Every American Superhero Movie From the 1980s, Ranked from Worst to Best

While superhero movies have come to dominate cinemas in the 2000s and beyond, the genre dates back to the 1940s with the Adventures of Captain Marvel, Captain America, and Batman serials. Still, even up until the release of 1978’s Superman, the genre was still in a niche.

Heroes like Superman and Hulk managed to increase interest, and by the ’80s, the genre was starting to accumulate a larger audience and show mainstream viability. This sparked greater interest worldwide, causing a slew of hero-led cinema to be released, trying to capture the success of the American hero. We will look at American-made superhero films from the decade to encapsulate this era.

While we would love to tackle all films that loosely fit the description of a superhero, we have made some exclusions to get a more strict definition. “Sword and Sorcery” films will not be included, leaving out icons like Conan the Barbarian. We are also going to approach sci-fi cautiously, leaving out both Flash Gordon and Buckaroo Banzai. Finally, made-for-TV movies that saw The Incredible Hulk and Batman get extended episodes from their TV series will be left out.

Here are all 20 American theatrical superhero movies from the ’80s ranked.

20 Super Fuzz (1980)

A rookie police officer named Dave Speed (Terence Hill) gains superpowers—strength, invulnerability, speed, etc.—after being exposed to radiation from a nuclear explosion. Along with his skeptical partner, Willy Dunlop (Ernest Borgnine), he begins to clean up the streets against a ruthless mob. However, when it is revealed that seeing red causes ‘super fuzz’ to lose his powers, he soon finds himself in a series of awkward and hilarious scenarios as his powers cut in and out.

Slapstick Superhero Comedy

While landing at the bottom of our list, there is still an audience for Super Fuzz among those who love slapstick and silly comedies. At the same time, the humor has not withstood the test of time as much as other spoof movies from the ’80s, which still maintain a cult following today; Airplane came out the same year.

Still, Ernest Borgnine and Terence Hill are a great pairing here, and the movie’s comedy is not entirely flat for the modern audience. You will have to approach this one expecting nothing but campiness and silliness. Stream Super Fuzz on Prime or Tubi.

19 Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)

Superman is tasked with ridding the world of nuclear weapons, which puts him in the path of several opponents vying for power. This includes the recently released Lex Luthor, whose profits from the industry are hurt by Superman’s mission. To stop The Man of Steel, Luthor clones him using some of his hair, resulting in the supervillain, Nuclear Man, who challenges Superman in a fight in space.

The End of an Era of Superman

Christopher Reeve’s Superman defined the ’70s and ’80s when it came to superhero films, so this entry, being a poor conclusion to that legacy, is kind of a bummer for fans of America’s greatest hero. The budget here was greatly less than the previous entries, resulting in subpar effects work.

The plot was considered preachy and full of plot holes, and poor Nuclear Man exists as the worst villain ever to challenge Superman. Superman IV: The Quest for Peace is therefore only worth watching for the completist and is by far the worst of the Christopher Reeve-led Superman movies. Stream Superman IV: The Quest for Peace on Max.

18 The Return of Swamp Thing (1989)

A tongue-in-cheek sequel to the 1982 movie Swamp Thing sees the eco-conscious creature returning to fight a new threat. After falling in love with a vegetarian who shares his love of nature, the green hero conflicts with her father, who happens to be the evil scientist who created him. The Return of Swamp Thing offered a more comedic take on the DC Comics character made famous in the infamous print run by Grant Morrison.

One of DC’s Darkest Heroes Goes Silly

Director Jim Wynorski is infamous for making b-movies that range from unwatchable to entertaining, with career highlights like Chopping Mall and Munchie. Add in his many spoofs like The Bare Wench Project and Scream Queen Hot Tub Party, and you should know what kind of content you are approaching with this superhero outing.

That said, The Return of Swamp Thing is probably one of the best films in the director’s massive filmography; campy and silly in all the right ways. Stream The Return of Swamp Thing on Peacock or Tubi.

