12 Movies That Deliver Superhero Vibe Without Superpowered Characters

The superhero genre has a certain set of tropes and traditions. Supernatural abilities, tragic backstories, secret identities, arch-enemies, and happy endings are all common companions of the average comic book superhero and something people seem to be growing tired of. Even though superheroes remain extremely popular, audiences are increasingly looking for a fresh take on the tired tropes or at least some new, less conventional superheroes for them to admire.

The good news is that subverting the superhero genre has been a cottage industry for quite some time now.

Here are 12 quintessential non-superhero superhero movies, ranked by their Rotten Tomatoes audience score.

The Accountant (2016, 76%)

The film, starring Ben Affleck as an autistic freelance accountant with savant syndrome and exceptional martial arts skills, follows all the beats and tropes audiences have come to expect from the superhero genre. The only difference seems to be that the protagonist's 'superpowers' result from his autism rather than some supernatural event.

Kick-Ass (2010, 81%)

When it comes to superhero movies without superheroes, Kick-Ass is certainly the first project that springs to mind; it could well be its tagline. Aaron Johnson plays a teenager who decides to reinvent himself as a superhero without actually having any special powers other than nerve damage and a burning desire to fight crime.

John Wick (2014, 81%)

The iconic 2014 film and the entire John Wick franchise serve as an alternative to superhero movies that target more adult audiences by doing away with all the comic book fundamentals and delivering pure unadulterated action. The bare minimum plot serves only to set up action scenes for Keanu Reeves' ruthless assassin anti-hero to chase, shoot, punch, slash and kill an endless supply of foes.

Equilibrium (2002, 81%)

This dystopian tale features Christian Bale as an enforcer in a future society that has chosen to suppress any and all emotions by taking a special drug. After missing his daily dose, the main character starts questioning the narratives he's been conditioned to take at face value. The irony of the movie is that once Christian Bale's character relearns how to experience emotions, he ultimately goes on a murder rampage, which is supposed to be a good thing.

Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014, 84%)

The 2014 spy action movie, and the entire Kingsman film series, offer plentiful fight sequences and characters that radiate a superhero aura without having any superhuman abilities. The Kingsman agents are simply trained to a degree few mortals can match. Just watch Colin Firth in that church rampage scene: it's a masterpiece.

Shaolin Soccer (2001, 84%)

Chinese martial arts movies are perhaps the best alternative to American superhero movies, and Stephen Chow's 2001 comedy Shaolin Soccer is a shining example of the genre. It follows a Shaolin monk who assembles his family, all accomplished martial artists, to play soccer and popularise Shaolin Kung Fu.

The Matrix (1999, 85%)

How can we not mention The Matrix? On the surface, the Wachowski siblings' masterpiece is a cyberpunk movie, but its protagonist is actually a superhero as he possesses unique powers in the matrix that allow him to stand up to evil machines. It's a classic superhero origin story that can give any Marvel or DC project a run for its money.

Dark City (1998, 85%)

The 1998 neo-noir sci-fi film follows a man caught in an impossible situation: accused of serial murder but with no memory of himself or his past. His quest for the truth leads him into a sinister underworld controlled by a mysterious group known as the Strangers. The movie exudes a decidedly dark Batman ambience.

Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022, 86%)

Marvel's multiverse saga falls short compared to this 2023 Oscars sensation. While primarily a humorous and warm-hearted story about family and parenting, the superhero undertones are unmistakable. The concept of seeking help from one's own alternate versions to possess certain abilities undoubtedly warrants a comic book series of its own.

Upgrade (2018, 87%)

The idea of achieving superpowers by augmenting the human body and mind with advanced technology is not new and can be regarded as a superhero subgenre. Though Upgrade is technically a horror-action movie, the way its protagonist, played by Logan Marshall-Green, gains superhuman strength and agility after being paralysed and having an AI chip implanted in his brain stem closely mirrors the classic superhero journey.

RRR (2022, 94%)

Bollywood movies often feature characters whose strength, agility, endurance and accuracy can easily rival those of any Western superhero. RRR is a prime example. The movie follows fictionalised versions of two Indian revolutionaries, Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem, battling a common enemy.

Die Hard (1988, 94%)

When asked about the biggest 1980s and 1980s superheroes, many people would name John McClane. Despite lacking superpowers, Bruce Willis' character is likely the one hero that millions would trust with their lives without hesitation. Heck, given his training and intelligence, McClane could probably even outsmart a few comic book villains.