Live-action Superhero and comic book adaptations 1920-1999 that I have seen
A list of all the superhero and comic book live action films and TV series produced from 1920-1999, that I have seen
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- DirectorJohn EnglishWilliam WitneyStarsTom TylerFrank Coghlan Jr.William 'Billy' BenedictTo protect a magic talisman from being used for evil, a teenage boy named Billy Batson is given the power to become an adult superhero, Captain Marvel, with a single magic word: "Shazam!"Probably the best movie serial ever with terrific special effects (the flying sequences are jaw-dropping). It gets repetitive by the time you get to Chapter 5 but it is well resolved at the end. And who is the mysterious Scorpion?
- DirectorLambert HillyerStarsLewis WilsonDouglas CroftJ. Carrol NaishThe very first serial to adapt the comic book character of the Batman. In it, the Batman is a secret U.S. government agent, attempting to defeat the schemes of Japanese agent Dr. Daka operating in Los Angeles at the height of World War II.Low budget serial introduced the Dynamic Duo to movie audiences for the first time. Repetitive and racist to boot. Do yourself a favor and watch only a couple of chapters at a time.
- DirectorSpencer Gordon BennetStarsRobert LoweryJohnny DuncanJane AdamsSecond serial featuring the comic book character Batman. In it, Batman, together with his sidekick Robin, face off against the Wizard, a hooded villain with an electronic device that remotely controls vehicles.An improvement on the 1943 serial. This one has a new cast playing the Dynamic Duo. Vicki Vale is also in this one. Some good chapters, some terrible chapters. The Wizard's identity is easy to figure out. Or is it?
- CreatorLorenzo Semple Jr.William DozierStarsAdam WestBurt WardAlan NapierThe Caped Crusader and his young ward battle evildoers in Gotham City.Pow. Zingo. Boff. Great fun TV series with tongue planted firmly in cheek. Terrific guest stars. The first season is the best. The third is average at best.
- DirectorLeslie H. MartinsonStarsAdam WestBurt WardLee MeriwetherThe Dynamic Duo faces four supervillains who plan to hold the world for ransom with the help of a secret invention that instantly dehydrates people.Fun continuation of the TV series tries to cram in too much into 1 hour and 45 minutes. Lee Merriwether is terrific as catwoman and Adam West his usual stoic self. Fun but too long.
- DirectorTim BurtonStarsMichael KeatonJack NicholsonKim BasingerThe Dark Knight of Gotham City begins his war on crime with his first major enemy being Jack Napier, a criminal who becomes the clownishly homicidal Joker.Dark, intense film with a muted performance by Michael Keaton and an over-the-top one by Jack Nicholson.
- DirectorTim BurtonStarsMichael KeatonDanny DeVitoMichelle PfeifferWhile Batman deals with a deformed man calling himself the Penguin wreaking havoc across Gotham with the help of a cruel businessman, a female employee of the latter becomes the Catwoman with her own vendetta.Dark sequel to the first Michael Keaton Batman film. OK but needs a bit more humor.
- DirectorJoel SchumacherStarsVal KilmerTommy Lee JonesJim CarreyBatman must battle former district attorney Harvey Dent, who is now Two-Face and Edward Nygma, The Riddler with help from an amorous psychologist and a young circus acrobat who becomes his sidekick, Robin.I really enjoyed Val Kilmer's interpretation of Batman. The film is solid and quite enjoyable.
- DirectorJoel SchumacherStarsArnold SchwarzeneggerGeorge ClooneyChris O'DonnellBatman and Robin try to keep their relationship together even as they must stop Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy from freezing Gotham City.Trying hard to be like the 1960s TV series, this film is just bad.
- DirectorMario BavaStarsJohn Phillip LawMarisa MellMichel PiccoliA master thief and his sensual lover pull off heist after heist, all while an envious coalition of cops and gangsters is gunning for them.Looks like the filmmakers did acid before making this. Seriously, what were they thinking.
