35 movies to watch if you like Batman

Love watching Batman films, but feel like you have already exhausted all of the Batman movies available? Looking for something else to watch instead? Then don’t go anywhere – this is the post for you!

Below I am serving up a collection of films to watch if you like Batman movies but need an alternative to your usual Bat-fix. These movies range from iconic comic book films to explosive action flicks, and cover stone-cold classics as well as some overlooked gems you probably forgot existed.

This selection of titles is not designed to replace the Batman movies in your life, but merely give you something to watch (or revisit) until the next one arrives. So dive in, and enjoy.

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The Crow (1994)

First up, the oft-overlooked but completely brilliant The Crow – the ‘90s action film about a deceased rock star who returns from beyond the grave to avenge his own murder, as well as the rape and murder of his fiancée. Brandon Lee, Ernie Hudson, and Michael Wincott star, while Alex Proyas directs.

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Dredd (2012)

Karl Urban takes on the role of comic book law enforcer, Judge Dredd for the low-budget, but incredibly engaging, Dredd. Plenty of action, a great performance from Urban, and one very cool film.

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The Mask of Zorro (1998)

Antonio Banderas takes on the lead role for The Mask of Zorro – a high-action superhero movie about a masked vigilante writing wrongs and fighting corruption. Catherine Zeta-Jones and Anthony Hopkins co-star, with Martin Campbell in the director’s chair.

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Dick Tracy (1990)

Based on the comic-strip of the same name, Dick Tracy is a stylish, big budget crime movie about a detective attempting to quash a rise in gang warfare in his city. Warren Beatty stars and directs.

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RoboCop (1987)

RoboCop is director Paul Verhoeven’s brutal action film, which sees a deceased police officer brought back to life as a half-man, half-machine law enforcer. Set in a dystopian future, the film doesn’t pull any punches and is loaded with fantastic set pieces and some razor-sharp satirical wit.

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The Shadow (1994)

Alec Baldwin plays Lamont Cranston aka The Shadow, in this big budget movie based on the classic pulp hero. Penelope Ann Miller, Peter Boyle, Tim Curry, and Sir Ian McKellen round out the cast in an imaginative film similar in tone to Batman ’89.

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Watchmen (2009)

Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ landmark graphic novel is given the big screen treatment in director Zack Snyder’s epic Watchmen. The film pays great homage to the original source material, and serves up a dark tale about super heroes and villains.

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The Old Guard (2020)

The Old Guard follows a team of immortal mercenaries led by Charlize Theron, who cross paths with an unethical pharmaceutical company. The company use whatever means necessary to capture the team, with the ultimate goal of unlocking the secrets behind their unique gifts.

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Logan (2017)

Hugh Jackman plays the role of Wolverine/Logan in this dark, sombre, but beautifully crafted X-Men story. Action and heart are brought together for a brutal adventure, where all bets are off.

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

Taking inspiration from its darker origins, the 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie is a solid comic book flick, far removed from some of the more cartoony interpretations of the Turtles. If you’ve not watched this one for a while, now is the time to give it another go – you will love it!

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Superman: The Movie (1978)

The one that inspired them all, Superman: The Movie is one of the best comic book films of all time (if not THE best). Although tonally very different to most Batman films, Superman: The Movie is an action-adventure film which tells a well-crafted story about an iconic hero.

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Man of Steel (2013)

Another Superman tale, but this one a little darker and more in-line with the tone of the Batman films. Man of Steel stars Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, and Michael Shannon.

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Spider-Man (2002)

Director Sam Raimi brings Marvel’s most famous superhero to the big screen with a heartfelt film about power and responsibility. Tobey Maguire takes on the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man for a fantastic adventure film which pays respect to the character.

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Blade (1998)

Wesley Snipes plays Marvel’s half-human, half-vampire, Blade in this superb horror movie. In the film, Blade takes on a group of vampires led by Deacon Frost.

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Blade II (2002)

Blade returns in this excellent follow-up which is directed by Guillermo Del Toro. In this sequel, the vampire hunter joins forces with the Bloodpack to take on a new and even deadlier threat.

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Spawn (1997)

In this live-action adaptation of Todd McFarlane’s comic book, Michael Jai White plays a former soldier who is killed in action and resurrected as demonic super hero. Martin Sheen and John Leguizamo co-star.

