13 R-Rated Superhero Movies That Made the Most of Their Mature Ratings

For a long time, superhero movies were associated with kids. In the 2000s, when films like X-Men and Spider-Man became mainstream hits, they transitioned from family-friendly movies to more PG-13 content. However, there have occasionally been superhero movies that have dabbled in a more mature storytelling style.

While usually not as commercially viable, rated R superhero movies tend to be higher quality on average, as they either tell more complicated plots or don’t have to hold back on any of the action. Many of the best superhero movies are rated R, and with the financial success of films like Deadpool, Logan, and Joker, it’s likely that rated R superhero movies will become more common.

13 Kick-Ass Provided a Glimpse of What Would Happen if Average People Tried to Fight Crime

If someone ever wondered what would happen if a normal teenager decided to don a costume and fight crime, Kick-Ass covers it. Dave Lizewski, also known as Kick-Ass, goes around fighting goons despite not having any skills at all, and as one can imagine, he receives more than a few brutal beatings on-screen. Kick-Ass gains the ability to not feel much pain, which makes him a damaged sponge, contributing to the various ways he endures punishment from villains during the movie.

The star of the show is Hit-Girl, played by a young Chloë Moretz, who treats the audience to a little elementary school-aged girl slicing apart gangs at will. Hit-Girl’s action scenes were quite controversial when Kick-Ass was released, but while watching Kick-Ass, keep in mind that it’s a movie trying to be more wacky than anything profound.

12 Watchmen Adapted the Complex Plot of the Graphic Novel Nearly Perfectly

Zack Snyder took on a tall task when adapting Alan Moore’s legendary Watchmen series. The film provides a somewhat realistic view of what real life would look like if there were superheroes during the Cold War. Most of the Watchmen are not superpowered, and many of them show signs of sociopathy, egomania, and a tendency to project a fascist type of authoritarian control.

The coloring of Watchmen is distinct, and the visuals are incredible, with nearly every character and background resembling the comic book. The plot of Watchmen is nearly the same, making it a very close adaptation on the surface. However, many tonal and pacing decisions get lost in translation when bringing Watchmen from comic to film. The bone-crushing fights and nudity are brutal and vulgar, perhaps to a point where they may distract from Watchmen’s more philosophical points.

11 Deadpool & Wolverine Was a Walk Through Memory Lane for Millennial Superhero Fans

One of the better swan songs for a superhero film, Deadpool & Wolverine is as much about the popular 2000s movies from Fox Studios as it is about the two titular characters. Deadpool & Wolverine is a strong movie when watching it for the first time, as it features many cameos that are relatively unpredictable, but it may lose value on rewatches.

The contrast between Deadpool & Wolverine highlights why both characters can be great heroes. Deadpool is rejected by the Avengers but shows growth by demonstrating how selfless he can be, as well as illustrating that not every hero needs to be loved by the masses. This version of Logan is the “worst” Wolverine in the multiverse, and it’s gratifying to see him redeem himself, which is a common theme in every good Wolverine story. There is a lot of gory slapstick humor, along with a fantastic fight scene where the two characters slaughter an army of Deadpools, making it worthy of its R rating.

10 Joker Abandoned Capes and Tights for Drama and Academy Award-Level Acting

While it is based on a superhero character, Joker is more of a psychological thriller than a superhero movie. It is a bold interpretation and reimagining of the iconic Batman villain, The Joker. The film tries to explain how The Joker came to be in this alternate reality, separate from DC’s more mainstream cinematic universe. The Joker is often disoriented and unhinged, leaving the audience unsure of what is real and what is part of The Joker’s psychosis.

Joaquin Phoenix is one of the best actors to portray The Joker. Even without any paint, Phoenix’s stare into the camera is disturbing, and there is a constant energy that suggests he could snap at any given moment. While Joker is a fundamentally sound movie, it would have been better if it had been an original piece, as its tie-ins to Bruce Wayne feel forced.

9 Deadpool 2 Displayed the Most Accurate Portrayal of X-Men Characters

Many superhero fans see Deadpool 2 as the middle child of the Deadpool series. It isn’t quite as original as the first one, nor does it have the grandiose cameos and stakes of the third, but Deadpool 2 arguably has the best balance, pacing, and action of the Deadpool films. The movie does an exceptional job of bringing in many X-Men characters who either had no chance of making it into a proper X-Men movie or were relegated to background cameos.

Cable’s stern personality contrasts wonderfully with Deadpool’s delirious persona. The Juggernaut has a more faithful comic book adaptation than in his X-Men debut, highlighted by him literally ripping Deadpool in half. Deadpool 2 pays homage to Rob Liefeld’s other comic creation, X-Force, and keeps it true to Deadpool’s dark humor by having most of the team fail their first mission in the most ridiculous of ways.

8 V for Vendetta Trained Natalie Portman and the Audience to Combat Fascism

Though radically different from the graphic novel it is based on, V for Vendetta is still a captivating film with one of the best plot twists in a superhero movie. The strong fascist narratives paint the world of V for Vendetta as a pessimistic place with little to no hope. The film shows the power of culture and knowledge by depicting a world where people are void of such luxuries.

Natalie Portman delivers a thrilling performance, as the audience convincingly watches her transform from a broken-down person to a bona fide freedom fighter throughout the movie. While V for Vendetta doesn’t have much in the way of action, it captivates its audience with a complex plot and adult themes.

