With the release of Hellboy: The Crooked Man in September, we thought we would look at The Hellboy movies, based on the Dark Horse Comics character created by Mike Mignola, which have left a significant mark in the world of superhero cinema. Known for their unique blend of horror, fantasy, and action, these films have cultivated a dedicated fan base, captivated by Hellboy’s adventures against mythical creatures, ancient evils, and supernatural forces. Three films have been released in the franchise, each bringing its flavour and vision to the character’s mythos.
Here, we explore the “Hellboy” films in detail and rank them according to their box office performance.
1. Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)
- Director: Guillermo del Toro
- Starring: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones
- Box Office: $168.3 million worldwide
“Hellboy II: The Golden Army” is often considered the pinnacle of the franchise, both creatively and financially. Directed by Guillermo del Toro, who returned after the first film, this sequel dives deeper into the fantastical world of Hellboy. It showcases a visually stunning array of mythical creatures and imaginative set pieces, which have become a hallmark of del Toro’s style.
The plot centres around an ancient truce between humanity and the mythical world that is broken, leading to the awakening of the Golden Army, an unstoppable force. Hellboy (played by Ron Perlman) and his team must prevent a war between the two worlds. “Hellboy II” was praised for its visual effects, inventive creatures, and engaging story, receiving positive reviews from both critics and audiences.
At the box office, “Hellboy II: The Golden Army” achieved the highest grossing of the franchise, earning over $168 million worldwide.
2. Hellboy (2004)
- Director: Guillermo del Toro
- Starring: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, John Hurt
- Box Office: $99.3 million worldwide
The first “Hellboy” film, released in 2004, introduced audiences to the dark and supernatural world of the titular character, a demon summoned by Nazis during World War II who is raised by Professor Trevor Bruttenholm (John Hurt) to fight against evil forces. The film’s unique tone—a mix of humour, horror, and action—was a departure from other superhero movies of its time.
Guillermo del Toro’s direction, combined with Ron Perlman’s charismatic portrayal of Hellboy, quickly earned the film a cult following. The narrative follows Hellboy as he combats Rasputin and his dark forces, who plan to unleash the Ogdru Jahad, an ancient Lovecraftian entity, upon the world. The film was praised for its inventive creature design, visual effects, and strong performances.
Despite its popularity among fans, “Hellboy” grossed around $99.3 million worldwide, making it a modest success but not a blockbuster hit. Its unique style and tone, however, solidified Hellboy’s place in pop culture, leading to a sequel four years later.
3. Hellboy (2019)
- Director: Neil Marshall
- Starring: David Harbour, Milla Jovovich, Ian McShane
- Box Office: $55.1 million worldwide
A reboot of the franchise, “Hellboy (2019)” aimed to introduce a darker and grittier take on the character, moving away from Guillermo del Toro’s style to embrace a more graphic novel-inspired aesthetic. Directed by Neil Marshall and starring David Harbour as Hellboy, the film focuses on Hellboy’s battle against the Blood Queen, Nimue (Milla Jovovich), who plans to bring about the end of the world.
While the film attempted to adhere more closely to the source material and ramp up the violence and gore, it was met with mixed to negative reviews from critics and audiences. Many felt that it lacked the charm and creativity of del Toro’s vision, and its disjointed narrative and inconsistent tone were points of criticism. The 2019 reboot faced stiff competition from other major releases, contributing to its poor box office performance, where it only managed to gross around $55.1 million worldwide.
Ranking by Box Office Performance
- Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008) – $168.3 million
- Hellboy (2004) – $99.3 million
- Hellboy (2019) – $55.1 million
The Rise and Fall of Hellboy on the Big Screen
The films have had a fluctuating journey in terms of critical reception and box office success. While Guillermo del Toro’s two films—”Hellboy” (2004) and “Hellboy II: The Golden Army” (2008)—were praised for their visual storytelling and unique tone, the 2019 reboot struggled to find its footing, both creatively and commercially. The 2008 sequel remains the highest-grossing film in the series, showcasing the lasting impact of del Toro’s imaginative world-building.
Despite the varying financial success of each film, the franchise continues to be a beloved character among fans, with a unique niche in the superhero genre, known for its blend of dark fantasy, mythological storytelling, and complex characters. Whether the franchise will see a revival or a new direction in the future remains to be seen, but the legacy of the cigar-chomping demon with a heart is firmly established in the annals of superhero cinema.
Now only time will tell to see how Hellboy: The Crooked Man does at the box office when the film opens this September, the new movie is from director Brian Taylor (Crank, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance) and stars Jack Kesy (12 Strong, Deadpool 2) in the title role, Hellboy: The Crooked Man is a bold and fresh entry, taking the iconic character back to the roots of his much-loved source material.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
