Mystery Men (and Women)
by grendelkhan | created - 15 May 2013 | updated - 21 Oct 2013 | PublicThese are movies and tv shows featuring superheroes, masked mystery men/women, or costumed adventurers (and some supercriminals). I'm mostly sticking to costumed and superheroes, but reserve the right to throw in heroic figures like Tarzan and James Bond, who transcend the normal man. I've also throw in a few villains and some legendary heroes who greatly influenced masked heroes. I'm mostly skipping the direct to video films, as I have only seen a few.
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101. Ultraman: A Special Effects Fantasy Series (1966–1967)
TV-14 | 30 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
A human member of a defense force is given the life and ability to change into a giant super-hero to battle the monsters that wreaks havoc on Earth.
Stars: Susumu Kurobe, Sandayû Dokumamushi, Masaya Nihei, Bin Furuya
Votes: 1,036
The first of the Ultra series (Ultra Q precedes, but was a bit different), featuring an alien hero, protecting Earth from monsters. he is aided by the members of the Science Patrol and their super weapons. It would spawn a series of Ultra shows, and many immitators. I won't go into them all, as the shows were pretty much the same formula gain and again. I'm also going to stick to the English version, if such a thing existed, as more people would have acces to that version, in the US.
102. Tarzan (1966–1968)
60 min | Action, Adventure
Tarzan (Lord Greystoke), already well educated and fed up with civilization, returns to the jungle and, more or less assisted by chimpanzee Cheetah and orphan boy Jai, wages war against poachers and other bad guys.
Stars: Ron Ely, Manuel Padilla Jr., Virgil Richardson, Rockne Tarkington
Votes: 1,202
Ron Ely stars as the jungle hero in this tv series. Ely is good, but the stories vary in quality. It is still a fondly remembered series by many.
103. Kriminal (1966)
98 min | Adventure, Crime, Thriller
A mastermind thief known as Kriminal narrowly escapes execution. He always manages to stay one step ahead of the law with each new crime he commits. Will Kriminal be able to pull of his ... See full summary »
Director: Umberto Lenzi | Stars: Glenn Saxson, Helga Liné, Andrea Bosic, Ivano Staccioli
Votes: 339
Italian film based on the super criminal from the fumetti. Diabolik came first in the fumetti, but Kriminal beat him to the screen. He was more violent than Diabolik, but not in this film, relatively speaking.
104. The Lone Ranger (1966–1969)
30 min | Animation, Family, Western
An ex-Texas Ranger fights injustice in the Old West.
Stars: Michael Rye, Shepard Menken, Agnes Moorehead, Dick Beals
Votes: 147
Stylish anaimated series starring the Lone Ranger. It often featured steampunk elements, much like the Wild Wild West. The animation was smilar to TWWW opening titles.
105. Spider-Man (1967–1970)
TV-Y7 | 25 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Original cartoon series based on the web-slinging Marvel comic book character, Peter Parker, who, after being bit by a radioactive spider, assumes extraordinary powers.
Stars: Paul Soles, Peg Dixon, Paul Kligman, Bernard Cowan
Votes: 4,099
Gantray-Lowell produced these limited animation cartoons, though there is more motion than the Marvel Super Heroes show. Spidey gets to fight his villains and has a kick-@$$ theme song. The Ramones would later do a cover, in the 90s.
106. Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot (1967–1968)
TV-PG | 30 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A young boy aids in the fight against a terrorist organization as the sole controller of a prototype giant robot.
Stars: Mitsunobu Kaneko, Toshiyuki Tsuchiyama, Kôichi Chiba, Akio Itô
Votes: 584
Known as Goant Robo in Japan, this English dubbed version appeared in the US and elsewhere. Young Johnny and an agent of UNICORN find themselves attacked while on a cruise ship. They end up on an island, controlled by the alien Gargoyle Gang. They come across a scientist who has created a giant robot weapon, which is controlled via voice command, with a wristwatch communicator. Johnny is the first person to speak to the robot and from that point of is the only voice the robot obeys. The pair escape and Johnny becomes a member of UNICORN, fighting monsters and alien weapons. Nobedy seems to think it is the least bit irresponsible to have a kid endangered all the time. The series was exciting and visually fun, with elements of spy-fi and monster fighting. It, and Gigantor, inspired many of the giant robots to follow, especiallt Go Nagai's Mazinger and others.
107. The Space Giants (1966– )
30 min | Sci-Fi
Goldar and his family of robots are sent to earth to stop Rodak the conqueror, in his plans of destroy the earth aided by his giant kaijus and shapeshifting minions: the lugo-men.
Stars: Ranfan Ou, Ulf Ôtsuki, Harold Conway, Jacques Enghien
Votes: 203
Another Japanese robot series dubbed in English; this time, it was Ambassador Magma. In the US he is knpown as Goldar, an alien robot who comes to Earth to stop the villains. I never saw this one, but it was a cult favorite here.
108. The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure (1967–1968)
60 min | Animation, Action, Family
The animated adventures of several DC Comics superheroes.
Stars: Paul Frees, Vic Perrin, Ray Owens, Ted Knight
Votes: 541
Superman is paired up with Aquaman, who brings along Aqualad. Villains appear, but these aren't as good as Superman. However, there were additional cartoons, featuring: Green Lantern, The Flash, Hawkman, The Atom, The Justice League (without Supes and Aquaman), and the Teen Titans (without Robin). Ted Knight did the narrations and many voices.
109. Birdman (1967–1987)
TV-G | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
A winged superhero who gets his powers from the sun battles various evildoers with the help of his eagle sidekick Avenger.
Stars: Keith Andes, Don Messick, John Stephenson, Vic Perrin
Votes: 1,098
Space Ghost was a hit, so Hanna-Barbera wanted more and again turned to Alex Toth. Toth cretaed Birdman, and agent of some secret organization, led by Falcon 7. It wasn't quite as good as Space Ghost, but the FEAR goons and X the Eliminator were memorable. The series would later inspire the comedy series Harvey birdman, Attorney at Law, which is brilliant.
110. Fantastic Four (1967–1968)
TV-Y7-FV | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Four costumed superheroes battle the world's most terrifying villains.
Stars: Paul Frees, Gerald Mohr, Jack DeLeon, Jo Ann Pflug
Votes: 1,632
Hanna-Barbera adapted the FF for cartoons, using stories from the comics. The models were a bit off and not as epic as Jack Kirby, but Alex Toth did design some of the secondary characters. The Human Torch was there, unlike the 70s cartoon.
111. Captain Nice (1967)
30 min | Comedy
Carter Nash discovered a liquid that could turn him into Captain Nice, a very shy superhero dominated by his mother.
Stars: William Daniels, Alice Ghostley, Ann Prentiss, Liam Dunn
Votes: 180
Campy series, ala Batman, but nowhere near as popular.
112. The Herculoids (1967–1969)
TV-Y7 | 10 min | Animation, Short, Adventure
King Zandor and a group of bizarre creatures protect their futuristic kingdom from creatures from other galaxies.
Stars: Virginia Gregg, Ted Eccles, Don Messick, Mike Road
Votes: 1,315
A family of heroes and their creature pals make up the stars of this series. Zandor, Tara, and Dorno are the jungle-dwelling family, and Igoo, Zok, Tundro and Gloop & Gleep their alies. Together they would fight various alien menaces.
