7 Superhero Movies & TV Shows That Totally Earned Their R-Rating

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For a long time, superhero movies – from the first Batman and Superman films to the early Marvel movies, most of the DC Extended Universe, and even most of the Marvel Cinematic Universe until Deadpool & Wolverine – were almost always rated PG or PG-13. While R-rated superhero projects were uncommon, that’s changing. Streaming services are now giving creators more freedom, allowing TV shows to fully adapt the often violent and explicit content found in the original comic books.

As a film buff, I’ve been looking at superhero movies and shows that really pushed the boundaries with mature content – the ones you’d probably want to think twice about before letting kids watch. Now, a couple didn’t quite fit the bill. For example, Super wasn’t really a superhero film in the first place. And while Logan, Darkman, and Birds of Prey definitely have some intense moments, they weren’t as graphic or shocking as some of the others on the list. They might still be a bit much for younger viewers, but compared to the really extreme ones, they’re relatively tame.

7) Watchmen

Although Watchmen might have less intense content than the other shows and movies on this list, it still isn’t suitable for children. It’s not the violence that makes it inappropriate, but rather its complex and mature storyline.

This film features several characters developing cancer simply because of their connection to the main character. It also includes a disturbing scene of a well-known hero physically attacking a female coworker, and another where that same hero brutally shoots the woman he fathered a child with. It’s definitely not suitable for family viewing due to its intense and upsetting content.

6) Kick-Ass

When Kick-Ass came out, some people criticized the film for having its 12-year-old star, Chloë Grace Moretz, use strong language. However, she delivered the lines so convincingly that audiences accepted her portrayal of the tough character Hit-Girl.

Beyond the dialogue, the movie includes some intense and violent scenes, mirroring the original story. One example is a man whose head explodes inside a microwave. It also features darkly comedic, shocking moments – like the opening scene where a young man attempting to fly falls from a building.

5) Joker

While superhero movies often downplay the impact of intense action, even when it’s graphic, Joker grounds itself in realism. This makes the film’s violence particularly shocking and unsettling.

The film features several violent acts, like the train shooting, Arthur’s harsh killing of Randall, and the shocking on-air execution of Murray Franklin. These events don’t feel distant or unrealistic, and considering the movie’s focus on the protagonist’s pain and isolation, it often feels like watching a tragic real-life story—at least, when compared to other films on this list.

4) Invincible

Prime Video’s Invincible is rated TV-MA not mainly because of bad language or sexual content, but because of its intense and graphic violence.

The show features brutal violence, with characters suffering severe injuries like broken bones and disfigured faces. Beyond the physical fights, there are emotionally impactful scenes, such as Powerplex unintentionally killing his family and Omni-Man deliberately harming innocent people to prove his power over his son.

3) The Deadpool Films

While kids might be interested in the Deadpool movies, they’re really made for adults. The first film included some nudity, the second dealt with difficult themes like a child struggling with anger and violence, and the third featured a very graphic injury.

The Deadpool movies gained popularity thanks to their strong language and over-the-top violence. While we won’t list all the swear words, the films feature plenty of graphic action – think characters being split in half, losing their heads, and getting shot. And let’s not forget Wade Wilson’s memorable, provocative scene in Deadpool 2.

2) Brightburn

The dark and unsettling mood of Brightburn definitely contributed to its inclusion here, but ultimately, it’s the intense violence that stands out. The gruesome death of Noah McNichol – specifically, having his jaw almost completely torn off – was shocking enough to earn the film the number two spot.

What makes Brightburn stand out is its use of real, practical effects – something you don’t often see in modern horror. The violence feels more impactful because of it. Plus, the film features the shocking deaths of the main character’s loving adoptive parents, after they’ve raised him for over ten years. While the movie isn’t perfect overall, the brutal scenes are definitely memorable.

1) The Boys

“The Boys” is by far the most explicit and mature superhero adaptation ever created. This makes sense, considering the original comic books are equally gritty and often shocking.

Honestly, this show doesn’t hold back! Like, in the very first episode of Season 3, there’s this incredibly bizarre scene where Termite shrinks himself to… well, to go inside his girlfriend, and it doesn’t end well for anyone involved. And that same season? They actually did an entire orgy scene. If you’re into shows with a lot of adult content – and I mean a lot, including some… unique encounters, like a guy and an octopus – then The Boys is absolutely a goldmine. It’s wild, creative, and definitely not for the faint of heart!

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2026-01-25 17:14