While fans are discussing which MCU superheroes deserve an R-rated movie, there are already many great high-grossing R-rated movies (and even animated R-rated movies). From the hilarious The Hangover to Mel Gibson's scandalous The Passion of the Christ to the now horror classic IT, there are plenty of iconic movies that got an R rating for their violence, explicit scenes, or even drug abuse.
But when it comes to R-rated superhero movies, there are surprisingly many great films (even though not all of them look like superhero movies at first glance). Here are the 10 Best R-Rated Superhero Movies, According To IMDb.
Constantine (2005) - 7.0
Keanu Reeves proves yet again that he is an outstanding actor who is made for playing iconic characters. Not everyone has heard of Constantine, but those who have seen it usually regard it as one of the best comic-based movies ever made despite all its flaws.
John Constantine, the protagonist of the story, has the power to communicate with half-angels and half-demons in their true form. Because of his suicide attempt in his youth, he must now seek salvation from Hell by exorcising demons.
Blade (1998) - 7.1
Before there were X-Men and Spider-Man, Marvel Comics were adapted into a superhero horror trilogy about Blade played by Wesley Snipes. Marvel recently got the rights to this character back and has now announced a reboot starring Mahershala Ali.
Blade is a human with vampire strengths but without their weaknesses - something known as a Dhampir. His mission is to hunt down vampires to protect humans from them.
The Crow (1994) - 7.6
One of the things The Crow is famous for is that it was the last role of Brandon Lee, Bruce Lee's only son. Lee was injured on set and later died in the hospital with the film being finished later by using a stunt double and visual effects.
The story follows Eric Draven, a rock musician whose fiancee was raped and murdered and who was murdered himself too. He is subsequently revived and sets out to avenge his and his wife's death.
Kick-Ass (2010) - 7.6
Before Deadpool subverted expectations with its dark humor, there was Kick-Ass (and its somewhat underrated sequel). Fun fact: Aaron Taylor-Johnson (who played Quicksilver in the MCU) and Evan Peters (who played Quicksilver in the X-Men movies) both starred in the film.
The story takes place in a world where superheroes exist, but only in the pages of comics. A normal teenager Dave Lizewski keeps wondering why nobody has become a real-life superhero yet considering there is so much crime. So, he decides to become one himself, but it's not as easy as he thinks.
Watchmen (2009) - 7.6
Like so many cult films, Watchmen is admired by some and despised by others. What's undeniable is that this movie is visually stunning and thematically rich.
Set in an alternate history dystopian reality in 1985 during the Cold War, the film follows a group of retired superheroes who investigate the murder of one of their superhero friends.
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014) - 7.7
Who said that superhero movies never won the Academy Award for Best Picture? Though Birdman is a black comedy-drama, it is still a superhero movie to some extent - and quite an original one too. Besides, it has a marvelous cast that includes Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, Emma Stone, Zach Galifianakis, Naomi Watts, and others.
The protagonist is a faded Hollywood actor Riggan Thomson who is best known for his superhero role as Birdman. He struggles with a Broadway play while being haunted by his past glory.
Deadpool 2 (2018) - 7.7
After the success of 2016's Deadpool, there was bound to be a sequel. And even though it turned out to be worse than the original, it was still a great movie holding the title of the highest-grossing R-rated movie before Joker surpassed it.
In the movie, Deadpool decides to form the so-called X-Force that aims to protect a powerful teenage mutant from the time-traveling soldier Cable, who claims that the kid is dangerous.
Deadpool (2016) - 8.0
Speaking of the original, Ryan Reynolds definitely broke some rules with this one - including breaking the fourth wall. With so many similar superhero movies being released every year, Deadpool was a breath of fresh air.
Wade Wilson sets out to hunt down the person who gave him his mutant abilities and awful scarring all over his body. At the same time, he needs to save his girlfriend from the same bad guy.
Logan (2017) - 8.1
Who would have thought that there would ever be a film that combined the superhero genre with drama and Western creating a masterpiece like Logan? Many fans still consider this the best X-Men film ever made.
Mutants have disappeared from Earth; Logan and Charles are both very old and hiding. Unexpectedly, they are sent on the run and have to protect a young mutant named Laura, who seems to be Logan's daughter.
V for Vendetta (2005) - 8.2
The reason why V for Vendetta is so highly rated is that it is primarily a political thriller action film set in a dystopian England. Besides, the film boosted Natalie Portman's career after her role in the lackluster Star Wars prequel trilogy.
Starring Hugo Weaving alongside Portman, it tells the story of Evey, a working-class young woman, and V, a masked anarchist vigilante who wants to ignite a revolution with the help of the terrorist attacks he plans and executes.