Comic book movies used to be a niche before the 2000s, but they now lead the cinema industry, and audiences might not even know that the best comic book movies that aren't about superheroes are based on comic books. A billion-dollar-grossing sci-fi franchise, a deeply disturbing Korean thriller, and a Palme d'Or-winning LGBTQ+ drama are all adapted from comic books. While the Marvel Cinematic Universe, X-Men, and the DC Extended Universe reign supreme, a surprising number of other comic book movies that are unrelated to those universes have nothing to do with characters with superpowers.

Even though a lot of original movies still get produced, the current cinematic landscape is mostly filled with reboots and adaptations of books that the studios own the rights to. However, there are many brilliant original dramas in comic books too. Between a gangster revenge epic, a former assassin hiding his past from his family, and the tortured relationship of a gay couple, comic books shouldn’t be overlooked when it comes to highly acclaimed material. Some of the best comic book movies that aren't about superheroes are even better and more well-received than superhero movies.

15 The Losers (2010)

Jake Jensen shoots a crossbow in The Losers
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Though The Losers doesn't feature superheroes, it has a typically high concept for a comic book movie. The 2010 release follows an elite Special Forces team that's forced to work together when they're hired by a mysterious woman. Though the movie was critically slammed when it was released, The Losers has become a cult hit, one of the most entertaining films about a ragtag group of quirky mercenaries, and one of the best non-superhero comic book movies. Ironically, the non-superhero comic book movie features a lot of MCU alumni, including Chris Evans, Zoe Saldana, and Idris Elba.

14 Wanted (2008)

Wesley Gibson, The Gunsmith, and Fox stand in front of butchered pigs in Wanted
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Wanted is as close as a non-superhero comic movie gets to being about superheroes. While the characters in the 2008 movie aren't superheroes, they have an impossible and almost supernaturalistic skill where they can bend bullets. Wanted is about a secret society of expert assassins and follows Wesley, who joins the society after learning that it was founded by his father. It's ultimately a revenge flick with a unique spin on the formula. While the movie wasn't overwhelmingly positively received, it's a satisfying enough popcorn flick with enough action and entertainment that'll leave viewers wanting the canceled Wanted sequel.

13 Red (2010)

Bruce Willis in a suit, Morgan Freeman dressed as a matador, and John Malkovich in a plastic sheet in Red
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Red has a tried and true premise about a former special agent being forced to come out of retirement due to a bigger threat than ever before, but it works surprisingly well in Red. The movie sees Bruce Willis in one of his best 2010s performances, as he plays the former CIA Black Ops agent Frank Moses. However, what makes Red so great and elevates what could have been another run-of-the-mill action movie with a tired premise is its stellar cast. Along with Willis, the movie has an ensemble cast of Oscar-caliber actors including Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, John Malkovich, and Brian Cox.

12 Men In Black (1997)

Agents J and K with huge guns in Men in Black
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It isn't obvious that Men in Black is an adaptation of a comic book, which could be a result of the movie being so unique, as even the morning cartoon was based more on the film than the comic book. The sci-fi movie is director Barry Sonnenfeld’s best film, and though the movie’s USP is the aliens, what makes the film so special is the way the young J joins forces with an aging, joyless stoic. Between the hit single, the chemistry between the main characters, and the neuralyzer, the movie was lightning in a bottle, and it's one of the best comic book movies that aren't about superheroes.

11 From Hell (2001)

Johnny Depp looks concerned in From Hell
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From Hell stands out as one of the best non-superhero comic book movies, for the way it interpolates real-life historical events. The movie is set in Victorian London and is an exploration of the famous serial killer Jack the Ripper, using conspiracy theories and Inspector Abberline to deliver such a unique version of the events. From Hell is way grittier than most other movie adaptations of comic books, not just in the themes and real-life events that it details but tonally too. The gothic look and haunting feel of London, along with the detailed period setting, creates one of the most unique non-superhero comic book movies ever.

10 Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010)

Scott Pilgrim battling to win over Ramona Flowers with a fire sword in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
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Scott Pilgrim vs. the World was a huge box office bomb, not even making back its budget back (via Box Office Mojo). However, it has become a cult hit, as it found its audiences in the years since. Scott Pilgrim vs. the Word is the tentpole movie that established director Edgar Wright's quirky and erratic style. The movie's narrative is so unique too, as the film follows the titular character as he battles the evil exes of his new girlfriend. The 2010 release would look different if Scott Pilgrim was remade today, but the cast is what made it one of the best comic book movies that aren't about superheroes

9 Dredd (2012)

Judge Dredd stands in front of an American flag in Dredd
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Dredd follows a law enforcement officer who doesn’t hold back when bringing down drug dealers and gang bangers, as he’s the judge, jury, and executioner. This wasn’t the first time the comic book was adapted, but it was much better received than the Sylvester Stallone-starring 90s adaptation. Dredd has incredible effects, was the gold standard in terms of 3D at the time, and doesn't hold back on the brutality, which makes it one of the best comic book movies with no superheroes. Though the underwhelming box office performance meant that a sequel was unlikely, there have been talks of continuing the world of Judge Dredd in a TV show.

