Movies like The Shadow (1994)
The best movies like The Shadow (1994) are The Spirit (2008), Sparks (2013) and Punisher: War Zone (2008). If The Shadow hooked you with its fantasy and action, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedThe Crow (1994)7.5/10 from 4,770 votes
- NewestSparks (2013)Released 2013
The Spirit (2008)
Rookie cop Denny Colt returns from the beyond as The Spirit, a hero whose mission is to fight against the bad forces from the shadows of Central City. The Octopus, who kills anyone unfortunate enough to see his face, has other plans:g to wipe out the entire city.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & fantasy
SnoozefestMovies like thisSparks (2013)
A masked vigilante who discovers the dark side to heroism. Going after the nation's most notorious super criminal leaves Sparks' life and reputation in ruins.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
SnoozefestMovies like thisPunisher: War Zone (2008)
Waging his one-man war on the world of organized crime, ruthless vigilante-hero Frank Castle sets his sights on overeager mob boss Billy Russoti. After Russoti is left horribly disfigured by Castle, he sets out for vengeance under his new alias: Jigsaw. With the "Punisher Task Force" hot on his trail and the FBI unable to take Jigsaw in, Frank must stand up to the formidable army that Jigsaw has recruited before more of his evil deeds go unpunished.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & crime
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Flash (1990)
A laboratory accident endows a police scientist with the ability to move at superhuman speed which he uses to battle a menacing gang as a superhero.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & crime
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Return of the Incredible Hulk (1977)
Continuing his solitary flight, David Banner arrives in a small town where he saves the life of a young heiress, the target of a deadly conspiracy orchestrated by her stepmother and a corrupt physician. While working undercover to protect the girl and dismantle the plot, Banner must struggle to contain the beast within, especially when the arrival of reporter Jack McGee threatens to expose his secret to the world.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
Spy Smasher (1942)
Prior to the United States' involvement in World War II, the masked vigilante Spy Smasher fights Nazi agents operating within the US, led by the treacherous sabotage leader codenamed The Mask.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & adventure
Dr. Strange (1978)
A psychiatrist becomes the new Sorcerer Supreme of the Earth in order to battle an evil Sorceress from the past.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDaredevil (2003)
By day, blind attorney Matt Murdock toils for justice in Hell's Kitchen. By night, he's Daredevil, The Man Without Fear - a powerful, masked vigilante stalking the dark streets with an uncanny "radar sense" that allows him to "see" with superhuman capabilities. But when the love of his life, fiery Elektra Natchios, is targeted by New York City's ruthless Kingpin of crime and his deadly assassin Bullseye, Daredevil may be about to meet his match.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both fantasy & action
SnoozefestMovies like thisBatman (1989)
Having witnessed his parents' brutal murder as a child, millionaire philanthropist Bruce Wayne fights crime in Gotham City disguised as Batman, a costumed hero who strikes fear into the hearts of villains. But when a deformed madman known as 'The Joker' seizes control of Gotham's criminal underworld, Batman must face his most ruthless nemesis ever while protecting both his identity and his love interest, reporter Vicki Vale.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both fantasy & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Crow: City of Angels (1996)
A murder victim is brought back to life by a mysterious crow. With the help of a beautiful woman, he exacts revenge on his killers – only to realize his enemy has discovered the one weakness that can destroy him forever.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & fantasy
SnoozefestMovies like thisBatman Forever (1995)
Batman faces off against two foes: the schizophrenic, horribly scarred former District Attorney Harvey Dent, aka Two-Face, and the Riddler, a disgruntled ex-Wayne Enterprises inventor seeking revenge against his former employer by unleashing his brain-sucking weapon on Gotham City's residents. As the caped crusader also copes with tortured memories of his parents' murder, he has a new romance, with psychologist Chase Meridian.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & crime
SnoozefestMovies like thisSpider-Man (1977)
When an extortionist threatens to force a multi-suicide unless a huge ransom is paid, only Peter Parker can stop him with his new powers as Spider-Man.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & crime
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCaptain America (1944)
Superhero Captain America battles the evil forces of the archvillain called The Scarab, who poisons his enemies and steals a secret device capable of destroying buildings by sound vibrations.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & adventure
The Crow (1994)
Exactly one year after young rock guitarist Eric Draven and his fiancée are brutally killed by a ruthless gang of criminals, Draven, watched over by a hypnotic crow, returns from the grave to exact revenge.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both fantasy & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Flash II: Revenge of the Trickster (1991)
Every super hero has his nemesis - and this time Flash has that murderous mischief maker the Trickster
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & fantasy
Batman Returns (1992)
The monstrous Penguin, who dwells in the sewers beneath Gotham, joins up with corrupt mayoral candidate Max Shreck to topple the Batman once and for all. But when Shreck's timid assistant Selina Kyle finds out, and Shreck tries to kill her, she's transformed into the sexy Catwoman. She teams up with the Penguin and Shreck to destroy Batman, but sparks fly unexpectedly when she confronts the caped crusader.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSin City (2005)
