Venom is a popular film series based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. The first movie, released in 2018, was directed by Ruben Fleischer and starred Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock/Venom, a journalist who becomes bonded with an alien symbiote and gains superhuman abilities.
One of the primary themes of the Venom movies is the duality of the main character. Eddie Brock/Venom is both a hero and a villain, and the films explore his struggle to control his darker impulses and use his powers for good. The films also explore themes of identity, redemption, and the consequences of playing God.
One reason people love the Venom movies is because of the character’s unique and complex nature. Unlike traditional superheroes, Venom is a darker and more flawed character, which adds an element of unpredictability to the films. The special effects and action sequences in the movies are also a draw for fans, as they showcase the character’s unique powers and abilities.
The popularity of the Venom movies can also be attributed to the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the franchise’s ability to cross over with other Marvel characters and storylines. Venom’s popularity has also led to a surge in comic book sales and merchandise.
Other interesting facts about the Venom movies include:
The first Venom movie was a box office success, grossing over $856 million worldwide.
A sequel, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, was released in 2021 and stars Woody Harrelson as the villain Carnage.
There have been several comic book adaptations of the Venom character, including a popular 1990s series by writer David Michelinie and artist Todd McFarlane.
The character of Venom was first introduced in the Spider-Man comics in 1988, and has since become one of Marvel’s most popular and enduring characters.
If you enjoyed the Venom movies, here are nine other films you might enjoy:
- Deadpool (2016) – Like Venom, Deadpool is a superhero movie with a darker, edgier tone. It stars Ryan Reynolds as the titular character, a mercenary who gains incredible healing powers after a rogue experiment.
- Upgrade (2018) – Upgrade is a sci-fi action film about a man who becomes a quadriplegic after a violent attack, but gains the ability to walk and fight again after a computer chip is implanted in his spine.
- Chronicle (2012) – Chronicle is a found footage-style superhero film about three high school students who gain telekinetic powers and must learn to control them.
- Darkman (1990) – Darkman is a cult classic superhero film about a scientist who gains superhuman strength and durability after a lab accident, and uses his powers to seek revenge against those who wronged him.
- Hellboy (2004) – Hellboy is a supernatural superhero film about a demon who is raised by a team of paranormal investigators and must save the world from a powerful sorcerer.
- The Crow (1994) – The Crow is a supernatural revenge film about a man who comes back from the dead to avenge the murder of his fiancée.
- The Mask (1994) – The Mask is a superhero comedy film about a timid bank clerk who gains superpowers after finding a mysterious mask that unleashes his inner wild side.
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) – Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is an animated superhero film that features multiple versions of Spider-Man from different universes coming together to save the world.
- Blade (1998) – Blade is a superhero horror film about a half-human, half-vampire warrior who hunts down and kills other vampires.
1. Deadpool (2016)
Deadpool is a superhero film directed by Tim Miller and stars Ryan Reynolds as the titular character. It follows the story of Wade Wilson, a mercenary who is diagnosed with cancer and undergoes an experimental treatment that gives him superhuman powers. He adopts the alter ego of Deadpool and sets out to get revenge on the man who nearly destroyed his life.
Like Venom, Deadpool is a darker and edgier superhero film with a lot of humor and action. Both films feature antiheroes who struggle to control their impulses and use their powers for good. Deadpool also shares Venom’s penchant for breaking the fourth wall and speaking directly to the audience, adding an extra layer of humor and meta commentary.
2. Upgrade (2018)
Upgrade is a science fiction action film directed by Leigh Whannell and stars Logan Marshall-Green as a man named Grey Trace. After he and his wife are attacked, Grey is left paralyzed and seeks revenge using an experimental implant called STEM, which gives him the ability to control his body in incredible ways.
Like Venom, Upgrade explores themes of identity and the consequences of playing God. Both films also feature characters who gain superhuman abilities through experimental procedures and must learn to control their powers. Upgrade’s action scenes are also reminiscent of Venom, with impressive fight choreography and special effects.
3. Chronicle (2012)
Chronicle is a found footage-style superhero film directed by Josh Trank and stars Dane DeHaan, Alex Russell, and Michael B. Jordan as three high school students who gain telekinetic powers after discovering a mysterious object. As they learn to control their abilities, they also begin to spiral out of control and struggle with the consequences of their actions.
