The Hellboy Films Ranked

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The Hellboy films, based on the comic series created by Mike Mignola, bring to life the character of Hellboy, a demon summoned to Earth during World War II. Directed by Guillermo del Toro, the first film released in 2004 captures the essence of the comic with its unique blend of dark fantasy, horror, and humor. Ron Perlman delivered a career defining performance as Hellboy, a tough yet relatable hero, who works for the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defence (B.P.R.D). The film effectively weaves in themes of destiny, family, and the struggle between good and evil, all set against a visually stunning backdrop filled with fantastical creatures and environments that reflect del Toro’s signature style.

The sequel, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, released in 2008, further expands on the universe established in the first film. Del Toro continues to explore Hellboy’s character, placing him in a vibrant world of mythical creatures, ancient legends, and moral dilemmas. With an emphasis on stunning practical effects and imaginative designs, the sequel showcases a deeper narrative about the balance of power and the consequences of one’s choices. While the films received varied critical responses, they have garnered a dedicated fanbase for their unique storytelling, rich visual aesthetics, and the charismatic charm of Hellboy himself. Both films remain iconic in the realm of comic book adaptations, celebrated for their creative vision and engaging narrative.

While the first two films where popular, they didn’t reach the heights that Marvel and DC adaptations can achieve. Del Toro had planned on making a third film to complete his vision for the character but budgetary requirement didn’t line up with the films potential box office take meaning the film stalled at the development stage. In 2019, Neil Marshall rebooted the franchise with David Harbour taking over the lead role. Despite initial optimism about the film, the project became hamstrung by studio interference and the fanbase’s desire to see a continuation of the Del Toro series. The result was a box office bomb that looked like it had put the franchise in the grave.

Now Hellboy is back in Hellboy: The Crooked Man with Jack Kesy talking over the role and the character’s creator, Mike Mignola, in creative control. While the film has been released in cinemas internationally, it hold the unwanted record of being the first Hellboy film to fail to secure a US theatrical release.

Here are our rankings for the Hellboy films.

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