If you’re a fan of today’s movies, you can throw a rock and hit like 40 different comic book-related projects. And while it’s weird that a number of these series are produced with their comic book counterparts continuing to grow on a monthly basis, there’s a history of movies that were derived from graphic novels, which at their base are more serialized comic book works.
With the money Netflix is funneling into their original programming, there’s no surprised that the long-awaited Hollywood adaptation of Death Note, the wildly-popular manga series-turned-anime dealing with a magical book that grants its owner the ability to kill anyone who’s name is written in it, is premiering on the service this Friday.
In a year that’s already featured (shaky) film adaptations of Valerian AND Ghost In the Shell, it’s high time we take a look at the absolute best movies that got their start as graphic novels. And who knows, maybe you might find out that your favorite film is also just as dope when you read it.
SEE ALSO: 34 movies you have to see this fall — including 'Justice League,' 'It,' and 'Blade Runner 2049'
25. "300" (2006)
Writer Of Graphic Novel: Frank Miller
Director: Zack Snyder
Stars: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, David Wenham, Rodrigo Santoro, Dominic West
All of the characters in 300 take the events that unfold very seriously. To enjoy this movie, you should do the exact opposite. Director Zack Snyder faithfully replicates the original comic series written by da gawd Frank Miller by stuffing his film with a bunch of contrast-laden special effects that prioritize muscles and bloodshed over things movies typically care about—like plot and character development. The story traces the Spartan legend of King Leonidas (Butler) and his 300 best soldiers and their suicidally brave stand against thousands and thousands of Persians led by the “God-King” Xerxes.
Essentially, Snyder just sends waves and waves of soldiers (some riding very large elephants) to be butchered by the Spartans, who deploy very cunning strategy to make up for their limited numbers. But all the bravery in the world can’t withstand a hailstorm of arrows. Still the squadron of Leonidas don’t die in vain, it rallies Greece and blah, blah, blah. It doesn’t really matter. 300 exists as a glamorization of a very violent and primal form of masculinity for dudes that wear fedoras with shorts to live vicariously through. If you want to see comic panels move, then it’s a visual treat. It doesn’t offer much else.—John Flynn
24. "V for Vendetta" (2005)
Writer Of Graphic Novel: Alan Moore
Director: James McTeigue
Stars: Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving
The critically acclaimed dystopian thriller V for Vendetta is such a smart, detailed, and fascinating film, it had to come from the world of comics. Based on the 1988 DC/Vertigo Comics series of the same name, the V for Vendetta comic along with the movie had such vast influence on popular culture that even Occupy Wall Street protestors to Egyptian youth during the Arab Spring wore the infamous Guy Fawkes mask during their protests.
Director James McTeigue along with the Wachowski Sisters (for writing) helmed the Hollywood remake and ultimately did the comic book justice. Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving gave extraordinary performances as the film’s leading characters, V and Evey, and although the film changes some major elements from the comic series, the film still succeeds in depicting the main, revolutionary message of standing against widespread political injustices and totalitarian regimes. —Helen Owolabi
23. "The Mask" (1994)
Writer Of Graphic Novel: Mike Richardson
Director: Chuck Russell
Stars: Jim Carrey, Cameron Diaz, Peter Riegert
Although this 1994 box office hit was based on a comic book series of the same name (The Mask created by Mike Richardson), the feature film really only drew from one main concept or crucial symbol of the comic book—the transformative powers of a special mask. Jim Carrey’s character is first introduced to viewers as a meek bank teller, Stanley Ipkiss, who stumbles upon a mysterious mask after an especially depressing night.
But after he tries the mask on, the timid Ipkiss turns into a semi-Hulk, steroid-fueled version of himself. It’s these bizarro, high-energy antics of Carrey’s version of “the masked” Stanley Ipkiss—when Carrey’s physical comedy chops and some impressive CGI for the time are at high speed—that make the entire movie worth a watch. Frequent appearances from a young and obvi stunning Cameron Diaz (this was her film debut) make it a bonafide hit. —Helen Owolabi
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