Closing out Phase 5 of the Thunderbolts* is a great example of how compelling the anti-hero archetype can be when filtered through the superhero genre. It’s a thematically rich and consistently entertaining film, blending heavy themes with some strong set-pieces and comedic riffs. There are plenty of other superhero movies that approach the genre similarly to Thunderbolts*, subverting the typical trappings of the genre with a grim sense of humor, bleaker characters, and a lot more violence.
Some of the best superhero anti-hero movies lean more heavily into the gallows humor, while others lean into the potential pathos and gothic nature of the characters to great effect. If you’ve just watched Thunderbolts* and want to continue exploring that blend of dark comedy and complex anti-hero character arcs, here are some of the best ones to check out on streaming services like Apple TV Plus, and beyond!
#10 - Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)
The sequel to 2018’s Tom Hardy) and the Venom symbiote as they go through a rough patch in their relationship, an effective comedic turn that grounds the film emotionally while also setting up Woody Harrelson's Carnage as a twisted counterpart to the anti-hero.
The film isn’t as beholden to the big stakes of recent entries in the genre, working better as a goofy character story about Eddie and the symbiote’s bond. More than just a habit of eating their enemies rather than webbing them up, Venom: Let There Be Carnage is a fun anti-hero story for the way it plays with a grim morality that puts more emphasis on friendship and love as driving motivations rather than some holy duty or solemn responsibility.
#9 - Constantine (2005)
Based on the Vertigo comic series Hellblazer, Constantine is a wild supernatural action-thriller. Although the film takes a lot of liberties with the source material, the result is a compelling anti-hero story that explores themes about redemption and faith in more than just a deity. The film centers around John Constantine, an exorcist who finds himself entangled in a conspiracy to bring hell on Earth. Dying of lung cancer and well aware that he is condemned to hell, Constantine’s quest is a grimy and occasionally vicious magical realm.
Although the film landed with a mixed reception when it was first released, it has garnered enough of a cult following that Keanu Reeves is now set to reprise the role in a long-awaited sequel. Fans of The Matrix and John Wick should make sure they don’t miss one, as it features one of Reeves’ more underrated performances as a man grieving every aspect of his life even as he keeps snarking and fighting his way through it.
#8 - V For Vendetta (2006)
Based on the Alan Moore and David Lloyd comic of the same name, Natalie Portman as a young woman raised in a version of the United Kingdom that’s fallen to fascism, V for Vendetta charts her growth from a put-upon girl to a defiant figure in her own right thanks to the “assistance” (both loving and horrifying) of V. A charming masked killer and a mysterious history, Hugo Weaving’s riff on the anti-hero is a tragic monster who has turned his vicious side against the world that destroyed his culture – whatever that may be. While the graphic novel may be a better piece of dramatic writing and world-building, there’s some real enjoyment to be found this film’s bombastic action and memorable performances.
#7 - Darkman (1990)
Directed by Sam Raimi, Darkman is a dark love letter to classic anti-heroes like the Shadow that came to inspire other enduring characters like Batman. The film stars Liam Neeson (in one of his first lead roles) as Dr. Peyton Westlake, a scientist who becomes an avenging figure after a crime boss disfigures him. Darkman is a soulful and stylistic ode to the comic book medium that does a great job of bringing that simultaneously campy and rich medium to the big screen. The seeds for Raimi's work on the Spider-Man trilogy can be seen all over the original action film, which proved successful enough to spawn a franchise. Darkman benefits from a whole-hearted approach from Raimi, who infuses the gothic story with plenty of references to classic films, flashes of visual innovation, and a heaping helping of dark humor.
#6 - Deadpool 2 (2018)
While 2016’s Ryan Reynolds finds the core of the deceptively complex character in this film, finding a self-destructive and self-loathing core that can’t override his genuine humanity. Deadpool 2 has an absolute blast with the R-rated parody of superhero movie tropes (including one of the most grisly comedy sequences in the entire genre), but it’s the film’s heart that elevates it above other anti-hero superhero movies.
#5 - The Suicide Squad (2021)
Largely disconnected from the more controversial The Suicide Squad is a perfectly bombastic blast of energy that serves as a great introduction of James Gunn to the universe. The film focuses on a band of criminals who’ve been sent to bring down a rouge South American nation. The film threads a delicate balance between grisly grindhouse violence, a darkly kooky sense of humor, and real character pathos to deliver a one-of-a-kind action flick. Anti-heroes like Bloodsport, Harley Quinn, and Peacemaker all get morally complex arcs – the latter of which was so strangely compelling that it set up an entire spin-off show focused on the character. Full of surprisingly emotional character beats to contrast all the black comedy death scenes, The Suicide Squad is a strange (and hilarious) riff on the genre.
#4 - Hellboy (2004)
Based on the iconic Mike Mignola comic of the same name, Guillermo Del Toro’s unique approach to filmmaking. The film focuses on the titular paranormal agent, played with a prickly but vulnerable heart by Ron Perlman. As he and his allies in a secretive supernatural government agency contend with the monsters and demons that seek to destroy their world, Hellboy must also contend with his long-standing issues with his adopted father and his romantic interest in his fellow agent Liz.
While there have been other cinematic swings at the character (as well as a pretty great sequel in the form of 2008’s Hellboy II: The Golden Army), none of them have been able to match the pulpy inspirations and emotional core of Del Toro’s underrated supernatural action classic.
#3 - Dredd (2012)
While 1995’s Dredd was a vast improvement that remains a great example of what a comic book adaptation can do in the right hands. Directed by Pete Travis with a screenplay by Alex Garland, Dredd pits a perfectly cast Karl Urban as Dredd up against Lena Headey's vicious mob boss Ma-Ma. With the simple conceit of forcing Dredd and his rookie partner to try and escape a locked down building full of criminals and killers, Dredd clears itself plenty of room to go wild with the gory action, slow-mo fights, and grim social commentary. It’s one of the most underrated action/sci-fi films of the 21st century, and a perfect translation of the bleak satire of American law enforcement from the comic page to the screen.
#2 - Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (2020)
Arguably the best (and definitely the most idiosyncratic) entry in the Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) is a wacky and charming riff on flawed anti-heroes that does it all from a decidedly female perspective. Focusing on an unlikely band of women who end up all within the orbit of a gamely vile Ewan McGregor as crime boss Black Mask, the “Birds of Prey” are less a superhero team and more a band of survivors dealing with the aggressions (both micro and macro) of a world that doesn’t care what they want. The snappy humor and strong performances benefit the film’s impressive approach to action, with director Cathy Yan bringing some much-needed color to the otherwise grimly lit superhero universe surrounding it. The entire cast elevate the material and deliver a movie that nails the balance between campy and cool.
#1 - Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
A top-tier MCU film and easily the most charming movie in the franchise, the gonzo sci-fi trappings and comedic riffs on the anti-hero archetypes make Zoe Saldaña has earned her place in the action movie pantheon. All of them are different approaches to the anti-hero (in a similar vein to Thunderbolts*), but with the added bonus of James Gunn’s strangest impulses blending wonderfully with the colorful and inherently bizarre nature of the cosmic Marvel Universe, leading to a film that elevates beyond multiple genres to be pure popcorn cinema in the best way.
Where To Watch 10 Comic Book Anti-Hero Movies After 'Thunderbolts*'
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