View source for Hellboy (2004 film)


{{Use American English|date=October 2025}}

{{Infobox film
| image          = Hellboy poster.jpg
| alt            = The titular Hellboy is seen with a large gun on his hand and a cross hanging from his belt, in front of the BPRD logo in a cloudy background.
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Guillermo del Toro]]
| screenplay     = Guillermo del Toro
| story          = {{Plainlist|
* Guillermo del Toro
* [[Peter Briggs (screenwriter)|Peter Briggs]]
}}
| based_on       = {{Based on|''[[Hellboy]]''|[[Mike Mignola]]}}
| producer       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Lawrence Gordon (producer)|Lawrence Gordon]]
* [[Mike Richardson (publisher)|Mike Richardson]]
* [[Lloyd Levin]]
}}
| starring       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Ron Perlman]]
* [[Selma Blair]]
* [[Jeffrey Tambor]]
* [[Karel Roden]]
* [[Rupert Evans]]
* [[John Hurt]]
}}
| cinematography = [[Guillermo Navarro]]
| editing        = Peter Amundson
| music          = [[Marco Beltrami]]
| production_companies = {{Plainlist|
* [[Revolution Studios]]<ref name="AFIcatalog">{{cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog - Hellboy |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/63098 |publisher=[[American Film Institute]] |access-date=25 July 2024}}</ref><ref name="tomatoes"/>
* Lawrence Gordon/Lloyd Levin Productions<ref name="tomatoes"/><ref name="variety review">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2004/film/markets-festivals/hellboy-1200534276/|title=Hellboy|author=Joe Leydon|work=Variety|date=March 28, 2004|access-date=June 1, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=June 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602064656/https://variety.com/2004/film/markets-festivals/hellboy-1200534276/}}</ref>
* [[Dark Horse Entertainment]]<ref name="tomatoes"/><ref name="variety review"/>
}}
| distributor    = {{Plainlist|
* [[Columbia Pictures]] (through [[Sony Pictures Releasing]])<ref name="variety review"/>
* Revolution Studios<ref name="variety review"/>
}}
| released       = {{Film date|2004|03|30|[[Mann Village Theater]]|2004|04|02|United States}}
| runtime        = 122 minutes<ref>{{cite web |title=Hellboy |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/hellboy-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0zntq3ote|publisher=[[British Board of Film Classification]] |access-date=April 12, 2016}}</ref>
| country        = United States
| language       = English
| budget         = $60–66 million<ref name="Numbers"/><ref name="Mojo">{{cite Box Office Mojo|id=0167190 |title=Hellboy (2004)|accessdate=July 25, 2023}}</ref>
| gross          = $99.8 million<ref name="Numbers">{{cite the numbers |id=Hellboy |title=Hellboy (2004) |accessdate=July 25, 2023}}</ref>
}}

'''''Hellboy''''' is a 2004 American [[superhero film]]<ref name="RS Best"/><ref name="Variety Best"/> based on the [[Dark Horse Comics]] [[Hellboy|character]], created by [[Mike Mignola]]. Written and directed by [[Guillermo del Toro]], it is the first live-action film in the [[Hellboy (franchise)|''Hellboy'']] franchise. [[Ron Perlman]] stars as the titular character, alongside [[Selma Blair]], [[Jeffrey Tambor]], [[Karel Roden]], [[Rupert Evans]], and [[John Hurt]]. The film draws inspiration from the debut comic ''[[Hellboy: Seed of Destruction]]''. In the film, a charismatic demon-turned-investigator named "Hellboy" works with the secretive [[Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense]] to suppress paranormal threats, when a resurrected sorcerer seeks to make Hellboy fulfill his destiny by triggering the apocalypse.

''Hellboy'' had its premiere at the [[Mann Village Theater]] in Los Angeles on March 30, 2004, and was released in the United States on April 2. The film received generally positive reviews from critics and grossed $99.8 million against a production budget between $60–66 million.