17 Robot Ninja (1989)

After bearing witness to a horrible assault against a woman, depressed and struggling comic book artist Leonard decides to take matters into his own hands against the out-of-hand gangs ruining his city. He turns to a scientist, Dr. Hubert Goodknight, to transform him into a real-life version of his comic book creation, Robot Ninja. However, Leonard soon learns that the superhero game is not cut and dry.

Shot on Video Bleakness

J.R. Bookwalter’s Robot Ninja will be one of those films you love or hate. Shot on video, the movie is put together on a shoestring budget and will lack the polish many fans of the genre crave. Moreover, the movie is surprisingly bleak, with Leonard’s plight being more often marked by failure and pain than success as he tries to step into the role of a hero.

Still, for those who love the gritty aesthetic of low-budget cinema and like darker tales of superheroes, this one may very well surprise you. Stream Robot Ninja on Tubi.

16 Sheena (1984)

After her parents are killed by a cave-in, leaving their youngest child, Janet, behind, the youth is raised by a tribe called the Zambouli. Deemed to be a hero of prophecy, the tribe raises her as Sheena, teaching her to communicate with animals to keep them safe.

This is put to the test when Sheena’s adoptive mother is framed for murder by the evil Prince Otwani, who is looking for a means to take over the Zambouli’s land. With the aid of reporter Vic Casey, Sheena must fight to clear her mother’s name and save her land.

Commercial Flop to Cult Favorite

Legendary director John Guillermin, who brought the likes of King Kong to the screen, certainly fell flat with his attempt to bring the Will Eisner superhero to the screen. Sheena was critically panned for its nonsensical plot, poor acting, and general cheesiness that was not appreciated at the time of release.

However, the film saw a slight cult resurgence thanks to its overt camp, and actor Tanya Roberts found appreciation for her screen presence and physical prowess rather than her acting abilities. Stream Sheena on Prime.

15 The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie (1989)

Down in the dumps, Toxie is trying to figure out how to pay for eye surgery for his girlfriend Claire to restore her sight. This leads the Toxic Avenger to become a new spokesperson for the corrupt chemical company Apocalypse Inc. to help raise funds. However, the Toxic Avenger soon finds himself caught up in a yuppie lifestyle and loses his way. Once he learns that his new boss is the devil in disguise, Toxie has a new enemy and is called, once again, to save the people of Tromaville.

A Generation of Toxic Heroism Patters Out

The Toxic Avenger became the face of Troma entertainment, and for good reason. The mix of crass humor and gross-out gore spoke to horror and cult comedy fans alike. However, by the third and final entry of the 1980s, the radioactive superhero was starting to falter among even the most dedicated.

The formula was a bit tiresome, and it was objectively not as good as the previous films in the franchise. It is still worth a watch for those wanting to consume all the toxic waste they can, but it is not necessarily a highlight in the impressive career of the Toxic Avenger. Stream The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxieon Peacock, Shudder, or Tubi.

14 Condorman (1981)

Woodrow Wilkins, a comic book illustrator, decides to bring one of his creations to life when he dons the moniker and wings of Condorman. Wilkins then finds himself recruited by the CIA to help in the defection of a former Soviet KGB agent named Natalia Rambova from the grips of the ruthless Krokov.

Disney’s Early Dabblings in Superhero Movies

Condorman is a pretty by-the-numbers superhero movie with little grit or intrigue to draw the audience into the world of superheroes; it was met with a lukewarm reception on release. That said, there is a certain comfort in a superhero under the eye of early Disney, where they put an emphasis on family-friendly entertainment.

The gadgets and costumes, while outdated now, have their own charms, and you can see the inklings of a greater superhero that just never managed to fully take flight. Including the infamous British rebel Oliver Reed as the villain will be enough reason for some to check this one out. Rent Condorman on Apple TV, Prime or YouTube.

13 Howard the Duck (1986)

Hailing from a world of intelligent duck people, Howard is transported to the parallel Earth and lands in Clevland, Ohio. Howard befriends a struggling rock singer named Beverly and a nerdy scientist named Phil, and the three soon find themselves facing off against an alien invasion led by the evil Dark Overlord. Utilizing his sardonic wit and ‘Quack Fu,’ Howard assists his friends in saving the world.

