Movie fans were consecutively fed big-budget superhero movies over the past decade, but in 2020, the meal-plan has somewhat been halted due to unforeseeable circumstances. Fans of the genre that had become accustomed to getting their monthly or quarterly superhero fix might be feeling a bit bored at the moment.
There is no need to fret. There are a couple of low-budget but equally good (if not better) superhero movies that are available to stream. These movies either flew under the radar due to limited to none marketing campaigns or were released years ago, hence younger audiences might not be familiar with them. Here are the best ones to check out.
Super (2010)
Even though James Gunn is mostly associated with the Guardians of the Galaxy movies, he didn't start with the blockbusters. Back in 2010, he told the story of a cook who becomes a vigilante crime fighter named Super to save his beloved wife from a notorious drug lord.
The film has many comedic elements, with the hero using the catchphrase “Shut up, crime!” every time he beats up a baddie. He also has a badass female sidekick named Boltie. Super's costume looks quite similar to that of Barry Allen, though.
Available on: Amazon Prime
Griff The Invincible (2010)
The Australian superhero-comedy film follows a white-collar worker named Griff (Ryan Kwanten) who often gets bullied by his co-workers. Griff happens to live a double life, adopting the superhero persona of Griff The Invisible at night as he hits the streets of Sydney to fight crime.
However, things get complicated when he begins dating a young woman named Melody. His boss finds out who he is and fires him. This is followed by a major twist that changes his crime-fighting life.
Available on: SBS Movies, Amazon Prime & Direct TV
Special (2006)
Les Franken (Michael Rapaport) is a man who hates his life as well as his job as a meter-maid. He feels depressed every single day of his life. When a pharmaceutical company asks for volunteers for a drug study involving a new anti-depressant, he gladly enrolls in the program.
After taking the drug, Les experiences n unexpected side effect that makes him realize he is developing special abilities. Without any hesitation, he quits his job in order to start working as a superhero.
Available on: Tubi TV
Mystery Men (1999)
Mystery Men follows a group of lesser-skilled superheroes who try to make a name for themselves but often get upstaged by the powerful Captain Amazing. However, Captain Amazing's prowess soon creates a problem as he manages to get rid of all the criminals and is left with no one to fight.
In order to feel important again, Amazing, through his alter-ego, campaigns for the release of his nemesis Casanova Frankenstein, so that he can defeat him again. This time things go Frankenstein's way. When the villain captures Captain Amazing, the lesser heroes see this as an opportunity to finally hit the limelight by saving him.
Available on: Peacock TV & VUDU
Defendor (2009)
Grey's Anatomy character Christina Young wasn't the first doctor that Sandra Oh played. In the Canadian superhero film Defendor, she played Dr. Park, a doctor who tries to help a stressed man who has adopted a superhero persona after reading comics for most of his life.
The man is Arthur Poppington, who goes by the name Defendor, as he tries to stop corrupt police officers as well as his nemesis, "Captain Industry." He later falls in love with a prostitute who he describes as "his Lois Lane."
Available on: Direct TV & Amazon Prime
The Toxic Avenger (1984)
No, it has nothing to do with Marvel. The Toxic Avenger was released by the studio Troma Entertainment, which is known for making B-movies. It follows a janitor at a health club who frequently gets harassed by the customers. After being chased around the club one day, he lands in a drum of toxic waste. This makes him into turn into a hideous but powerful superhero.
The film is now considered a cult classic. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a score of 70%. The Toxic Avenger was so successful that it launched a video game, several sequels, a Broadway musical, and even a cartoon series.
Available on: Shudder & Amazon Prime
The Invisible Boy (2014)
The foreign film made in Italy revolves around a thirteen-year-old boy named Michele Silenzi who often finds himself being targeted by bullies. He also has his eye on a classmate named Stella, who he plans to impress at a school party by wearing a superhero costume. Sadly, the fifty Euro note he wanted to buy the costume with gets stolen.
Michele settles for a cheaper costume belonging to a Chinese superhero that he doesn't know. He soon discovers that the costume is able to make him invisible. When Stella gets kidnapped, he is forced to act. And there's a twist where the villain turns out to be his mother.
Available on: Netflix & Direct TV
Fast Color (2018)
The highly intriguing Fast Color follows Ruth (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) a homeless woman in a drought-stricken near future. Ruth suffers from frequent seizures but she quickly learns that the seizures can enable her to cause earthquakes and reassemble matter. She soon finds herself on the run from authorities who want to conduct experiments on her.
The film has an impressive 81% score on Rotten Tomatoes. A TV series based on the film is reported to be in development at Amazon Studios. The series is produced by Viola Davis.
Available on: Hulu
Superbob (2015)
Superbob was filmed in a record 19 days only with a budget of less than $70,000 yet it has a score of 86% on Rotten Tomatoes. Comedian Brett Goldstein wrote the script.
In the British film, an asteroid lands in the Peckham district of London, and its fragments hit a postman named Bob. As a result, he develops Superman-like abilities but struggles with controlling them. After learning about his powers, The Ministry of Defence takes him in and trains him before employing him and tasking him with protecting the UK.
Available on: Amazon Prime
Turbo Kid (2015)
Turbo Kid has a score of 91% on Rotten Tomatoes yet it only had a budget of $60,000. The Canadian superhero film is set in an alternate 1997 Earth known as the "Wastelands." In it, water is scarce.
The lead character is The Kid, a comic book fan. He decides to be a superhero and teams up with a girl named Apple and as well as the tough cowboy named Frederick to stop the villain Zeus who is responsible for the death of his parents. But Zeus proves to be tougher than they expected.
Available on: Shudder