8 Ghost World (2001)

Enid and Rebecca peak from behind a bush in Ghost World
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Like Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Ghost World is a coming-of-age movie about teenagers and relationships, but the 2001 movie has none of the thrills and action. However, Ghost World perfectly captures the angst of frustration of being a teenager better than almost any other 2000s coming-of-age film, as it follows two very complex best friends, Enid and Rebecca as they try to understand what they want in their future. The movie is intelligent, hilarious, and totally relatable in the way that it throws anxiety-inducing challenges at the main characters, but it also has an emotional and ambiguous ending.

7 Blue Is The Warmest Color (2013)

Seydoux and Exarchopolous in Blue is the Warmest Color
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Blue Is the Warmest Color is not only one of the best non-superhero comic book movies, but it won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, the most prestigious award in the movies industry. The fact that Blue Is the Warmest Color is based on a comic book comes as a huge surprise. Even non-superhero comic books have high concepts, but the 2013 release is as gruelingly realistic as romantic dramas get. The movie is a very naturalistic but melodramatic depiction of a relationship between two lesbians, and it’s one of the most heartbreaking releases of the past decade or so.

6 300 (2006)

Spartan soldiers hold spears and shields in 300
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300 is a comic book adaptation that's so faithful to the source material, not just in narrative, but in visuals too. Zack Snyder directed 300, meaning there are loads of beautiful shots in slow motion, and it looks exactly like the panels of the comic book. Snyder was so committed to making the movie look as much like the comic book as possible that he even shot it almost entirely with a superimposition chroma key, giving it such a unique look. Along with its visual draw - and even though 300 was criticized for its one-dimensional characters - the action in the movie is epic in every way.

5 Sin City (2005)

Marv covered in plasters arguing his case in Sin City.
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While Sin City is one of the best comic book movies with no superheroes, the format of the movie's source material couldn't be more obvious. The big draw of Sin City is its visuals and the effects that were used made it look like the comic book came to life. The movie is absolute style over substance, but it's still entertaining and a masterclass in worldbuilding. As the film has an ensemble cast of characters, it’s the most successful anthology movie, not just in terms of its classic status, but financially too, as it made $160 million, way more than any other anthology movie that came before or after it.

4 Road To Perdition (2002)

A group of men exit a bar and in to the pouring rain in Road to Perdition
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Period gangster movies and American culture are intrinsically tied together, which is why it comes as a surprise that Road to Perdition is based on a comic book. However, revenge stories and comic books are also intrinsically tied together, and Road to Perdition is exactly that. Just like the best comic book movies that aren't about superheroes, including Sin City, Road to Perdition is all about revenge, as it follows a mob enforcer and his son who take down the men who murdered their family. Cinematography-wise, it’s one of the most beautiful-looking movies of the 21st century, and it’s an incredibly underrated crime movie of the 2000s too.

3 A History Of Violence (2005)

Tom Stall aims a gun in A History of Violence
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A History of Violence is about a former assassin who has kept his previous career a secret from his family for years. Director David Cronenberg is known for creating deep movies that don’t seem all that deep on the surface, and A History of Violence is no different. What’s fascinating about the movie is that it isn’t just an action flick about a retired hitman, a la John Wick, but it’s actually a meditation on mankind’s relationship with violence. That's no more clear than when Tom shockingly admits to his wife that he has killed in the past, not just for money, but for pleasure too.

2 V For Vendetta (2005)

Natalia Portman cries in the rain in V For Vendetta
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Alan Moore is one of the most famous comic book writers ever, as he wrote one of the most celebrated Batman graphic novels, The Killing Joke, and he created Watchmen. However, one of the best works Moore ever created was about an anarchist revolutionary named V, and the adaptation of V For Vendetta is one of the best forgotten 2000s blockbusters. Nevertheless, V For Vendetta is one of the best comic book movies that aren't about superheroes based on how iconic the movie has become. Even though it was present in pop culture before the movie, the Guy Fawkes mask became the face of so many activist groups after 2005.

1 Oldboy (2003)

Oh Dae-su on the attack with a hammer in Oldboy.
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Oldboy being based on a comic book comes as a huge surprise, especially considering that it’s wedged between two other movies in a trilogy, both of which are completely original. However, Oldboy isn’t just one of the best comic book movies that aren't about superheroes, but it’s one of the most celebrated thrillers of the 21st century. Though it’s action-packed, which is typical for a comic book movie, the violence is unapologetically brutal, and it features a mystery that rivals classic movies like Chinatown and Se7en. Despite having one of the worst US remakes, the original adaptation of the comic book is profound and mind-blowing.