10 Great Movies You Didn’t Know Were Based on Comics

It’s hardly a groundbreaking observation that a significant portion of modern cinema is influenced by adaptations, and more often than not, these adaptations are comics rather than novels. The blockbuster comic book movies typically focus on the biggest superheroes from the leading comic book publishers, as they embark on their annual cosmic journeys. However, it’s important to note that studios produce a variety of films based on comics, not just these high-profile ones.

It appears as though comics-based entertainment primarily revolves around superheroes nowadays, but this is merely a significant portion of the stories that studios have transformed. For each Captain America sequel, there’s a Scott Pilgrim vs. the World or a V for Vendetta to illustrate that the realms of comic book creation and filmmaking encompass more than just capes, shields, and glowing eyes. Frequently, these adaptations are derived from source material that has already gained popularity and affection before its cinematic counterparts are released. Occasionally, the movies gain such notoriety that we forget their original origins.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve curated a collection of some truly captivating cinematic masterpieces, each with its unique charm and following. Interestingly, many of these tales were initially conceived in the world of comic strips or graphic novels, a medium that might have been less familiar to audiences back then, or perhaps overshadowed by their iconic movie adaptations today. The fact that they originated from this distinctive format isn’t always evident, except to the most dedicated fans. However, let me tell you, these are indeed comic book movies, too!

10 Great Movies You Never Knew Were Based on Comics

Blue Is the Warmest Color (2013)

In the critically acclaimed French drama “Blue Is the Warmest Color,” featuring Adèle Exarchopoulos as a teenage girl who discovers her lesbian identity through a relationship with an older woman (Léa Seydoux), stood out due to its extended love scenes and long sequences depicting spaghetti eating. However, what many viewers may not have been aware of is that this movie is an adaptation of the French graphic novel by Julie Maroh with the same title. The film deviates from the original source material in certain aspects, such as changing the main character’s name and giving less emphasis to themes like homophobia and drug abuse, which the book addresses directly.

From Hell (2001)

At the height of his career, Johnny Depp often found himself in period films demanding him to adopt various accents, and “From Hell” serves as an apt illustration of this phase. This film, set against the backdrop of the Whitechapel murders in London and starring Depp as a psychic detective unraveling a lethal conspiracy, is adapted from Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell’s renowned Jack the Ripper work. The graphic novel spans nearly 600 pages, and the movie streamlines the content to fit into a more manageable format, resulting in a less faithful adaptation than usual. Significantly, it focuses on an entirely different protagonist: while the novel delves into the mind of the murderer himself, the film is narrated from the perspective of the detective investigating the case.

Ghost World (2001)

If you’re a fan of “Ghost World,” you might already know that it’s adapted from the graphic novel of the same name by renowned comic writer and artist Daniel Clowes. For those who aren’t, here’s some trivia: The movie stars Scarlett Johansson and Thora Birch as high school graduates with no clear post-graduation plans. One character develops an obsession with an older man’s love life, while the other grapples with remedial art classes. Directed by Terry Zwigoff, this film has mirrored Clowes’ unique voice and successfully transformed his artistic style into cinema, earning itself a reputation as iconic of its era.

Judge Dredd (1995)

In a unique blend of admiration and ridicule, Judge Dredd occupies a peculiar niche in the annals of science fiction films and Sylvester Stallone’s career. The dystopian action film, set in a desolate landscape of overpopulated Megacities governed by all-powerful and lethal judges – law enforcers who shoot first without questioning – might have originated from one of Paul Verhoeven’s nightmares. However, the film is actually inspired by the Judge Dredd comics written by John Wagner and illustrated by Carlos Ezquerra, which were published in the British science fiction comic magazine 2000 AD. The movie avoids much of the satirical commentary on police brutality present in the comics, instead focusing on action-packed sequences, but does incorporate one of pop culture’s most recognized phrases: “I AM THE LAW.

Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)

The Kingsman films and the Kingsman comic books share a connection that extends beyond one being an adaptation of the other. The initial graphic novel, titled “The Secret Service,” was released in 2012 and served as the foundation for the comics series following the release of the movie. The first film is based on this first novel, featuring Taron Egerton as a young British man who becomes involved with a covert group of agents known for their expensive suits. This comic book series was created by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons, with Matthew Vaughn contributing unacknowledged work, who later directed all three films in the movie franchise, as well as the spy comedy film “Argylle,” which is loosely connected to the Kingsman universe.

My Friend Dahmer (2017)

In this chilling biographical drama titled “My Friend Dahmer“, Alex Wolff portrays Derf, a schoolmate who developed a friendship with notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. During their adolescent years, Derf sketched Dahmer and those drawings later became the basis for the film. The graphic novel that Derf penned and illustrated, sharing his unique perspective on the friendship, is based on real events. John “Derf” Backderf was the author and illustrator of this memoir, which chronicles his friendship with one of America’s most horrific killers before Dahmer had claimed any victims.

Oblivion (2013)

It’s unfortunate that we can’t read the graphic novel which served as the basis for the film “Oblivion,” as it remains unpublished, a decision made by director Joseph Kosinski from the start. Initially conceived as a graphic novel, this project had a publisher ready to release it once Kosinski finished it. However, his goal was always to bring his concepts to life through cinema. The story, involving two humans tasked with eliminating alien scavengers on an empty Earth, certainly seems like it could make for a compelling graphic novel. If Kosinski ever finishes the graphic novel, it might be worth reading, even if you’re already familiar with the movie’s ending.

Oldboy (2003)

Park Chan-wook’s film “Oldboy” has been remade, albeit less successfully, by Spike Lee in America. However, the film’s iconic status as a frequently imitated action movie can sometimes overshadow its roots – it isn’t just a film, but a cherished manga series penned by Garon Tsuchiya and Nobuaki Minegishi. “Oldboy” follows a similar narrative, focusing on an individual released from a mysterious prison after decades, with the sole purpose of seeking out and retaliating against his unknown captors. Indian director Sanjay Gupta even produced an unofficial adaptation in 2006 titled “Zinda”.

Snowpiercer (2013)

Bong Joon-ho’s first work in English, “Snowpiercer,” was the initial exposure many Americans had to his impressive filmography. Remarkably, this post-apocalyptic tale draws inspiration from a French graphic novel from the 1980s called “Le Transperceneige.” The story’s premise is similar: following a human-induced climate catastrophe, survivors travel across a frozen world aboard a high-speed train. Each car on this train is divided according to social class. Before the film was released, there were three volumes of the story published, and a fourth, titled “Terminus,” which came out in 2015, serves as both a continuation of the movie’s narrative and the conclusion of the overall plotline.

2 Guns (2013)

At first glance, “2 Guns” might appear to be just another typical action movie involving guns, but it stands out in two ways: it’s quite entertaining, and it’s adapted from a comic series penned by Steven Grant, who is known for his work on “The Punisher” and “The Defenders”. Compared to the comic, the film version of “2 Guns” is slightly shorter and lacks some of its twists, but it retains its core premise: two criminals, one unaware that he’s an undercover DEA agent and the other unaware that he’s an undercover Navy SEAL, are unwittingly teamed up for dangerous missions intended to apprehend powerful criminals. However, their commanding officers later try to pit them against each other.

15 Movies You Didn’t Realize Were Sequels

Shock Treatment (1981)

In the year 1981, the film “Shock Treatment” emerged, which is actually a sequel to the 1975 classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” However, unlike the original, where Brad and Janet were played by Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon, these roles in “Shock Treatment” are taken up by Cliff DeYoung and Jessica Harper. The creator of “Rocky Horror,” Richard O’Brien, initially intended to make a more direct sequel to the original, but various factors such as Tim Curry’s lack of interest steered the production towards a completely different narrative trajectory. As a result, many people today, including casual fans of “Rocky Horror,” are unaware that this film even exists as a sequel.

The Color of Money (1986)

In 1961, “The Hustler” was released. After a gap of 25 years, a sequel to this classic film emerged, titled “The Color of Money.” Interestingly, Martin Scorsese, not known for directing sequels, took the helm for this movie. While some dedicated film enthusiasts might recognize that “The Color of Money” is indeed a sequel, it has now become much more recognized than the original film that inspired it.

