12 Best Movies Like Constantine That Fans Should Watch Next
Making its way out of the underworld and into theaters in early 2005, "Constantine" has become a favorite among movie fans who love all things occult. This unique blend of comic book action and horror stars Keanu Reeves as John Constantine, a demon hunter and exorcist with a particular knack for his job on account of his prior trip to Hell. With his special knowledge of what lies beyond the mortal realm, he helps detective Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz) uncover the truth behind her sister's mysterious death, which blows the lid off a much deeper scheme orchestrated by the devil's rebellious son, Mammon.
A long overdue sequel to this cult classic is on the way, but it's going to take a while to arrive. As such, it's the perfect time to revisit some of the films released over the years that touch upon similar themes as "Constantine" in order to hold us over. Grab the nearest mirror and load your holy shotgun, because we're going to Hell and back to find the best movies like "Constantine."
Hellboy
Towards the end of the Second World War, an increasingly desperate German military is looking to turn the tide of the conflict. So, a team of Nazi scientists construct a portal to another realm, hoping to harness its otherworldly powers for the war effort. Thankfully, a group of Allied soldiers manage to intercept the Axis' newest weapon, destroying the portal and its creators. Amidst the chaos, however, a young demon slips into our world, and is quickly taken into Allied custody.
Years later, the interloping demon (played by Ron Perlman) is affectionately referred to as Hellboy, and serves as a member of the secretive Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense. Tasked with investigating and defending against any and all supernatural beings that threaten the world, he's joined by present and former members of the BPRD to track down a threat unlike any they've faced before, one that might have a much deeper connection to Hellboy than anyone expects.
Like "Constantine," it might be hard for all but the biggest comic fans to predict the wild turns that "Hellboy" takes. From biblical creatures to not-quite-human sidekicks, "Hellboy" is a must watch for any "Constantine" fan. Plus, you won't need to wait to enjoy its arguably even better sequel, though you might want to stop watching the series after that.
The Crow
Over a decade before the release of "Constantine," audiences were treated to a similarly moody look at one man's fight against evil with "The Crow." Opening at the scene of a particularly brutal murder in a Detroit apartment, couple-to-be Eric Draven (Brandon Lee) and Shelly Webster (Sofia Shinas) lay dead. The perpetrators, members of a violent street gang, managed to slip off into the night and evade justice. However, Eric rises from his grave a year later. Now impervious to injury and guided by a mystical crow, Eric sets off on a quest to right the wrongs committed against him.
Though there were plenty of comic book films before the release of "The Crow," it's still fondly remembered as one of the earliest comic adaptations to take a decidedly less cheesy approach to the genre. Gone was the lighthearted tone of flicks like Richard Donner's "Superman"; this was an era when heroes weren't afraid to get their hands dirty. Of course, it's hard to talk about the release of "The Crow" without mentioning the tragic on-set death of its lead, Brandon Lee, which helped give the already grim movie an even more macabre atmosphere.
Legion
Some of the films on this list, like "Constantine," revolve around a fight between the forces of Heaven and those of Hell, and make it pretty clear which side we should be rooting for. On the other hand, the 2010 film "Legion" flips the narrative on its head, pitting the fallen angel Michael (Paul Bettany) against the might of God himself. It turns out that Michael is on our side, though, as God has become fed up with man's sins and sends his armies to wipe the slate clean. In a rural diner outside Los Angeles, Michael and the people inside make a last stand, turning the remote setting into a battleground where the stakes couldn't be higher.
Like "Constantine," our unlikely hero plans to accomplish his mission through over-the-top scenes packed with blood and gunfire. While that's where viewers get their action fix, "Legion" also incorporates plenty of horror into the mix as well, with some creepy scenes of possession and stomach-churning gore sprinkled throughout. Though it didn't find much success with critics, "Legion" should still receive plenty of love from viewers who enjoyed the wilder moments in "Constantine."
The Devil's Advocate
Years before "Constantine," Keanu was forced to do battle with the devil in a far less outlandish way. In "The Devil's Advocate," Reeves plays up-and-coming lawyer Kevin Lomax, whose flawless record in the courtroom draws the attention of the head of a prominent New York City law firm, John Milton (Al Pacino). Hoping that Kevin can be of service to his firm, John makes him an offer he can't refuse, launching Kevin's career to new heights and bringing him from Florida to the Big Apple. But when Kevin's wife, Mary Ann (Charlize Theron), begins to suffer from disturbing visions, she starts to suspect that not all is right with Kevin's new employer.
