Overview
A demon with a heart of gold battles dark forces to protect humanity.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- witty
- irreverent
- gothic
- comic book movie night
- fantasy marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film entertaining and distinctive, praising its wit, Ron Perlman's performance, and Guillermo del Toro's imaginative visuals despite a derivative and occasionally overstuffed story.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Hellboy is a half-demonic figure who protects humans while struggling with his identity and public rejection.
The Bureau of Paranormal Research functions as both a covert government operation and Hellboy's surrogate family.
Del Toro emphasizes demons, occult laboratories, elaborate monsters, and haunted architectural spaces.
Rasputin and the returning Nazi occultists frame Hellboy's demonic origin as a potential instrument of apocalypse.
Films like Hellboy, and why
Blade II
Shares comic book mythology, supernatural action, witty outsider heroism, and visually elaborate monster design.
Constantine
Combines paranormal investigation, occult threats, comic book spectacle, and a charismatic antihero with dark humor.
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
Blends superhero adventure with gothic fantasy, demonic mythology, and stylized creature effects.
Van Helsing
Pairs occult horror, historical conspiracy, and imaginative production design with irreverent action-comedy.
Movie Details
- Director
- Guillermo del Toro
- Release Date
- 2004-04-02
- Runtime
- 122 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (7643)
Cast
- Ron Perlman
- Selma Blair
- Doug Jones
- John Hurt
- Rupert Evans
- Jeffrey Tambor
- Ladislav Beran
- Bridget Hodson
- Karel Roden
- Brian Steele
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Hellboy about?
- A cigar-chomping demon raised by humans battles occult Nazis and multiplying monsters while deciding what kind of hero he wants to be.
- What is Hellboy like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Hellboy as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Hellboy violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Hellboy as moderate.
- What did critics think of Hellboy?
- Critics broadly found the film entertaining and distinctive, praising its wit, Ron Perlman's performance, and Guillermo del Toro's imaginative visuals despite a derivative and occasionally overstuffed story.
- Which films are like Hellboy?
- Films with a similar feel include Blade II, Constantine, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and Van Helsing.
- How long is Hellboy?
- Hellboy runs 122 minutes.
- Where can I watch Hellboy?
- In United States, Hellboy is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex.