After 25 years, “The Color of Money” was made as a sequel to “The Hustler”, which came out in 1961. Martin Scorsese, not typically known for making sequels, directed this movie. While some film buffs know that “The Color of Money” is a sequel, it has become more well-known than the original film that inspired it.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Originally, the 1986 film “Manhunter” was the first screen adaptation of Thomas Harris’ Hannibal Lecter novels. Directed by Michael Mann, he renamed the character “Lecktor,” which puzzled many viewers. When a film was made based on Harris’ next Lecter novel, “The Silence of the Lambs,” in 1991, both the director and cast were different; instead of Brian Cox as Lecktor, Anthony Hopkins portrayed the character. Director Jonathan Demme’s interpretation differed significantly from Mann’s, and when Hopkins and Brett Ratner remade “Manhunter” under its original title, “Red Dragon,” a few years later, it further solidified the first film adaptation as relatively unknown compared to its successors.

Patriot Games (1992)

In the sequel titled “The Hunt for Red October” (originally released in 1990), Harrison Ford is sixteen years senior to Alec Baldwin. This age gap gives the impression that “The Hunt for Red October” and “Patriot Games” aren’t exactly the first and second installments of a series, but rather two films with somewhat similar themes featuring characters who happen to share the same name and occupation. The portrayals of Jack Ryan by Ford and Baldwin were also distinct, as each actor brought their unique interpretation to the role. In fact, it is quite possible that many viewers may not be aware of just how many different Jack Ryan films and actors there are in existence.

It Runs in the Family (1994)

In a twist from “A Christmas Story Christmas”, director Bob Clark initially created another sequel to his iconic holiday movie. However, by the time it was produced, he had to replace the original cast members (Charles Grodin and Kieran Culkin took on the roles of the Old Man and Ralphie). Initially titled “It Runs in the Family”, the film was later rebranded as “My Summer Story” for home video release to help viewers understand its connection to the original “Christmas Story”.

Desperado (1995)

In Robert Rodriguez’s directorial debut, “El Mariachi” (1992), he only invested $7,000. Surprisingly, this low-budget gem was a massive success, leading to a substantial budget boost for its sequel a few years later. This increase in funds is evident in the sequel, as it features a new Mariachi actor (Antonio Banderas instead of Carlos Gallardo), enhanced visuals, and an impressive lineup of well-known supporting actors like Salma Hayek, Steve Buscemi, Cheech Marin, and Quentin Tarantino. The end product feels more like a high-budget remake rather than a traditional sequel, much like how Sam Raimi transformed “The Evil Dead” into the improved (but also very similar) “Evil Dead II”.

Soldier (1998)

In essence, the films “Soldier” (1998) and “Blade Runner” (1982), though directed by different individuals (Paul W.S. Anderson and Ridley Scott respectively), share a common screenwriter, David Webb Peoples. Initially, in interviews during the late ’90s, Peoples suggested that he conceived of “Soldier” as a sequel to “Blade Runner”, set in the same grim future. However, over time, Peoples amended his statements, stating that he wrote “Soldier” independently and didn’t necessarily view it as a continuation of the original project. Nevertheless, there are visual and dialogue elements reminiscent of “Blade Runner” within “Soldier”, which can be interpreted by viewers as Easter eggs or building their own interpretations based on these references.

Enemy of the State (1998)

The film “Enemy of the State” (1998) is not a direct sequel to “The Conversation” (1974), but shares thematic and character similarities. Gene Hackman, who played Harry Caul in “The Conversation”, reprises his role as Brill in “Enemy of the State”. Although these movies were produced by different filmmakers and studios, watching “The Conversation” beforehand may enhance your viewing experience of “Enemy of the State”, adding depth to its narrative.