- DirectorSpencer Gordon BennetThomas CarrStarsKirk AlynNoel NeillTommy BondSuperman comes to Earth as a child and grows up to be his home's first superhero with his first major challenge being to oppose The Spider Lady.A lot of fun but the flying sequences are a big cheat. Every time superman takes off, he turns into a cartoon version of himself. What a ripoff. Kirk Alyn as Superman is having fun.
- StarsGeorge ReevesNoel NeillJack LarsonThe Man of Steel fights crime with help from his friends at the "Daily Planet."Low, low, low budget TV series shot mostly in studio. We only get to see Superman fly once or twice in each episode. Cheaply made and it shows. Still, George Reeves seems to be enjoying himself.
- DirectorRichard DonnerStarsChristopher ReeveMargot KidderGene HackmanAn alien orphan is sent from his dying planet to Earth, where he grows up to become his adoptive home's first and greatest superhero.Terrific entry in the Superman series with a standout performance by Christopher Reeve.
- DirectorRichard LesterStarsGene HackmanChristopher ReeveMargot KidderSuperman agrees to sacrifice his powers to start a relationship with Lois Lane, unaware that three Kryptonian criminals he inadvertently released are conquering Earth.A sequel that is better than the original. Great love story between Superman and Lois Lane. Once again, Christopher Reeve delivers.
- DirectorRichard LesterStarsChristopher ReeveRichard PryorMargot KidderSynthetic kryptonite laced with tar splits Superman in two: good Clark Kent and bad Man of Steel.The quality dropped off a lot by this point in the series. What in the world is Richard Pryor doing in this film?
- DirectorSidney J. FurieStarsChristopher ReeveGene HackmanMargot KidderThe Man of Steel crusades for nuclear disarmament and meets Lex Luthor's latest creation, Nuclear Man.Cheap, dull, poorly-made film. I am sure Christopher Reeve did this one just for the money.
- DirectorElmer CliftonJohn EnglishStarsDick PurcellLorna GrayLionel AtwillSuperhero Captain America battles the evil forces of the archvillain called The Scarab, who poisons his enemies and steals a secret device capable of destroying buildings by sound vibrations.Everything about Captain America's identity has been changed for this serial. Every single chapter has him fight several goons at a time in the exact same way. The actor who plays Cap was in terrible shape and it shows. Poor guy died immediately after finishing this movie. Cap rides a very cool motorcycle for about 30 seconds in one chapter. The rest is repetitive and dull as hell.
- DirectorRod HolcombStarsReb BrownLen BirmanHeather Menzies-UrichA recipient of an experimental body enhancement chemical retaliates against his would be killers as a star spangled superhero.Poor Made-for-TV film. It takes one hour and fourteen minutes before we see Steve Rodgers in costume as Captain America and the costume looks nothing like it should. The script is dull, the action minimal and the special effects are terrible. Skip this one.
- DirectorIvan NagyStarsReb BrownConnie SelleccaLen BirmanThe star spangled hero must battle a villain's plan to poison America with a chemical that horrifically accelerates the aging process.A definite improvement over the first TV movie. This one has music that is just as cheesy and stiff acting but the story is ok and Reb Brown as the good Captain tries hard. The motorcycle stunts are well done and the action sequences squeak by. Not bad overall.
- DirectorAlbert PyunStarsMatt SalingerRonny CoxNed BeattyFrozen in the ice for decades, Captain America is freed to battle against archcriminal The Red Skull.Low, low budget version of the good Captain is terrible except for...actually, it is all terrible.
- DirectorNick NostroStarsGiovanni CianfrigliaGérard TichyLoredana NusciakA superhero battles a madman who is plotting to steal uranium in order to take over the world.Great Italian superhero film. Over the top and silly but Superargo is one of the coolest superheroes you will ever see.
- CreatorEiji TsuburayaStarsSusumu KurobeSandayû DokumamushiMasaya NiheiA human member of a defense force is given the life and ability to change into a giant super-hero to battle the monsters that wreaks havoc on Earth.I loved this series in my childhood. Upon seeing the episodes recently, I realize that we only get to see Ultraman in action for the last 5 minutes of each episode. Still, some amazing monsters appear throughout.