As Mary's visions grow more and more unsettling, so too do Kevin's clients, and he's called on to defend increasingly unsavory characters. The divide between the couple deepens as well, putting their relationship to the ultimate test as Kevin becomes increasingly consumed by his work. As you might expect, "The Devil's Advocate" trades the action sequences and deep lore that we loved in "Constantine" for a much more grounded story of man's battle against temptation and pride. Despite that, fans of both "Constantine" and Keanu's filmography will find this a worthy and somewhat underrated film.
Blade
Blade (Wesley Snipes) is a man destined to fight vampires. Orphaned at birth thanks to a vampire attack, he's grown into a professional killer with a particular hatred for bloodsuckers, which is ironic considering that he's one himself. The similarities stop there, though. Unlike his undead peers, Blade is half human and has none of the typical vampire weaknesses, making him an especially formidable opponent for his enemies.
As one of the most memorable picks on our list, we're sure that plenty of our readers are at least familiar with "Blade." The blood-soaked '90s favorite didn't sit well with critics, but is a lasting favorite among fans of both horror and comics. While not the first live-action Marvel film, "Blade" was the first to truly find its footing with more mature audiences. In addition, it not only inspired a handful of sequels, but also helped prove that Marvel's characters could make it on the silver screen, a lesson that the company has certainly taken to heart.
While Blade doesn't take on the armies of Hell, he comes pretty close, dispatching hordes of vampires throughout the film's two-hour runtime. Fans who still aren't sold should also know that this movie spends plenty of time in the seedy underworld of vampire society, making "Blade" a perfect counterpart to the deep worldbuilding in "Constantine."
Van Helsing
First appearing in Bram Stoker's classic horror novel, "Dracula," the character of Van Helsing has made numerous appearances throughout pop culture over the years. He was even portrayed by Sir Anthony Hopkins, who starred alongside a young Keanu Reeves in the 1992 film "Bram Stoker's Dracula." Of all of Van Helsing's movie appearances, however, none are more outlandish than the character's reimagining in his own aptly named film, "Van Helsing."
Dracula isn't the only villain stalking late 19th century Transylvania, either. In "Van Helsing," Frankenstein's monster, Mr. Hyde, and werewolves are all lurking in the shadows, waiting for a chance to wreak havoc on the inhabitants of nearby villages. Their alliance is eventually threatened, however, when famed monster hunter Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman) arrives. Teaming up with Romanian princess Anna Valerious (Kate Beckinsale) and armed with the tools needed to slay anything that gets in his way, Helsing vows to bring the monsters' reign of terror to an end.
"Van Helsing" isn't the type of film that's aiming for high cinema. The admittedly goofy premise makes it a fun watch, and one that doesn't deserve the hate it gets. If you loved watching John Constantine face off against supernatural evils and are looking for more of the same, "Van Helsing" won't disappoint.
Underworld
Kare Beckinsale appeared in "Underworld" just a year before she starred in "Van Helsing," kicking off a far more successful series of films. While it's set in a world consumed by war, the conflict isn't being waged between conventional militaries, but instead armies of vampires and werewolves, the latter of whom are known as "Lycans." Beckinsale's character, Selene, is a vampire, and her side has just scored an impressive victory over their Lycan enemies, taking out their leader, Lucian (Michael Sheen). Unfortunately, things wind up going wrong very quickly, as Selene begins to suspect that Lucian may still be alive. Worse still, one of the vampires' own may be in cahoots with their sworn enemy.
Though the "Underworld" series has never won over critics, fans in the '00s returned time and time again to the franchise, resulting in a whopping five films bearing the "Underworld" name. Like "Constantine," the series delves heavily into the supernatural, as well as the inner workings of each faction's respective societies. Besides, the heavily stylized action sequences and visuals make this an unmistakably early '00s pick, one that we still love today.
Ghost Rider
Not many actors are as eccentric as Nicholas Cage, both in his off-screen life and the type of projects he's willing to make. Still, though, even considering the rest of Cage's filmography, 2007's pre-MCU Marvel film "Ghost Rider" might be one of the most out-there movies he's ever made. In it, Cage takes on the role of a stuntman turned demonic bounty hunter known as, you guessed it, the Ghost Rider.