7 Blade Was a Pioneer Not Only for Rated-R Superhero Films But the Entire Genre

Before the success of X-Men and Spider-Man, Blade was the first Marvel superhero movie to achieve both critical and financial success. The theme of a half-human hunting vampires felt so grounded and violent that many people to this day are unaware that Blade is based on a Marvel superhero.

Wesley Snipes delivers a masterful performance, channeling the anger and aggression that is native to Blade’s persona. Wesley Snipe’s martial arts background comes into play since Blade has many well-choreographed fight scenes, often utilizing firearms and Blade’s signature sword. Since the movie is about vampires, there is a large amount of blood, including an iconic scene where a vampire is cut in half oozing an outrageous amount of blood in dramatic slow motion. One of the few drawbacks to Blade is that a lot of the CGI for things like Blood looks dated since Blade came out in the 90s.

6 Punisher: War Zone Violence is so Over the Top it’s Hard Not to be Entertained

A callback to the ruthless action films of the ’80s, Punisher: War Zone was panned upon its release but checks all the boxes for a cult classic. The film is utterly ruthless and abandons any sense of realism for ridiculous violence. In many ways, Punisher: War Zone is the ideal action superhero film that “doesn’t take itself too seriously,” as it’s a popcorn flick that doesn’t rely on jokes and quips.

What makes Punisher: War Zone special from a comic book movie perspective is how faithful it is to the vibe of The Punisher. The late Ray Stevenson captures Frank Castle’s cold and distant demeanor without diving into the realm of angst. Elements from The Punisher’s lore—like him going to church before a big mission, having an arms assistant in Microchip, and helping a family that mirrors his own—are all featured in Punisher: War Zone, making it the most accurate Punisher adaptation of all time.

5 Deadpool Was the Funniest Superhero Movie Fox Studios Ever Produced

No other movie has captured a Marvel comic character as accurately as Deadpool. Everything from Deadpool’s iconic outfit to his continuous yapping and one-liners, to the outlandish fourth-wall dialogue is everything Deadpool fans could have wanted. Deadpool manages to be a successful comedy, even though it’s filled with some of the most gruesome imagery of any superhero movie.

Ryan Reynolds captures the essence of what makes Deadpool so annoying to his enemies but lovable to the audience, showcasing his physical humor and sharp delivery of Deadpool’s comical lines. Deadpool doesn’t rewrite the wheel with its plot, but much of its humor can be seen as a critique of the superhero movie tropes that became so prominent during the 2010s. Deadpool’s ability to regenerate at a rapid pace makes him the ideal superhero for a rated-R movie since we can constantly see the hero get torn to pieces, and he’s still going to be okay in the end.

4 Constantine: City of Demons Combined Mature Content with Animation Perfectly

Originally released as a miniseries, many of the episodes for Constantine: City of Demons were consolidated into one of the best DC animated films. Constantine: City of Demons explores the dark decisions John Constantine has made in the past that transformed him into the pessimistic hero he is today. Although the adventure is thrilling, many moments evoke pity for John Constantine.

The imagery in Constantine: City of Demons is among the best portrayals of classical-style horror in an animated film. Watching demons socialize by torturing humans—such as creating music with their screams—and the rules they seem bound by is fascinating. While the film suffers from the fact that the magic John Constantine uses is never well-defined, making it seem like he can escape any situation, there is still a sense of thrill and unpredictability as he stands toe to toe with beings that could easily destroy him.

3 Dredd Had a Tiny Budget But Had Incredible Special Effects

​​​

A significantly more accurate portrayal of Judge Dredd than Sylvester Stallone’s version from the ’90s, Dredd is an incredible gunslinger that hits the tropes associated with the British superhero while remaining distinct from the comics. Despite the top half of Karl Urban’s face being covered by a mask during the film, his natural frowns and raspy delivery capture the no-nonsense nature of Dredd’s character.

Dredd also features supernatural elements, such as his partner, Judge Anderson, who possesses psychic powers that come into play. Similar to The Raid: Redemption, Dredd is set in a giant apartment complex filled with hostile gangs. Watching Dredd fight his way to the top floor, with the occasional neon-colored special effects, feels like you’re in an FPS video game, trying to reach the final boss at the top.

2 Logan Showed Wolverine’s Vulnerable Side, Which Made Him an Even Greater Character

Wolverine was the pop culture hero of superhero movies for a decade, but many of his films had little substance. Logan offers a mature story that takes its time exploring Wolverine’s character without relying on cheap jokes or a convoluted plot. It is about hope and redemption—two themes the protagonist either lacks or seeks throughout the entire X-Men series.

Even though Logan is rated R, it isn’t particularly graphic. Wolverine’s fighting style leads to a lot of blood, and some kids get in on the killing as well. Logan is set in a post-apocalyptic world. One of the strongest decisions made in the film was to portray Charles Xavier as mentally broken and in a weak state of mind. Seeing Logan as his caretaker feels like a major role reversal since Professor X is usually such a strong and fatherly figure.

1 Robocop Had No Mercy When it Came to Criticizing the Problems of Urban America in the 80s

Even though RoboCop did not have a comic book to draw inspiration from, it still ended up being the definitive rated-R superhero movie of its time. Before RoboCop, the idea of a superhero movie that featured violence and grit seemed ridiculous. The film plays off this expectation by giving the protagonist a childish name and a silly appearance, yet he blows off criminals’ heads without any sense of remorse.

For those wanting to glimpse the bleakness associated with the ’80s, RoboCop serves as a window into that era. It comments on everything from Reaganomic-centric corporate greed to urban decay and police brutality. RoboCop also features some of the best practical effects of its generation, bringing hostile robots to life without the conveniences of CGI.