Can’t Keep a Good Duck Down

Howard the Duck is almost synonymous with the ‘box office bomb,’ having lost a substantial amount and released to critical scorn. Still, the movie has developed a cult following, with many loving the comedic misadventures of the wisecracking, anthropomorphic duck.

It is difficult to say that the film has aged well with time, and a degree of nostalgia might be in play for those who appreciate the Hollywood oddity, but it does have its charms and is worth watching at least once. Rent Howard the Duck on Apple TV, Prime, or YouTube.

12 Supergirl (1984)

After losing a powerful orb, Kara Zor-El is sent to Earth to retrieve it for her people. Upon arriving, the young Kryptonian learns she has the same powers as her famous superhero cousin, Superman, and soon dons the Supergirl moniker. Her search for the orb soon becomes a fight as a powerful witch using occult magic also seeks the orb’s power.

Super Okay

Supergirl is a bit of a frustrating outing. Helen Slater is perfect in the role, and the movie has a wonderful score from Jerry Goldsmith. It had a budget to back it up, giving it decent effects rivaling her more popular cousin. However, there are a lot of inconsistencies and a flimsy plot that weighs this one down, making it, overall, middling.

Still, with a lighthearted, upbeat tone and a great lead in Helen Slater, Supergirl still stands out among others of the decade. Rent Supergirl on Apple TV, Prime, or YouTube.

11 Hero at Large (1980)

A hopeful yet struggling actor, Steve Nichols, changes his life after he makes the news after stopping a robbery. The press deems him a real-life superhero, given his act of bravery happened while wearing the costume of “Captain Avenger,” a superhero character from a film he was hired to help promote.

Steve decides to embrace the role out of a general passion for helping others and trying to impress the girl he has a crush on. As the community embraces him, he finds being a superhero more difficult than he thought when his life becomes threatened.

A Comedic Gem from the ’80s

Starring comedy staple of the era, John Ritter, Hero At Large is a somewhat forgotten gem of the comedy genre. It leans largely on Ritter’s infectious personality, which shines as a hopeful yet naive superhero struggling with his newfound stardom. However, the upbeat tone and humor are consistently entertaining, making it a well-rounded comedy. It won’t blow viewers away, but it deserves more love in the scope of ’80s superhero movies. Stream Hero at Large on Tubi.

10 Wild Thing (1987)

After his parents are murdered by drug dealers in front of their child, the young kid withdraws into the streets, where he raises himself among violence and poverty. Years later, and now an adult, the man known as ‘Wild Thing’ emerges to help the residents who are being terrorized by violent gangs and drug dealers. With his knowledge of the streets and physical prowess, Wild Thing soon emerges as a champion of the people.

Tarzan of the Urban Jungle

Batman meets Tarzan, Wild Thing may not entirely capitalize on this wonderful amalgamation of ideas. Still, cool elements are abundant here, from the bleak, almost dystopian backdrop of the area known as “the zone” to Wild Thing’s various tools to extract justice.

The script by writer/director John Sayles (Lone Star (1996), Brother from Another Planet) is solid, and the performances are memorable. It’s a mostly forgotten superhero film of the ’80s that deserves re-discovery. Stream Wild Thing on Streampix.

9 The Wraith (1986)

A small town’s teens are terrorized by Packard and his gang, who force people into deadly races to ‘win’ their cars off of them. When this con leads to the death of one man, he soon comes back in the form of a mysterious, armored, gun-wielding hero driving a black Tubro Inceptor. Now, Packard and his gang start to get slowly picked off one by one as the vengeful ‘Wraith’ evades the local authorities and brings hope to those abused by Packard and his gang.

Vengeance from Beyond

While slightly too on the nose with a by-the-numbers plot and villains so despicable that it is difficult to take them seriously, The Wraith still succeeds thanks to its strong visual presence and cathartic revenge story. Its starring of a young Charlie Sheen and Nick Cassavetes makes for perfect ’80s nostalgia-soaked entertainment.

