Before Batman and Superman helped DC Comics make superheroes the dominant force in comic books, the industry was led by heroes of pulp fiction. With these stories typically focusing more on adventure, science fiction, and crime, the older heroes’ influence on pop culture is hard to deny. While pulp encapsulates a variety of sub-genres, from hard-boiled detectives to costumed vigilantes, these movies are all united by giving the audience what they want.
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The characters of pulp fiction may not be the hot commodity they once were, but their stories have given audiences some of the most enjoyable, cheesy, and campy adventure movies ever made. Considering that the genre is known for prioritizing escapism and action over depth, these movies don’t tend to win accolades, but they do retain the respect of some viewers for their self-awareness and fan service.
You are watching: 10 Best Movies Based On Pulp Comic Books
10
Barbarella (1968)
Based On Jean-Claude Forest’s Barbarella
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Barbarella
pg-13
Sci-Fi
Adventure
8.5/10
Release Date
October 22, 1968
Runtime
98minutes
Director
Roger Vadim
Writers
Roger Vadim
Cast
See All
-
Jane Fonda
-
John Phillip Law
Barbarella is a 1968 sci-fi movie based on Jean-Claude Forest’s eponymous comic book. Jane Fonda stars as the titular space adventurer, who goes on a mission to stop the evil scientist Durand Durand in the 41st century.
Studio(s)
Paramount Pictures
Distributor(s)
Paramount Pictures
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After characters like Flash Gordon took off through their space-based adventure, Barbarella was created amidst a wave of ’60s sci-fi heroes to follow in their footsteps. In 1968, Jane Fonda stepped into the role of the galactic heroine tasked with saving the galaxy from an evil scientist. Despite her naïveté, the heroine manages to grow as a person, become more worldly and progress to victory — though the film is ultimately an audiovisual experience more than a story one.
More than anything else, Barbarella is a trippy and psychedelic reflection of the counter-cultural movement, following the heroine on her journey through strange lands. Since both the movie and the original comics, the character has become an icon of sex-positive cinema, as well as female representation in sci-fi. Capturing the tone of Jean-Claude Forest’s world and hero was a difficult task in the ’60s, but this gem managed to make it work.
9
The Rocketeer (1991)
Based On Dave Stevens’ The Rocketeer
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The Rocketeer
PG
Adventure
Sci-Fi
Action
Family
Release Date
June 21, 1991
Runtime
108 minutes
Director
Joe Johnston
Writers
Paul De Meo, Danny Bilson
Cast
See All
-
Timothy Dalton
-
Alan Arkin
-
Billy Campbell
-
Terry O’Quinn
Based on the 1982 comic book series, The Rocketeer, created by Dave Stevens, this 1991 superhero film was directed by Joe Johnston. Starring Billy Campbell, the movie seems a stunt pilot becoming a superhero by using a hidden rocket pack to fly around.
Studio(s)
Disney
Distributor(s)
Disney
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In 1982, Dave Stevens introduced comic book readers to his airborne hero, the Rocketeer. Based on the classic action and adventure serials of the 1940s, the 1991 movie explores the hero’s origin, beginning as a stunt pilot, Cliff Secord, as he discovers a jetpack and fights crime. Once the scene is set, the film transitions into a tale of espionage, war, romance and Public Enemies-era gangsters, all coming to a head in a fantastic showdown.
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The Rocketeer doubles as a look at Hollywood’s Golden Age as well as a fun spy thriller, embracing the old shorts Stevens based his character on. The film is incredibly effective at immersing its audience in an idyllic version of the 1930s, one with clear-cut heroes and villains and a sense of adventure. While the movie can be a bit cheesy, it’s a great introduction to the action genre for younger viewers.
