Top 10 Comic Book Movies That Need Sequels

Last Updated on August 3, 2021

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER is being hailed as one of the best Marvel movies of all time and may stand as one of the rare comic book sequels to improve upon the original. That being said, there are quite a few comic book movies that have yet to receive a sequel. Here are our picks for the top ten of those movies that deserve a second big screen feature. Some are Marvel and DC while others are original cinematic creations. If your pick didn’t make the cut, feel free to add it to the Talk Backs below.

#1 – DREDD

While I was underwhelmed by DREDD compared to the rabid fan-base demanding a sequel, I can say that I would not be opposed to seeing Karl Urban don the helmet for another violent bloodbath. Since DREDD is still incredibly popular in comic form, there are numerous possibilities for a sequel and I think we may someday get one. Hopeful we don’t have to wait forever.

#2 – THE INCREDIBLE HULK

Ang Lee’s film was decent while Louis Leterrier’s THE INCREDIBLE HULK was a vast improvement, but neither compares to Mark Ruffalo in THE AVENGERS. We keep getting promised the Hulk will get a solo film again someday, but why not just do it already? You have so many possibly storylines that could work, there should be no reason not to take a risk and make one happen.

#3 – THE ROCKETEER

This one is a no-brainer. Joe Johnston used the same retro cinema techniques in THE ROCKETEER that he did in CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER and the comparisons are just. Both are wholesome, action-packed odes to matinee heroes of the past. But, while Marvel has pushed Captain America to the forefront, Disney has woefully ignored making a sequel to THE ROCKETEER. Now is the time to bring him back!

#4 – DARKMAN

Another ode to THE SHADOW and BATMAN, DARKMAN was actually a damn enjoyable B-movie and showcases a lot of Sam Raimi’s tricks he put to higher budget use in his SPIDER-MAN trilogy. While the movie did get two Liam Neeson-less sequels that, well, sucked ass, a true reboot or direct sequel would be pretty awesome to see.

#5 – UNBREAKABLE

Possibly the best original superhero movie aside from THE INCREDIBLES. While Brad Bird is working towards a sequel for his animated classic, M. Night Shyamalan has made zero progress on the further adventures of David Dunn and his nemesis Mr. Glass. While many are polarized on UNBREAKABLE, I consider it Shyamalan’s best film. I would love to revisit these characters for another thrilling tale.

#6 – THE SHADOW

I defy you to not find the similarities with this film and Christopher Nolan’s BATMAN BEGINS. Both feature mysterious men who become heroes after exploring the Far East and learning mystic skills and methods of self defense. I defended this movie in an UnPopular Opinion a while back and still stand by the potential for this character to headline a franchise once again.

#7 – SPAWN

Todd McFarlane’s iconic character did get an awesome animated series on HBO as well as this passable 1997 movie. McFarlane has been speaking recently about a potential sequel to SPAWN, but we have yet to see it. With the character’s incredible popularity in the 90s it is shocking we have not seen him on the big screen again.

#8 – SWAMP THING

Wes Craven’s SWAMP THING is less an adaptation of the comic book rather than an homage to B-movie creature features. Like The Incredible Hulk, SWAMP THING is a character that could easily be reimagined any number of ways. There has been talk of him popping up in Guillermo Del Toro’s JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK project, but he is also one of the strongest characters that DC has not tried to bring back. Like Marvel’s BLADE, he could easily exist in a solo universe or within the united film universe the studio is trying to create.

#9 – MYSTERY MEN

One of the best comic book movies not based on an actual comic (technically, it is inspired by Dark Horse’s FLYING CARROT COMICS). This ragtag team of “heroes” led by Ben Stiller’s Wolverine-esque Mr. Furious is one of the funniest films from the 1990s. I would love to see a new chapter in the saga of these characters, maybe even making a comic version of DAYS OF FUTURE PAST.

#10 – SUPERGIRL

Not a good movie by any stretch, but definitely a showcase that female superheroes deserve to have solo movies. Probably close to SUPERMAN III in terms of quality, Helen Slater still manages to play a convincing heroine. I would say that while a direct sequel will probably never happen, an update along the lines of SUPERMAN RETURNS could work. I would rather see a SUPERGIRL get spun-off from a future MAN OF STEEL sequel, maybe even in the form of a showdown with Wonder Woman.

Source: JoBlo.com

About the Author

6019 Articles Published

Alex Maidy has been a JoBlo.com editor, columnist, and critic since 2012. A Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic and a member of Chicago Indie Critics, Alex has been JoBlo.com's primary TV critic and ran columns including Top Ten and The UnPopular Opinion. When not riling up fans with his hot takes, Alex is an avid reader and aspiring novelist.