With his father dying from cancer, a teenaged Johnny Blaze (Nicholas Cage) is approached by a mysterious figure who offers to save his father's life. Unbeknownst to Johnny, he winds up making a deal with the demon Mephistopheles (Peter Fonda), saving his father's life in the process. Years later, Johnny is left with no choice but to fulfill his end of the bargain. Now serving Mephistopheles as the Ghost Rider, Johnny is sent to track down and stop the demon's son, Blackheart (Wes Bentley), before he can usurp his father's place and spread the realm of Hell to Earth.
Another film adapted from a comic book, "Ghost Rider" hasn't gained quite the same cult status that some of our other picks have. That said, if you're not one to shy away from some mid-00's camp, it's well worth checking out. Fans of "Constantine" will likely enjoy watching Cage's similar struggles against the damned.
The Prophecy
While all is calm on earth, the era of peace may soon come to an end. Above and below, the forces of Heaven and Hell are waging a brutal war, and both sides are searching for a tool to achieve victory. Their quest to find such a tool leads them to earth, where the particularly wicked soul of a recently deceased Army Colonel promises to swing the war in either side's favor should they come to possess it. Caught up in the battle is former seminary student turned Los Angeles cop Thomas Dagget (Elias Koteas), who must rely on his prior experience to uncover the truth and prevent the forces of evil from claiming the soul.
A less discussed entry in the genre of religious horror, "The Prophecy" isn't without its flaws, which critics were quick to point out. Nonetheless, it remains a unique story of the endless battle between Heaven and Hell that fans of "Constantine" might be looking for. Plus, some standout performances by the cast, with Viggo Mortensen's portrayal of Lucifer being the most notable, make it a dark and brooding fit for the right audience.
Jonah Hex
In the wake of the American Civil War, Jonah Hex (Josh Brolin) is a former Confederate soldier who now works as a bounty hunter. The war has left him scarred, both emotionally and physically, and given him the ability to communicate with the dead. Already a useful tool for hunting down bounties, this power gains a new significance when Jonah is tasked with tracking his former commander, Quentin Turnbull (John Malkovich). Thought to be long dead, Turnbull is plotting an attack against the U.S. government, leaving Jonah as the only man with the skills needed to take him down for good.
We won't lie: You need to be in the right frame of mind to enjoy the nonstop chaos that is "Jonah Hex." From Jonah's twin horse-mounted chain guns to the climactic final battle between ironclad warships, the word "moderation" probably wasn't on any of the filmmakers' minds during the production of this one. Still, its unapologetically goofy tone and comic book roots make it a good fit for this list.
R.I.P.D.
With a title that's short for "Rest in Peace Department," it should be pretty clear what type of lighthearted fare you're getting into when you watch "R.I.P.D." Based on the comic of the same name, the film opens with the double-crossing and subsequent shooting of detective Nick Walker (Ryan Reynolds). When he wakes up from the incident, Walker is shocked to find out that not only was he killed by his former partner, but he's been recruited by another police department, this time in the world of the deceased.
As part of the Rest in Peace Department, the rookie Nick is partnered with a former sheriff from the Old West named Roy Pulsipher (Jeff Bridges). Together, they're tasked with tracking down and bringing in souls who are trying to cheat death and evade judgment. Before long, they wind up blowing the lid off of a much deeper conspiracy, one that threatens to upend the worlds of both the living and the dead.
"R.I.P.D." probably won't work for fans looking for something grittier, but despite being a critical flop, it has enough goofy moments that it can probably go toe-to-toe with the campiest scenes that "Constantine" has to offer.
Solomon Kane
Though the film was released a few years after "Constantine," the character of Solomon Kane (played here by James Purefoy) actually predates the Hellblazer by several decades. First appearing in pulp magazines in the late '20s, Kane has a pretty complicated history. He was even featured in a handful of Marvel comics before becoming the protagonist of his own gothic picture.
Originally a sailor and privateer during the early 17th century, Kane's life was forever changed after he and his fellow crewmen went toe-to-toe with a horde of demons. Barely escaping with his life, Kane renounced his old ways, and pledged to lay down his sword in order to save his own soul.
Some time later, Solomon converts to Puritanism in an effort to make good on his promises. Unfortunately, his vows are soon put to the ultimate test as all but one member of a Puritan family is massacred by the forces of evil. Begrudgingly, Kane goes back on his word and commits himself to the fight against the world's darkness. Gritty, violent, and downright awesome, "Solomon Kane" is steeped with religious references and occult creatures on par with any of our previous picks. It's a must-watch for anyone eager for the sequel to "Constantine."