113. Moby Dick and the Mighty Mightor (1967–1969)
TV-Y7-FV | 30 min | Animation, Family
A two-part Saturday morning cartoon from Hanna-Barbera. In the first part, Moby Dick is now a friendly whale, and a pet of young orphans Tom and Tub. Moby saves the two boys from the ... See full summary »
Stars: Don Messick, Robert Resnick, Barry Balkin, John Stephenson
Votes: 278
Moby Dick was, suprise, a whale. Meh! Mightor was a stone age protector, a bit of Captain Marvel mixed with Thor. It wasn't quite up to Space Ghost or Herculoid standards, but it was entertaining.
114. Kamen no ninja Aka-Kage (1967–1968)
30 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
The masked ninja Red Shadow and his sidekicks Blue and White Shadow save ancient Japan from evil.
Stars: Yûzaburô Sakaguchi, Yoshinobu Kaneko, Fuyukichi Maki, Misa Toki
Votes: 38
Toei series about a ninja who fights evel wizards and mosters in feudal Japan, using modern (as in present day) weaponry. It also spawned an anime series.
115. Young Samson & Goliath (1967–1968)
30 min | Animation
A boy and his dog are endowed with awesome powers to fight evil.
Stars: Tim Matheson, Mel Blanc, John Stephenson
Votes: 160
Yet another H-B heroic adventure series. This one is probably the weakest, though you can see elements that would reappear in He-Man.
116. Ultraseven (1967–1968)
TV-PG | 30 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
An alien superhero from M-78 protects Earth from extraterrestrial threats in this popular classic follow-up to the original "Ultraman" TV series.
Stars: Kôji Moritsugu, Yuriko Hishimi, Sandayû Dokumamushi, Shôji Nakayama
Votes: 504
Second Ultraman series, which was also dubbed into English. It was shown on TNT in the early 90s, including an Ultra Seven movie, consisting of episodes edited together.
117. The Three Fantastic Supermen (1967)
PG | 94 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
FBI agent Brad joins Tony and Nick, the self styled Supermen who battle crime wearing bullet-proof super-suits. They are on a case involving radioactive counterfeit money and people who can be broken down into precious jewels.
Director: Gianfranco Parolini | Stars: Tony Kendall, Brad Harris, Aldo Canti, Carlo Tamberlani
Votes: 257
First of a series of Italian films, featuring three superheroes. They are low budget, but have a campy charm.
118. The Adventures of Batman (1968–1969)
60 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The animated debut of Batman & Robin brings the Dynamic Duo to animated life in Filmation's cult classic take on The Dark Knight and The Boy Wonder, defending Gotham City from The Caped Crusader's Rogues Gallery, one crook at a time.
Stars: Bud Collyer, Bob Hastings, Jackson Beck, Jack Grimes
Votes: 1,602
So long Aquaman, welcome Batman. The Batman cartoons were awesome and the Caped Crusaders were allowed to punch the bad guys. The main villains are here, plus a few others. It would lead to a commotion from the parental watchdogs, who did more watchdogging than parenting. They targeted the violence of this show, leading to blander cartoons by the 70s.
119. Danger: Diabolik (1968)
Not Rated | 105 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
A master thief and his sensual lover pull off heist after heist, all while an envious coalition of cops and gangsters is gunning for them.
Director: Mario Bava | Stars: John Phillip Law, Marisa Mell, Michel Piccoli, Adolfo Celi
Votes: 7,192
Not quite a hero, not quite a villain. Mario Bava directed this adaptation of the Italian fumetti, with John Phillip Law as the anti-hero. The film is a lot of fun, no matter what MST3K says. Ennio Morricone did the music.
120. Barbarella (1968)
Approved | 98 min | Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
In the 41st century, an astronaut partakes in sexy misadventures while seeking to stop an evil scientist who threatens to bring evil back into the galaxy.
Director: Roger Vadim | Stars: Jane Fonda, John Phillip Law, Anita Pallenberg, Milo O'Shea
Votes: 37,717
Jane Fonda brings Jean-Claude Forest's heroine to life; a sort of intergalactic peacekeeper. However, Barbarella also discovers the joy of sex and indulges quite a bit. The film is pretty good through the first two acts, but kind of drags at the end. It is eye-popping, though, and relatively faithful to the comics.
121. The Champions (1968–1969)
60 min | Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller
After a plane carrying three UN Agents crashes in the Himalayas, they are rescued by an advanced civilisation secretly living in Tibet who grant them enhanced versions of the ordinary five senses, and intellectual and physical abilities.
Stars: Stuart Damon, Alexandra Bastedo, William Gaunt, Anthony Nicholls
Votes: 1,424
Taking a page from the various ITV spy/adventure series, then adding a twist ala Lost Horizon, this team on international agents find themselves crash-landed in the Himalayas, where a hidden society saves them and helps them to discover their hidden powers. They return and use those powers to stop international criminals.
122. Superargo and the Faceless Giants (1968)
G | 80 min | Adventure, Sci-Fi
A masked wrestler/superhero goes up against a madman and his army of robots.
Director: Paolo Bianchini | Stars: Giovanni Cianfriglia, Guy Madison, Luisa Baratto, Diana Lorys
Votes: 420
This Italian hero, dubbed Superargo, has more in common with El Santo than Superman. He must fight a group of robot zombies. There was a sequel.
123. On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
PG | 142 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
British agent James Bond goes undercover to pursue the villainous Ernst Stavro Blofeld, who is planning to hold the world to ransom.
Director: Peter R. Hunt | Stars: George Lazenby, Diana Rigg, Telly Savalas, Gabriele Ferzetti
Votes: 99,442 | Gross: $22.80M
Connery took a powder and male model George Lazenby got the part. Lazenby gets a lot of flack, but I think he is pretty good in the role and the plot is one of the best of the series. It has plenty of thrills and great characters. Lazenby would sort of reprise the role in guest apeparances in The Return of the Man from UNCLE and The Master.
124. Mr. Freedom (1968)
Not Rated | 95 min | Comedy, Crime
Mr. Freedom is an all-American superhero that destroys everyone who even remotely disagrees with imperialism. The film accounts his latest assignment to save France from being taken over by the commies.
Director: William Klein | Stars: John Abbey, Delphine Seyrig, Donald Pleasence, Jean-Claude Drouot
Votes: 1,260
Rather bizarre and politically charged satire from France, by an American director. Mister Freedom is a jingoistic superhero for the US, fighting crime and oppressing minorities. It's about as subtle as a frying pan to the face, but is a bit of a pop art showcase.
125. Los campeones justicieros (1971)
80 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Five luchadores (Blue Demon, Mil Mascaras, El Medico Asesino, La Sombra Vengadora, Tinieblas plus Black Shadow) face off against a mad scientist and his army of powerful wrestling midgets.
Director: Federico Curiel | Stars: Alejandro Moreno, Mil Máscaras, El Médico Asesino, Alejandro Cruz
Votes: 191
The Justice League of the lucha world. El Santo, Mil Mascaras and several other luchadores team up and fight evil, while sponsoring contestants in a beauty pageant. The last bit is kind of shoehorned in there for some sex appeal. It's a pretty cool film, though.
126. Arsène Lupin (1971–1974)
52 min | Adventure, Comedy
The adventures of the iconic gentleman-burglar, loosely adapted from Maurice Leblanc's pages.
Stars: Georges Descrières, Yvon Bouchard, Roger Carel, Jacques Monod
Votes: 436
French tv series, featuring the gentleman thief.