The film was followed by a sequel, ''[[Hellboy II: The Golden Army]]'', in 2008, and two [[reboot (fiction)|reboots]].

==Plot==
In 1944 during [[World War II]], [[Grigori Rasputin (Hellboy)|Grigori Rasputin]], his disciples Ilsa von Haupstein and [[Obersturmbannführer]] [[Karl Ruprecht Kroenen]], and a group of [[Nazis]] build a dimensional portal to free demonic entities called [[Hellboy#Fictional character biography|Ogdru Jahad]] to help them win the war. However, young scientist [[Trevor Bruttenholm|Trevor "Broom" Bruttenholm]] and an Allied strike force interrupt them and destroy the portal, which pulls in Rasputin while Haupstein and Kroenen escape. The Allied team soon discovers an infant demon with a stony right hand had come through the portal and dub him "Hellboy", who Broom adopts as his son.

Sixty years later, the [[eternal youth|eternally youth]]ful Haupstein and Kroenen resurrect Rasputin. Meanwhile, FBI agent John Myers is transferred to the [[Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense]] (BPRD) at Broom's request and assigned to assist the adult Hellboy and an amphibious [[psychic]] humanoid named [[Abe Sapien|Abraham "Abe" Sapien]] before the BPRD are sent to investigate an incident at a museum, where Hellboy battles a creature called [[Samael]]. After defeating it, Hellboy visits former BPRD member [[Liz Sherman]] at a mental hospital, which she committed herself to due to her unstable [[Pyrokinesis|pyrokinetic]] abilities. Concurrently, Abe learns that Samael was resurrected by Rasputin, who imbued it with the power to lay eggs that allow it to reincarnate and split its essence every time it dies.

Concluding Samael made a nest in the sewer where Hellboy defeated it, Hellboy, Abe, and several FBI agents work to destroy them. However, Hellboy breaks off to pursue Kroenen, Abe is injured after locating the nest, and Kroenen kills most of the agents before shutting down his cyborg body to trick the BPRD into recovering him. As Hellboy is reprimanded by FBI director [[Tom Manning (comics)|Tom Manning]], Rasputin secretly manipulates Liz into returning to the BRPD. Discovering Myers taking Liz out for coffee, a jealous Hellboy covertly follows them, leaving the BPRD defenseless. Kroenen reanimates himself, allowing Rasputin to infiltrate the base and confront Broom. Rasputin reveals he intends to use Hellboy to destroy the world, but Broom asserts Hellboy will always be his son. Respecting Broom for raising Hellboy, Rasputin orders Kroenen to kill Broom quickly.

Manning takes over the BPRD and leads a group in locating Rasputin's mausoleum, but everyone gets separated. As Hellboy and Manning locate and kill Kroenen, Liz and Myers find Samael's new nest. Hellboy reunites with them, but is overwhelmed by the creatures until Liz incinerates them and the nest, unwittingly allowing Rasputin and Haupstein to capture her, Hellboy, and Myers. Rasputin absorbs Liz's soul to force Hellboy to reopen the portal and release the Ogdru Jahad in exchange for returning it. Myers frees himself, subdues Haupstein, and reminds Hellboy that he can defy his destiny. Remembering his true self and what Broom brought him up to be, Hellboy reseals the Ogdru Jahad and mortally wounds Rasputin. Nonetheless, Rasputin expels a spawn of the Ogdru Jahad called the Behemoth, which kills him and Haupstein. Undeterred, Hellboy allows the monster to eat him and detonates a grenade belt inside it, killing it. Afterward, he revives Liz and shares a kiss with her.

