When it comes to the superhero genre, there’s certain things that we have come to expect. For starters, we know there will be someone — or something — that puts on a costume and becomes a vigilante. There’s also the understanding that there will be a good deal of action, whether that be in the form of crime-fighting or super-on-super battles. Typically, there’s also a villain, who is at odds with our superhero protagonist and oftentimes the rest of the world. Plot developments happen rather quickly, sometimes at the sake of character development. Audiences cheer, gasp, and laugh at the heroes’ quippy one-liners. This is the experience of watching a superhero movie.
However, this isn’t always the case. In fact, there are a handful of superhero movies that eschew these stereotypes in favor of something … well, different. Instead of a superhero that defies gravity, these superheroes defy convention. While this concept sounds intriguing — and has indeed led to some great entries in the superhero canon — there are quite a few unconventional superhero movies that completely miss the mark.
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You see, genre cliches exist for a reason. That’s not to say that every single Marvel and DC movie should follow a cookie cutter mold, but incorporating formulaic elements into a movie can go a long way in creating a satisfying experience for moviegoers. It’s like your favorite pizza from your go-to delivery place — it might not always be particularly exciting, but it’s consistent, and it makes you feel good.
Without further ado, let’s look at ten outside-the-box superhero movies that just flat out didn’t work.
Unconventional Superhero Movies That Totally Missed The Mark
Superhero Scenes That Could Never Get Made Today
These scenes and characters from famous comic-book movies would not fly in the modern world.