- DirectorShinya NakajimaStarsMasaharu SekiguchiTakaaki IshibashiNoritake KinashiInept hero Ultraman Zearth must overcome his fear of germs and grime, if he wishes to save Earth from the evil Alien Benzene and his Kaiju pet Cotton-PoppeSilly Ultraman spoof.
- StarsHiroshi NaganoTakami YoshimotoAkitoshi OhtakiA high-tech squadron protects Earth from evil monsters and aliens with the help of a giant super-being named Ultraman Tiga.A good series. This isn't as good as the original Ultraman series but is still a lot of fun.
- DirectorKazuya KonakaStarsTakeshi YoshiokaGaku HamadaMai SaitoIn a change from previous Ultraman movies, this one takes place in our own universe, in which Ultraman is just a popular kids' TV show. A young boy (and Ultraman addict) named Tsutomu finds a mysterious glowing ball that tells him it can make wishes come true. The one thing Tsutomu wants more than anything else is to meet Gamu, Ultraman's human counterpart, so he can give the boy some pointers on standing up to the school bully. Unfortunately, the bully finds the wishing ball and wishes for a giant monster to appear and start stomping around their suburban Tokyo neighborhood. Gamu and the Science Patrol team must then find a way to open a gateway between the two universes to stop the monster and try to help Tsutomu with his personal problems.Ok overall.
- DirectorFred NibloStarsDouglas FairbanksMarguerite De La MotteNoah BeeryA seemingly idiotic fop is really the courageous vigilante Zorro, who seeks to protect the oppressed.Tons of great action in this silent film. Douglas Fairbanks is spry and energetic in this.
- DirectorWells RootStarsRobert LivingstonHeather AngelSig RumanThe Commandant is making life rough for the colonials in Spanish California. While trying to help, Zorro is charged with the murder of the new Governor, but in the end he triumphs over the evil Commandant.Low budget Zorro film is ok.
- DirectorRouben MamoulianStarsTyrone PowerLinda DarnellBasil RathboneA young Spanish aristocrat must masquerade as a fop in order to maintain his secret identity of Zorro as he restores justice to early California.Tyrone Power is great as Zorro.
- StarsGuy WilliamsGene SheldonHenry CalvinDon Diego de la Vega opposes the corrupt tyrants of Spanish California as the masked swordsman, Zorro.Well made TV series with an inspired performance from Guy Williams as Zorro.
- DirectorDuccio TessariStarsAlain DelonStanley BakerOttavia PiccoloIn the New World, a new Spanish governor finds the province of Nueva Aragón under the iron fist of the corrupt Colonel Huerta and vows to bring justice under the guise of a masked avenger.Alain Delon is great in this and there are more stunts than you can count. Made in Europe with a great deal of care.
- DirectorRay Dennis StecklerStarsCarolyn BrandtRon HaydockTitus MoedeAfter stopping three crooks from robbing an innocent woman, two dimwits become crime fighters.I don't know what the producers were trying to do with this film. Forget the ridiculous title. This film does not know if it wants to be a superhero film, a musical or a thriller. Looks like this was shot in 3 hours in someone's house. One of the most annoying films you will ever see and those costumes look like they were bought at K-Mart.
- DirectorRoger VadimStarsJane FondaJohn Phillip LawAnita PallenbergIn the 41st century, an astronaut partakes in sexy misadventures while seeking to stop an evil scientist who threatens to bring evil back into the galaxy.Silly to the extreme. At least Jane Fonda looks like she is having fun.
- DirectorJean-Jacques VierneStarsJean-Pierre TalbotGeorges WilsonGeorges LoriotTintin and Captain Haddock try to discover what is so desirable about their old and apparently worthless ship.Great live action version of Tintin with a fun story and terrific Greek and Turkish locations.
