While many movies are aimed at audiences of all ages, did you know that there are also superhero movies specifically for adult? These movies can usually be recognized by their complex plots, deep characters, violent action, and vulgar scenes that are not suitable for children.
Here are some adult-only superhero movies, which are not suitable for all ages.
Content Navigation
Adult Superhero Movies
1. Watchmen (2009)

The first adult superhero movies is Watchmen (2009). Watchmen is set during a period where superheroes were seen as villains in the United States. This was due to their often violent rescue methods.
Amidst this chaotic situation, the few remaining superheroes come together to start a revolutionary movement, while others try to stop it. The storyline and dialog in this movie are full of themes that are difficult for children to understand.
In addition, there are some violent moments and vulgar scenes throughout the movie.
2. The Crow (1994)

The movie basically presents some very violent scenes, with moments of shootouts between characters that lead to a lot of blood. Therefore, it’s no surprise that this Hollywood movie received an R rating from the United States Censorship Board.
However, violence is not the only reason why the superhero movie The Crow is classified for mature audiences. The movie also features several scenes of a sexual nature and nudity, including a flashback moment where Eric’s fiancée is raped.
The Crow is a superhero movie that claimed the life of Brandon Lee, the lead actor, during production.
3. Barb Wire (1996)

Next up is Barb Wire, a superhero movie adaptation of the Dark Horse comic, featuring Pamela Anderson as Barbara “Barb Wire” Kopetski. Anderson was famous as a Hollywood sex symbol in the 1990s, appearing in many nude scenes in this movie.
The movie features a lot of nude scenes, especially involving the character Barb Wire, including showering, changing clothes, and revealing costumes in public. The revealing superhero costumes make the scenes frontal, so the movie deserves an adult rating.
4. Kickass (2010)

The next adult-only superhero movie is Kickass. Dave spends most of his free time delving into the world of superhero comics. Once upon a time, he began to believe that being a superhero was his calling.
Although Dave realized that he didn’t have the superpowers of the comic book characters, that didn’t stop him from continuing his dream. He decided to wear his own costume and mask, and started calling himself Kick-Ass.
Although it belongs to the action comedy genre, the movie starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Chloë Grace Moretz is full of passionate action and brutal stunts.
5. Dredd (2012)

The movie depicts life in a post-apocalyptic city called Mega-City One. An illegal drug is in circulation and controlled by a character named Madeline Madrigal. With this addictive substance, she seeks to control Mega-City One.
A crime-fighter named Dredd appeared. He is known as judge, jury, and executioner. Together with his team, he tried to defeat and thwart Madeline’s plans. However, the challenges he faces are quite tough as Madeline has many loyal followers.
The movie is full of violence, drinking, drugs and coarse language throughout the storyline. In addition, the movie also contains various sexual references.
6. The Toxic Avengers (1984)

The next adult-only superhero movie is The Toxic Avengers. Although the title contains the word “Avenger,” this movie is not actually a Marvel work that we know. Instead, Marvel took inspiration from the movie’s storyline to make a comic that they published between 1991 and 1992.
The Toxic Avenger is a horror movie with a superhero theme created by Lloyd Kaufman and Joe Ritter. The story follows a janitor who gains powers after falling into toxic waste.
The appearance of a superhero who has a damaged and scary face is enough to make this movie get an adult rating, besides that this movie also contains many adult scenes.
7. Super (2010)

Next is Super by James Gunn. The movie, which combines superhero and comedy elements, tells the story of a man trying to save his wife who has been kidnapped by a drug dealer. The man does not actually have superpowers, he takes on the identity of a superhero named Crimson Bolt to save his wife.
Although it is a comedy and does not feature superpowers of the main characters, the movie still presents brutal and blood-soaked action scenes, and involves the use of firearms and sharp weapons. In addition, we are also often treated to scenes with sexual overtones, both in the form of intercourse and nudity.
8. Darkman (1990)