127. Kamen Rider (1971–1973)
TV-G | 30 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
A grasshopper-like, motorcycle-riding cyborg (joined by another one later in the show) fights the evil organization that transformed him for their evil deeds.
Stars: Akiji Kobayashi, Shinji Nakae, Gorô Naya, Jirô Yabuki
Votes: 428
First of the long running Kamen Rider series. The hero is usually a man transformed into a cybog by an evil alien group, who then rebels and fights the agents of the group. The star was injured and repalced by a second Kamen Rider, then came back and the pair teamed up. Multiple series would follow, with special team-up movies and stand alone films, debuting new Riders.
128. Mirrorman (1971–1972)
30 min | Action, Adventure, Horror
A young man, like his lost father, is destined to become a metallic reflection-powered superhero to fight monsters created by a sinister alien menace known simply as the "Invaders".
Stars: Nobuyuki Ishida, Jun Usami, Takako Sawai, Hajime Sugiyama
Votes: 37
Another early Japanese hero show, from Tsuburaya. Aliens have invaded the Earth, using giant mosters. The head of a security organization reveals to his son that he is actually the child of an alien father, who fought the invaders, and possesses the same powers. The son must take up his destiny and defend the Earth. This was Tsuburaya's first non-Ultra show.
129. Ultraman (1966– )
TV-PG | Sci-Fi
An English language version of Ultraman: A Special Effects Fantasy Series (1966) following a man named Hayata who transforms into a giant superhero named Ultraman to fight alien invaders and giant monsters that threatened earth.
Stars: Peter Fernandez, Earl Hammond, Corinne Orr, William Kiehl
Votes: 593
American dubbed version of Ultraman, with much of the gang from Speed Racer providing the voices.
130. Spectreman (1971–1972)
Action, Sci-Fi, Adventure
Sent by the Nebula Star to defend the Earth, a super-cyborg fights mutated pollution monsters created by the evil space-simians Gori and Rah.
Stars: Linda Gary, Tetsuo Narikawa, Kiyoshi Kobayashi, Jirô Dan
Votes: 292
A take-off on Ultraman. Evil aliens attack Earth, but want to subjugate humanity because of how they have polluted the environment. The villain uses the very pollution to attack people. The Earth gains help from a space station that has observed the situation and who send Sprectreman, their cyborg hero. The environmental hook makes it a bit more unique, along the lines of Godzilla vs the Smog Monster.
131. Kikaida: Android of Justice (1972–1973)
TV-PG | 25 min | Action, Sci-Fi, Adventure
A transforming super-android, on the run from an evil organization, fights its rampaging robot monsters and helps his creator's daughter & son find their lost father.
Stars: Daisuke Ban, Jun Mizunoe, Masahiro Kamiya, Shun Ueda
Votes: 79
A scientist who is being held prisoner by an evil organization creates an android to protect his family, known as Kikaider. The android appears in human form, but transforms into robot form when danger appears. He can be affected by a flute used by the villain and must find a way to overcome the signal. Eventually, he faces the android Hakaider, who turns out to have the scientist's brain implanted in it. This was a very action packed series, with some of the darker elements found in the Kamen Rider series.
132. Gatchaman (1972–1980)
TV-PG | 26 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
A team of bird-themed superhero ninjas battle the menace of Galactor, a technologically advanced international terrorist organization determined to conquer the world.
Stars: Katsuji Mori, Isao Sasaki, Kazuko Sugiyama, Yoku Shioya
Votes: 860
Animated series featuring 5 orphans with superpowers, who fight an alien organization bent on conquest. The show was exciting, with intricate plots, mature character development, and inventive visuals. It reached a climax and a definite ending, and spawned 2 sequels. It was shown in the US, highly edited, as Battle of the Planets and, later G-Force: Guardians of Space. the sequel series would ebcome Saban's Eagleriders. It would also inspire the live action Power Ranger series.
133. The Brady Kids (1972–1973)
TV-G | 30 min | Animation, Comedy, Family
The Brady kids form a pop group and go on adventures with their newfound friends: two pandas, a shaggy dog and a magical bird.
Stars: Eve Plumb, Mike Lookinland, Susan Olsen, Larry Storch
Votes: 180
This animated series from Filmation featured the actual actors voicing their characters. It wouldn't fit this list, if it weren't for a trio of episodes. Superman and Wonder Woman would each appear in an episode, as well as the Lone Ranger. The cartoons were static and the comedy rather lame. The actors didn't exactly set the world on fire with their voicework, either. They mostly bowed out of the second season, so producer Lou Scheimer's kids and others stepped in.
134. Warrior of Love Rainbowman (1972–1973)
30 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Thanks to a Buddhist hermit in India, a young Japanese wrestler transforms into a 7-phased superhero and fights an evil organization hell-bent on destroying Japan.
Stars: Gorô Naya, Akihiko Hirata, Kunihisa Mizutani, Mayumi Yamabuki
Votes: 19
A superhero, Rainbowman, with 7 different personnas, each with a different color and ability (based on in and yang and the 5 elements of Asian lore).
135. The New Scooby-Doo Movies (1972–1973)
TV-G | 83 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
The Mystery Inc. gang investigate more supernatural sightings with various guest stars and characters.
Stars: Nicole Jaffe, Casey Kasem, Don Messick, Heather North
Votes: 5,624
Batman and Robin would make their H-B debut in two episodes of this series, teaming up with the gang to fight Joker and Penguin. Olan Soule and Casey Kassam voice the Dynamic Duo, as they did in the Filmation cartoons, and would continue in the Super Friends.
136. Iron King (1972–1973)
30 min | Sci-Fi, Adventure, Comedy
Anti-hero Gentaro and his sidekick Goro (who has the ability to transform into the Iron King) must do battle against against various threats including a vengeful ancient clan, phantom terrorists, and invading extraterrestrials.
Stars: Shôji Ishibashi, Mitsuo Hamada, Shinzô Hotta, Chiaki Ukyô
Votes: 63
Another Tsuburaya giant hero. This time, the hero is a less-than-heroic human, who has trouble defeating the evil giant robots and requires the aid of a secret agent with a powerful weapon, a belt that transforms into a sword. It was a bit different from the usual fare.
137. Kamen Rider V3 (1973–1974)
TV-PG | 30 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
As Masked Rider V3, Shiro Kazami carries on for Riders 1 and 2, and fights the evil Destron organization.
Stars: Hiroshi Miyauchi, Akiji Kobayashi, Hizuru Ono, Gorô Naya
Votes: 151
This version of Kamen Rider was also seen in parts of the US (mainly Hawaii and California) with an English dub. It is a rather exciting version, with the stunts ramped up. The premise is the same as the previous series, just a new enemy organization. There was also Riderman, another cyborg who eventually works with V3, and sacrifices himself in a rocket, though he would reappear for some of the Rider team-ups.
138. The Final Programme (1973)
R | 81 min | Sci-Fi, Thriller
A trio of scientists plan to create a self-replicating, immortal, hermaphrodite using the Final Programme developed by a dead, Nobel Prize-winning scientist.
Director: Robert Fuest | Stars: Jon Finch, Jenny Runacre, Sterling Hayden, Harry Andrews
Votes: 1,080
This adaptation of Michael Moorcock's Jerry Cornelius is an odd duck, even considering the source material. Cornelius is a sort of super sercret agent and is one aspect of Moorcock's Eternal Champion. The source material is fairly existential and metphorical, while the film is more of a pop art/avant garde exercise, with little attempt at narrative. It'll mostly have you scratching your head as you try to make sense out of the weirdness. Moorcock wasn't pleased and spurned many later offers to adapt his work.
