If most of the time, superhero films come from the USA and American studios, we, the French, also know how to produce superhero films. The proof with these 10 superhero films made in France. And even if the quality is not always there, it is good practice to highlight the effort.
10) Black snake, the legend of the black snake
This is without a doubt the worst film on this list. Written by Thomas Ngijol And Jean-Pascal Zadiand directed by Thomas Ngijol and Karole Rocher, Black Snake tells the fate of Clotaire Sangala, who, after years of living in Paris, returns to her native country somewhere in Africa. There, it happens bitten by a snakeand becomes the symbol of the rebellion against the dictator Hezekiah. Frankly, we have nothing against Thomas Ngijol, but Black Snake it really is the sewers of humor in French cinema… Inspired by one of his sketches, the feature film takes up the codes of the superhero film, without really understanding or diverting them. Black Snake wants to be the OSS 117 of the superheroic kind, but constantly misses his target…
9) Vidocq: the mask and the feather
Directed by Pitof in 2001, Vidocq focuses on the extraordinary journey of Eugène François Vidocq (1775-1857). This French historical figure was in turn criminal, spy, policeman and private detectiveand it is often considered the father of modern policing and criminology. Often considered a pioneer of modern police investigation techniques, Vidocq is sometimes compared to a superheroic figure. He notably influenced authors like Victor Hugo, Honoré de Balzac and Edgar Allan Poe. Often, Arsene Lupine is also considered a descendant of Vidocq. At the beginning of the 2000s, Pitof decided to take on this little-known figure among young audiences. he surrounds himself with Gérard Depardieu, Guillaume Canet and André Dussollier to offer a very “American style”. Unfortunately, Vidocq is weighed down by deplorable ostentatious staging. Pitof tries to offer something else in the French audiovisual landscape but fails completely with totally obsolete and eccentric visual effects. Four years later, Pitof will massacre another superheroic figure with his film Catwoman worn by Halle Berry.
8) The invisible boy
Franco-Italian film released in 2015, The Invisible Boy takes up the old myth of the Invisible Manso often derivative. Unfortunately, this film without verve, without soul, totally harmless and innocuous is above all a cutesy fantasy comedy about the loneliness of childhood. If the feature film sometimes plays skillfully with the clichés of the superheroic genre, it quickly locks itself into recycled and tired shackles. The characters are empty, the twists and turns expected, Invisible Boy never surprises and sometimes falls into silliness.
7) Superhero in spite of himself
After having proposed a rather solid rereading of Nicky Larson, Philippe Lacheau takes on the superhero film. Unfortunately, Superhero in spite of himself clearly did not live up to our expectations. Released in 2022, it is one of his worst signings, despite a rather pleasant initial concept. The idea of staging an actor who loses his memory and thinks he’s a real superhero is excellent. But the execution is not really there, and Lacheau signs a film that is terrible, stupid, and even sometimes crude. Damage…
6) Miraculous: the movie
Adapted from the eponymous series, Miraculous – the movie tells the adventures of Ladybug and Cat Noir who will have to face the Butterfly and his horde of supervillains in the streets of Paris. Broadcast since 2015, the series was a real event on French television. The show was even exported very well internationally and met with unexpected success across the Atlantic. Created by Thomas Astruc and produced by ZAG and Method Animation, Miraculous takes up the major themes of the superheroic genre, including, in particular, the way of managing a secret identity. Released in 2023, Miraculous: The Movieled by Jeremy Zagtakes up the clichés of the series. To be reserved for aficionados.
5) How I became a superhero
This is arguably the most famous on the list. Released in 2021 and directed by Douglas Attal, How I became a superhero is considered by many to be THE first French superhero film. It must be said that the filmmaker tries to be familiar with American blockbusters with How I became a superhero. Douglas Attal uses all the codes of the genre which he applies to the French tone. All conventions of the genre are respected, and How I became a superhero is a ambitious proposal in the French audiovisual landscape. Unfortunately, the execution sometimes lacks panache…
4) Vincent has no scales
Directed by Thomas Salvador in 2015, Vincent has no scales is the excellent surprise of this top. Vincent has an extraordinary power: his strength and reflexes increase tenfold when in contact with water. To fully experience this gift, he settled in a region rich in lakes and rivers. Singular work in French cinema, Vincent has no scales mixes elements of drama and superhero film, but in a minimalist and intimate style. A totally unique work in the French audiovisual landscape.
3) Smoking makes you cough
When Quentin Dupieux tackles the myth of the superhero, it gives Smoking makes you cough. Released in 2022, Smoking makes you cough is a sketch film. Between each little story, the common thread of the plot follows the FORCE TOBACCOa team of superheroes who fight against the dangers of tobacco. Quentin Dupieux obliges, Smoking makes you cough is a proposition totally lunarin which tobacco is materialized by horrible creatures. Assumed parody of Power Rangers, Smoking makes you cough is clearly not the best film in its author’s filmography. It is nevertheless often very funny, and it is led by a communicative good humor.
2) The Prodigies
Little-known French animated film released in 2011, The Prodigies skillfully plays with the codes of the superhero film. Directed by Antoine Charreyronthe feature film already offers a totally extraordinary aesthetic. Antoine Charreyron opts for motion capture. With this unique animation in the French audiovisual landscape, the director offers a aesthetic inspired by comics, video games, film noir and science fiction. In a cyberpunk atmosphere, which sometimes even borrows from Sin City, The Prodigies is a unique experience which has inspired many more recent works, from Chronicle has Mars Express. Unfortunately, we regret that the plot of the film, which borrows so much from X-Men than to Unbreakable, is too classic to completely take the film into a higher sphere.
1) Ghosts
How not to end with Louis De Funès ? Directed by André Hunebelle in 1964, Ghosts takes up a lot of superhero film codes. Adventure film Tintin, Ghosts tells the story of the manhunt for an individual capable of changing identities, of changing forms, thanks to masks larger than life. A real game of cat and mouse, Ghosts will even give rise to a franchisean element specific to the superhero film.
And you, what is your favorite French superhero film?
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