Overview
A half-vampire, half-mortal man becomes a protector of the mortal race, using his vampire powers to fight against the vampiric world using enhanced abilities and a mighty sword.
Released in 1998, Blade was directed by Stephen Norrington and produced under the New Line Cinema banner. The film occupies a significant place within the Independent — telling a self-contained story outside of shared-continuity superhero franchises.
The film features lead performances from Wesley Snipes, Stephen Dorff, Kris Kristofferson, anchoring a story that adapts characters first brought to life in Marvel Comics. Its source material gives the film a foundation rooted in decades of published storytelling, which Norrington and the creative team interpret through a cinematic lens.
Its 7.1 rating reflects a film that divided audiences — appreciated for its ambition and spectacle by some, criticized for pacing and execution by others. Its place in the genre remains a frequent discussion point.
Principal Cast
Trivia & Facts
Blade released in 1998, placing it within the 1990s era of comic book cinema — a decade that experimented with tone and visual effects, paving the way for the modern era.
Directed by Stephen Norrington, the film was produced by New Line Cinema and adapts source material from Marvel Comics.
The principal cast features Wesley Snipes and Stephen Dorff, with key supporting roles played by Kris Kristofferson.
The film belongs to Independent — an independent / standalone production, not tied to a shared cinematic universe.
Blade carries an audience rating of 7.1 — putting it in the solid-to-excellent tier of the genre.
The Marvel Comics source material for Blade has been in continuous publication for decades, giving filmmakers a rich well of storylines, character arcs, and iconography to draw upon.
Earlier comic book films relied heavily on physical sets, miniatures, and in-camera effects — the VFX approach modern audiences take for granted had not yet matured.
Blade is catalogued on Movies on Comics among our collection of 163 comic book films spanning 48 years of cinema — from Richard Donner's 1978 Superman to the present day.