==Cast==
<!--- [[WP:NOTDATABASE]] - cast and order per Main Cast closing tombstone stand-alone credits, roles per closing credits scroll --->
{{Cast listing|
* [[Ron Perlman]] as [[Hellboy]]
* [[Selma Blair]] as [[Liz Sherman]]
* [[Jeffrey Tambor]] as [[Tom Manning (character)|Tom Manning]]
* [[Karel Roden]] as [[Grigori Rasputin (Hellboy)|Grigori Rasputin]]
* [[Rupert Evans]] as John Myers
* [[Brian Steele]] as [[Samael|Sammael]]
* [[Doug Jones (actor)|Doug Jones]] as [[Abe Sapien]]
* [[John Hurt]] as [[Trevor Bruttenholm|Trevor "Broom" Bruttenholm]]
** [[Kevin Trainor]] as young Bruttenholm
}}

In addition, [[Ladislav Beran]] plays [[Karl Ruprecht Kroenen]], [[Bridget Hodson]] appears as Ilsa Haupstein, [[William Hoyland]] as [[Project Ragna Rok#Klaus Werner von Krupt|Klaus Werner von Krupt]] and [[Corey Johnson (actor)|Corey Johnson]] (credited as John William Johnson) as Agent Clay, while [[David Hyde Pierce]], in an uncredited role, provides the voice of Abe Sapien.

==Production==
===Development===
{{quote box|quote="The movie becomes a story of two fathers with a single son. He [Hellboy] has one father in Broom, and another father in Rasputin. It's a very graphic way of representing Hellboy's conflict."| source= —Del Toro on the film's central theme.{{sfn|Del Toro|2019|loc=12:48}}|align=right|width=30em}}

Initially, ''[[Batman: The Animated Series]]'' director [[Kevin Altieri]] was pursuing an animated adaptation of ''Hellboy'' and had meetings with [[Mike Mignola]] and [[Dark Horse Comics]] that ultimately didn't lead to anything, but after failing to gain any traction instead opted to shift focus to an adaptation of ''[[Gen¹³ (film)|Gen¹³]]''.<ref name="AltieriSR">{{cite news |title=Batman: The Animated Series Legend Kevin Altieri Talks TV, Comics & More|url=https://screenrant.com/batman-animated-series-interview-kevin-altieri/|work=Screen Rant|access-date=August 15, 2025|archive-date= August 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824155925/https://screenrant.com/batman-animated-series-interview-kevin-altieri/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Guillermo del Toro]] and [[Hellboy]] creator Mike Mignola envisioned the film as a [[Ray Harryhausen]] film.{{sfn|Del Toro|2019|loc=01:00:02}} The film was shopped and rejected by various studios for years due to studios disliking the title, script and the fact that [[Ron Perlman]] was cast as Hellboy.{{sfn|Del Toro|2019|loc=29:36}}{{sfn|Del Toro|2019|loc=29:50}} Harryhausen was invited by Del Toro to teach the film's animators what made his effects techniques unique but declined, feeling that modern films were too violent.{{sfn|Del Toro|2019|loc=01:01:38}}

===Writing===
The film is loosely based on the debut comic ''[[Hellboy: Seed of Destruction]]''.<ref name="Mitchell"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/hellboy-mike-mignola-guillermo-del-toro-2004-movie-anniversary/|title=Hellboy Creator Thanks Guillermo Del Toro For Fighting To Get Film Made|first=Katja|last=Richardson|work=[[Screen Rant]]|date=April 4, 2021|access-date=March 4, 2023|url-status=live|archive-date=March 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304232252/https://screenrant.com/hellboy-mike-mignola-guillermo-del-toro-2004-movie-anniversary/}}</ref> While writing the script, Del Toro researched occult [[Nazism|Nazi]] philosophies and used them as a reference for the film's opening scene.{{sfn|Del Toro|2019|loc=04:14}} In an early version of the script, the gyroscope portal was described as being made out of rails that formed into pentagrams, hexagrams and inverted stars to illustrate the film's magic and occult elements.{{sfn|Del Toro|2019|loc=06:57}} Del Toro chose to alter the origin from the comic to give main characters interconnected origins.{{sfn|Del Toro|2019|loc=07:58}}