Welcome to Sin City. This town beckons to the tough, the corrupt, the brokenhearted. Some call it dark… Hard-boiled. Then there are those who call it home — Crooked cops, sexy dames, desperate vigilantes. Some are seeking revenge, others lust after redemption, and then there are those hoping for a little of both. A universe of unlikely and reluctant heroes still trying to do the right thing in a city that refuses to care.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both crime
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHellboy (2004)
In the final days of World War II, the Nazis attempt to use black magic to aid their dying cause. The Allies raid the camp where the ceremony is taking place, but not before they summon a baby demon who is rescued by Allied forces and dubbed "Hellboy". Sixty years later, Hellboy serves the cause of good rather than evil as an agent in the Bureau of Paranormal Research & Defense, along with Abe Sapien - a merman with psychic powers, and Liz Sherman - a woman with pyrokinesis, protecting America against dark forces.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both fantasy & action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)
To prevent a world war from breaking out, famous characters from Victorian literature band together to do battle against a cunning villain.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both fantasy & action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Phantom (1996)
The 21st successor to the role of Bengalla's resident superhero must travel to New York to prevent a rich madman from obtaining three magic skulls that would give him the secret to ultimate power.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both adventure & action
SnoozefestMovies like thisSpider-Man Strikes Back (1978)
At the New York State University, one of Peter Parker's tutors has accidentally given three students all the materials they need to create an atomic bomb. While Peter Parker tries to find out what's happened, the police suspect him of the crime, and Peter has to deal with an attractive journalist determined to get an interview with Spider-Man. Then dastardly millionaire Mr. White shows up, and will stop at nothing to get his hands on the atomic bomb. Spider-Man must defeat this scheming villain and stop him blowing up the World Trade Centre.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & adventure
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Rocketeer (1991)
A stunt pilot comes across a prototype jetpack that gives him the ability to fly. However, evil forces of the world also want this jetpack at any cost.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBatman (1943)
Japanese master spy Daka operates a covert espionage-sabotage organization located in Gotham City's now-deserted Little Tokyo, which turns American scientists into pliable zombies. The great crime-fighters Batman and Robin, with the help of their allies, are in pursuit.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMystery Men (1999)
When Champion City's hero Captain Amazing is kidnapped by the recently paroled supervillain Casanova Frankenstein, a trio of average, everyday superheroes -- Mr. Furious, the Shoveler and the Blue Raja -- assemble a new super team to save him.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both adventure & fantasy
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989)
Falsely accused of assault, Dr. David Banner is arrested and placed on trial, facing the possibility of a long prison sentence. Blind attorney Matt Murdock takes on his defence, while secretly operating as the vigilante Daredevil. As the courtroom battle unfolds, Banner’s struggle to control the Hulk leads to a dangerous confrontation with criminal mastermind Wilson Fisk.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both adventure & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSuperman (1978)
Mild-mannered Clark Kent works as a reporter at the Daily Planet alongside his crush, Lois Lane. Clark must summon his superhero alter-ego when the nefarious Lex Luthor launches a plan to take over the world.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBatman and Robin (1949)
This 15-chapter serial pits Batman and Robin against The Wizard, who uses a device that allows him to control machinery to hold the city hostage.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & adventure
SnoozefestMovies like thisDick Tracy (1990)
The comic strip detective finds his life vastly complicated when Breathless Mahoney makes advances towards him while he is trying to battle Big Boy Caprice's united mob.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both adventure & crime
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBride of the Incredible Hulk (1980)
In one of the saga's most emotional stories, David Banner travels to Hawaii to find Dr. Caroline Fields, a psychiatrist who has developed a hypnotherapy technique that could cure him. Discovering they share the burden of an incurable condition—Caroline suffers from a terminal illness—the two fall in love and marry, offering Banner a glimpse of happiness. However, tragedy looms when Jack McGee's relentless pursuit and a devastating hurricane threaten their brief moment of peace.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDarkman (1990)
Dr. Peyton Westlake is on the verge of realizing a major breakthrough in synthetic skin when his laboratory is destroyed by gangsters. Having been burned beyond recognition and forever altered by an experimental medical procedure, Westlake becomes known as Darkman, assuming alternate identities in his quest for revenge and a new life with a former love.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Shadow?
The closest matches to The Shadow are The Spirit (2008), Sparks (2013) and Punisher: War Zone (2008). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Shadow?
People who watched The Shadow most often go on to The Spirit (2008), Sparks (2013) and Punisher: War Zone (2008).
What is the highest-rated movie like The Shadow?
The Crow (1994), rated 7.5/10 by 4,770 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Shadow?
Sparks (2013) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like The Shadow?
Yes: The Spirit (2008), Sparks (2013) and Punisher: War Zone (2008).
How are movies similar to The Shadow chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Shadow, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.