Hellboy

Critics Consensus

With wit, humor and Guillermo del Toro's fantastic visuals, the entertaining Hellboy transcends the derivative nature of the genre.

81%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 203

66%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 458,992

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Movie Info

At the end of World War II, the Nazis attempt to open a portal to a paranormal dimension in order to defeat the Allies, but are only able to summon a baby demon who is rescued by Allied forces and dubbed "Hellboy" (Ron Perlman). Sixty years later, Hellboy serves as an agent in the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense, where he, aided by Abe Sapien (Doug Jones), a merman with psychic powers, and Liz Sherman (Selma Blair), a woman with pyrokinesis, protects America against dark forces.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (Sci-Fi Action Violence|Frightening Scenes)
  • Genre:
    fantasy, sci fi, action
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Guillermo del Toro
  • Producer:
    Lawrence Gordon, Lloyd Levin
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $59.0M
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Revolution Studios, Dark Horse Entertainment, Lawrence Gordon Productions
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Flat (1.85:1)

Cast & Crew

Ron Perlman
Hellboy
John Hurt
Professor Bruttenholm
Selma Blair
Liz Sherman
Rupert Evans
John Myers
Karel Roden
Grigori Rasputin
Jeffrey Tambor
Dr. Tom Manning
Doug Jones
Abraham 'Abe' Sapien
Brian Steele
Sammael
Ladislav Beran
Karl Ruprecht Kroenen
Kevin Trainor
Young "Broom"
Guillermo del Toro
Director
Lawrence Gordon
Producer
Lloyd Levin
Producer
Mike Mignola
Associate Producer
Patrick J. Palmer
Executive Producer
Mike Mignola
Writer (Comic Book)
Marco Beltrami
Original Music
Guillermo Navarro
Cinematographer
Peter Amundson
Film Editor
Jeremy Zimmermann
Casting
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News & Interviews for Hellboy

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50 F–k Yeah Moments of Female Empowerment in the Movies
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Critic Reviews for Hellboy

All Critics (203) | Top Critics (50) | Fresh (165) | Rotten (38)

  • 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 | Full Review…

    Bruce Diones

    New Yorker
    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 | Full Review…

    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 | Full Review…

    David Germain

    Associated Press
    Top Critic

  • Del Toro, in love with his source but never overawed by it, keeps things moving; Perlman ties it together with some of the driest witticisms this side of Indiana Jones. Like we said: fun.

    June 24, 2006 | Full Review…
    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • Most effective as a brief window into an era. It captures the bitter aftertaste of a counter-cultural movement gone stale

    September 7, 2004 | Full Review…

    Wendy Ide

    Times (UK)
    Top Critic

  • A richly imaginative comicbook world is unveiled in Hellboy. If only the story was as strong.

    August 3, 2004 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Nev Pierce

    BBC.com
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (203)

Audience Reviews for Hellboy

  • Apr 21, 2013
    A clever adaptation featuring likable characters and over the top action, with a tint of slick humour. Hellboy is a genre defying, fascinating and exciting. It's got a well written script and amazing performance from Hurt, Perlman and Blair, Hellboy is a must see for fans of comic books.
    Sylvester K Super Reviewer
  • Jun 12, 2012
    Hellboy is an exciting and action packed film based on a Dark Horse comic series. The story follows Hellboy, a demon from another dimension, and his team as they combat supernatural threats to mankind. Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, and John Hurt lead the cast and deliver solid performances. And, director Guillermo del Toro does an excellent job at crafting a captivating visual aesthetic that complements the supernatural themes of the Hellboy universe. However, a couple characters and story point misfire. Still, Hellboy is a unique superhero film that's full of action and adventure.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Dec 02, 2011
    Hellboy is an amazing thrill ride. Not only was it great to pick Ron Perlman, it was great to make this movie. The plot was fun, the effects and music were great, and the fish guy was awesome. My only tiff is sometimes the effects were cheesy. But if you can deal with that youll love this movie.
    Bradley W Super Reviewer
  • Nov 30, 2011
    Decent Superhero/action film, Hellboy is a flawed, but nonetheless thrilling ride. Starring Ron Perlman (Whom I don't like, Hellboy does deliver some decent action, but is never anything spectacular. I felt disappointed in this film, and the film had potential to really be a great superhero film, but it never really took off. I thought the film was decent, entertaining and fun, but I felt that this film could have been much better than it turned out to be. This film is disappointing, but it's also a pretty entertaining film. I'm just stating that the film could have been much better. For what it is, this is mindless entertainment and does deliver some entertaining moments. However I don't think it's the film that everyone claims it to be, and del Toro, though an excellent director could have done better. Luckily the sequel to this film was better, and the plot was much more elaborate. There is something missing to this film to really make it a stunning action film. All the necessary ingredients are here, but something doesn't quite fit. The visuals are terrific, and it's the films greatest strength. I just preferred the sequel and thought that this film was average and really I didn't see why the film has gotten so much praise. The film is average entertainment, and I was disappointed because I thought it was going to be phenomenal, unfortunately this is one of those films that I felt was overhyped a bit, and it lacked something to really make it great. Overall a decent action film, never great, but not bad either.
    Alex r Super Reviewer
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