Labyrinths became a motif for the film to represent Hellboy's conflict of "choosing the right path".{{sfn|Del Toro|2019|loc=14:44}} This was reflected in the film's opening titles. Del Toro felt that labyrinths represent the film's themes regarding "choices and taking different turns and choosing different destinies," Del Toro stated, "A labyrinth, it is said, is not a place to be lost, but a place to find yourself".{{sfn|Del Toro|2019|loc=13:37}} Del Toro chose to add context to the BPRD logo by rooting the film's version in Catholic mythology by adding archangels in Broom's office.{{sfn|Del Toro|2019|loc=21:27}} Del Toro wrote Hellboy's dialogue with Perlman in mind for the role, prior to casting him.{{sfn|Del Toro|2019|loc=33:35}} Del Toro noted that he tried to emulate [[Jack Kirby]] and Harryhausen's action style for the film's action scenes.{{sfn|Del Toro|2019|loc=38:57}}{{sfn|Del Toro|2019|loc=01:01:05}}

Hellboy's gun was given the name "Samaritan" for the film to illustrate the BPRD's techno-magic.{{sfn|Del Toro|2019|loc=51:34}} Del Toro approached the love story with a reverse "[[Beauty and the Beast]]" approach, stating, "I wanted the beauty to turn into a beast in the end to fully assume her mortal gifts... and when she accepts herself for what she is, a monster, then she can love the monster [Hellboy]".{{sfn|Del Toro|2019|loc=01:16:26}} The idea of Hellboy spying on [[Liz Sherman]] and John Myers was originally written for a separate script titled ''Meat Market, A Love Story''.{{sfn|Del Toro|2019|loc=01:18:58}} While Professor [[Trevor Bruttenholm|Trevor "Broom" Bruttenholm]]'s death happened early in the comics, del Toro wished to delay it to have audiences become attached to the character and "make it painful to lose that character".{{sfn|Del Toro|2019|loc=01:26:21}}

===Pre-production===
Aside from working with Perlman before, Del Toro chose him for the title role because he felt Perlman could deliver subtlety and nuance with makeup.{{sfn|Del Toro|2019|loc=33:42}} [[Vin Diesel]] was linked to the role when the film was being proposed at [[Universal Pictures]],<ref>{{cite news |author=Kristi Turnquist |title=Comics Central |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/living/index.ssf?/living/oregonian/lv_31comix29.frame |work=The Oregonian |date=May 29, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010617230042/https://www.oregonlive.com/living/index.ssf?/living/oregonian/lv_31comix29.frame |archive-date=2001-06-17 }}</ref> and [[Jeremy Renner]] was offered the "title role" but turned it down due to having no attachment to the source material.<ref>{{cite web |date=17 November 2021 |author1=Alex Bhattacharji |title=To Find Peace, Jeremy Renner Must Face His Fears |website=[[Men's Health]] |url=https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a38188420/jeremy-renner-mayor-of-kingstown-hawkeye-interview/ }}</ref> Del Toro assigned his real life friend, Santiago Segura, to play the train driver who assaults Hellboy.{{sfn|Del Toro|2019|loc=37:11}} [[David Hyde Pierce]] was hired to provide the voice for Abe Sapien due to Pierce being a "bigger name" and having a "more recognizable sound". Pierce refused to take credit, perform press tours or attend the premiere out of respect for [[Doug Jones (actor)|Doug Jones]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/behind-abes-big-fish-eyes-io9-talks-to-hellboy-iis-dou-5024110|title=Behind Abe's Big Fish Eyes: io9 Talks To Hellboy II's Doug Jones|author=Meredith Woerner|work=Gizmodo|date=July 11, 2008|access-date=March 2, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=March 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302153236/https://io9.gizmodo.com/behind-abes-big-fish-eyes-io9-talks-to-hellboy-iis-dou-5024110}}</ref>

