In the age of superhero cinema, several films from comic book history would benefit from a contemporary update. Comic book movies have become a powerhouse in the entertainment industry, especially with the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DC Universe attracting audiences around the world. However, not all comic book movies have had the same success or critical acclaim, and many adaptations of the past fall short of the compelling stories and visuals that modern adaptations offer.
While superhero stories dominate the scene, comic book adaptations span a wide range of genres, from horror and fantasy to noir and pulp. This has led to a diverse range of films that have not taken advantage of the budgets of blockbuster superhero films such as Superman. Some films, like the DCU Supergirl: Woman of Tomorroware already set for a remake or reboot and so won’t be included here. Instead, this article looks at the adaptations that deserve another chance on the big screen and why now is the perfect time.
10
The Spirit (2008)
Directed by Frank Miller
After the successes of Sin City and 300which captured the essence of its comedic sources with rich visuals and stylized grit, The Spirit It felt like a step backwards. Directed by Frank Miller, who was celebrated for his work in Sin City, The Spirit tried to bring Will Eisner’s iconic character to life. However, it missed the mark with its two-dimensional plot and superficial character arcs, producing a film that was all style and no substance.
Although it maintained the dynamic visual style of its predecessors The Spirit it didn’t delve into the nuanced storytelling that made the original comic so compelling. A modern remake could fix these issues, building a stronger narrative and balancing the visual style with deeper character development. This could bring The Spirit back in the spotlight, especially with the rise of neo-noir storytelling in the mainstream.
9
Masters of the Universe (1987)
Directed by Gary Goddard
The original Masters of the Universe the film was a disappointment to many who expected a faithful version of the beloved comics and animated series. Instead of focusing on the mystical world of Eternia and its colorful characters, the film focused on Earth and introduced mostly original charactersleaving the heart of the He-Man universe untouched. However, despite its shortcomings, the film still managed to offer a fun adventure, proving that He-Man’s world has cinematic potential.
ONE Masters of the Universe the remake could remain more faithful to the source material. It could bring He-Man, Skeletor, and the magical land of Eternia to life with modern visual effects and a script that pays homage to its origins. With today’s technology and storytelling techniques, a new Masters of the Universe movie could deliver a faithful yet innovative adaptation which immerses audiences in the rich, high fantasy setting that has made the franchise so popular. ONE Masters of the Universe The remake has been in development hell since 2007, with no end in sight.
8
Vigilantes (2009)
Directed by Zack Snyder
Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ Watchers is one of the most critically acclaimed comic books, often praised for its mature themes and complex characters. When Zack Snyder adapted it into a film in 2009, it polarized audiences and critics. While Snyder remained visually faithful to the source material, many felt the film lacked the narrative depth that made the graphic novel so powerful. The dense and gritty story can be difficult to follow without prior knowledge of the sourceand the film’s tone didn’t capture all the nuances that make Watchers so impactful.
A remake could focus on making the story accessible without sacrificing its obscure philosophical foundations. Since the Watchers universe has seen a resurgence in popularity – especially after the HBO series, which serves more as a sequel than a direct adaptation – a new film could explore the narrative from a new angle. A remake could potentially capture what made the original so revolutionary in comic book history.
7
Dick Tracy (1990)
Directed by Warren Beaty
First introduced into comic books in the 1930s, Dick Tracy quickly became an iconic detective character and one of the most recognizable figures in comic books. The year 1990 DickTracy film, directed by and starring Warren Beatty, brought the detective’s colorful world to life with technical flair. The prosthetics and practical effects were certainly impressive for the time, and the striking color scheme feels very ahead of its time.
However, a modern DickTracy the remake could improve on them, using updated practical effects and technology. The noir resurgence and advances in digital effects would lend themselves perfectly to the world of Dick Tracy, allowing for a visually engaging and narratively compelling remake that captures the intrigue and drama of the character’s detective adventures. Considering he’s one of the oldest and most popular comic book characters of all time, the character deserves a 21st century entry.
6
Swamp Thing (1982)
Directed by Wes Craven
The character of Swamp Thing has been adapted countless times, but no version has really done justice to his horror origins. Early adaptations, such as Wes Craven’s Swamp Thing captured some of the character’s mysterious charm, but was held back by budgetary limitations. Meanwhile, later adaptations leaned more into the superhero formula and lost the horror aspect that best defines the Swamp Thing story. A UCD Swamp Thing the reboot was announced in January 2023, but very little has been confirmed
A modern remake that embraces Swamp Thing’s horror roots would be an exciting addition to the comic book movie landscape. With the right budget and creative direction, a new Swamp Thing movie could mix the character’s superhero elements with horror more effectivelyproviding a disturbing and thought-provoking narrative that touches on ecological themes and the mystique of the swampy setting. With the rise of R-rated comic book films and forays into horror with projects like Agatha all the timethe time is perfect for a good Swamp Thing film.
