10 Underrated Superhero Movies You Need to See

Superhero media has taken over pop culture, but with so many blockbuster franchises dominating the spotlight, it’s easy for some incredible titles to slip under the radar. Beyond the MCU and DCU tentpoles, there’s a treasure trove of lesser-known films in the genre. These features, and even documentaries, offer unique perspectives on caped crusaders and antiheroes.

The greatest overlooked superhero movies range from bold reinterpretations of iconic characters, deeply faithful adaptations of classic storylines, and heartfelt love letters to comic book history itself. Indeed, these movies are criminally underrated. They should be considered essential viewing for hardcore superhero audiences looking to expand their scope beyond the MCU timeline of the DC Universe.

10

The Rocketeer (1991)

Long before the MCU redefined the superhero movie, The Rocketeer quietly delivered one of the most charming and well-crafted comic book adventures of its era. Set in 1938, it follows stunt pilot Cliff Secord who discovers a jetpack that allows him to soar through the skies. This puts him on a collision course with Nazis and Hollywood spies.

What makes The Rocketeer feel so ahead of its time is how it balances grounded period-piece aesthetics with soaring superhero spectacle. It feels much like Iron Man would years later. Indeed, Cliff’s journey from reckless daredevil to selfless hero mirrors Tony Stark’s arc in many ways.

The Rocketeer features retro art deco visuals that are simply stunning. Despite critical praise, The Rocketeer never became a household name. Nevertheless, it remains a vibrant, pulpy superhero tale that still holds up beautifully today.

9

Hulk Vs. (2009)

Wolverine About To Leap On Hulk In Hulk Vs.

Hulk Vs. is one of Marvel’s most overlooked animated projects, and it deserves far more recognition. The film is split into two short features, with Hulk Vs. Wolverine standing out as the crown jewel. It depicts their iconic first battle from the comics with visceral energy.

It finally let both characters unleash their full power without restraint. What makes Hulk Vs. even more fun is how Deadpool hilariously crashes the fight, turning it into a chaotic infiltration of Weapon X. This blend of brutal action and dark humor captures each character’s essence perfectly.

The animation in Hulk Vs. is fluid and kinetic. It isn’t afraid to go darker than most Marvel cartoons. While it’s often buried under the MCU’s mountain of content, Hulk Vs. offers a rare chance to see Wolverine and Hulk clash at their fiercest, making it a must-watch for Marvel fans.

8

Suicide Squad: Hell To Pay (2018)

Task Force X in an elevator with Deadshot holding the magic card in Suicide Squad: Hell To Pay

Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay is a shockingly strong animated follow-up that expands on the squad’s cinematic portrayal in smarter and darker ways. It drops the flashy pop soundtrack and instead leans into a gritty, R-rated road trip tone. Amanda Waller sends the team on a mission to recover a mystical “Get Out of Hell Free” card, and chaos ensues.

What sets Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay apart is how it balances twisted humor with genuine emotional stakes. These give characters like Deadshot, Bronze Tiger, and Harley Quinn surprising depth. The stakes feel high, deaths are permanent, and the violence hits hard.

It achieves all of this all while maintaining that chaotic Suicide Squad energy. It’s easily one of DC’s most entertaining animated outings. Yet it rarely gets mentioned even by hardcore audiences, making it a hidden gem worth discovering.

7

Planet Hulk (2010)

Hulk pumelling Beta Ray Bill in Planet Hulk

For years, MCU audiences lamented how Thor: Ragnarok condensed the “Planet Hulk” storyline. However, the animated Planet Hulk film gives the saga the epic treatment it deserves. After being exiled from Earth, Hulk crash-lands on the war-torn planet Sakaar.

There he’s forced to become a gladiator and ultimately a liberator. Planet Hulk embraces the full scope and brutality of the comic arc, showing Hulk’s rise from enslaved warrior to revolutionary leader. It explores themes of oppression, freedom, and finding a place in the universe where Hulk can belong.

The animation is bold and cinematic, with sprawling battle sequences and emotional character arcs that hit surprisingly hard. Planet Hulk captures Hulk at his most underrated and heroic. It is essential viewing for those who wanted the Ragnarok version expanded into its own grand saga.

6

Batman: The Long Halloween (2021)

Batman shooting out his grapple gun hook in Batman The Long Halloween Part 1

Batman: The Long Halloween is a phenomenal two-part animated film that delivers one of the most detective-driven Batman stories ever put to screen. Adapted from the iconic comic by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, it follows Batman early in his career as he hunts a serial killer named Holiday who strikes on holidays each month.

What makes it so gripping is how it immerses audiences in Gotham’s criminal underworld. It juggles mob families, rising supervillains, and the moral decay of the city itself. The atmosphere is moody and noir-inspired, echoing the grounded tone of The Batman and The Penguin series.