===Filming===
The film was shot 6 days a week for 130 days, Mondays through Saturdays without a second unit in 2003. Sundays were reserved for editing.{{sfn|Sony|2019|loc=05:11}} Del Toro noted that the film could have commenced filming in 1998, however, the film had difficulty finding a committed studio due to the stigma Hollywood associated superhero and comic book films with, at the time.{{sfn|Del Toro|2019|loc=22:27}} The action scenes were staged after Harryhausen films with little to no camera movement using wide shots.{{sfn|Del Toro|2019|loc=01:01:25}} The cemetery sequence was filmed in a real cemetery in Prague.{{sfn|Del Toro|2019|loc=01:36:46}}

==Soundtrack==
{{Further|Hellboy (2004 soundtrack)}}
''Hellboy''{{'}}s film score was composed by [[Marco Beltrami]], conducted by Pete Anthony and Beltrami, and performed by the Skywalker Symphony Orchestra.<ref name="Soundtrack">{{cite web|url=https://www.soundtrack.net/album/hellboy/|title=Hellboy Soundtrack (2004)|publisher=Soundtrack.net|access-date=April 15, 2019}}</ref>

==Release==
===Theatrical===
{{Anchor|Box office}}
''Hellboy'' had its [[Film premiere|world premiere]] at the Mann Village Theater in [[Westwood, Los Angeles, California]] on March 30, 2004,<ref name="Schneider">{{cite news|last=Schneider |first=Sue |title=Seeing red (carpet) at the premiere of ''Hellboy'' |work=Cinescape |date=April 5, 2004 |url=http://www.mania.com/seeing-red-carpet-premiere-hellboy_article_41201.html |access-date=2008-07-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080721015614/http://www.mania.com/seeing-red-carpet-premiere-hellboy_article_41201.html |archive-date=July 21, 2008 }}</ref> and subsequently opened in wide release on April 2, where it grossed [[USD]] $23.1 million in 3,028 theaters on its opening weekend. It went on to gross $59.7 million in North America and $40.2 million in the rest of the world for a worldwide total of $99.8 million against a budget of $66 million.<ref name="Numbers"/> [[Mike Mignola]], the original creator of the Hellboy character, has stated that he was "very happy" with the ''Hellboy'' films.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/213k4i/i_am_mike_mignola_and_i_created_hellboy_twenty/cg99ehe|title=I Am Mike Mignola and I created HELLBOY twenty years ago today. AMA • r/IAmA|website=reddit|date=March 22, 2014 |access-date=27 March 2018}}</ref> Some theaters refused to host the film due to the word "hell" being used in the title. Certain theaters in the South marketed the film as "Helloboy," to avoid perceptions of sacrilege with the then-release of ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]''.{{sfn|Del Toro|2019|loc=27:51}} The film was dropped from certain theaters during Easter, despite still playing nationwide.{{sfn|Del Toro|2019|loc=28:10}} Certain toy chains also refused to carry the film's products due to the word "hell" in the title.{{sfn|Del Toro|2019|loc=28:18}} Del Toro noted that the following scene after a rock hits the screen was carelessly removed by projectionists in American theaters. He deduced that projectionists believed the reel had ended.{{sfn|Del Toro|2019|loc=01:49:11}}

In Malaysia, the film was retitled "Super Sapiens" for local theatre release due to the same issues regarding the title "Hellboy".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hon |first1=Beverly |title=Those old familiar faces |url=http://star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2004/1/2/movies/7004821&sec=movies |website=thestar.com.my |publisher=Star Publication (Malaysia) Berhad |access-date=23 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040126220332/http://star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2004/1/2/movies/7004821&sec=movies |archive-date=26 January 2004 |date=2 January 2004}}</ref>