5
Spawning (1997)
Directed by Mark AZ Dippé
When To generate was first adapted into a film in 1997, it was met with disappointment. The character, an extremely popular dark antihero from Image Comics, was was supposed to bring an edgy, terror-filled presence to the superhero genre. However, the film fell short due to a combination of limited special effects, a weak script, and a lack of true horror elements.
With today’s more mature audience and advances in CGI, a To generate the remake would finally be deliver the dark, gritty, atmospheric film the source material deserves. Spawn’s story is perfect for a modern adaptation that delves into its themes of horror and moral ambiguity. The character’s ties to hellish realms and his role as a tragic antihero would be a refreshing change from the standard superhero fare, especially if the film adopted an R rating in the wake of successful films like Deadpool and Wolverine.
4
From Hell (2001)
Directed by the Hughes brothers
From HellAdapted from the graphic novel by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell, it delves into the twisted world of Jack the Ripper, mixing crime and horror with psychological complexity. Although the 2001 film starring Johnny Depp made an admirable attempt, it lacked the dark, detailed approach that made Moore’s graphic novel so compelling. While certainly visually appealing, the film simplified and omitted many elements from the source material.
ONE From Hell the remake could restore the layered narrative and explore the socio-political themes that permeate Moore’s work. It could also lean further into the comic book’s tighter, more selective use of color using modern CGI. By approaching the comic book narrative style and using modern horror techniques, a new From Hell the adaptation could delve into the sinister core of the story, capturing the brutality and mystery of the Ripper era and Campbell’s terrifying designs.
3
Dark Phoenix (2019)
Directed by Simon Kinberg
The “Dark Phoenix Saga” is one of the most beloved stories in X-Men comics, following Jean Gray’s transformation into the Phoenix, a force of pure destruction. Despite the importance of this plot, the X-Men the film franchise tried to adapt it twice, both times failing to capture the gravity of the original. The first attempt, in X-Men: The Last Standomitted all cosmic elements and buried the narrative in a mutant “cure” side story.
The second attempt, Dark Phoenixwas closer to the original story, but didn’t allow the audience enough time to foster a connection with Jean Gray so that his descent would actually hit the target. With the MCU timeline introducing mutants, a new Dark Phoenix the film could use its resources and experience to honor Jean Grey’s transformation. By allowing Jean’s character to develop before becoming the Phoenix, the MCU could finally do justice to one of Marvel’s most significant story arcs.
2
The Phantom (1996)
Directed bySimon Wincer
Lee Falk The PhantomLaunched in 1936, he is one of the first superheroes in comics, predating even Batman and Superman. The 1996 film adaptation of The Phantomstarring Billy Zane, attempted to bring the jungle hero’s pulp-inspired adventures to the big screen, but struggled with outdated effects and a lackluster plot. The film was campy and fun, but it didn’t capture the full scope of the film. The Phantomlegendary status and is firmly placed in the spandex era of superhero movies.
A modern remake could embrace the character’s classic elements while giving him a grittier twist. With a new script and special effects and modern costumes, a Ghost the remake could capture the adventure, mystery and legacy that make him such a unique character. This version could introduce new audiences to The Phantom exciting stories while respecting his origins as one of the first superheroes of the genre.
1
Dark Man (1990)
Directed by Sam Raimi
Sam Raimi Dark Manis a unique entry into the superhero film genre, mixing superhero and horror elements in a story about a scientist seeking revenge after a brutal attack leaves him disfigured. Although not originally from a comic book Dark Man was a dark superhero film inspired by 1930s Universal horror films. It was critically praised and developed a cult following despite its limited budget and early special effects capabilities.
With a modern remake, Dark Man could embrace its horror roots more fully, using current CGI and practical effects to portray the character’s tragic story in a more visceral way. A remake could also delve deeper into the psychological aspects of the character, updating the revenge-oriented narrative with modern techniques. ONE Dark Man the remake would be a refreshing change in the modern pantheon of superheroes, especially if Raimi returned to direct.