Like Venom, Chronicle explores the darker side of having superhuman powers and the responsibility that comes with them. Both films also feature characters who struggle with their own morality and the line between good and evil. Additionally, Chronicle’s found footage style gives it a raw and realistic feel, much like the gritty tone of the Venom movies.
4. Darkman (1990)
Darkman is a superhero film directed by Sam Raimi and stars Liam Neeson as Dr. Peyton Westlake, a scientist who is disfigured and left for dead by a gangster. With the help of a synthetic skin he developed, Westlake assumes the identity of Darkman and seeks revenge against those who wronged him.
Like Venom, Darkman is a darker and more unconventional superhero film. Both films feature antiheroes who are scarred both physically and emotionally, and who use their powers to seek revenge against their enemies. Darkman also shares Venom’s themes of identity and the consequences of playing God, as well as its unique blend of horror and action.
5. Hellboy (2004)
Hellboy is a supernatural superhero film directed by Guillermo del Toro and stars Ron Perlman as the titular character, a demon who is raised by a team of paranormal investigators and fights against supernatural threats. When a powerful sorcerer threatens to destroy the world, Hellboy and his team must stop him at all costs.
Like Venom, Hellboy is a darker and more mature superhero film that explores themes of good and evil, as well as the gray area in between. Both films feature characters who are outsiders and struggle with their own identities, as well as complex villains with their own motivations. Hellboy also shares Venom’s impressive action scenes and visual effects.
6. The Crow (1994)
The Crow is a supernatural revenge film directed by Alex Proyas and stars Brandon Lee as Eric Draven, a musician who is brought back from the dead by a crow to avenge his own murder and that of his fiancée. As he hunts down his killers, Eric discovers a web of corruption and violence that threatens to consume the city.
Like Venom, The Crow is a darker and more violent superhero film that explores themes of revenge and redemption. Both films feature antiheroes who are brought back from the dead and use their newfound powers to seek vengeance against those who wronged them. The Crow also shares Venom’s gothic and stylized aesthetic, as well as its use of music to enhance the mood and atmosphere of the film.
7. The Mask (1994)
The Mask is a comedy superhero film directed by Chuck Russell and stars Jim Carrey as Stanley Ipkiss, a timid bank clerk who finds a magical mask that transforms him into a zany and superpowered character. As he navigates his new abilities and alter ego, he also becomes embroiled in a dangerous conspiracy involving mobsters and corrupt cops.
Like Venom, The Mask is a fun and lighthearted superhero film that explores themes of identity and self-confidence. Both films feature characters who gain superhuman abilities through external means and must learn to control their powers. The Mask also shares Venom’s humor and irreverence, as well as its use of special effects to create visually stunning action scenes.
8. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is an animated superhero film directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman. It follows the story of Miles Morales, a teenager who gains spider-like abilities and becomes the new Spider-Man in his universe. When he crosses paths with other versions of Spider-Man from alternate dimensions, they must work together to stop a threat that could destroy all of reality.
Like Venom, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is a superhero film that explores themes of identity and the responsibility that comes with great power. Both films feature characters who must learn to control their abilities and balance their personal lives with their superhero duties. The animation style of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is also innovative and visually stunning, much like the special effects in the Venom movies.
9. Blade (1998)
Blade is a superhero horror film directed by Stephen Norrington and stars Wesley Snipes as the titular character, a vampire hunter who is half-human and half-vampire. As he battles against a vampire conspiracy that threatens to take over the world, Blade also struggles with his own identity and the vampiric impulses that run through his veins.
Like Venom, Blade is a darker and more mature superhero film that explores themes of identity and the consequences of playing God. Both films feature characters who are outsiders and struggle with their own morality and sense of self. Blade also shares Venom’s impressive action scenes and special effects, as well as its use of horror elements to create a unique and unsettling atmosphere.
Here is a table of the IMDb ratings and Rotten Tomato scores for the following movies:
| Movie Title | IMDb Rating | Rotten Tomato Score |
| Venom (2018) | 6.7 | 30% |
| Deadpool (2016) | 8.0 | 85% |
| Upgrade (2018) | 7.5 | 87% |
| Chronicle (2012) | 7.0 | 85% |
| Darkman (1990) | 6.4 | 83% |
| Hellboy (2004) | 6.9 | 81% |
| The Crow (1994) | 7.6 | 82% |
| The Mask (1994) | 6.9 | 77% |
| Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) | 8.4 | 97% |
| Blade (1998) | 7.1 | 55% |