The next adult-only superhero movie is Darkman. Darkman tells the story of an intelligent scientist named Peyton Westlake (Liam Neeson) who seeks revenge after suffering a tragic death by fire.
Aside from the violent scenes, Darkman’s appearance with his mangled face also adds a scary element to the movie.
The brutal atmosphere and many bloody scenes are what make Darkman unsuitable for children to watch. This movie was directed by Sam Raimi, long before he worked on the Spider-Man trilogy.
9. Swamp Thing (1982)

The movie follows the story of Alec Holland, a scientist who turns into a monster named Swamp Thing and lives in the swamps. Although creepy, Swamp Thing becomes a protagonist who seeks revenge against the evil scientist who transformed him.
The movie contains a lot of brutal scenes and some nude scenes featuring the main female character, thus earning it an adult rating in some countries.
10. Brightburn (2019)

The next superhero movies for adult is Brightburn. Directed by David Yarovesky, Brightburn tells the story of a boy named Brandon Breyer who discovers that he is an alien with super abilities.
Unfortunately, after realizing who he is, Brandon chooses to become Brightburn and use all his powers to destroy humanity. With elements of violence and a Superman-inspired story twist, Brightburn is not suitable for young audiences.
11. Birds of Prey (2020)

Next up is Birds of Prey, which features Margot Robbie in the lead role. Birds of Prey is the first DCEU movie with an R rating, which makes it have more violent and brutal scenes than other DCEU movies.
The movie features scenes such as skinning and blowing people up, as well as characters frequently uttering swear words. In addition, there are references to illegal drugs and sexualized moments.
12. Suicide Squad (2016)

The next superhero movies for adult audiences also features Margot Robbie as one of the lead actors.
After the battle between Superman and Doomsday was over, Amanda Waller who led the defense department tried to form a special team. The goal is to prevent possible conflicts between superhumans.
This special team consists of high-profile criminals who have more abilities than ordinary people. Given that the characters are super villains, the movie definitely has a lot of elements that are not suitable for children. Throughout the movie, there are many harsh words and very brutal gore scenes.
In addition to the version released in 2016, The Suicide Squad that aired in 2021 also has a high level of violence.
13. The Punisher (2004)

As we already know, Frank Castle, known as the Punisher, often takes out his enemies in a cruel way in his fight against evil.
For this reason, The Punisher is rated R, for fear of negatively influencing children into thinking that killing is a legitimate way to fight bad guys.
Furthermore, the movie, which features Thomas Jane as an antihero, also features some nude scenes from some of its characters.
14. Man-Thing (2005)

Next up is Man-Thing, a supernatural horror movie adaptation of the Marvel comic of the same name. The Man-Thing character has a similar concept to Swamp Thing, which is a man who turns into a monster and lives in a swamp area.
Like Swamp Thing, Man-Thing is also rated for adults due to its many violent scenes and elements of nudity.
15. Blade (1998)

Blade is a human with a mix of human blood and vampire blood, as his mother was bitten by a vampire while pregnant. After the vampire bite, his mother’s condition became very severe, and she could not be saved after giving birth to Blade.
A mysterious man then raised him. This man realized that Blade had special abilities. As an adult, Blade fights against vampires who seek to eradicate humanity. The movie captures Blade’s struggle with many bloody and gruesome scenes.
16. Deadpool (2016)

This superhero movie is unique from the others, as Tim Miller’s Deadpool (2016) combines superhero action elements with adult humor that is often over-the-top.
This was the first time actor Ryan Reynolds appeared as the Merc With A Mouth, complete with a unique costume and style just like in the Marvel comics. Although the movie was full of gory action scenes and inappropriate jokes, Deadpool was a huge success worldwide.
17. Batman: The Killing Joke (2016)

Despite being animated, the movie Batman: The Killing Joke is still rated for mature audiences. The movie is the first in the category of Batman movies and Warner Bros. animation to get the rating.
The reason for this was a scene that showed Bruce Wayne having sex with Barbara Gordon, known as Batgirl. In addition, the movie also features a series of moments where Barbara Gordon is sexually assaulted by the Joker.