Superhero movies are a huge success story in modern cinema. Since the year 2000, they’ve consistently been box office hits, bringing popular comic book stories and new tales of heroes and villains to life. The Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially, has shown just how popular these movies are with people of all ages around the world, and DC Comics adaptations have also received a lot of praise. This success keeps growing, with more and more superhero films being released every year. But the genre’s popularity isn’t just a recent phenomenon.
While superhero movies are much more common now than they were in the 1990s, the decade still delivered some excellent films. Unlike some recent superhero movies that get too much credit, many ’90s releases are actually quite good but haven’t received the attention they deserve. These unfairly overlooked films are worth revisiting, especially with the genre’s current popularity.
5) The Shadow (1994)
The 1994 film The Shadow, based on the classic pulp character, isn’t well-regarded. While it featured a strong cast, including Alec Baldwin as the playboy-turned-crimefighter, the movie received only lukewarm reviews and is mostly remembered as a box office failure despite its intriguing concept.
The Shadow is a visually stunning film. Its dark, film-noir style and special effects were particularly impressive for a superhero movie made in the 1990s. It has a fun, slightly campy quality and successfully captures the atmosphere of the era when the Shadow character first appeared, all while telling an enjoyable superhero story. Although it’s not widely remembered, The Shadow is a charming and visually striking ’90s superhero film that deserves more recognition.
4) RoboCop 3 (1993)
RoboCop 3 was the lowest-grossing film in the RoboCop series, unfortunately setting a record for box office disappointment. The franchise as a whole is known for diminishing returns, with each sequel generally considered weaker than the last. As a result, RoboCop 3 has become unfairly overlooked over time.
If you watch RoboCop 3 without comparing it to the first two films, you’ll find it’s a genuinely fun movie. It’s a lighthearted sci-fi action film that delivers entertainment, embracing the more comical side of the story and toning down the intense violence of the original. While it’s not a superhero classic, it’s a good addition to the RoboCop series and hasn’t gotten the credit it deserves.
3) Darkman (1990)
The 1990s weren’t known for strong superhero films outside of comic book adaptations, but a few unique entries did emerge. One of the earliest was 1990’s Darkman, which brought together the vision of director Sam Raimi and the talents of actors Liam Neeson and Frances McDormand. Despite having a dedicated fan base, Darkman remains largely underrated.
Though not adapted from a comic book, the movie Darkman was celebrated for successfully bringing the feel and energy of comics to the big screen. Its distinctive blend of dark imagery, horror, and humor makes it a standout superhero film. Many fans cherish it, and it really deserves a wider audience and more recognition.
2) Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995)
Few franchises instantly bring back memories of the 1990s quite like Power Rangers. Originally based on the popular Japanese show Super Sentai, the American version became a huge hit, leading to a movie. Released in 1995 and titled Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie, it’s considered one of the best superhero films of the decade.
The Power Rangers movie told a separate story from the TV series, uniting the heroes and giving them upgraded ninja abilities to fight the villain Ivan Ooze. It was a huge hit with kids and delivered a fun, action-packed superhero experience. Though many people have fond memories of it, the movie’s quality is often overlooked, and it remains one of the best superhero films of the 1990s.
1) The Phantom (1996)
While Marvel and DC dominate the superhero genre, several other films deserve recognition, including the 1996 movie The Phantom. Starring Billy Zane as the hero, the film is based on the classic 1930s comic strip and blends the original adventure stories with some fantastical twists. Despite being a fairly well-remembered movie, The Phantom remains surprisingly underrated.
Beyond its impressive cast and compelling storyline, The Phantom is genuinely enjoyable. It’s a superhero film that doesn’t try to be overly serious, playfully embracing familiar genre conventions while also celebrating the classic pulp heroes from the 1930s. This makes for a highly entertaining superhero movie that played a role in shaping the modern genre, and it’s a film that deserves to be appreciated more.
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2025-10-22 19:41