10 Best Pre-MCU Superhero Films

Overshadowed by the onset tragedy of star Brandon Lee, it ought not be forgotten that The Crow was and remains one of the best superhero movies ever made and rightfully deserves to be recognised as such.

Based on the James O'Barr comic of the same name, The Crow tells the tale of edgy rocker Eric Draven. He and his fiancee are brutally murdered, after which Draven is resurrected by a crow to seek vengeance. There follows a film which remains surprisingly committed to the horror-action genre aspects, with some real visual flair in its fight scenes as well as an impressive overall gothic aesthetic.

It is difficult to think about The Crow without dwelling on Brandon Lee's fate. And yet perhaps the best tribute to the late star was that this last film of his was also his best by far. The Crow has style, it has a good plot, and it has a depth which can sometimes be lacking from some similarly edgy genre-inflected superhero pictures. A feat which few other such pictures can claim is that The Crow has also retained its quality, despite the years.