Across the Spider-Verse is finally here. The highly anticipated film is the sequel to 2018’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. What made that film so popular is that it was fully animated. This allowed the filmmakers to give the movie a unique and stylized feel. With animations, creativity isn’t nearly as limited. Into the Spider-Verse literally looked like a comic book come to life. The animation was made in such a way as to resemble comic book art, something fans ate up. Seeing how creative these movies are, many fans wonder what other superheroes deserve a major animated release with a similar style.
10. Doctor Strange
As fans of the comics know, Doctor Strange is one of the trippiest comics out there. His last live-action movie, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, was filled with mind-bending visuals as Strange battled Scarlet Witch across various dimensions. While the film was visually interesting, imagine what the character could do in animation. With talented animators and a theatrical budget, an animated Doctor Strange movie could very well rival Across the Spider-Verse. The comics are filled with crazy battlers and incredible creatures. The live-action films simply can’t produce a comic-accurate feel, but an animated feature would have no issues.
9. Hellboy
Hellboy has had a sloppy theatrical life. The two films directed by Guillermo del Toro are, for the most part, celebrated by fans of the Dark Horse comics. The second movie is even known as one of the greatest sequels of all time. The 2019 reboot, however, is far more decisive. Another movie titled Hellboy: The Crooked Man looks to reboot the series yet again. Perhaps, the franchise needs an animated movie with the same budget given to Spider-Man. A Hellboy project without the restraints that come with live-action could make for one of the most visually unique films to ever hit the screen. Let the animators go wild and play in the world of the comics, and fans will surely be grateful.
8. Judge Dredd
One of the most underrated comic book movies of all time is Dredd from 2012. The film adapts the Judge Dredd comics from 2000 Ad Comics and is a visually striking film that needs far more attention. The character also appeared in a Sylvester Stallone-led film in 1995, although that wasn’t nearly as celebrated. Fans have been begging for a sequel to the 2012 film for years, and maybe an animated movie could satisfy them. Like other characters on this list, Dredd comes from a stylized comic series that live-action simply couldn’t do justice. An animation would allow filmmakers to create a playground that can really show audiences what Judge Dredd is all about.
7. Spawn
The trippy visuals found in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse could fit in well with the world of Spawn. Todd Macfarlane’s iconic creation has been in desperate need of a theatrical film for some time. His last movie was in 1997 and was a moderate success. A reboot has been in the works for some time but seems to be stuck in development. An animated film with a large budget could make for an entertaining thrill ride that could rival even Marvel. Spawn himself could look fantastic in animation. His symbiotic cloak could remain in constant movement and look breathtaking in action. His cloak simply couldn’t be done true justice in live-action, yet it seems like a comic come to life in animation.
6. Deadpool
The Deadpool movies are incredibly successful. He has more than fit in live-action and doesn’t really need an update. However, animation could truly allow the character to get into some real mischief. Like Spider-Man, no two panels of the character really look the same. From his ever-moving eyes to his already cartoonish movement, an animated Deadpool movie just makes sense. In particular, his healing ability could be put on full display in animation. The live-action films do showcase this, but a 2d or 3d animated film could really play around with it. As stated before, Deadpool is already very animated in the way he moves and acts. An animated film seems like the next logical step for the character.
5. The Mask
For most people, when they hear The Mask, they think of the 1994 film starring Jim Carrey. More involved fans know the film was actually based on a Dark Horse comic of the same name. While the film is a family movie with a slightly adult edge, the comics are very, very much adult. Over-the-top gore, excessive violence, and swearing all grace the pages of the original comics. Many fans want to see this original version brought to the big screen, and an animated film could do just that. The entire premise of The Mask character is he is a cartoon come to life. A demented animated film with over-the-top and stylized violence is something longtime fans of the series would appreciate.
4. Batman (Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth)
There is certainly an influx of Batman media. He has even already received a theatrical animated film in 1993. So why is he on this list? While it is true a traditional Batman story in the style of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse may not be needed, a specific story might. Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth is one of the most visually unique Batman stories of all time. An animated movie that keeps the style of the comic with a theatrical budget could very well be known as one of the best Batman movies.
Serious House follows Batman as he is trapped in the Asylum while investigating a riot. He must not only deal with his worst enemies but also fight against his own sanity as he slowly loses his mind. The story is essentially a horror tale, so it would stand out against all the other Batman films with its gothic style.
3. X-Men
Like Spider-Man, the live-action X-Men movies have done well, for the most part. The characters have had no issues adapting to live-action. However, an animated movie featuring some of the more unique and powerful characters would be just as entertaining, if not more so. There are plenty of characters throughout the X-Men comics with reality-warping abilities that would make for an intense and visually unique film.
2. Doctor Fate
Yet another character with reality-bending powers that would translate well into animation is Doctor Fate. The character is one of the more underutilized characters outside of comics, so a solo animated feature would do him well. He uses magic to do things such as conjure illusions and see into the future. Any character with cosmic abilities could look fantastic in an animated film. With a large enough budget and some passionate animators behind it, Doctor Fate could easily become one of the big hitters with DC Comics.
1. Constantine
Yet another DC character that could make a fantastic animated feature is Constantine. The stories featuring the character are filled with unique and visually interesting moments that are begging to be adapted into animation. The character did receive a live-action film as well as a live-action series. He was also the subject of a direct- to video animated film. However, with a theatrical budget and some passion behind it, Constantine could have one incredible big-screen adventure. While the comic-esque look of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse may not fit, something gothic-like out of a pulp horror magazine would fit well.