8
The Shadow (1994)
Based On Walter B. Gibson’s The Shadow
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The Shadow
PG-13
Action
Adventure
Crime
Fantasy
Release Date
July 1, 1994
Runtime
108 Minutes
Director
Russell Mulcahy
Writers
David Koepp
Cast
See All
-
Alec Baldwin
-
John Lone
-
Penelope Ann Miller
-
Peter Boyle
This film centers on a crime-fighting vigilante with the power to cloud men’s minds, allowing him to operate unseen. Returning from Asia with a mysterious past, he combats the rise of a formidable enemy threatening to destroy New York with an atomic bomb, using his abilities and a network of agents.
Main Genre
Action
Studio(s)
Bregman/Baer Productions, Universal Pictures
Distributor(s)
Universal Pictures
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Before there was Batman, the most popular dark avenger of the night was The Shadow. By day, he was the wealthy playboy Lamont Cranston but, like his Caped Crusader successor, would don a dark costume at night to fight crime. In 1994, his story was carried forward for a new generation, with a 1994 adaptation that sheds light on the origins of his powers and mission as a vigilante.
The Shadow has a lot in common with Tim Burton’s Batman movie, something that shouldn’t come as any surprise, considering both the timing and the heroes’ similarities. With a surprisingly stacked cast, from Alec Baldwin to Ian McKellen, the film delivered a dark yet fun fantasy story, one that built up the Shadow as the formidable hero he is. Bringing to life 1930s New York, the film was as perfect for its decade as it was good an adaptation.
7
The Phantom (1996)
Based On Lee Falk’s The Phantom
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The Phantom
PG
Adventure
Action
8/10
Release Date
June 6, 1996
Runtime
100 minutes
Cast
See All
-
Billy Zane
The Phantom / Kit Walker
-
Kristy Swanson
Diana Palmer
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In 1933, Lee Falk introduced the first costumed superhero in the Phantom, one of the few superhero mantles passed from one generation to the next. In 1996, Billy Zane was cast in the role of the twenty-first version, Kit Walker, as he set out from his country of Bengalla to stop a criminal from gaining supernatural powers. In a way, the movie showed how great a match the tone of 1990s all-ages cinema was for the adventure of the ’30s.
Of all the pulpy movies of its decade, none captured the aesthetic and tone of the 1930s setting quite like The Phantom. An underrated ’90s adventure movie, it combines the escapism of an Indiana Jones movie with the camp and mystery of Michael Keaton’s Batman. The film understands its source material better than most, and immerses the audience in genuine pre-Golden Age fun, feeling like a Lee Falk story come to life.
6
John Carter (2012)
Based On Edgar Rice Burroughs’ John Carter Of Mars
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John Carter
PG-13
Adventure
Sci-Fi
Action
7/10
8.3/10
Release Date
March 9, 2012
Runtime
132 minutes
Director
Andrew Stanton
Writers
Michael Chabon, Mark Andrews, Andrew Stanton
Franchise(s)
John Carter
Cast
See All
-
Mark Strong
-
Willem Dafoe
Adapted from Edgar Rice Burroughs’ A Princess of Mars, Disney’s John Carter brings the author’s Barsoom series to life. When American Confederate Civil War captain John Carter accidentally transports himself to Mars, he soon becomes entangled in the planet’s own internal power struggles. Using the increased strength and speed afforded to him by Mars’ atmosphere, Carter fights to achieve peace on the distant planet known by the natives as Barsoom.
Studio(s)
Disney
Distributor(s)
Disney
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The work of Edgar Rice Burroughs has given pop culture a variety of adventure heroes. While the likes of Tarzan soared to popularity, John Carter remained obscure for mainstream readers and viewers until Disney invested in one of cinema’s most expensive productions to bring him to life. In 2012, he finally landed on the big screen in a story that explored his first journey to the surface of Mars.
John Carter continues to be underrated by critics and audiences alike, and its 2012 box office disaster didn’t help. Still, the sci-fi adventure epic should be celebrated for its ambition, world-building and special effects, all of which immerse viewers in a retro-futurist look at Mars. A classic hero’s journey from selfish deserter to savior, the film brings the classic “hero saving the princess” formula to another world — and it makes for a captivating epic.