139. Live and Let Die (1973)
PG | 121 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
James Bond is sent to stop a diabolically brilliant heroin magnate armed with a complex organisation and a reliable psychic tarot card reader.
Director: Guy Hamilton | Stars: Roger Moore, Yaphet Kotto, Jane Seymour, Clifton James
Votes: 115,466 | Gross: $35.38M
After Sean Connery made a one-time return, Roger Moore takes over the series. Unfortunately, his presence leads it into more comical territory, so the films can be kind of hit and miss. Moore would play the role for a decade, though. My personal favorite of his films is For Your Eyes Only. Moonraker and View to a Kill are his weakest.
140. Zone Fighter (1973)
30 min | Action, Adventure, Family
The last remaining survivors of the now long gone planet, Peaceland, the Zone family soon found refuge on the planet Earth, where they took on the identity of the Sakimori family and began ... See full summary »
Stars: Kazuya Aoyama, Kazumi Kitahara, Takashi Sato, Shôji Nakayama
Votes: 124
Known as Zone Fighter, this was Toho's answer to the Ultra series, with a bit of Kamen Rider thrown in. It is notable for appearances by Godzilla, Gigan and King Ghidorah.
141. Super Friends (1973–1985)
TV-G | 60 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The greatest of the DC Comics superheroes work together to uphold the good with the help of some young proteges.
Stars: Danny Dark, Casey Kasem, Olan Soule, Shannon Farnon
Votes: 4,571
The Justice League comes to Saturday morning, in their own cartoon. Two teenagers, Wendy and Marvin, plus Marvin's pet Wonder Dog, join the gang, and everyone ignores that Robin wasn't in the Justice League. However, in the post Batman era of Saturday morning, no violence is allowed, so the threats are ecological, and most of the villains are jsut misguided individuals. Plastic Man and Green Arrow would debut here.
By far the best of the Super Friends series, as they battle the Legion of Doom, a conglomeration of superviallains. The LOD usually got away at the end, until standards & practices complained. The series found inventive ways around the limitations on violence. The rest of the Super Friends series that would follow would pale in comparison, with fewer superviallains and more mundane threats.
This version introduced Darkseid and other characters from Jack Kirby's 4th World books (New Gods, Mister miracle, Forever People, and Jimmy Olsen). The models were also redesigned by Jose Luis Garcia Lopez, one of DC's best artists.
The second Super Friends series added a few villains, replaced Wendy and Marvin with the Wonder Twins, and added teamups with other heroes, including: Atom, Hakman & Hawkgirl, Green Lantern, Apache Chief, Samurai, Black Vulcan, and Rima the Jungle Girl. Rima was the odd woman out, probably added for racial diversity, which is the main reason for the other ethnic heroes.
The last of the Super Friends shows, with Darkseid an even more prominent element. Cyborg, of the New Teen Titans was added for some racial diversity, though he definitely seemed like an afterthought. Don't know why they didn't just use Black Vulcan or the actual comic character Black Lightning. Anyway, Firestorm, who debuted in the Legendary Super Powers Team, is also along. The series features two notable episodes: "Wildcards", with the Royal Flush Gang and the Joker, and "The Fear," which retells Batman's origin.
142. Janbôgu Êsu (1973)
30 min
Stars: Naoki Tachibana, Chieko Sakurada, Takahiro Kayama, Hikaru Urano
Votes: 15
Another giant hero series from Tsuburaya (makers of Ultraman), this time, a giant cyborg, rather than an alien.
143. Inazuman (1973–1974)
30 min | Action, Adventure, Horror
A college student, who transforms into an insectoid mutant superhero, fights the evil mutants sent by the Newmanity Empire led by the fearsome Phantom Banba.
Stars: Daisuke Ban, Shôzô Îzuka, Ichirô Murakoshi, Kôichi Kitamura
Votes: 32
Toei series about a man who transforms into a powerful larva, then can further transform into a sort of mothman, with even greater power. It was popular enough to spawn a sequel, Inazuman Flash.
144. Faiyâman (1973)
30 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Mysterious young Daisuke Misaki joins the Scientific Attack Force (SAF), and unbeknownst even to them, secretly transforms into a fire-powered giant from Atlantis, who fights rampaging giant monsters spawned from various phenomena.
Stars: Naoya Makoto, Gorô Mutsumi, Shin Kishida, Sei Hiraizumi
Votes: 16
aka Fireman. Giant dinsoaurs and monsters have been unleased upon the Earth. An underground civilization sends a young man to help the surface world and fight the monsters.
145. Wonder Woman (1974 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 73 min | Fantasy
A super-hero uses her powers to thwart an international spy ring.
Director: Vincent McEveety | Stars: Cathy Lee Crosby, Kaz Garas, Andrew Prine, Ricardo Montalban
Votes: 1,471
Cathy Lee Crosby stars in this pilot movie. The character had recently returned to her amazonian roots, after a time of being powerless and carrying on as a kind of Emma Peel. This movie mixed both of these elements for a bizarre take on the character. If it wasn't for the presence of Ricardo Montalban, it would be forgettable. As it is, the costume looks like somekind of super-cheerleader.
146. The Six Million Dollar Man (1974–1978)
TV-14 | 60 min | Action, Crime, Drama
After a severely injured test pilot is rebuilt with nuclear-powered bionic limbs and implants, he serves as an intelligence agent.
Stars: Lee Majors, Richard Anderson, Martin E. Brooks, Lindsay Wagner
Votes: 12,946
Steve Austin is an astronaut and test pilot who is critically injured in a horrible crash. he is rebuilt by the government with bionic parts, augmenting his strength and sight. he becomes a super agent of the Office of Scientific Investigation, dealing with science-related threats. The series was hugely popular in the 70s and my friends and I ran all over the playground in slow motion.
147. Hong Kong Phooey (1974–1975)
TV-G | 22 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
A kung-fu-fighting pup and his snickering cat sidekick battle crime.
Stars: Scatman Crothers, Joe E. Ross, Kathy Gori, Don Messick
Votes: 3,981
Masked hero who is a master of the dealy arts, as outlined in the Hong Kong Book of Kung Fu; or so he thinks. In reality, Hong Kong Phooey is more than a bit of a screwup, who usually saves the day thanks to the interference of his cat, Spot. Loads of fun, mostly due to the voicework of Scatman Crothers, who also sang the catchy theme song. Everybody, join in, "Hong Kong Phooey, number one super-guy. Hong Kong Phooey, quicker than the human eye..."
148. Shazam! (1974–1977)
TV-Y7-FV | 30 min | Action, Family, Fantasy
A young boy, able to transform into the superhero Captain Marvel, travels the country fighting evil and helping people.
Stars: Michael Gray, Les Tremayne, Jackson Bostwick, John Davey
Votes: 1,666
Live action series, based on the Fawcett hero, now being published by the people who drove him away, DC Comics. Michael Gray is Billy Batson, while Jackson Bostwick (and later, John Davey) is captain Marvel. Les Tremayne was Mentor, who some believe to be Shazam and others believe is the previous Marvel hero. Billy would consult the elders who grant his powers, who would appear in animated form. Like most Saturday morning shows of the 70s, no real violence was allowed.
