Western media has spread all over the world, and thisglobalization of culturespread its comic books and superheroes internationally. While franchises like Marvel and DC are universally recognized, they are hardly the only ones creating such content. Many studios throughout Europe and Asia have brought their own characters to life by now, with superheroes just as vibrant and newsworthy as their Western counterparts. With compelling storylines, flashy costumes, and intriguing story arcs, they wow their audiences wherever they are viewed. Thanks to the internet, many are now available to Western audiences as well, with subtitles and sometimes dubbing, so that you too can enjoy these marvelous films and heroes.
From martial artists with a mission to save their city to superpowered vigilantes that strive to save humanity from extinction, the international film market has presented numerous fascinating and inspiring films. While many were made with considerably less money than theextravagant MCU or DCEU budgets, the stories and characters make up for any shortcomings caused by low filming budgets. As Western superhero fans begin to explore the foreign film industry, some are even gaining underground popularity that could eventually bring them into popular culture, such as what happened with English music andJapanese anime over the last century.
10The Heroic Trio
Since 1993, theHong Kong action movieThe Heroic Triohas been wowing audiences with its complex fighting scenes and the main cast of superheroines as they fight a villain ordering the kidnapping of babies. The Evil Master, as he is called, is kidnapping male babies via his servant, a woman with an invisible robe, so that he can find and raise an emperor for China. When she joins forces with two other women to stop him, the result is a series of incredible fight sequences and an awesome display of female willpower.
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This comedic superhero movie,Zebraman, was brought to life byfamous director Takashi Miike, known for his graphic horror films such asIchi the Killer. However, this movie has little to none of his usual violent portrayals, as the touching story of a teacher-turned-superhero blooms on screen. Watching a bored and broken man take on the persona of his favorite, unpopular superhero and live out his fantasy of crime-fighting is certainly a new take on the genre (and influenced the later filmSuper), though certainly more relatable to the audience than most superhero origin stories.
8Black Lightning
While there is now an American TV show by the same name, this movie has no relation to that show and preceded it by nearly a decade. Russia createdBlack Lightning, a superhero film about a college student and his flying car. The story follows him through his origin story, from a flower delivery boy trying to win the heart of his crush to a hero saving the city of Moscow from an egoistic maniac. While it met mixed reviews from the critics, it was a very good movie overall, and worth watching.
7HK: Forbidden Super Hero
Fans ofDeadpoolandOne Punch Manwill loveHK: Forbidden Super Hero, a movie about a mankini-wearing superhero who fights perverted supervillains in the name of justice, all while wearing female panties as his mask. In this hilarious and bizarre film, the son of a dominatrix mother and a masochistic policeman realizes that when he wears women’s underwear, he can harness superhuman capabilities. A high school martial arts student, he transforms himself into “Hentai Kamen” (Pervert Mask), his crime-fighting alter ego, as he tries to protect his love interest from a dirty-minded teacher and others, using an array of perverted techniques.
6The Invisible Boy
The Invisible Boyis an Italian film that follows the story of Michele, a bullied boy who soon discovers that he has superhuman abilities, specifically that of invisibility. At first, he uses his powers for teenage antics, such as getting back at his bullies and peeping in the girl’s locker room. However, when his dreamgirl is kidnapped, he realizes that many kids have been going missing, and sets out on a journey to find them and discover the source of his power.
5Major Grom
Another great Russian movie, this time a short film calledMajor Grom, is the story of a detective who uses his hand-to-hand combat skills to fight crime. While the first movie is only a short film that was used as a screen test, the storyline and characters gave it a larger-than-life feeling that makes the 30 minutes enjoyable. Its sequel, or main movie,Major Grom: Plague Doctorfollows the story laid out in the comics that inspired it, and is a beautifully done film with a lot of twists and turns that will keep the audience on the edge of their seats. It’s arguably become one of the biggest non-English comic book films, and topped lists forthe best superhero movies of 2021.
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4They Call Me Jeeg Robot
Italy producedThey Call Me Jeeg Robotin 2015, which received mostly positive reviews from critics and went on to be nominated for several awards, after a successful run in Italian theaters, and a limited release in the USA market a year later. The story follows a lonely thief and follows his journey from an unintriguing henchman to a reformed superhero, who must defeat his boss to save Rome and live up to the expectation of the woman who triggered the change in him.
3Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota
Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota, also known to Western audiences asThe Man Who Feels No Pain, is a Hindi comedic action film from India about a man born with an insensitivity to feel pain, reminiscent ofSam Raimi’sDarkman. The man, Surya, goes on a fourth-wall-breaking journey to help his dojo master defeat his gangster twin brother, using his physical condition as a superpower to help him defeat one enemy after another. It has great, kung fu-style fight scenes, hilarious comedy, and a truly original storyline that keeps fans entertained from start to finish.
2Bhavesh Joshi: Superhero
India has produced itsBatman-esque superhero in the movieBhavesh Joshi: Superhero, a story about a hero whose power does not come from superhuman powers, but from resolve and a devotion to finding justice. The masked vigilante, determined to avenge his friend, takes on the fallen man’s name as he fights crime by night and uncovers the corruption taking place in his city. It is truly a great film and deserves a lot more attention than it received.
1Yeom-lyeok
Yeom-lyeok, known by most fans outside of South Korea asPsychokinesis, is a superhero film about a security guard who gains telekinetic powers and uses them for good. He decides to use his new skills to save his daughter and her neighbors from a mob-run construction company, that is willing to kill to get their way. As he fights an uphill battle with crooked cops and mobsters, he rekindles the relationship with his daughter and proves that a true father never stops trying to protect his child. The film is a refreshingly fun action-fantasy, and one ofthe best Korean movies on Netflix.
