourdan, Adrienne Barbeau, Ray Wise, and Nicholas Worth. The film tells the story of scientist Alec Holland who accidentally gets exposed to his experimental chemicals and gets transformed into the monster Swamp Thing. This film may not be a match with the Superman and Batman movies, but it is unique in its way.
The Toxic Avenger
The Toxic Avenger is directed by Lloyd Kaufman & Michel Herz and was released in the year 1984. The star cast of the movie includes Mitch Cohen, Dan Snow, Andree Maranda, Mark Torgl, and Jennifer Prichard. The film is filled with extreme violence, gores, and nudity and therefore it would be hard for many to consider this flick as a typical superhero movie. The movie couldn’t make an impact upon its initial release, but later received a cult fan following.
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension is directed by W. D. Richter and was released in the year 1984. The star cast of the movie includes Peter Weller, John Lithgow, Jeff Goldblum, Ellen Barkin, and Christopher Lloyd. The film tells the story of Dr. Buckaroo Banzai, who invents a jet car which can break the speed of time and everything goes wrong. The movie has got many unique characters and of course, the strangest title a movie probably could ever have.
Batman: The Movie
Batman: The Movie is directed by Leslie H. Martinson and was released in the year 1966. The star cast of the movie includes Adam West, Burt Ward, Alan Napier, Cesar Romero, and Lee Meriwether. This is the very first feature film of Batman and is a continuation of the Batman TV series and maintained the same pattern and comic book stylization throughout the movie. This movie showcased the most enjoyable incarnations of the Batman ever put to screen.
Flash Gordon
Flash Gordon is directed by Mike Hodges and was released in the year 1980. The star cast of the movie includes Sam J. Jones, Max Von Sydow, Melody Anderson, Brian Blessed, and Ornella Muti. Inspired by the 19th-century Russian novels, the space adventure flick portrays an entirely different version of a superhero. The adventures of Flash Gordon and his friends on planet Mongo won the heart of the audience as well as the critics. A certain level of humorous touch throughout was another highlight of the movie.
Superman II
Superman II is directed by Richard Donner & Richard Lester and was released in the year 1980. The star cast of the movie includes Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Terrence Stamp, and Sarah Douglas. This movie is a sequel to the 1978 Superman movie and was noted for its story plot and strong performances. Massive reshoots were taken which made many crew members leave halfway through the production, but nothing stopped it from becoming a summer blockbuster.
RoboCop
RoboCop is directed by Paul Verhoeven and was released in the year 1987. The star cast of the movie includes Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Dan O’Herlihy, Kurtwood Smith, and Robert DoQui. RoboCop is one a kind and is undoubtedly one of the finest superhero movies ever made. The movie received a cult fan following since its initial release even though, it was X-Rated for its extreme violence. Kurtwood Smith portrayed the role of the ruthless villain Clarence J. Boddicker and is considered as one of the finest villains of all time.
The Mark of Zorro
The Mark of Zorro is directed by Fred Niblo & Theodore Reed and was released in the year 1920. The sat cast of the movie includes Douglas Fairbanks, Marguerite De La Motte, Robert McKim, Noah Beery Sr., and Charles Hill Mailes. Diego da la Vega doesn’t possess any supernatural powers, but he must become a human superhero to protect his people from the corrupt government officials. The movie is filled with splendid action scenes and great performances which were very rare for an action-adventure flick at that time.
Batman
Batman is directed by Tim Burton and was released in the year 1989. The star cast of the movie includes Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Michael Gough, and Billy Dee Williams. Tim Burton’s iconic take on the Gotham city’s hero gave Batman the current superhero stardom that he possesses. Many were unconvinced with Michael Keaton’s casting as Batman, but he proved them wrong upon its release. The movie broke all the existing opening box-office records by a margin and maintained the position for a considerable amount of time.
Superman
Superman is directed by Richard Donner and was released in the year 1978. The star cast of the movie includes Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, and Jackie Cooper. This movie proved to the whole cinematic universe that people love superhero movies like anything and the reception and blockbuster status, which the movie received was just an indication for the upcoming superhero flicks. The movie was nominated for 3 Academy Awards and will stay as a unique and exceptional superhero movie forever.
