This animated short film, often found as a bonus feature for the Watchmen movie, delves into the history of masked adventurers within that universe.

Presented as a documentary based on the autobiography of Hollis Mason (the original Nite Owl), it provides fascinating background on the Minutemen, the first generation of costumed heroes. While not an 'anti-system' action piece itself, it's highly relevant to the Watchmen narrative, which deconstructs the superhero concept and questions the role of masked figures in society. It offers a deeper look into the world Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons created, exploring the human stories behind the masks and the changing times that led to their decline.

James Gunn injects his signature blend of dark humor, over-the-top violence, and surprising heart into this soft reboot/sequel.

Task Force X, a motley crew of incarcerated supervillains, are sent on a dangerous mission to the island nation of Corto Maltese by the ruthless Amanda Waller. Their objective: destroy a Nazi-era laboratory holding a dangerous secret. The film embraces the absurdity of its premise and features a large ensemble cast, many of whom are obscure characters from the DC comics. Despite working for the system (Waller), the team is full of anti-authority personalities, making for a chaotic and entertaining ride that subverts expectations at every turn.

After breaking up with the Joker, Harley Quinn finds herself navigating Gotham's criminal underworld alone, facing off against various foes she made under his protection.

This stylish, action-packed film sees Harley (Margot Robbie, who also produced) team up with other female anti-heroes and vigilantes – Huntress, Black Canary, and Renee Montoya – to protect a young girl targeted by a crime lord. The movie is a vibrant showcase for its female leads, focusing on themes of independence and finding your own identity after escaping a toxic system (in this case, Joker's control). It's full of personality, unique fight choreography, and a distinct visual flair.

Finally bringing his passion project to life, Ryan Reynolds delivered a superhero film that gleefully broke all the rules.

Deadpool is an origin story told through flashbacks, focusing on Wade Wilson, a former Special Forces operative turned mercenary who undergoes a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers but severely scarred. What sets it apart is its meta-commentary, R-rated humor, and Wade's constant breaking of the fourth wall to talk directly to the audience. It's irreverent, violent, and hilarious, completely thumbing its nose at traditional superhero narratives and proving that an anti-hero can be a massive hit.

Christopher Nolan concluded his acclaimed Batman trilogy with an epic tale of a city pushed to its breaking point.

Years after the events of The Dark Knight, Gotham faces a new threat in the masked terrorist Bane, who aims to dismantle the city's power structure and unleash anarchy. While Batman ultimately fights to restore order, Bane's actions and rhetoric challenge the foundations of the system Batman protects. The film is massive in scope, featuring stunning set pieces and exploring themes of fear, hope, and resilience. Tom Hardy's imposing portrayal of Bane and Anne Hathaway's morally ambiguous Catwoman add complex layers to the conflict.

Hugh Jackman's swansong as Wolverine is a gritty, emotional, and R-rated departure from typical superhero movies, feeling more like a neo-western.

Set in a near future where mutants are nearly extinct, a weary, aging Logan cares for an ailing Professor X (Patrick Stewart). When a mysterious young mutant girl with powers similar to his own appears, Logan is forced back into a fight against a relentless organization. The film is a poignant exploration of mortality, legacy, and the burden of violence, depicting its heroes not as saviors but as broken individuals trying to survive on the fringes of society. It's a powerful, character-driven story about finding something to fight for when everything else is lost.

Before directing blockbusters like Guardians of the Galaxy, James Gunn gave us Super, a much darker, indie take on the amateur superhero concept.

Rainn Wilson stars as Frank Darbo, a man who decides to become the costumed hero 'Crimson Bolt' after his wife leaves him for a drug dealer. Joined by Libby (Elliot Page) as his sidekick Boltie, his crusade against crime is less about justice and more about a desperate, often violent, lashing out against a world he doesn't understand. It's a bleakly funny and genuinely disturbing look at delusion, faith, and the grim reality of vigilantism, standing in stark contrast to more polished superhero fare.

What happens when an ordinary teenager decides to become a superhero with no powers or training? Chaos, mostly!

Based on Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.'s comic, Matthew Vaughn's Kick-Ass gleefully deconstructs superhero tropes. Dave Lizewski's attempts at crime-fighting are clumsy and painful, contrasting sharply with the brutal efficiency of the father-daughter vigilante duo, Big Daddy and Hit-Girl. The film is known for its controversial violence and dark humor, exploring the consequences (both realistic and exaggerated) of vigilantism in a world without capes and powers. It's a bold, often shocking, take on the genre.

Stepping away from typical superheroics, the Russo Brothers delivered a sharp political thriller within the MCU framework with this Captain America sequel.

When Steve Rogers uncovers a massive conspiracy lurking within the global security agency S.H.I.E.L.D., he finds himself on the run, unsure who to trust. The film masterfully blends espionage tropes with superhero action, pitting Cap's unwavering idealism against systemic corruption on a global scale. It introduces key characters like the Falcon (Anthony Mackie) and features incredible stunt work and practical effects that give the action a grounded, intense feel. It truly redefined what an MCU film could be.

Todd Phillips' Joker is less a superhero film and more a raw, unsettling character study that serves as a searing critique of societal neglect and inequality.

Joaquin Phoenix's Oscar-winning portrayal of Arthur Fleck, a struggling comedian and clown-for-hire, is absolutely captivating. The film depicts his descent into madness against the backdrop of a grimy, indifferent Gotham City teetering on the edge of chaos. It's a challenging watch, forcing you to confront uncomfortable truths about mental health, poverty, and how a system can break an individual, inadvertently creating the very 'villain' it fears. The film's score by Hildur Guðnadóttir is hauntingly perfect.

Based on Alan Moore and David Lloyd's seminal graphic novel, this film adaptation penned by the Wachowskis delivers a powerful punch against authoritarianism.

Set in a dystopian future UK ruled by a fascist regime, the mysterious anarchist known only as V uses theatrical acts of terrorism to ignite a revolution. Hugo Weaving's voice performance as V (behind that iconic Guy Fawkes mask) is mesmerizing, and Natalie Portman gives a compelling turn as Evey, the young woman drawn into his world. The film is a thought-provoking exploration of freedom, oppression, and the idea that symbols and ideas can be more powerful than swords. Remember, 'Ideas are bulletproof!'

Get ready for a wild ride! While the listing here might show a quirky old date, the real anti-system superhero show you're thinking of is likely the critically acclaimed series that premiered much more recently, based on the subversive comics by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson.

It flips the script entirely: what if superheroes were real, but also corrupt, corporate-owned, and utterly terrifying? This show pulls no punches, dissecting celebrity culture, corporate greed, and the abuse of power through its lens of ultra-violent, morally ambiguous heroes and the ragtag group of vigilantes determined to expose them. Karl Urban's Billy Butcher is a force of nature, leading his crew against the seemingly invincible, deeply disturbed 'Supes' of Vought International. It's dark, hilarious, and brutally honest about the rot that can exist beneath a shiny surface.