James Gunn’s new ensemble epic has become a roaring success with both fans and critics alike, its unmistakable visuals, wild and wonderful characters, and its well-earned R-rating offer up something that feels fresh when it comes to superhero cinema.
DC’s zany comic characters are in good hands with the acclaimed American filmmaker, and with stellar showings from the likes of Idris Elba, John Cena, Margot Robbie, and Michael Rooker, The Suicide Squad is one of the year’s best movies. Hard-hitting team-up flicks have been around for some time, and whether Gunn drew inspiration from these classics or not, they make for excellent alternatives to the DCEU’s latest installment.
10 The Expendables 2 Is Big, Brash, And Brilliant
The ’90s in cinema was a decade of bullets, biceps, and blockbuster stars, and, after the trend died down, the nostalgic demand for a return of the explosive, trash-talking pictures grew to a fever pitch. In 2010, Sylvester Stallone assembled a team of bad guy-bashing legends and The Expendables franchise was born.
A second installment followed 2 years later. The Expendables 2 is arguably the best of the middle-aged macho movies, as it features all the greats you’d expect, including Jean Claude Van Damme in a career performance as the evil Jean Villain. It’s the perfect throwback to the kind of hard-hitting popcorn cinema that dominated the box office once upon a time.
9 Starship Troopers Is The Very Best Of Space Satire
Starship Troopers is a satire so sharp that many misunderstood the sci-fi action film upon its release in 1997. Through the imaginative vision of Paul Verhoeven, and with a tightly woven script from Edward Neumeier, Johnny Rico’s journey as a heavily armored bug sprayer is one of the most enjoyable films of the ’90s.
The film takes down right-wing militarism and the propaganda associated with it whilst being subtle enough not to interfere with the epic space action and adventure. Starship Troopers is 2 hours of intergalactic gung-ho goodness.
8 R-Rated Superhero Movies Don’t Get Much Wilder Than Deadpool 2
Outrageous and unapologetic, Ryan Reynolds’ Merc with a Mouth has become an enormously popular superhero character despite not being accessible or appropriate for fans of all ages.
Deadpool 2 sees the titular hero team up with Josh Brolin’s Cable amongst other wonderfully intriguing mutant superheroes. The film was the highest-grossing R-rated movie until 2019 saw Joker come along and steal the crown. Dark, hilarious, and ultraviolent, Deadpool 2 is the kind of adult Marvel magic that the MCU sometimes lacks.
7 The Magnificent Seven Is One Of The All-Time Great Team Up Movies
Not only does this classic western feature some of the greatest character introduction scenes ever put to film, but The Magnificent Seven also serves as a fantastic crash course in Hollywood icons of the 1960s.
For those unfamiliar, John Sturges’ 1960 film is a showcase of some of cinema’s most legendary stars. Yul Brynner, Charles Bronson, and Steve McQueen all deliver signature show-stealing performances, and they’re backed up by genre greats Eli Wallach and James Coburn. Simply put, The Magnificent Seven is one of the very best when it comes to ensemble adventures.
6 Super Is James Gunn Superhero Magic On A Budget
James Gunn is now known as one of Hollywood’s premier talents, but the eclectic filmmaker spent years honing his talents before he took the reigns of some of the comic world’s biggest names. Super is the dark and gritty story of the Crimson Bolt, a tortured soul of a superhero who lacks all the powers of a Spider-Man and all the money of The Dark Knight.
Rainn Wilson plays the deranged and tragic lead, and with support from the immensely talented likes of Elliot Page, Nathan Fillion, and Kevin Bacon, The Office star lifts Super into the realms of the must-see when it concerns the work of The Suicide Squad‘s masterful director.
5 Mystery Men May Not Match Up To The Squad In Terms Of Powers, But They’re Just As Hilarious
Perhaps the most inadequate team of superheroes to ever reach the big screen, what the Mystery Men lack in skill, they more than make up for in heart and hilarity.
With Ben Stiller, Hank Azaria, William H. Macy, Kel Mitchell, and Greg Kinnear, the laughs are almost guaranteed, but the 1999 action-comedy also delivers an admirable anti-gun message. A quirky, crazy cult classic, few, if any, superhero spoofs can stand toe to toe with Mystery Men.
4 Rogue One Is Certainly A Star Wars Story Worth Your Time
George Lucas’ space opera franchise needs no introduction, and, while sequels, prequels, and adaptations based on the original trilogy vary in quality, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story offers up a unique look at a part of the Skywalker saga that had previously remained unseen on the big screen.
A group of rebels joins forces in a desperate mission to steal the plans to the Death Star. A team-up movie set in the Star Wars universe may be enough to get some fans interested, but a single incredible scene involving the iconic Darth Vader will leave any viewer glad they sat down to watch this space epic.
3 John Carpenter’s Classic Assault On Precinct 13 Hits Just As Hard As Any Movie Today
John Carpenter’s 1976 thriller is one of the legendary filmmaker’s greatest hits. A masterful blend of action and horror, Assault on Precinct 13 takes inspiration from the John Wayne western Rio Bravo and transforms a simple concept into a suspenseful, atmospheric, and ultimately thrilling movie.
Trapped in a defunct police station, a band of misfits risks all as they attempt to defend themselves and the station from the unrelenting attack of a deadly gang. Cult classics don’t get much better, and the character of Napoleon Wilson is one of the most captivating of all Carpenter creations.
2 Tanks And Terror, Fury Is A Thrilling War Picture
If you’re ready to abandon the vibrance and comic relief offered in James Gunn’s latest superhero ensemble, David Ayer’s Fury can offer up a serious change of pace whilst sticking with some similar themes.
Fury is the tale of a United States tank crew surviving against the odds during the second world war. The film is armed with an excellent cast including Brad Pitt, Jon Bernthal, Shia Labeouf, and Michael Pena, and Fury’s frighteningly raw depiction of war and the horrors within it are more than enough to keep eyes glued to the screen for its entire runtime.
1 For More Gunn Greatness, Look No Further Than Guardians Of The Galaxy
James Gunn’s Marvel masterpiece, Guardians of the Galaxy doesn’t just separate itself from the rest of the MCU thanks to its unusual characters, striking visual style, and exceptional use of music, it stands out as one of the very best films within the entire Marvel catalog.
Wildly fun and touching enough to bring the most cynical fans to tears, Guardians and its equally fantastic sequel are further proof that James Gunn is one of the most talented filmmakers working today. When it comes to tackling superhero ensembles, there may be no better man to have in the director’s chair.
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