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Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Harrison Ford plays the iconic archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones in the first and best entry in the series. The film features numerous memorable moments, as well as some globe-hopping action.

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Iron Man (2008)

Iron Man tells the story of an industrialist playboy turned super hero in a movie so good, it kick-started an entire cinematic universe. Jon Favreau directs, while Robert Downey Jr., Terence Howard, Jeff Bridges, and Gwyneth Paltrow star.

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The Rocketeer (1991)

Set during World War II, The Rocketeer is a retro action movie about an unwitting superhero who finds himself fighting the Nazis. Largely overlooked, The Rocketeer is a great movie to revisit, with an interesting hero and one of the coolest costume designs.

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The Punisher (2004)

Thomas Jane takes on the title role for Marvel’s The Punisher – a story about a vigilante looking to avenge the mass murder of his entire family. Plenty of action and comic book violence.

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Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

If your idea of a great Batman movie is any film that devotes plenty of screen time to the Batmobile, then perhaps what you need to watch next is a full-on road movie. The best choice? Mad Max: Fury Road – the epic, and exhaustive action flick starring Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron.

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Ghost Rider (2007)

In Ghost Rider, a motorcycle stunt rider makes a deal with the devil and becomes a supernatural vigilante. Nicolas Cage takes the role of Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider, while Eva Mendes, Sam Elliott, and Peter Fonda co-star.

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Darkman (1990)

Liam Neeson dons a costume (of sorts) for Darkman – a twisted superhero tale from the mind of Sam Raimi. The film is a little off-the-wall, but serves up a strange and sinister vigilante ready to dispense justice.

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Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

In The Winter Soldier, Captain America joins forces with the Falcon and Black Widow for a dark thriller loaded with action set pieces and drama. Anthony and Joe Russo direct.

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Die Hard (1988)

In Die Hard, Bruce Willis takes on the role of John McClane – a police detective who finds himself at a Christmas party hijacked by criminals. Over the course of 132 minutes of explosive action, McClane has to save the partygoers and stop the bad guys.

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Casino Royal (2006)

James Bond gets the fabulous reboot treatment in a gritty tale starring Daniel Craig. A great jumping on point for the series and the perfect introduction to 007.

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Black Panther (2018)

A landmark in comic book movies, Black Panther is as good as you remember, if not better. Chadwick Boseman leads the way as King T’Challa – the champion of Wakanda and the star of a dynamic action adventure movie from Marvel Studios.

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Sin City (2005)

An all-star adaptation of the Frank Miller graphic novel of the same name, Sin City is a dark, brutal crime thriller filled with guns and grit. Miller and Robert Rodriguez direct.  

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Hellboy (2004)

Rob Perlman takes on the role of Hellboy in this supernatural comic book movie based on the Dark Horse Comics character. Guillermo del Toro is on directing duties for what is a very imaginative fantasy film.

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Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)

del Toro returns to the director’s chair for this sequel which is arguably better than the original. In this movie, Hellboy takes on the deadly Golden Army in a twisted fairytale.

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Daredevil (2003)

Long before he played the role of Batman, Ben Affleck took on the part of Daredevil – Marvel’s blind super hero who operates in Hell’s Kitchen. Daredevil is a dark comic book tale, with Michael Clarke Duncan in the role of the merciless Kingpin.

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The Matrix (1999)

A mind-bending futuristic sci-fi thriller from the Wachowskis – The Matrix features some of the greatest action scenes committed to film. Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss and Hugo Weaving star in one of the best-loved movies of the 1990s.

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The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)

Numerous characters from the world of literature unite for a team-up movie based on the comic book of the same name. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is a high adventure, with a cast which includes Sean Connery, Richard Roxburgh, and Shane West.

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Kick-Ass (2010)

A teenager takes on the guise of costumed vigilante in Kick-Ass – a bloody-thirsty comic book movie starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz, and Nicolas Cage. The film offers up a nod to the ‘60s Batman show, while taking a very, very dark path filled with colourful language.

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Aquaman (2018)

And finally, Jason Momoa takes on the role of Arthur Curry in Aquaman – a blockbuster spin-off from Justice League (2017). Set within the DC Extended Universe, the movie provides a backstory to the character while sending him off on a new adventure.

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Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I hope I have pointed you in the direction of alternative comic book/action movies which may scratch that itch you have… while you wait for the next Batman movie. And for more posts, don’t forget to check out the recommended reads below.

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