5
Tarzan (1999)
Based On Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan Of The Apes
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Tarzan
G
9.7/10
Release Date
June 18, 1999
Runtime
88 Minutes
Director
Kevin Lima, Chris Buck
Cast
See All
-
Tony Goldwyn
-
Minnie Driver
Tarzan is an animated film by Walt Disney Pictures that tells the story of a man raised by gorillas in the African jungle. Starring the voices of Tony Goldwyn, Minnie Driver, and Glenn Close, the film follows Tarzan’s journey of self-discovery as he encounters humans for the first time and grapples with his identity. The film features a soundtrack by Phil Collins and was directed by Kevin Lima and Chris Buck.
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When it comes to jungle adventure, no character is as synonymous with — or as fundamental to — the genre than Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan. In 1999, Disney brought his story into animation after decades of trying to do him justice in live-action. Here, the vibrancy, color and life of the jungle were brought to their fullest potential, giving audiences a version of the hero that gave him new relevance.
While studios have since tried to explore Burroughs’ story in live action again, the ’99 movie showed that the color and creatures of the jungle demand animation.
Tarzan takes the classic story of the hero’s protection of his jungle friends and encounter with Jane, joining a wave of excellent animated cinema that defined the ’90s. While studios have since tried to explore Burroughs’ story in live action again, the ’99 movie showed that the color and creatures of the jungle demand animation. From its charming soundtrack to its touching character moments, the film was one of the last truly great 2D animated films.
4
Flash Gordon (1980)
Based On Alex Raymond’s Flash Gordon
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Flash Gordon
PG
Action
Adventure
Sci-Fi
8.4/10
Release Date
December 5, 1980
Runtime
111 Minutes
Director
See more : Tyler Perry’s 10 Best Movies And TV Shows
Mike Hodges
Writers
Alex Raymond, Lorenzo Semple Jr.
Cast
See All
-
Sam J. Jones
Flash Gordon
-
Melody Anderson
Dale Arden
Flash Gordon (1980) is a science fiction film directed by Mike Hodges, featuring Sam J. Jones as the titular hero. Flash, a football player, battles the evil Ming the Merciless (Max von Sydow) who threatens Earth. Accompanied by Dale Arden (Melody Anderson) and Dr. Hans Zarkov (Topol), Flash navigates an intergalactic struggle. The film is noted for its vibrant visuals and a memorable score by Queen.
Main Genre
Sci-Fi
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For decades, Flash Gordon epitomized the new age of space-based adventure that captivated readers between the 1930s and ’60s. Cast off to a faraway planet inhabited by a dictator and various species, the hero was brought to life in 1980, with Sam Jones cast in the leading role. Here, the absurdities and excitement of the hero’s strips were put on full display, telling a story of the people of Mongo uniting for freedom.
Flash Gordon has a number of films and TV shows, but the ’80s version embraces cheesy action-adventure, owning its campy aesthetic and delivering audiences one of the most enjoyable sci-fi movies ever made. Here, audiences are placed at the heart of a galactic dystopia, and follow its hero as he undertakes a series of trials and challenges to save the day. With its bombastic characters, the over-acting of the stars and retro visuals, the movie showed everyone what a good B-movie should be.
3
The Mask of Zorro (1998)
Based On Johnston McCulley’s Zorro
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The Mask of Zorro
Action
8/10
Release Date
July 17, 1998
Runtime
137 Minutes
Director
Martin Campbell
Cast
See All
-
Anthony Hopkins
-
Antonio Banderas
The Mask of Zorro is a 1998 action-adventure film directed by Martin Campbell. It stars Antonio Banderas as Alejandro Murrieta, who teams up with the original Zorro, Don Diego de la Vega, played by Anthony Hopkins, to foil a complex plot against California. Catherine Zeta-Jones stars as the spirited Elena. The film rejuvenates the Zorro legend, blending swashbuckling action with themes of mentorship and revenge.
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During the Golden Age of Hollywood, Zorro was at the forefront of swashbuckling adventure, with countless movies and serials — as well as comics and novels — produced about him. In 1998, Martin Campbell was tasked with reviving the hero, something he pulled off almost flawlessly. However, rather than give viewers just another adventure movie, he instead centered the tale around the relationship between the original Zorro and his successor, Alejandro Murrieta (Antonio Banderas).