===Home media===
{{Anchor|DVD|Video}} 
''Hellboy'' was released on [[DVD]] in a two-disc special-edition version on July 27, 2004, less than sixteen weeks after it opened in theaters. Included were video introductions by Del Toro and Selma Blair, plus a feature that allowed viewers to click during selected parts of the film to comics drawn by Mike Mignola. Other bonus features include two audio commentaries, one by Del Toro and Mignola; and the other by Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Jeffrey Tambor, and Rupert Evans, which was recorded on April 12, 2004.<ref>DVD Cast and Crew Commentary</ref> The special features also include visits to the "Right Hand of Doom" set and a two-hour documentary.<ref name="Hettrick">{{cite news | last = Hettrick | first = Scott | title = ''Hellboy'' takes quick route to DVD | work = Variety | date = May 31, 2004 | url = https://variety.com/2004/digital/features/hellboy-takes-quick-route-to-dvd-1117905768/ | access-date = 2008-07-08 }}</ref> Another addition was four theatrical animated [[United Productions of America|UPA]] shorts; [[Gerald McBoing-Boing]] (1950), How Now Boing Boing (1954), Gerald McBoing! Boing! on Planet Moo (1956) and [[The Tell-Tale Heart (1953 American film)|The Tell-Tale Heart]] (1953).<ref>[https://www.awn.com/news/hellboy-dvd-features-mcboing-boing-shorts Hellboy DVD Features McBoing Boing Shorts]</ref> This DVD topped the Nielsen VideoScan's First Alert DVD sales chart and the Video Store magazine's list of top rentals for the week ending August 1, 2004, registering a total of more than a half-million units in sales.<ref name="Rose">{{cite news 
| date = August 5, 2004 
| last = Rose | first = Marla Matzer 
| title = ''Hellboy'' burns way to top of rental chart 
| url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000593777 
| work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] 
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070914170728/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000593777 
| archive-date = 2007-09-14
| url-status= dead
| access-date = 2008-07-09 
}} 
</ref>

A three-disc unrated [[director's cut]] DVD set was released on October 19, 2004. In addition to all of the features of the original two-disc set, with the exception of a new director's commentary replacing the old one, new features included Del Toro introducing 20 minutes of additional and extended scenes, a composer commentary with isolated score replacing the cast commentary, a Cast Video Commentary with Perlman, Blair, Tambor and Rupert Evans, multiple production workshop featurettes, a Comic Con 2002 Panel Discussion with Del Toro, Perlman and Mignola, and A Quick Guide to Understanding Comics with Scott McCloud.<ref name="Arnold">{{cite news 
| date = July 26, 2004 
| last = Arnold | first = Thomas K 
| title = Studios big on double features 
| url = https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2004-07-26-expanded-dvds_x.htm 
| work = USA Today 
| access-date = 2008-07-09 
}} 
</ref>

A high-definition [[Blu-ray]] version of the director's cut was released on June 5, 2007. It contains most of the same content as the DVD set, but is missing a few features such as the video commentary and the composer commentary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/797/hellboy.html |title=Blu-ray Review: Hellboy &#124; High-Def Digest |publisher=Bluray.highdefdigest.com |access-date=2011-02-09}}</ref> An [[Ultra HD Blu-ray]] version was released on October 15, 2019, with many of the remaining bonus features from the 3-disc reinstated and both cuts remastered in [[4K resolution]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Hellboy 15th Anniversary 4K Blu-ray |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=25553 |access-date=October 26, 2019 |work=Blu-ray.com |date=August 12, 2019}}</ref>

==Reception==
===Critical response===
{{Anchor|Critics}}
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film holds an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} based on {{RT data|count}} reviews with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The site's critical consensus reads, "With wit, humor and Guillermo del Toro's fantastic visuals, the entertaining ''Hellboy'' transcends the derivative nature of the genre."<ref name="tomatoes">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hellboy|title=''Hellboy''|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]]|access-date={{RT data|access date}}}}{{RT data|edit}}</ref> [[Metacritic]] assigned the film a weighted average score of 72 out of 100, based on 37 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.<ref>{{Metacritic film|title=Hellboy}} {{Retrieved|access-date = 2010-05-25 }}</ref> Audiences surveyed by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film a grade "B−" on scale of A to F.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |title= Cinemascore |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181220122629/https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |archive-date= 2018-12-20 |access-date= August 17, 2020}}</ref>

