Superhero movies are often over-the-top spectacles that stretch far beyond the realm of possibility. That’s part of what makes them fun. They’re pure escapism that allows us to use our imaginations, where there’s no limit to what can be accomplished. Of course, some people prefer their movies a little more grounded in reality, which is what made a 2010 superhero flick such a beloved favorite. Now, 15 years later, it’s set to once again entertain fans on a new streaming home.
Released on April 16, 2010, the film in question was based on a comic series that was first published by Marvel through their Icon Comics imprint, before moving to Image Comics a few years later. Often called one of the “most realistic superhero movies ever made” by fans, it focuses on an awkward teenager who sets out to be a real life superhero despite having no powers whatsoever. It may sound like a simple premise, but in the hands of future X-Men director Matthew Vaughn, it was turned into something gloriously violent that became an instant crowd-pleaser.
If you haven’t used your powers of deduction to figure it out, we’re talking about the beloved 2010 superhero movie, Kick-Ass. Laced with profanity, stylized violence, and enough dark humor and comic book flair to please even the staunchest of critics, the film debuted at #1 the weekend it was released, and rightfully so. It flipped the superhero genre on its head, bringing a fresh twist to things that fans were eager to gobble up. It ultimately went on to take in almost $100 million, which was enough to earn it a sequel in 2013. Check out the synopsis for Kick-Ass below:
“Using his love for comics as inspiration, teenager Dave Lizewski (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) decides to reinvent himself as a superhero – despite a complete lack of special powers. Dave dons a costume, dubs himself ‘Kick-Ass,’ and gets to work fighting crime. He joins forces with the father/daughter vigilante team of Big Daddy and Hit-Girl, then befriends another fledgling crime-fighter called Red Mist (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), but a scheming mobster soon puts their alliance to the test.”
‘Kick-Ass’ Is Still Just as Fun as It Was in 2010
Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Chloë Grace Moretz in Kick-AssLionsgate
Despite being 15 years old, Kick-Ass is still a fun watch in 2025 thanks to a number of factors. At the heart of the movie is simply a kid wanting to do good in the world, and his underdog story makes him a pleasure to root for. Aaron Taylor-Johnson made it easy for audiences to fall in love with his quirky, offbeat superhero, and Chloë Grace Moretz’s performance as Hit-Girl was second to none. Dare we say, she stole the show in this one. It’s just too bad the sequel wasn’t as good.
While it might feel dated in some respects thanks to references to things like MySpace, don’t let that scare you away. Kick-Ass is a fun, relatable, and joyous love letter to our favorite superhero movies that also features Nicolas Cage in one of his best roles as Big Daddy. Be sure to add it to your watchlist, and look for Kick-Ass to begin streaming on Peacock beginning November 1, 2025.
Release Date
March 22, 2010
Runtime
117 minutes
Sequel(s)
Kick-Ass 2
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