149. Zorro (I) (1975)
G | 120 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
In the New World, a new Spanish governor finds the province of Nueva Aragón under the iron fist of the corrupt Colonel Huerta and vows to bring justice under the guise of a masked avenger.
Director: Duccio Tessari | Stars: Alain Delon, Stanley Baker, Ottavia Piccolo, Moustache
Votes: 4,265
Alan Delon stars as the masked hero, but transported to a South American colony. Delon did it for his son and he is obviously having a ball. Stanley baker makes a great villain and the final duel is epic.
150. Wonder Woman (1975–1979)
TV-G | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
The adventures of the greatest of the female superheroes.
Stars: Lynda Carter, Lyle Waggoner, Tom Kratochvil, Richard Eastham
Votes: 10,074
The producers went back to the well and produced a much better pilot for Wonder Woman, with Lynda Carter perfectly cast. The first season is set during WWII and is the best, IMO. It was a bit campy, but not overly so. Debra Winger appears in two stories as Wonder Girl. The series changed networks and timeperiods, moving into the modern day. To me, it lost much of its charm after that.
151. Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze (1975)
G | 100 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Doc and the Amazing Five battle Captain Seas and "the green death" for control of a fabulous resource.
Director: Michael Anderson | Stars: Ron Ely, Paul Gleason, William Lucking, Michael Miller
Votes: 2,146
Ron Ely starred as the Man of Bronze, the famed pulp hero. Ely is a good choice, physically, but the film is played for laughs and doesn't earn many. It's too bad, as they could have had a great action film. there have been rumor of a new version (including with Arnold Schwarzenegger) but nothing has been produced. A sequel was planned but nixed when the film bombed.
152. Infra-Man (1975)
PG | 90 min | Action, Sci-Fi
Princess Dragon Mom and her mutant army have risen, and only Infra-Man can stop them.
Director: Shan Hua | Stars: Danny Lee, Terry Liu, Hsieh Wang, Man-Tzu Yuan
Votes: 2,266
Shaw Brothers attempt at creating a Hong Kong Kamen Rider, crossed with Ultraman. The film is a lot of fun, if a bit cheesy, with some great fights.
153. It's a Bird... It's a Plane... It's Superman! (1975 TV Movie)
89 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Musical
TV adaptation of the campy 1960s Broadway musical concerning a mad scientist who enlists a rival reporter and a group of gangsters to push the Man of Steel into a mental breakdown.
Director: Jack Regas | Stars: Kenneth Mars, Loretta Swit, Lesley Ann Warren, David Wayne
Votes: 445
TV movie version of the Broadway play. It was horribly campy and had little to offer.
154. The Invisible Man (1975–1976)
60 min | Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller
The weekly adventures of Dr. Daniel Westin, an invisible scientist working as an agent for a private thinktank.
Stars: David McCallum, Melinda O. Fee, Craig Stevens, Paul Kent
Votes: 1,058
David McCallum stars as a scientist who turns himself invisible. he ends up as a sort of hero, though the series didn't last long.
155. The Secrets of Isis (1975–1976)
Not Rated | 30 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
An archaeologist gains an amulet that allows her to transform into the superheroine goddess Isis and fight evil.
Stars: JoAnna Cameron, Brian Cutler, Joanna Pang, Ronalda Douglas
Votes: 1,217
The success of Shazam led to a spin-off, the original heroine Isis, played by the lovely Joanna Cameron. Cameron is Andrea Thomas, who discovers the amulet of Isis, while on an archeological dig. the amulet lets her transform into the Egyptian goddess. The series was much liek Shazam, where the heroine helps out young people in trouble. There were a couple of crossovers with Shazam.
156. Raffles (1975–1977)
60 min | Comedy, Crime
Most people know A.J. Raffles only as a gentleman of leisure and a top-rated cricketer, but he is also "the amateur Cracksman", an expert jewel thief. Alternately aided and hindered by his ... See full summary »
Stars: Anthony Valentine, Christopher Strauli, Victor Brooks, Victor Carin
Votes: 208
Anthony Valentine starred in this British tv series. Valentine also made a name for himself as Edward Woodward's rival, Tony Mears, on Callan.
157. Secret Squadron Gorenger (1975–1977)
TV-PG | 30 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
As world peace is being unbalanced due to the emergence of the Black Cross Army, the United Nations has established a peacekeeping organization called "EAGLE" or the Earth Guard League to ... See full summary »
Stars: Naoya Makoto, Hiroshi Miyauchi, Yukio Itô, Lisa Komaki
Votes: 149
First of the Ranger shows, with a team of superheroes fighting evil organizations and their monster henchmen. The series is still going in Japan and would come to the US as Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.
158. The Bionic Woman (1976–1978)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
After fully recovering from her nearly fatal bout of bionic rejection, Jaime Sommers, the first female cyborg, is assigned to spy missions of her own.
Stars: Lindsay Wagner, Richard Anderson, Martin E. Brooks, Ford Rainey
Votes: 8,175
Spin-off of the Six Million Dollar Man, with girlfriend Jamie Summers as a new bionic agent. Jamie debuted in TSMDM and then got her own series, though it ran out of steam a bit faster. There were a few crossovers and some reunion movies.
159. The Scooby-Doo/Dynomutt Hour (1976–1978)
TV-G | 24 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Scooby Doo and the gang solve mysteries; then Blue Falcon and Dynomutt fight crime in each two-part episode of this animated series.
Stars: Patricia Stevens, Frank Welker, Casey Kasem, Don Messick
Votes: 3,712
Scooby was more of the same (though the stories weren't bad, especially compared to Scrappy Doo and beyond) but the true star here was Dynomutt, along with the Blue Falcon. BF and Dynomutt protected Big City from a variety of ne'r-do-wells, such as Superthief, Queen Hornet, Lowbrow, The Blimp, and the Red Vulture. Gary Owens (Space Ghost) voiced BF, while Frank Welker (Fred on Scooby Doo) was Dynomutt. The cartoons were loads of fun and stand up fairly well today. Some of the comedy was rather silly, even as a kid; but, it was entertaining.
160. Gemini Man (1976)
60 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A man has a watch that makes him invisible when pressed. However he can only remain invisible for 15 minutes or else he will stay invisible forever.
Stars: Ben Murphy, Katherine Crawford, William Sylvester, Quinn K. Redeker
Votes: 375
Practically a continuation of the recent Invisible Man series. After an accident, the hero can turn invisible, but will die if he stays that way too long. A watch helps him keep track of time, as well as control his transformatin. It was ok, but nothing spectacular. It didn't last long. A couple of episodes were edited into a feature that was the target of an MST3K episode.
161. Electra Woman and Dyna Girl (1976)
24 min | Sci-Fi
The adventures of two female superheroes.
Stars: Deidre Hall, Judy Strangis, Norman Alden, Marvin Miller
Votes: 538
Campy show from Sid and Marty Krofft, shown as part of the Krofft Super Hour. It essentially takes its cue from the Adam West Batman, though played relatively straight. Each episode featured a new gimmick for their wrist devices, which would get them out of the deathtrap later on. the villains were straight out of the Batman playbook. The ladies were aided by a scientist named Frank, played by Normal Aulden, the voice of Aquaman on the Super Friends.
162. The Seven-Per-Cent Solution (1976)
PG | 113 min | Adventure, Comedy, Crime
To treat his friend's cocaine induced delusions, Watson lures Sherlock Holmes to Sigmund Freud.