''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' gave the film a "B" rating and wrote, "Pop pretensions can't undo a basic contradiction: that our hero is fighting ''metaphysical'' evil with pure, meaty brawn. ''Hellboy'' is engaging, but it's got a lot more boy in it than hell".<ref name="Gleiberman">{{cite magazine | last = Gleiberman | first = Owen | title = ''Hellboy'' | magazine = [[Entertainment Weekly]] | publisher = [[Time Inc.]] | date = March 31, 2004 | url = https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,604966,00.html | access-date = August 17, 2020 | archive-date = September 26, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120926110303/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,604966,00.html | url-status = dead }}</ref> In his review for ''[[The New York Times]]'', Elvis Mitchell wrote, "Mr. del Toro avidly lavishes this texture on ''Hellboy'' ... giving it a kiss of distinction. It's an elegant haunted house of a picture with dread and yearning part of the eeriness".<ref name="Mitchell">{{cite news | last = Mitchell | first = Elvis | title = Horror Comic at the Core, With a Soulful Sweetness | work = [[New York Times]] | date = April 2, 2004 | url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E01EED61539F931A35757C0A9629C8B63&scp=5&sq=%22Hellboy%22&st=nyt | access-date =August 17, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=March 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304233124/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/02/movies/film-review-horror-comic-at-the-core-with-a-soulful-sweetness.html}}</ref> [[Roger Ebert]] gave the film three and half stars out of four and praised Ron Perlman's performance: "And in Ron Perlman, it has found an actor who is not just playing a superhero, but enjoying it ... he chomps his cigar, twitches his tail and battles his demons with something approaching glee. You can see an actor in the process of making an impossible character really work".<ref name="Ebert">{{cite news | date = April 2, 2004 | last = Ebert | first = Roger | author-link = Roger Ebert | title = ''Hellboy'' | work = [[Chicago Sun-Times]] | url = https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/hellboy-2004 | access-date = July 8, 2008}} {{Rating|3.5|4}}</ref> The film also received good reviews in the British press – for example, Peter Bradshaw from ''[[The Guardian]]'' commented amusedly on the unhistoricity of the Nazis invading Britain in the initial sequence but overall called the film "bizarre and loopy, romantic and dynamic".<ref>{{cite news |date=27 August 2004 |first=Peter |last=Bradshaw |title=Hellboy – review |url= https://www.theguardian.com/film/2004/aug/27/john-hurt |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=2010-03-21 }}{{Rating|4|5}}</ref> Claudia Puig ''[[USA Today]]'' was less enthusiastic and wrote, "''Hellboy''{{'}}s special effects don't offer much of anything new, its far-fetched plot leaves a bit to be desired, and there is plenty that flat-out doesn't make sense. Those unfamiliar with the comic book may leave the theater bedeviled and scratching their heads".<ref name="Puig">{{cite news | last = Puig | first = Claudia | title = ''Hellboy'' digs down a little too deep | work = [[USA Today]] | date = April 1, 2004 | url = https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2004-04-01-hellboy_x.htm | access-date =August 17, 2020}}</ref>

