Hellboy (2004)
RT Audience Score: 66%
Awards & Nominations: 3 wins & 23 nominations
With wit, humor and Guillermo del Toro’s fantastic visuals, the entertaining Hellboy transcends the derivative nature of the genre
Hellboy is a movie that’s as devilishly entertaining as it is visually stunning. Ron Perlman’s portrayal of the titular character is a highlight, bringing a perfect balance of humor and badassery to the role. While the story may be a bit confusing at times, the action and special effects more than make up for it. Plus, who doesn’t love a superhero who loves kittens? Overall, Hellboy is a hell of a good time.
Production Company(ies)
Communicado Productions, New Zealand Film Commission Avalon, NFU
Distributor
Revolution Studios, Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Wide)
Filming Location(s)
Barrandov Studios, Prague, Czech Republic
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence and frightening images
Year of Release
2004
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:DTS Dolby Digital SDDS Dolby Atmos
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:2h 5m
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Language(s):English, Russian, German, Latin
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Mar 30, 2004 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 29, 2005
Genre(s)
Fantasy/Action
Keyword(s)
starring Ron Perlman, John Hurt, Selma Blair, Rupert Evans, Karel Roden, Jeffrey Tambor, Doug Jones, Mike Mignola, Guillermo del Toro, Lawrence Gordon, Lloyd Levin, Fantasy, Action, PG-13, box office, budget, reviewed by Namrata Joshi, Bruce Diones, Nell Minow, J.R Jones, David Germain, Nick Schager, Toussaint Egan, Mike Massie, Leigh Paatsch, Graeme Tuckett, Sean Axmaker, Kevin Carr, written by Mike Mignola, Guillermo del Toro, directed by Guillermo del Toro, produced by Lawrence Gordon, Lloyd Levin, Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense, Hellboy, Abe Sapien, Liz Sherman, Grigori Rasputin, Professor Bruttenholm, Dr Tom Manning, pyrokinesis, merman, psychic powers, spawn of Satan, Nazis, Allies, paranormal dimension, Guillermo del Toro’s fantastic visuals, unique romp, emotionally impactful, visually stunning, captivating visual aesthetic, supernatural themes, thrilling ride, flawed, entertaining, fun, mindless entertainment, cheesy effects, disappointing, overhyped, lacking something, phenomenal, sequel, elaborate plot, top horror movies, MCU movies ranked by Tomatometer, renewed and cancelled TV shows 2022, best Netflix series and shows
Worldwide gross: $99,378,985
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $156,768,999
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 821
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 17,095,856
US/Canada gross: $59,623,958
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $94,055,984
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 777
US/Canada opening weekend: $23,172,440
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $36,554,209
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 355
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $66,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $104,114,103
Production budget ranking: 384
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $56,065,445
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$3,410,549
ROI to date (est.): -2%
ROI ranking: 1,409
John Hurt – Professor Bruttenholm
Selma Blair – Liz Sherman
Rupert Evans – John Myers
Karel Roden – Grigori Rasputin
Jeffrey Tambor – Dr. Tom Manning
Director(s)
Guillermo del Toro
Writer(s)
Mike Mignola, Guillermo del Toro
Producer(s)
Lawrence Gordon, Lloyd Levin
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
3 wins & 23 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (203) | Top Critics (50) | Fresh (165) | Rotten (38)
The film may not be thrill-a-minute entertainment like Superman, Spiderman or Batman. But this is precisely what makes it tick.
January 7, 2019 | Rating: 2/4
Namrata Joshi
Outlook
TOP CRITIC
When the movie’s story line concentrates on the character of Hellboy and his relationships with those important to him, the film becomes a unique romp, with an exciting yet vulnerable superhero at the center who just happens to be the spawn of Satan.
April 14, 2013
Bruce Diones
New Yorker
TOP CRITIC
Somewhat entertaining, but too scary for many.
December 24, 2010 | Rating: 3/5
Nell Minow
Common Sense Media
TOP CRITIC
Played by Ron Perlman, he’s the most magnetic action hero I’ve come across in a long while, though I couldn’t make heads or tails of this story.
April 18, 2007
J. R. Jones
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Unfortunately, after setting up this fresh blue-collar scenario in the movie’s first hour, Del Toro wallows in pyrotechnics.
April 18, 2007
David Germain
Associated Press
TOP CRITIC
Del Toro’s energized adventure has humor, excitement, and soul to burn.
May 4, 2005
Nick Schager
Lessons of Darkness
TOP CRITIC
Stands apart from other superhero action movies of its ilk as a film that’s as emotionally impactful as it is gorgeous to watch.
July 7, 2021
Toussaint Egan
Polygon
The film deserves recognition for its innovative approach to visuals in a comic book adaptation, but loses points for trite dialogue from many of the supporting characters.
September 29, 2020 | Rating: 6/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
A rare intelligent and shrewd adaptation of a comic book, taking risks without taking its audience for granted.
May 12, 2020 | Rating: 4/5
Leigh Paatsch
Herald Sun (Australia)
There’s a freshness and goofiness about Hellboy that defies the precision and exactitude of Guillermo del Toro’s direction.
April 22, 2019
Graeme Tuckett
Stuff.co.nz
Ron Perlman, performing under a massive ember-red suit… is perfect as the cigar-puffing, wisecracking, kitten-loving demon who covertly battles supernatural monsters.
January 13, 2017
Sean Axmaker
Seanax.com
Guillermo del Toro’s best film yet.
January 17, 2016 | Rating: 4/5
Kevin Carr
Fat Guys at the Movies…
Plot
At the end of World War II, Nazi officers Karl Ruprecht Kroenen and Ilsa Haupstein start an experiment to raise the forces of Hell trough Russian dark mystic Rasputin on a Scottish island, but it’s interrupted by an allied commando guided by professor Trevor “Broom” Bruttenholm. He prevents killing the human-demonic half-blood, which was accidentally created and raises this “Hellboy”, while rising to head of a secret C.I.A.-linked U.S. agency Bureau of Paranormal Research, which secretly studies and uses the occult, including supernatural freaks. As “father” Broom is aging, he hand-picks brilliant, sensitive Agent John Myers as new minder-companion, as regular “warrior” Agent Clay can’t empathize and lacks flexibility mental. Hellboy is quite a handful, regularly spotted by worried civilians on unauthorized excursions, especially to pyro-telekinetic freak friend in a mental asylum. Johnny, Hellboy, and Clay team up on missions against paranormal threats with aquatic-bionic freak Abe Sapien. Their task proves to be daunting, as monster Sammael multiplies every time it “dies”, while Rasputin and the Nazis reemerge, armed for revenge.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Rupert Evans plays John Myers in Hellboy.
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