Director: Herbert Ross | Stars: Alan Arkin, Vanessa Redgrave, Robert Duvall, Nicol Williamson
Votes: 5,097
Nicol Williamson, Robert Duval, and Alan Arkin star in this adaptation of the Nicholas Meyer novel. Holmes cocaine use has gotten out of control. Is Moriarty a diabolical criminal genius or just a simple math tutor who is being persecuted? Watson and Mycroft Holmes (Charles Grey) conspire to lead Holmes to Vienna, where he meets Sigmund Freud (Arkin), who treats him for his addiction. While recovering, Holmes, Watson and Freud get embroiled in a mystery involving one of Freud's patients. Excellent stuff. Meyer wrote two other Holmes Pastiches: The West End Horror (with people like George Bernard Shaw and Gilbert & Sullivan) and The Canary Trainer (which covers the phantom of the Opera, with Holmes in the orchestra pit).
163. Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle (1976–1978)
30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
This series is based on the adventures of Tarzan who seeks to champion the less fortunate, to right wrongs and to protect both the animals in his jungle as well as the human visitors.
Stars: Robert Ridgely, Jack Bannon, Erika Scheimer, Robert Chapel
Votes: 318
Animated version of Tarzan, from Filmation. Most of the plots dealt with hidden civilaizations or poachers. the series would go on to be paired with other cartoons.
164. The Amazing Spider-Man (1977–1979)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
With the powers given by the bite of a radioactive spider, a young man fights crime as a wall-crawling superhero.
Stars: Nicholas Hammond, Robert F. Simon, Chip Fields, Ellen Bry
Votes: 2,671
Live action series, starring Nicholas Hammond (The Sound of Music). It's ok but lacks the villains, and has less than spectacular stunts. It would be a long time before the hero would be done right.
165. Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
PG | 121 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader.
Director: George Lucas | Stars: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness
Votes: 1,449,439 | Gross: $322.74M
I'm including this for one reason: the Jedi. Luke learns to tap into the Force, which grants the Jedi their amazing powers, before it became a byproduct of eugenics, in the prequels. Meanwhile, Darth Vader becomes the descendant of the great serial villains, especially the Lightning. It's close enough to superheroes to count, though I will skip the rest of the series.
166. Man from Atlantis (1977–1978)
60 min | Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
The adventures of an amphibious man, the last survivor of the legendary sunken city.
Stars: Patrick Duffy, Alan Fudge, Belinda Montgomery, Richard Laurance Williams
Votes: 2,768
Patrick Duffy starred as an alien water dweller, who works with a group of marine scientists to solve mysteries and stop eco-terrorists. The series started as a movie and series of specials, then got an order for a series, but lasted only the one series. We were teased with hints to Mark's (Duffy) past, but the series ended before anything definite was revealed. It was the closest we got to an Aquaman or Submariner series.
167. Space Sentinels (1977)
23 min | Adventure, Animation, Sci-Fi
A trio of teenage superheroes, representing three different racial groups, use their powers to fight against evil forces.
Stars: George DiCenzo, Evan C. Kim, Dee Timberlake, Lou Scheimer
Votes: 202
Filmation series about a trio of heroes, pulled from different time periods and granted superpowers by aliens. they protect the Earth from various threats, whil also acting as part of a larger intergalactic organization. The idea is swiped from Green Lantern, who swiped it from the Lensmen Saga. It was a decent series.
168. The New Adventures of Batman (1977–1978)
30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Batman, Robin and Batgirl fight crime in Gotham City with the "help" of Batmite.
Stars: Adam West, Burt Ward, Lennie Weinrib, Melendy Britt
Votes: 1,278
Revived Batman series from Filmation, but minus the violence. To make up for it, they had Adam West and Burt Ward doing the voices. Unfortunately, they also had Bat-Mite.
169. Lupin the 3rd (1977–1980)
TV-PG | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The master thief Lupin III and his cronies continue their globe-trotting exploits, with the stubborn Inspector Zenigata ever at their trail.
Stars: Yasuo Yamada, Kiyoshi Kobayashi, Gorô Naya, Makio Inoue
Votes: 1,974
This animated series adapted themanga, by Monkey Punch. This Lupin is a descendant of the French criminal and matches wits with a police inspector. These were lively cartoons, though more adult in nature than some (not as much as the manga could be). It spawned a series of films, including Hayao Miyazaki's Castle of Cagliostro.
170. The Incredible Hulk (1978–1982)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
A fugitive scientist has the curse of becoming a powerful green monster under extreme emotional stress.
Stars: Bill Bixby, Lou Ferrigno, Jack Colvin, Charles Napier
Votes: 16,110
Bill Bixby stars as David Banner, whose experiments have transformed him into a monster, the Hulk. The transformations are triggered by anxiety and anger. Banner is mistakenly believed to be a killer and must continue to evade the authorities and an investigative reporter. The series borrowed from The Fugitive, but Bixby is excellent and Lou Ferrigno was perfect as the Hulk. For a generation, this would be Marvel's sole live-action success.
171. Legends of the Superheroes (1979)
100 min | Action, Comedy, Adventure
A teamup of some of DC Comics' greatest superheroes together, for 2 specials: a race to stop the united supervillains' plot to destroy the earth, then later a roast in tribute to all of the heroes hosted by Ed McMahon.
Stars: Jeff Altman, Charlie Callas, Gabriel Dell, Howard Morris
Votes: 627
Not a series, but two specials, featuring the return of Adam West and Burt Ward, plus other actors as members of the Justice League (and a couple of Justice Society members). These are played for laughs, but don't find many. The first special was an adventure, while the second was a painfully unfunny roast. It's a definite oddity.
172. The Fantastic Four (1978)
TV-Y7-FV | Animation, Action, Adventure
The super-elastic Mr. Fantastic, the force field-wielding Invisible Girl, the orange rock-covered Thing and the data-crammed robot H.E.R.B.I.E. make up a team of superheroes dedicated to thwarting would-be world-dominating villains.
Stars: Mike Road, Ginny Tyler, Ted Cassidy, Frank Welker
Votes: 988
Ruby-Spears brought this version to life, with designs from creator Jack Kirby, reuniting him with the series that made him a legend. It's marred by the absence of the Human Torch, who was optioned for a separate movie (not because of any copy-cat dangers, as according to urban legend) and the animation is very stiff.
173. Tarzan and the Super 7 (1978–1980)
90 min | Animation, Action, Fantasy
An anthology series featuring various fantasy action heroes.
Stars: Michael Bell, Bob Holt, Bob Denison, Howard Morris
Votes: 121
Tarzan was teamed up with new cartoons and the live action Jason of Star Command. Tarzan got new epsidoes and repeated some of the old. The other cartoons consisted of Manta & moray, about a pair of aquatic heroes; Superstretch and Microwoman, a husband and wife team; Web Woman, who was either an alien or got her powers from aliens, and the Freedom Force. The latter was a team of legendary heroes, including: Hercules (using the Space Sentinels model), Isis, Merlin, Sinbad, and Super Samurai. Superstretch and Microwoman brought threats of lawsuits from DC, though Manta and Moray was the more derivative.
174. Superman (1978)
PG | 143 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
An alien orphan is sent from his dying planet to Earth, where he grows up to become his adoptive home's first and greatest superhero.
