8 Overlooked Superhero Movies of the 1980s to Rediscover

1. "The Toxic Avenger" (1984)
Forget your polished, clean-cut superheroes; The Toxic Avenger is not your everyday hero!

This cult classic tells the story of Melvin, a geeky janitor at a New Jersey gym. After being pushed into a vat of toxic waste by local bullies, he's transformed into a mutated beast with superhuman strength. With his new powers and grotesque appearance, he stands up against crime and corruption in his town.

Dark humor, crazy fight scenes, and an unexpected hero – sounds like a blast, right?

2. "Swamp Thing" (1982)
Ever considered falling in love with a plant-man? Directed by Wes Craven, this film revolves around Alec Holland, a scientist who's working on a top-secret bio-engineering formula.

However, after a lab accident involving the very formula he created, he turns into the Swamp Thing, a creature with plant-like abilities. Now, he must protect the woman he loves and take down the evil men who want his formula.

With this perfect mix of romance, action, and the great outdoors, who needs mainstream superheroes?

3. "The Return of Captain Invincible" (1983)
What happens when a superhero hits rock bottom? Captain Invincible, once America's pride during WWII, faced accusations of being a communist, leading him to retire in disgrace to Australia.

Now, his country needs him to come out of his alcohol-fueled haze to stop his nemesis, Mr. Midnight, from world domination. Oh, and did I mention this is part musical? Yeah, superheroes can sing and dance too!

4. "Condorman" (1981)
Here's a fun one. Comic book artist Woody Wilkins gets the opportunity of a lifetime to live out his creation, Condorman, in real-life spy antics. Chasing love and adventure, Woody designs his own superhero gadgets to help navigate a world of espionage, proving that sometimes life can indeed imitate art.

With vibrant characters, cheesy action sequences, and the whole 'artist becomes his creation' angle, it's an 80's gem waiting for a rewatch.

5. "Hero at Large" (1980)
Steve Nichols, an out-of-luck actor, finds himself thwarting a real-life robbery while wearing a superhero costume for a promotional gig. The city celebrates him, and seeing an opportunity, he continues the charade of being the 'hero'. However, things get real when he stops a potentially deadly situation.

It raises the question: What makes a hero? Fame or genuine intent? A film with laughs and lessons, it's a refreshing take on the superhero genre.

6. "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension" (1984)
Here's a title that's a mouthful and equally packed with zany adventures! Buckaroo Banzai, a physicist, neurosurgeon, test pilot, and rock star (talk about multitasking!), is on a mission. When inter-dimensional beings threaten Earth, it's up to him and his band, the Hong Kong Cavaliers, to save the day.

Aliens, alternate dimensions, and rock 'n' roll – it's as 80's as you can get!

7. "Super Fuzz" (1980)
A cop named Dave Speed gains superpowers after being exposed to red plutonium during a nuclear explosion. But here's the twist – his powers vanish when he sees the color red. Yep, red, in all places! He can't even look at a stop sign.

As he navigates his newfound abilities, he has to uncover a conspiracy and clear his name for a crime he didn't commit. It's funny, it's quirky, and it's got that typical 80's charm.

8. "The Punisher" (1989)
Before the slew of modern Punisher adaptations, there was Dolph Lundgren sporting the iconic skull. Frank Castle, an ex-cop turned vigilante after the mob kills his family, goes on a vendetta against the criminal underworld.

Unlike his comic book counterpart, this Punisher doesn't wear the famous skull on his chest, but his intense pursuit of justice (and vengeance) stays true to character. It's raw, gritty, and Lundgren packs a punch!