- DirectorPhilippe CondroyerStarsJean BouiseJean-Pierre TalbotFélix FernándezTintin, with the help of his dog Milú, Captain Haddock and a group of children, tries to find the whereabouts of professor Tornasol and a Spanish colleague, who have been kidnapped in Spain after finding a solution to world hunger.Ok second live action Tintin film shot in Spain. Drags a little here and there.
- DirectorMike HodgesStarsSam J. JonesMelody AndersonMax von SydowA football player and his friends travel to the planet Mongo and find themselves fighting the tyranny of Ming the Merciless to save Earth.This is a lot of fun with some great Queen music.
- DirectorJim WynorskiStarsDick DurockHeather LocklearLouis JourdanIn this tongue-in-cheek sequel, the benevolent bog creature falls for the vegetarian, plant-loving daughter of the evil scientist who created him.UUghhh.
- DirectorGordon HesslerStarsPeter CrissAce FrehleyGene SimmonsKISS, a rock band made up of superheroes, battles an evil inventor who has plans for destruction at a California amusement park.The band members are superheroes in this crazy film. One of those WTF were they thinking films.
- DirectorJuan Piquer SimónStarsAntonio CantaforaCameron MitchellJosé Luis AyestaránThe superhero Kronos, from a distant galaxy, tangles with the mad scientist Dr. Gulik over the fate of mankind.Spanish superhero ripoff of Superman. As bad as The Pumaman.
- DirectorAlberto De MartinoStarsWalter George AltonDonald PleasenceMiguel Ángel FuentesThousands of years ago, aliens visited Earth and fathered the Pumaman, a man-god with supernatural powers entrusted by a gold mask with the ability to control people's minds, which in present-day London, falls upon the wrong hands.Low budget Italian schlock. Flying sequences are terrible.
- DirectorShan HuaStarsDanny LeeTerry LiuHsieh WangPrincess Dragon Mom and her mutant army have risen, and only Infra-Man can stop them.His costume is great but the story is terrible. Some good action but does not compare to the terrific Ultraman TV series.
- DirectorRichard PattersonStarsPeter BergmanPhil ProctorM.G. KellyUsing clips from old Republic Pictures serials, this spoof tells how an evil villain called The Lightning Bug attempts to take over the world by having rock music soundtracks played at a deafening level.Fun mishmash of sequences from several Republic superhero serials with a new soundtrack. Silly but funny.
- CreatorWilliam Moulton MarstonStanley Ralph RossStarsLynda CarterLyle WaggonerTom KratochvilThe adventures of the greatest of the female superheroes.This was fun and Linda Carter is gorgeous.
- DirectorKinka UsherStarsBen StillerJaneane GarofaloWilliam H. MacyA group of inept amateur superheroes must try to save the day when a supervillain threatens to destroy a major superhero and the city.I love this film. It does not take itself seriously and its sense of fun is always present. Terrific cast including a great turn by Geoffrey Rush as Casanova Frankenstein.
- DirectorSimon WincerStarsBilly ZaneKristy SwansonTreat WilliamsThe Phantom, descendent of a line of African superheroes, travels to New York City to thwart a wealthy criminal genius from obtaining three magic skulls which would give him the secret to ultimate power.A lot of fun and a great throwback to the movie serials of the 1940s.
- DirectorMichael AndersonStarsRon ElyPaul GleasonWilliam LuckingDoc and the Amazing Five battle Captain Seas and "the green death" for control of a fabulous resource.I thoroughly enjoyed this campy film which has Ron Ely as Doc Savage. The story is a little silly at times but is fun if you just go with it.
- DirectorIvan ReitmanStarsUma ThurmanLuke WilsonAnna FarisWhen a regular guy dumps a superhero for her neediness, she uses her powers to make his life a living hell.This was a lot more fun than I expected. Uma Thurman is great as the jealous, vindictive super-heroine. Luke Wilson is the perfect straight man, Anna Farris is wonderful and Rainn Wilson is a great supporting character. Don't overthink this one, just have fun with it.