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These 1980s adventure movies demonstrate peek nostalgia, drawing in movie fans who always enjoy a blast from the past with an old-school movie style.
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The Mask of Zorro remains one of the best explorations of the passing of a mantle from one generation to the next. The movie masters the swashbuckling adventure of its predecessors, while opening the door for a new generation. Few films have understood the appeal of classic pulp heroes as well as this ’98 gem, which blends Western, adventure, romance, and action into one glorious tale of revenge, redemption, and renewal.
2
Conan the Barbarian (1982)
Based On Robert E. Howard’s Conan the Barbarian
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Conan The Barbarian
R
Action
Adventure
Fantasy
10/10
Release Date
May 14, 1982
Runtime
129 Minutes
Director
John Milius
Writers
Robert E. Howard, John Milius, Oliver Stone, Edward Summer
Cast
See All
-
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Conan
-
James Earl Jones
Thulsa Doom
Conan The Barbarian is a 1982 fantasy film directed by John Milius, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as the titular character. The film follows Conan, a warrior seeking vengeance for his parents’ death at the hands of the sorcerer Thulsa Doom, portrayed by James Earl Jones. Set in a mythical prehistoric age, Conan’s journey encompasses battles, mystical creatures, and his evolution from a slave to a hero.
Main Genre
Action
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As one of the most influential dark fantasy writers of the 20th century, Robert E. Howard gave readers a rich and vibrant cast of characters. None became as iconic and enduring as Conan the Barbarian, a heroic warrior of unmatched physical strength and courage. In 1982, the Cimmerian was brought into live action, with Arnold Schwarzenegger perfectly cast in the role of a vengeful warrior hunting the warlord who murdered his tribe.
As the pinnacle of high adventure and dark fantasy, Conan the Barbarian documents an epic saga as its hero goes from enslaved refugee to heroic warrior. From the movie’s terrifying villain in James Earl Jones’ Thulsa Doom to its stunning visuals, Robert E. Howard’s vision hasn’t been done justice as well as it was in 1982. Boasting excellent special effects and beautiful character development, the film captured the escapist sword and sorcery that dark fantasy fans crave.
1
Sin City (2005)
Based On Frank Miller’s Sin City
Movie
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Sin City
R
Crime
Thriller
7/10
6/10
Release Date
April 1, 2005
Runtime
124 minutes
Director
Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarantino, Frank Miller
Writers
Frank Miller
Sequel(s)
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For
Cast
See All
-
Rosario Dawson
-
Bruce Willis
Based on the original graphic novel by Frank Miller, Sin City is a dark and gritty crime-noir action movie that tells several different stories, all set at the same time in the same city. The lines of good and evil are blurred, with vigilantism being the new norm, as a city rife with corruption slowly swallows its citizens whole. Each protagonist is loosely connected to one another’s stories as the movie paints a bigger picture through each new point of view.
Studio(s)
MiraMax
Distributor(s)
MiraMax
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In the 1990s, Frank Miller unleashed his Sin City universe, one big love letter to ’50s pulp crime comics and hard-boiled detectives. In 2005, Miller himself led a team of directors in adapting his three most iconic stories; That Yellow Bastard, A Dame to Kill For and The Big Fat Kill. Using some of the biggest names in action at the time, from Bruce Willis to Clive Owen, each story contrasted the flawed heroism of the city with its dark, corrupted nature.
Through its morally-gray protagonists, the film helps the audience find what little light and hope they can in a world of darkness.
When it comes to faithful adaptations of comics, no film has come as close to the immersion and symmetry of Sin City — aided in large part by Miller’s direct involvement. Through its morally-gray protagonists, the film helps the audience find what little light and hope they can in a world of darkness. The film brilliantly channels the hard-boiled heroes that once made pulp comics a dominant force in print media, and its style and characters leave viewers craving more.
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Category: Entertainment