Director: Richard Donner | Stars: Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando
Votes: 187,512 | Gross: $134.22M
Christopher Reeve brings the Silver Age version of the character to life and proves that superheroes can be done straight. The film was immensely entertaining and was one of the 10 highest grossing films of all time, up through the 80s. Adjusted for inflation, it still holds a high position. The film is fantastic, but the series became diminishing returns as it progressed.
175. Spider-Man (1978–1979)
TV-PG | 30 min | Action, Adventure, Family
Motorcross racer Takuya Yamashiro battles the evil forces of Professor Monster and his Iron Cross Army as the superhero Spider-Man, aided by the transforming mecha Leopardon.
Stars: Shinji Tôdô, Mitsuo Andô, Yukie Kagawa, Tôru Ôhira
Votes: 671
Aka The Japanes Spider-Man, from Toei. This Sipder-Man had a car and a giant robot. In one episode, he fights a monster that looks like the Thing. the stunts were certainly better than the American show.
176. Dr. Strange (1978 TV Movie)
TV-PG | 93 min | Action, Fantasy
A psychiatrist becomes the new Sorcerer Supreme of the Earth in order to battle an evil Sorceress from the past.
Director: Philip DeGuere Jr. | Stars: Peter Hooten, Clyde Kusatsu, Jessica Walter, Anne-Marie Martin
Votes: 2,140
TV pilot movie, starring the occult Marvel hero. Unfortunately, the occult world is hard to capture on a tv budget and the film ends up being kind of bland. Jessica Walters is good as Morgan Le Faye, while Sir John Mills is the Ancient One.
177. Captain America (1979 TV Movie)
TV-PG | 97 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A recipient of an experimental body enhancement chemical retaliates against his would be killers as a star spangled superhero.
Director: Rod Holcomb | Stars: Reb Brown, Len Birman, Heather Menzies-Urich, Robin Mattson
Votes: 2,413
First of two tv pilots, starring Reb Brown. He is supposed to be the son of the WWII Cap, and is given the same formula to save his life. The costume was changed and the shield was clear plexiglass, with red stripes and a star. It doubled as the windshield of his motorcycle. It was especially hurt by a boring plot and mediocre villain.
178. Captain America II: Death Too Soon (1979 TV Movie)
TV-PG | 83 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The star spangled hero must battle a villain's plan to poison America with a chemical that horrifically accelerates the aging process.
Director: Ivan Nagy | Stars: Reb Brown, Connie Sellecca, Len Birman, Christopher Lee
Votes: 1,769
Second pilot for Cap. At the end of the first, Cap had a new costume that was closer to the original, though he keeps his helmet on. In this one, Christopher Lee is a terrorist who has an aging serum that he intends to dump over a major city. It was better than the first, but still kind of bland. A series would not follow.
179. Mandrake (1979 TV Movie)
100 min | Drama
Mandrake, a famous magician, and his assistant Lothar come to the aid of an amusement-park owner who is being blackmailed by a madman who is killing the park's customers until he gets his money.
Director: Harry Falk | Stars: Anthony Herrera, Simone Griffeth, Ji-Tu Cumbuka, Hank Brandt
Votes: 63
TV pilot movie which failed to launch a series. I only saw part of it, but it wasn't articularly exciting.
180. Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979–1981)
TV-14 | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A 20th-century astronaut emerges out of 500 years of suspended animation into a future time to become Earth's greatest hero.
Stars: Gil Gerard, Erin Gray, Felix Silla, Mel Blanc
Votes: 10,391
Debuting first as a motion picture, this series featured Gil Gerard as Buck and Erin Gray as Wilma. The movie was exciting and the series started well, but quickly lost its way. the second season has the duo as part of the crew of a spaceship searching for the lost tribes of Earth, in a reverse of Battlestar Galactica. It sucked.
181. Flash Gordon (1979–1982)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The adventures of the comic strip space hero and his friends as they battle the tyranny of Ming the Merciless on the planet Mongo.
Stars: Robert Ridgely, Alan Oppenheimer, Diane Pershing, Allan Melvin
Votes: 1,067
Filmation created this animated series, which follows the main thrust of the comic strips, in a serial format. A second season would follow, though not right away, but would dump the serial format and introduce a cute dragon, dumbing down the whole thing.
182. Spider-Woman (1979–1980)
TV-Y7 | 21 min | Animation, Action, Family
The adventures of a female superhero with spider-like abilities.
Stars: Joan Van Ark, Bryan Scott, Larry Carroll, Vic Perrin
Votes: 979
Joan Van Ark would voice the Marvel heroine; but, apart from Spider-man appearing in the first episode, it wasn't particularly memorable.
183. Murder by Decree (1979)
PG | 124 min | Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Sherlock Holmes investigates the murders commited by Jack the Ripper and discovers a conspiracy to protect the killer.
Director: Bob Clark | Stars: Christopher Plummer, James Mason, David Hemmings, Susan Clark
Votes: 6,594
Christopher Plummer is Holmes and James Mason is Watson, as the pair try to catch Jack the Ripper, uncovering conspiracies along the way. Directed by Bob Clark, of Porkys fame (and A Christmas Story!).
184. Flash Gordon (1980)
PG | 111 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A football player and his friends travel to the planet Mongo and find themselves fighting the tyranny of Ming the Merciless to save Earth.
Director: Mike Hodges | Stars: Sam J. Jones, Melody Anderson, Max von Sydow, Topol
Votes: 61,521
Sam Jones stars in this update of Flash Gordon. It's cheesy at times, but is still a pretty entertaining adventure, if you give it a chance. Queen provided the soundtrack.
185. The Pumaman (1980)
90 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
Thousands of years ago, aliens visited Earth and fathered the Pumaman, a man-god with supernatural powers entrusted by a gold mask with the ability to control people's minds, which in present-day London, falls upon the wrong hands.
Director: Alberto De Martino | Stars: Walter George Alton, Donald Pleasence, Miguel Ángel Fuentes, Sydne Rome
Votes: 4,692
Rather bad movie about a hero with a South American connection. Don't know if it was supposed to be a pilot or a theatrical film, but it stunk. MST3K had a go at it.
186. Superman II (1980)
PG | 127 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Superman agrees to sacrifice his powers to start a relationship with Lois Lane, unaware that three Kryptonian criminals he inadvertently released are conquering Earth.
Director: Richard Lester | Stars: Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Ned Beatty
Votes: 114,619 | Gross: $108.19M
Sequel that was partially filmed with the first movie. The Richard Donner stuff is the meat of the film, but he was fired and Richard Lester finished it. It mostly works, though they give Superman new powers and there are huge plotholes. The remaining films are prceedingly worse than the last. I'll just skip those, if you don't mind.
187. The Tarzan/Lone Ranger/Zorro Adventure Hour (1980–1982)
22 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
In the American Wild West, The Lone Ranger, with the help of his partner, Tonto, defends the rights of farmers and townspeople against outlaws and desperados.
Stars: William Conrad, Ivan Naranjo, Frank Welker, Lou Scheimer
Votes: 153
The Lone Ranger debuts in new cartoons, with William Conrad doing the voice. Conrad had previously voiced Matt Dillon, on the Gunsmoke radio show and was the narrator in Bulwinkle. he also starred in Cannon and Jake and the Fatman.
188. The Greatest American Hero (1981–1983)
TV-14 | 60 min | Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi
A teacher is asked to be a superhero using a special alien suit with powers he can barely understand or control.
