Forget Marvel & DC, the “Best Looking Superhero Movie Ever Made” Is Coming to Netflix Next Month

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Marvel and DC are the first names that come to mind when people talk about superhero movies, and for good reason. They’ve been incredibly successful for nearly twenty years, earning billions of dollars and becoming major players in Hollywood. While some might think their popularity will fade, they continue to thrive. However, dedicated comic book fans know there’s a whole universe of stories beyond these two giants, and now, one of the best superhero films outside of Marvel and DC is coming to Netflix.

I recently revisited Guillermo del Toro’s Hellboy, and wow, it holds up. Released way back in 2004 – four years before Iron Man launched the MCU – this film was a fantastic adaptation of Mike Mignola’s Dark Horse Comics. What I really appreciated was how del Toro didn’t dumb things down for a mainstream audience; it truly respected the source material. He took everything that made the comics special and layered on his signature style, creating a dark, visually stunning movie that was surprisingly emotional alongside all the horror. It’s a genuine masterpiece.

Starring Ron Perlman as the titular antihero, Hellboy also featured the talents of Selma Blair, Doug Jones, Jeffrey Tambor, Karel Roden, Rupert Evans, and John Hurt. Filled with practical effects, Hellboy was released on April 2, 2004, and while it didn’t exactly become a box office sensation, it’s definitely earned a cult following over the years thanks to not only its stunning cinematography, but for its surprising heart that helped set the movie apart from the big budget spectacles that came long years later and focused more on CGI than story. The official synopsis reads:

During the final days of World War II, the Nazis tried to open a gateway to another dimension hoping to turn the tide against the Allies. However, they only managed to summon a baby demon. Allied soldiers rescued the creature and named him ‘Hellboy’ (Perlman). Sixty years later, Hellboy works for the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense, protecting America from supernatural threats. He’s assisted by Abe Sapien (Jones), a psychic merman, and Liz Sherman (Selma Blair), who can control fire.

‘Hellboy’ Is a Certified Fresh Classic


Columbia Pictures

With an 81% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie Hellboy has been praised for its stunning visuals, with some critics even calling it the best-looking superhero film ever. Many reviewers described it as fantastic, innovative, and artistically impressive, as critic Greg Maki noted:

When it comes to adapting comic books into movies, Guillermo del Toro is widely considered the best director for the job.

While there have been follow-up films, including Hellboy II: The Golden Army in 2008 and two reboots in 2019 and 2024, the original 2004 Hellboy remains unique. It’s coming to Netflix on January 1, 2026, and if you’re tired of the usual superhero fare from Marvel and DC, we think it’s definitely worth watching.

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2025-12-25 23:02