Hellboy series provides background information, including its origin in 1993 and its moderate success in comic books and live-action movies. Hellboy, created by Mike Mignola, debuted in Dark Horse Comics’ San Diego Comic-Con Comics #2 and quickly gained a dedicated fanbase due to his unique origin story and well-established world. Despite not being as prominent as other superheroes, Hellboy secured three live-action movies, showcasing his popularity among audiences.
With its inception in 2004, directed by Guillermo del Toro and starring Ron Perlman, the saga follows the exploits of Hellboy, a demon child adopted by Trevor Bruttenholm who becomes a paranormal investigator for the Bureau for Paranormal Research & Defense. Subsequently, in 2008, Hellboy II: The Golden Army continued this narrative trajectory with the original cast reprising their roles. However, diverging from this continuity, a 2019 reboot by a different director featured David Harbour as Hellboy to mixed reception and commercial disappointment. Complementing these live-action installments are two animated films: Hellboy: Sword of Storms (2006) and Hellboy: Blood and Iron (2007). As the future of this franchise currently lacks new developments, it is pertinent to explore all Hellboy movies in order within this article.
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The films follow the adventures of Hellboy, a demon raised by humans who works for the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense. This agency fights against various evil creatures that threaten humanity. With an action-packed storyline and fantastical elements, the Hellboy series appeals to fans of comic book movies seeking exciting narratives with a touch of supernatural elements. This guide will provide a correct viewing order for all the Hellboy movies for those interested in watching the series but unsure where to start.
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All Hellboy Movies In Order
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Hellboy
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Writers: Guillermo del Toro, Peter Briggs, Mike Mignola
Stars: Ron Perlman, Doug Jones, Selma Blair
Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi
The 2004 film Hellboy is a supernatural superhero movie based on the comic book of the same name created by Mike Mignola. The film follows the story of a demonic paranormal investigator, Hellboy, who works for the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense (BPRD), a secret organization dedicated to protecting the world from supernatural threats.
The plot revolves around Hellboy, who was summoned to Earth during World War II by the villainous Grigori Rasputin using dark magic. However, Hellboy was discovered by the Allied forces and raised by Professor Trevor Bruttenholm, who became his adoptive father and mentor. Hellboy grows up to become a tough and powerful demon with a strong sense of humanity.
In the movie, Hellboy is joined by his fellow BPRD agents, including the amphibious Abe Sapien and the pyrokinetic Liz Sherman. Together, they face various supernatural menaces that threaten the world. The film’s main antagonist is Rasputin, who returns to unleash an ancient and apocalyptic force known as the Ogdru Jahad, which aims to plunge the world into chaos.
Rasputin’s plan involves using Hellboy as a key to open a portal that would awaken the Ogdru Jahad. Throughout the movie, Hellboy battles various supernatural creatures and confronts his origins and destiny. He also deals with personal struggles, including his feelings for Liz and his desire to belong despite his demonic nature.
The film’s climax occurs as Rasputin’s plan comes to a head, leading to a showdown between Hellboy and Rasputin’s forces. With the help of his friends and allies, Hellboy must prevent the awakening of the Ogdru Jahad and save the world from destruction. The movie combines action, supernatural elements, and a touch of humor while exploring themes of identity, purpose, and the struggle between good and evil.
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Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Writers: Guillermo del Toro, Mike Mignola
Stars: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones
Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi
Hellboy II: The Golden Army is the sequel to the 2004 film Hellboy. The movie continues to follow the adventures of the titular character, Hellboy, a supernatural creature working for the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense (BPRD), as he faces new supernatural threats and personal challenges.
The film begins with a flashback that tells the story of the Golden Army, a mechanical army created by King Balor, the ruler of the mythical realm of elves. The Golden Army was designed to be unbeatable and was intended to ensure the dominance of the magical creatures over humanity. However, fearing the potential destruction it could cause, King Balor brokered a truce with humanity, and a treaty was established to keep the Golden Army dormant.
In the present day, Prince Nuada, Balor’s son, becomes disillusioned with humanity’s treatment of the Earth and the magical creatures. He believes the truce has allowed humans to exploit and harm the natural world. Nuada seeks to awaken the Golden Army to cleanse the Earth of human presence and restore the dominance of magical creatures.