In 2022, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' and ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' named the film one of the best superhero films of all times.<ref name="RS Best">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-lists/greatest-superhero-movies-of-all-time-1367814/zack-snyders-justice-league-1368106/|title=50 Greatest Superhero Movies of All Time|first1=David|last1=Fear|first2=Brian|last2=Hiatt|first3=Alan|last3=Sepinwall|first4=Mosi|last4=Reeves|first5=Joe|last5=Gross|first6=Stephen|last6=Garrett|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=June 29, 2022|access-date=March 4, 2023|url-status=live|archive-date=March 4, 2023|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20230304170300/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-lists/greatest-superhero-movies-of-all-time-1367814/zack-snyders-justice-league-1368106/}}</ref><ref name="Variety Best">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/lists/best-superhero-movies-performances-ranked/|title=50 Best Superhero Movie Performances of the Last 50 Years, From Ben Affleck to Zendaya|first=Clayton|last=Davis|work=Variety|date=July 19, 2022|access-date=March 4, 2023|url-status=live|archive-date=March 4, 2023|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20230304170351/https://variety.com/lists/best-superhero-movies-performances-ranked/}}</ref>

===Accolades===
{{Anchor|Awards}} 
''Hellboy'' was nominated for four [[Saturn Award]]s in 2005, including Best Fantasy Film, Best Special Edition DVD Release, and Best Make-Up, which it won.<ref name="Walton">{{cite news | last = Walton | first = Alice M | title = Spidey swings to Saturn victory | work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date = May 4, 2005 | url = https://variety.com/2005/film/awards/spidey-swings-to-saturn-victory-1117922134/ | access-date = 2008-07-08 }}</ref> The film was also nominated for a [[Visual Effects Society|Visual Effects Society Award]] in the category of "Outstanding Performance by an Animated Character in a Live Action Motion Picture."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.visualeffectssociety.com/ayear/3rd-annual-ves-awards|title=3rd Annual VES Awards|work=Visual Effects Society|access-date=December 19, 2017}}</ref> In 2007, Rotten Tomatoes declared ''Hellboy'' to be the 13th best-reviewed comic book film adaptation, out of 94 total.<ref name="Giles">{{cite news|last=Giles |first=Jeff |title=Comix Worst to Best |work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |publisher=[[Flixster]] |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/features/special/2007/comic/ |access-date=2008-02-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080203095331/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/features/special/2007/comic/ |archive-date=2008-02-03 }}</ref> In 2008, ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' magazine ranked ''Hellboy'' 11th in their list of "The 20 Greatest Comic Book Movies".<ref name="Empire20">{{cite news | title = The 20 Greatest Comic Book Movies | work = [[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] | url = https://www.empireonline.com/features/comicbookfilms/default.asp#comicbookfilms | access-date = 2008-09-30 }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of films featuring eclipses]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
* {{cite AV media|first=Guillermo|last=Del Toro|title=Hellboy (2004) Director's Cut - Audio Commentary|type=[[Ultra HD Blu-ray]]|publisher=Sony|year=2019}}
* {{cite AV media|last=Sony|title=To Hell and Back Retrospective|type=Ultra HD Blu-ray|publisher=Sony|year=2019}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}

* {{Official website}}
* {{IMDb title}}

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[[Category:2000s superhero films]]
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[[Category:Films scored by Marco Beltrami]]
[[Category:Films directed by Guillermo del Toro]]
[[Category:Films set in 1944]]
[[Category:Films set in 2004]]
[[Category:Films set in Moldova]]
[[Category:Films set in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Films set in psychiatric hospitals]]
[[Category:Films set in Russia]]
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[[Category:Films shot in the Czech Republic]]
[[Category:Films produced by Lawrence Gordon]]
[[Category:Films produced by Lloyd Levin]]
[[Category:American monster movies]]
[[Category:2000s monster movies]]
[[Category:Films about parallel universes]]
[[Category:Revolution Studios films]]
[[Category:Live-action films based on comics]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Guillermo del Toro]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Grigori Rasputin]]
[[Category:Films about Nazis]]
[[Category:Films about the Federal Bureau of Investigation]]
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[[Category:Hellboy films]]
[[Category:Saturn Award–winning films]]
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[[Category:2004 American films]]

{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=Hellboy (2004 film)|access_date=2026-03-03}}