The fact that the Wraith is an original hero is also a pleasant surprise, as the origin story feels like it is pulled straight from the pages of a comic book. Stream The Wraith on Starz or Plex.

8 The Toxic Avenger Part II (1989)

The Toxic Avenger is tricked into heading to Japan to find his estranged father. In Tokyo, he befriends a girl named Masami, and the two face all manner of bizarre monsters and henchmen. At the same time, with Tromaville without its protector, the evil company Apocalypse Inc. uses Toxie’s absence to launch its own terrorist attack against the radioactive town. Will Toxie escape Tokyo and return in time to save his beloved Tromaville?

Radioactive Comedy

While the initial Toxic Avenger had its share of absurd and dark humor, the franchise’s direction after the first began to focus almost entirely on crass comedy and gross-out practical effects. This proved to be very successful for the second film in the franchise, and it cemented Toxic Avenger as a more comedic hero than his more grim origin story. For fans of crass comedy, The Toxic Avenger II is a treat. Stream Toxic Avenger II on Peacock, Shudder, or Tubi.

7 Superman III (1983)

A corrupt billionaire, Ross Webster, hires a down-on-his-luck computer programmer, Gus, to help him gain control of a highly advanced supercomputer and a powerful weather satellite that will allow him to start a nuclear war between nations. However, Gus has a change of mind and reaches out to Superman for help. The evil billionaire already, forseeing this interference, uses a corrupted clone to try to stop the Man of Steel and ruin his reputation.

The Last Great Christopher Reeve Superman Movie

While the third film in the Superman franchise led by Christopher Reeve was met with mixed reception due to its over-reliance on slapstick and rehashing past plot points, Superman III is still a fun entry in the series.

Christopher Reeve is still impeccable in the role, and the inclusion of Annette O’Toole as Lana Lang gave the movie a memorable romance to help offset the overt silliness of the movie. Including Richard Pryor as Gus is also a treat here, as even though his role is minor, some of the movie’s best comedic moments come from the veteran stand-up’s performance. Stream Superman III on Max.

6 The Wizard of Speed and Time (1989)

An aspiring special effects creator named Mike Jittlov (played by Jittlov himself) is looking to break into Hollywood with his years of self-taught special effects know-how. However, as an outsider, he finds a system that at every turn tells him he can’t participate.

When he meets with a dying studio, causing two producers to bet on his success, he is given a chance to have a short in an upcoming feature about Hollywood’s best special effects artists in the industry. Mike has to pull off the impossible with no money and a limited time restraint.

A Super Hero in His Own Mind

Largely lost to time (pun intended), Mike Jittlov’s passion project certainly flew under the radar, but it still exists as one of the most unique movies of the ’80s. While largely a satirical comedy on the state of Hollywood, The Wizard of Speed and Time is loaded with feats of heroism thanks to Jittlov’s array of gadgets and his ability to tap into super speed and teleportation using his homespun special effects.

The movie also resonates with a love of all things superheroes, with Jittlov being the obvious product of someone who grew up lost in comics. The Wizard of Speed and Time is not available for rent or streaming.

5 The Punisher (1989)

Skipping over an origin story, The Punisher exists in a world where the titular vigilante is already trying to clean up a dirty city. Having disrupted the mobsters by stopping their operations at every turn, things become more violent when the Yakuza decides to take over the city, giving Frank Castle a new deadly enemy. Still, nothing will stop the one-man army from keeping New York City safe.

Gritty and Violent

The placement of The Punisher so high on this list may be contentious for some, given that the action film is cliché and drenched in so much machismo, with Dolph Lundgren as the brooding muscular lead. Still, those who love action movies of the ’80s and ’90s with big, overtly masculine men kickin’ a ***, shooting guns, and trash-talking will love how violent and explosive this one gets.

Dolph Lundgren is perfect in the role, and the film is under 90 minutes long with non-stop action, ensuring ample entertainment that does not overstay its welcome. The Punisher is currently unavailable for stream or rent.