Meanwhile, Hellboy and his team at the BPRD are dealing with their issues. Hellboy’s relationship with his pyrokinetic girlfriend, Liz Sherman, is strained due to his reluctance to commit to their relationship fully. Additionally, Abe Sapien, Hellboy’s aquatic teammate, struggles with his identity and feelings of isolation.
As Prince Nuada pursues his goal of awakening the Golden Army, Hellboy, and his team are tasked with stopping him and preventing the destruction he seeks. The story takes Hellboy and his companions on a journey through the human world and the hidden realms of magical creatures, filled with fantastical creatures and breathtaking environments.
The film combines action, fantasy, and elements of folklore with Guillermo del Toro’s signature visual style. The characters grapple with their own identities, relationships, and choices as they confront Prince Nuada’s threat and the Golden Army’s awakening. The movie culminates in an epic battle between Hellboy and the forces of darkness and a poignant exploration of the themes of coexistence and the consequences of one’s actions.
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Hellboy: Rise of the Blood Queen
Director: Neil Marshall
Writers: Andrew Cosby, Mike Mignola
Stars: David Harbour, Milla Jovovich, Ian McShane
Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi
Hellboy: Rise of the Blood Queen was initially planned as a reboot of the Hellboy film series and was released in 2019. This reboot aimed to take a darker and more horror-oriented approach compared to the previous films directed by Guillermo del Toro.
The movie follows the titular character Hellboy, a demon who works as a paranormal investigator for the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense. In this version of the story, the plot centers around the resurrection of the Blood Queen, Nimue, an ancient and powerful sorceress who seeks to unleash a plague upon humanity and establish her dominion over the world of humans.
Gruagach, a boar-like fairy seeking revenge against humanity for his own grievances, orchestrated the Blood Queen’s resurrection. He hopes to use Nimue’s power to exact his revenge and bring chaos.
As the Blood Queen rises and her plans become more evident, Hellboy finds himself in conflict between his demon heritage and his desire to protect humanity. Alongside his allies from the BPRD, including Alice Monaghan and Major Ben Daimio, Hellboy must confront the Blood Queen’s horde of supernatural creatures and thwart her apocalyptic ambitions.
Throughout the film, Hellboy grapples with his identity and purpose, struggling with feelings of alienation due to his demonic nature. The narrative delves into his internal struggles as he faces external threats and questions about where he truly belongs.
The movie incorporates dark fantasy elements, intense action sequences, and horror themes as Hellboy battles against a wide array of monstrous creatures and confronts his destiny. The film received mixed reviews from critics and audiences, with some praising its visual effects and darker tone, while others criticized its narrative execution and pacing.
Conclusion
In concluding the discussion, it is evident that the Hellboy film series consists of multiple movies with varying success, both critically and commercially. The series includes three live-action films: Hellboy (2004), Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008), and a reboot titled Hellboy (2019). The first two movies, directed by Guillermo del Toro and starring Ron Perlman as Hellboy, were well-received by fans and critics alike. They showcased a unique blend of fantasy elements, visual design, and compelling storytelling. However, the 2019 reboot, directed by Neil Marshall and featuring David Harbour as Hellboy, faced overwhelming negative reviews from critics and audiences. It failed to capture the charm and success of its predecessors in terms of critical acclaim or box office performance. Despite the mixed reception to the reboot, there are no immediate plans for another Hellboy movie. While Ron Perlman has expressed his willingness to reprise his role as Hellboy if given the opportunity, it seems unlikely that someone else will pick up the franchise soon.
FAQs
The origin of the Hellboy character can be traced back to its creation by writer and artist Mike Mignola in March 1993. The character first appeared in a black-and-white comic, gaining popularity through multiple comics, graphic novels, and three movies.
Guillermo del Toro directed the first Hellboy movie. It introduced the titular character, portrayed by Ron Perlman, and received critical acclaim and commercial success.
The Hellboy reboot, released in 2019 and directed by someone other than Guillermo del Toro, performed poorly at the box office.
There need to be plans for future Hellboy movies, as the 2019 reboot of the series performed critically and commercially poorly. It is unlikely that another filmmaker will pick up the franchise soon.
Ron Perlman, who portrayed Hellboy in the original movies, has expressed interest in reprising his role. However, there must be plans for future Hellboy movies following the 2019 reboot’s failure.