Stars: William Katt, Connie Sellecca, Robert Culp, Michael Paré
Votes: 6,620
A school teacher and an obnoxious FBI agent find themselves stranded in the desert, where the encounter aliens who give the teacher, Ralph Hinkley, a powersuit, to act as a protector of Earth. Together, Ralph and Bill (the FBI agent, fight crime, while Ralph, who lost the instruction manual, tries to figure out how the suit works. Fairly fun series aided greatly by the leads (William Katt and Robert Culp). It ran out of steam relatively quickly, though.
189. Spider-Man (1981–1982)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The web slinging superhero battles crime in New York City.
Stars: Jack Angel, Lynn Johnson, Lewis Bailey, Morgan Lofting
Votes: 1,879
This animated series found itself seldom seen, but did include characters like Captain America.
190. Condorman (1981)
PG | 90 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Cartoonist Woody becomes the superhero he draws. Using his gadgets he helps a Soviet spy defect to the West.
Director: Charles Jarrott | Stars: Michael Crawford, Oliver Reed, Barbara Carrera, James Hampton
Votes: 5,403
Superhero spoof from Disney, which is actually pretty entertaining, with Michael Crawford as the hero. He is a cartoonist who has to test out the reality of his plots and a relative from the CIA gets him involved in a plot. Loads of fun.
191. The New Adventures of Zorro (1981)
22 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The further adventures of the masked hero of Spanish California.
Stars: Henry Darrow, Julio Medina, Don Diamond, Ernesto Macias
Votes: 303
Filmation revives Zorro as a cartoon, and it''s pretty good, with Henry Darrow voicing the hero. He would later be teamed up with Tarzan and the Lone Ranger.
192. Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (1981–1986)
TV-Y7 | 22 min | Animation, Action, Comedy
Spider-Man battles crime in New York City with the help of Iceman and Firestar.
Stars: Hans Conried, Sally Julian, Jerry Dexter, Anne Lockhart
Votes: 4,039
Spidey is joined by the X-Men's Iceman and a new character, Firestar, who is also a mutant. Captain America, the Submariner, and the X-Men would make appearances, though Wolverine was given an Australian accent.
193. Space Stars (1981)
TV-G | 60 min | Animation, Family, Sci-Fi
The show was made up of four different cartoon segments, these being: Space Ghost, The Herculoids, Teen Force, and Astro and the Space Mutts.
Stars: Frank Welker, Richard Erdman, Virginia Gregg, Darryl Hickman
Votes: 148
Updated H-B series, featuring Space Ghost, the Herculoids, Teen Force, and Astro and the Space Mutts. Teen Force was a revamped version of the Birdman supporting threesome, The Galaxy Trio. Astro was joined by a group of dogs and a human leader. It was probably the least seen part of the show. The stories were decent, and included crossovers between characters.
194. The Kid Super Power Hour with Shazam! (1981–1982)
25 min | Animation, Fantasy
The adventures of a high school for superheroes while the Marvel Family fights evil with the power given to them by the wizard, Shazam.
Stars: Maylo McCaslin, Barry Gordon, Dawn Jeffory, Burr Middleton
Votes: 190
This show consisted of Hero High and Shazam. Hero High was intended to be an Archie cartoon, with their superhero identities (Pureheart, Evil heart, Captain Hero, and Super Teen) but Archie said no. Filmation changed the models and launched the series with knock-offs. Shazam featured cartoon adventuresof Captain Marvel and the Marvel Family, including Uncle Dudley. Most of the major villains appeared, including dr Sivanna, Black Adam, Mr Mind, Mr Atom, and the talking tiger Mr Tawky Tawny was there, too. Paul Dini had an early credit as a writer.
195. Zorro: The Gay Blade (1981)
PG | 93 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Zorro, the legendary swordsman, has passed on his weapon and his sense of duty to his noble son, Diego, a dashing swashbuckler like his father. But after an injury sidelines Diego, he is forced to hand the mask over to his twin, Ramon.
Director: Peter Medak | Stars: George Hamilton, Lauren Hutton, Brenda Vaccaro, Ron Leibman
Votes: 4,844 | Gross: $11.12M
George Hamilton stars in this Zorro comedy. It's a lot funnier on the page, but it has it's moments, especially George as Diego's gay twin brother, Ramon, aka Bunny Wigglesworth. Brenda Vacarro is a hoot!
196. Tarzan the Ape Man (1981)
Approved | 115 min | Adventure, Drama
While on an African expedition with her father, Jane Parker meets Tarzan, and the two become fascinated by each other.
Director: John Derek | Stars: Bo Derek, Richard Harris, Miles O'Keeffe, John Phillip Law
Votes: 6,228 | Gross: $36.57M
Pretty bad film, with Bo Derek as a bland Jane. Miles O'Keefe isn't any better. It was sold based on Bo in a wet shirt. That's about as good as the film got and that wasn't anything you couldn't see on Cinemax.
197. The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981)
PG | 98 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
The sole surviving Texas Ranger (Klinton Spilsbury) of an ambush arranged by outlaw leader Major Bartholomew "Butch" Cavendish (Christopher Lloyd) returns to fight back as a great masked western hero, The Lone Ranger.
Director: William A. Fraker | Stars: Klinton Spilsbury, Michael Horse, Christopher Lloyd, Matt Clark
Votes: 2,518 | Gross: $12.62M
Rather dull attempt at revivng the Lone Ranger. Despite recreating the Yakima Canutt Stagecoach stunt, it doesn't offer much, apart from Christopher Lloyd as Butch Cavendish. Clayton Moore is still tops.
198. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
PG | 115 min | Action, Adventure
In 1936, archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can obtain its awesome powers.
Director: Steven Spielberg | Stars: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, John Rhys-Davies
Votes: 1,036,791 | Gross: $248.16M
In the grand tradition of pulp heroes, like El Borak and Doc Savage, as well as adventure serials, came this period adventure film from Spielberg and Lucas. Indiana Jones is a swashbuckling archeologist/grave robber who runs up against the Nazis and supernatural power. This is by far the best of the films, though the sequels are pretty darn good, until Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. The Young Indiana Jones series is less swashbuckling and more history lesson, but was well done.
199. Danger Mouse (1981–1992)
TV-Y | 25 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Danger Mouse, the greatest secret agent in the world, must follow Colonel K's orders (and try not to break Professor Squawkencluck's inventions) to foil Baron Greenback's and his henchman Stiletto's plans.
Stars: David Jason, Terry Scott, Edward Kelsey, Victor Knight
Votes: 3,912
Brilliant British cartoon, featuring the World's Greatest Secret Agent, and the World's Worst Assistant. These are side-splittingly funny, and became favorites in college, when broadcast on Nickelodian. Also coupled with them, for a time, was the British cartoon, Bananaman. Bananaman was a superhero with a banana motife, obviously. They were funny, though not as prolific as Danger Mouse.
200. Flash Gordon: The Greatest Adventure of All (1982 TV Movie)
95 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Flash Gordon, Dale Arden and Dr. Hans Zarkov travel to the planet Mongo to fight the evil emperor Ming the Merciless.
Stars: Robert Ridgely, Diane Pershing, Bob Holt, David Opatoshu
Votes: 371
Originally commssioned by NBC as a prime time movie, the network was so impressed that they asked for a series. The movie wouldn't actually be broadcast until after the series. The movie includes the how Flash and the gang get to Mongo, tying things to WWII.
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