Queen of the Damned (2002)

In the sequel to “Interview with the Vampire” (1994), titled “Queen of the Damned”, the character Lestat serves as a link between the two films, being initially introduced in the former and re-emerging in the latter. However, despite this connection, the films differ significantly in terms of direction, setting, lead actors, and overall atmosphere. For instance, in “Queen of the Damned”, Lestat transforms into a modern goth rock icon! This might lead one to question whether these two movies belong to the same series at all.

The character Lestat connects “Interview with the Vampire” (1994) and “Queen of the Damned”. Although they share this common element, the films have different directors, settings, actors, and vibes. In fact, in “Queen of the Damned”, Lestat becomes a goth rock star! It’s debatable whether these two movies are part of the same franchise due to their stark differences.

The Chronicles of Riddick (2004)

The Devil’s Rejects (2005)

In a different yet captivating narrative twist, the sequel “The Devil’s Rejects” by Rob Zombie shares the same universe as “House of 1000 Corpses” (2003). Unlike the original which portrayed a group of teenagers hunted by a psychotic family, this sequel presents the family as anti-heroes, pursued by law enforcement for their past atrocities. While these films may seem distinct due to their different aesthetics and soundscapes, they are in fact closely interconnected. Kudos to Zombie for crafting an unconventional yet engaging horror sequel; it’s easy to understand why some might not immediately recognize the connection between these two seemingly disparate movies.

Serenity (2005)

Originally, Joss Whedon’s science fiction Western series “Firefly” (aired in 2002) faced a premature end by Fox, despite the story revolving around a group of spacefaring mercenaries trying to survive in a dystopian future. However, the series gained enough popularity on DVD that Universal provided Whedon with the funds to create his own movie sequel, titled “Serenity,” after the name of the central spaceship. Interestingly, many movie reviews on sites like IMDb and Letterboxd may not realize that “Serenity” is a continuation of the TV show, as it was not widely known at the time. If you haven’t seen “Firefly,” it’s available for streaming on Hulu and is highly recommended.

Zathura (2005)

The books “Jumanji” and “Zathura” share a strong link as their main characters are neighbors. The success of the “Jumanji” movie from before inspired the creation of “Zathura”. However, director Jon Favreau of “Zathura” was not impressed with “Jumanji”, criticizing it for being overly complex and tonally inconsistent. Despite this, he clarified that “Zathura” is not a sequel in any traditional sense, but does share similarities that make it one.

The films “Jumanji” and “Zathura” have a close relationship since their main characters are neighbors. The success of the former paved the way for the latter’s production. Despite director Jon Favreau’s criticism of “Jumanji”, stating it was complex and tonally inconsistent, he maintained that “Zathura” is not a sequel in the traditional sense, yet possesses similarities that classify it as such.

Or more concisely:

Though Jon Favreau criticized “Jumanji” for being complex and tonally inconsistent, he acknowledged that his film “Zathura” shares a connection with it due to their characters being neighbors, and was inspired by the success of the former. However, he clarified that “Zathura” is not a sequel in the traditional sense.

Split (2016)

In an unexpected move to enhance suspense, the movie “Split” (2016) was marketed as a standalone film without revealing it was a sequel to “Unbreakable” (2000). Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, who is known for his plot twists, the true connection between the two films was revealed at the end of “Split.” The villain, “The Horde,” and the heroic character David Dunn from “Unbreakable” inhabit the same fictional universe. The cameo appearance of Bruce Willis as David Dunn in “Split’s” ending set up a direct sequel, “Glass,” which concluded this interconnected trilogy.

The Jesus Rolls (2019)

As a devoted cinephile reflecting on my recent cinematic escapades, I find myself drawn to a film that, while technically a spin-off rather than a sequel of the iconic ‘The Big Lebowski’ (1998), continues the captivating journey of the eccentric bowler, Jesus Quintana, portrayed by John Turturro. Remarkably, this intriguing tale was unveiled to the world in 2019, but due to its connection with one of the most celebrated cult hits of the past half-century, it seemed to have fallen like a tree in a forest without any witnesses. Alas, two years after its completion, it’s as if this cinematic gem was never heard amidst the bustling cacophony of modern filmmaking.

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2025-02-28 16:58