10 Best Superhero Movies Of The 80s

10. Hero At Large

Sometimes the best the superhero stories are the simplest ones. This movie, coming out in 1980 and starring John Ritter and Anne Archer was the most basic use of a superhero template. In fact, the titular Hero wasn’t even an actual superhero, at least not initially.

Steve Nichols is a struggling actor who lands a gig posing as a superhero for an upcoming movie. One day while he is busy helping promote the movie, Steve gets caught in the middle of a bank robbery. Clearly his character had gotten to his head because he actually ends up foiling the robbers. Afterwards, he adopts the persona of Captain Avenger and starts playing superhero in real life.

As things go, politics and selfish interests soon muddy the waters. The Mayor of New York hires him so that Captain Avenger’s popularity would help win votes, only for it all to unravel when the media discovers this link. In the end however, Steve is able to regain his hero image as he casts all ulterior motives aside and saves a young life from certain death.

The whole movie was a nice, simple, comedic romp with a warm ending that will make you smile. What more can you ask for?