4 Swamp Thing (1982)

After an accident in his lab, Alec Holland is exposed to a secret formula of his own creation, and he is transformed into the monstrous ‘Swamp Thing.’ When the aptly named Dr. Arcane tries to steal the formula to achieve immortality, Alec emerges to fight the evil scientist and his henchman to stop them from harnessing the power he created. Along the way, he falls for Arcane’s daughter, Abby, and he slowly begins to reveal himself to her.

Wes Craven’s Take on a Fan-Favorite Comic Creation

While still a slightly silly take on the dark, environmentalist hero Swamp Thing, horror maestro Wes Craven did a much better job adapting Swamp Thing to the screen than the previously mentioned Jim Wynorski entry. There is the right amount of B-movie camp here, including scenes of Swamp Thing driving a jeep or emerging through a faucet for a surprise attack, and the humor is pretty sharp.

Of course, having the screen goddess of the era, Adrienne Barbeau, as the romantic interest certainly does not hurt the longevity of Swamp Thing on top of carrying Wes Craven’s name. Stream Swamp Thing on Prime or Tubi.

3 The Toxic Avenger (1984)

Melvin is an awkward and nerdy janitor who finds himself the constant target of bullying. One day, this escalates to the point where he is thrown out of the window into a vat of Toxic Waste, which sees him transform into a hideous monster. Trying to hide, he comes upon a small shack where a blind woman lives, and he soon starts a romantic relationship with her. This gives him the courage to don The Toxic Avenger moniker and change Tromaville for the better.

The People’s Superhero

The Toxic Avenger franchise has certainly had its ups and downs, and it recently resurgence with the 2023 reboot of the same name. Still, the first film remains the perfect balance of gore, action, tragedy, and radioactive paranoia. This movie put Troma on the map, cementing the production company as the premier home for cult entertainment, and launched a surprise successful media empire: cartoon adaptation, action figures, comics, etc.

The Toxic Avenger is undeniably silly and crass, but it is also a memorable origins story backed by great characters and special effects. It may be a cult hit, but it is still one of the greatest superhero movies of the ’80s. Stream The Toxic Avenger on Peacock, Shudder, or Tubi.

2 Superman II (1980)

Three villainous Kryptonians, General Zod, Ursa, and Non, escape from the Phantom Zone and come to Earth seeking revenge. Learning they receive the same powers as Superman, the trio begins to wreak havoc. Meanwhile, Superman, having given up his powers to be with Louis Lane, struggles to find a way to combat the new threat to his beloved Metropolis.

One of the Best Superhero Sequels

One can rarely say a sequel outdoes the original, but Superman II makes a case for it. Offering more of what audiences loved in the 1978 Superman movie, the relationship between Clark and Lois (Cristopher Reeve and Margot Kidder) is at its best and most delightful here, and the special effects continued to impress audiences with its large-scale chaos in Metropolis.

Director Richard Lester also conjured up a tighter and more engaging narrative than the original, and the villainous Zod is one of the best ever to grace the genre. This would have been an easy pick for the best superhero movie of the ’80s if not for the decade going out with our top pick. Stream Superman II on Max.

1 Batman (1989)

Tim Burton’s take on Batman, in a slight re-telling using the red-hood origin, has become a classic of the ’80s. The movie pits the Bat against his greatest foe, the Joker, as ‘The Clown Prince of Crime’ terrorizes Gotham.

The Joker accomplishes this by lacing hygiene products with a deadly toxin called “Smylex,” which causes its victims to die laughing. At the same time, the Joker takes a liking to Bruce Wayne’s romantic interest in Vicki Vale, making it both a matter of saving Gotham and the one he loves as the caped crusader tries to stop the Joker.

Easily the Best Superhero Movie of the ’80s

Burton’s Batman is an obvious pick here. Sneaking in at the end of the 1980s, it would become one of the definitive superhero movies, even outperforming any movie in the Superman franchise. The atmosphere, the perfect performances from Micheal Keaton, Jack Nicolson, and Kim Basinger, and the spot-on score combined to make Batman the definitive superhero movie of the era.

There were a lot of great superhero movies in the 1980s, but Batman is by far the best. Stream Batman on Prime or Max.