The Long Halloween also features a compelling slow-burn transformation of Harvey Dent into Two-Face. This is Batman as a methodical detective rather than just a brawler. It’s one of DC’s most richly layered animated adaptations to date.

5

Wonder Woman: Bloodlines (2019)

Wonder Woman with her lasso in Wonder Woman: Bloodlines

Wonder Woman: Bloodlines is an underrated animated gem boasting a thrilling and heartfelt take on Diana’s mythos. It blends her Themysciran roots with a globe-trotting adventure. This pits her against a rogues’ gallery of underrated villains like Cheetah, Silver Swan, and Doctor Cyber.

What makes it stand out is how it balances epic action with Diana’s compassionate heart. It explores her forging meaningful bonds while also facing her past. The film also highlights her mother-daughter relationship with Queen Hippolyta in a way few adaptations do, giving it real emotional resonance.

The animation in Wonder Woman: Bloodlines is notably dynamic, with fight scenes that showcase Diana’s speed, power, and grace. Sadly, it never got the attention of bigger DC titles. Regardless, Wonder Woman: Bloodlines is a stylish, empowering story that exemplifies why Diana is one of DC’s greatest heroes.

4

Constantine: City Of Demons (2018)

John Constantine with demons in Constantine City of Demons

Constantine: City of Demons might be the best adaptation of John Constantine to date, and yet it remains criminally underseen. This animated film plunges into the darkest corners of DC’s magical universe. It follows Constantine as he navigates a horrific underworld of demons, curses, and old sins coming back to haunt him.

City of Demons embraces the character’s tragic complexity, his arrogance, cynicism, and buried guilt. It does this all while surrounding him with nightmarish visuals that feel ripped from a graphic horror novel. The tone is bleak but intoxicating, and the story doesn’t shy away from showing the emotional toll Constantine’s life takes on him and everyone around him.

City of Demons is a masterclass in supernatural noir storytelling. It perfectly captures what makes Constantine compelling. For fans of darker superhero fare, this is a haunting must-watch that proves animation can be truly chilling.

3

Batman Beyond: Return Of The Joker (2000)

Joker stands over a bleeding Batman in Batman Beyond_ Return of the Joker — Joker stands over a bleeding Batman in Batman Beyond Return of the Joker

Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker takes the sleek cyberpunk world of Batman Beyond and infuses it with one of the darkest, most emotionally intense Batman stories ever told. Set in Neo-Gotham, the film follows Terry McGinnis as the next Batman. He faces the shocking return of the Joker – decades after the Clown Prince of Crime’s apparent death.

What makes Return of the Joker unforgettable is how it bridges eras. It reveals a harrowing flashback to the original Batman and his sidekicks during their final confrontation with Joker. The revelation of what Joker did to Tim Drake is deeply disturbing yet brilliantly executed.

This raises the emotional stakes far beyond typical animated superhero fare. With captivating action, chilling atmosphere, and Mark Hamill delivering a terrifyingly unhinged performance, this film proves Terry is worthy of the cowl. It also gives Joker one of his most chilling final acts.

2

Batman: Gotham Knight (2008)

Batman grimaces while bleeding in Batman Gotham Knight

Batman: Gotham Knight is a fascinating anthology film that feels like a bridge between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. Comprised of six short stories from different anime directors, it showcases wildly varied animation styles while exploring Batman from multiple perspectives. It boasts both street-level myths and psychological deep dives.

Each segment adds a new layer to his legend. Highlights include “Working Through Pain,” which explores Bruce’s emotional scars, and “Crossfire,” showing how Gotham cops view him. The shifting art styles make the experience thrilling and unpredictable, yet it all cohesively builds Batman’s mystique.

Gotham Knight is an ambitious, stylish experiment that pushes the boundaries of what a superhero film can look like. Despite being tied to Nolan’s era, it’s rarely mentioned. Yet it’s one of the boldest and most visually daring Batman projects ever created.

1

Batman & Bill (2017)

The documentary Batman & Bill is a gripping and emotional exploration of comic book history that finally gives credit to Batman’s forgotten co-creator, Bill Finger. For decades, artist Bob Kane was solely credited as Batman’s creator. Finger – who designed Gotham City, named Bruce Wayne, and created numerous characters like Robin and Joker – went unrecognized.

Batman & Bill follows author Marc Tyler Nobleman’s relentless quest to uncover the truth and restore Finger’s legacy. It’s both a detective story and a heartfelt tribute. It reveals how much of Batman’s mythos came from a man lost to history.

The film balances the thrill of discovery with the emotional weight of injustice. It demonstrates how deeply personal the fight for creative credit can be. It’s a must-watch for any Batman fan who wants to know the real story behind the legend.