Most superhero films take place in today’s world, but some of the genre’s most memorable entries use historical settings as more than just window dressing. These period-set superhero flicks leverage their eras to create unique challenges, vibes, and themes that just couldn’t exist in modern times. From World Wars to the gritty ’80s, these films show how superheroes can shine a light on different moments in history.
The Rocketeer
Set against the glamorous backdrop of 1930s Hollywood, The Rocketeer nails the art deco aesthetic and pre-war tension of the era. This 1991 gem follows stunt pilot Cliff Secord, who stumbles upon a jet pack that transforms him into the titular hero, all while tangling with Nazi spies on American soil. The period setting makes possible the film’s perfect blend of classic adventure serials, Howard Hughes-inspired aviation, and pre-WWII espionage. The movie’s loving attention to 1930s details, from the sharp fashions to the classic cars to the stunning architecture, creates an atmosphere that makes the fantastical elements feel surprisingly grounded. Though it tanked at the box office, The Rocketeer has since gained a devoted cult following for capturing the spirit of a bygone era so perfectly.
Captain America: The First Avenger
Marvel’s Captain America: The First Avenger stands out from the MCU pack precisely because of its World War II setting. The 1940s backdrop isn’t just for show in this movie, it’s central to Steve Rogers’ origin story and character. The film gives us a slightly stylized version of WWII that mixes historical authenticity with sci-fi elements like HYDRA’s crazy advanced weapons and the super-soldier program. This period framing sets up Rogers as a man completely out of time when he eventually reaches the present day, creating the fish-out-of-water tension that defines his character throughout the MCU. The propaganda shows, war bond drives, and gritty battlefield sequences root the superhero story in actual history, making Steve’s journey from scrawny volunteer to symbol of hope feel connected to genuine wartime heroism.
Wonder Woman
Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman yanks Diana from her timeless paradise island straight into the brutal reality of World War I. The 1918 setting isn’t just a random choice; it’s crucial to the story, as Diana confronts the disillusionment of “the war to end all wars” while stubbornly holding onto her belief in humanity’s goodness. The period lets the film explore feminist themes through Diana’s encounters with early 20th-century gender restrictions (“You mean women aren’t allowed to vote?”), while the war’s pointless violence provides the perfect contrast to her idealistic worldview. From the mud-soaked trenches of No Man’s Land to London’s suffragette-era society, the historical setting delivers both spectacular action sequences and pointed social commentary that wouldn’t land nearly as well in modern times.
X-Men: First Class
By dropping X-Men: First Class right in the middle of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, director Matthew Vaughn cleverly weaves the mutant conflict into one of history’s most nail-biting nuclear standoffs. The ’60s setting perfectly frames the budding friendship between Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr against Cold War paranoia about the “other.” The film’s mod style and Kennedy-era political tensions not only look fantastic on screen but thematically underscore how mutant persecution mirrors real-world civil rights struggles happening at that very moment. What’s cool is how the film suggests mutants were secretly pulling strings during pivotal historical events, creating an alternate history where the X-Men prevent nuclear war during the missile crisis while staying hidden from public knowledge.
The Shadow
Though it bombed at the box office, 1994’s The Shadow fully embraces its Depression-era setting to craft a moody, atmospheric superhero noir. Set in 1930s New York, the film follows Lamont Cranston, a reformed criminal who uses his psychic “power to cloud men’s minds” to fight evil as his shadowy alter ego. The period setting perfectly fits the pulp character’s origins, allowing for gorgeous art deco skylines, vintage cars, and old-school radio technology that give the film its distinct visual punch. Director Russell Mulcahy lovingly recreates the look and feel of 1930s crime thrillers, from the inky black shadows to the jazzy score. The historical context also lets the film explore themes of redemption against the backdrop of a society picking itself up after economic collapse.
Watchmen
Zack Snyder’s adaptation of Watchmen creates an alternative 1985 where costumed vigilantes have completely rewritten American history. The film’s Cold War setting, with its constant nuclear anxiety and Nixon somehow serving a fifth term, isn’t just background. The period setting is essential to the story’s deconstruction of superhero myths. The ever-present fear of nuclear annihilation drives the plot forward, while the ’80s aesthetic, from the music to the chunky technology to the questionable fashion choices, creates a distinctly retro visual palette. By setting the story in this twisted version of the past, the film imagines how superheroes might have altered major historical events from Vietnam to Watergate, building a complex alternate timeline that comments on real American history while preserving the graphic novel’s Cold War paranoia.
Dick Tracy
Warren Beatty’s Dick Tracy drops viewers into a hyper-stylized version of 1930s Chicago that looks like comic strips come to life. The film’s period setting enables its bold visual approach—primary colors pop against urban backdrops while gangsters with exaggerated prosthetic faces square off against the yellow-coated detective. This 1990 adaptation fully commits to its Depression-era crime setting with Tommy guns, sharp-angled fedoras, and sleek art deco architecture that simply wouldn’t work in any other period. The film snagged three Academy Awards for bringing this colorful ’30s aesthetic to life. By going all-in on classic gangster movie tropes while maintaining the comic strip’s vivid visual style, Dick Tracy creates a heightened reality that feels perfectly matched to its square-jawed hero.
Joker
Todd Phillips’ Joker uses a filthy, crumbling 1981 Gotham City as the perfect breeding ground for Arthur Fleck’s spiral into violence and chaos. The film channels the gritty vibe of early Scorsese classics like Taxi Driver, with trash-strewn streets, graffiti-covered subway cars, and a suffocating atmosphere of urban decay that mirrors Fleck’s psychological breakdown. By setting the story during New York’s crime wave years, the film explores how societal collapse and institutional failure can create a villain. The early ’80s period lets the film comment on issues like mental health neglect and growing inequality through a historical lens while avoiding on-the-nose connections to today’s problems. The vintage talk show segments, clunky analog technology, and period-accurate cityscape all help create a convincingly bleak world where the Joker’s nihilistic worldview takes root.
Captain Marvel
Captain Marvel uses its 1990s setting both to stand out from other MCU films and to have some nostalgic fun as Carol Danvers crash-lands into a world of painfully slow dial-up internet, Blockbuster video stores, and questionable grunge fashion. While the ’90s references often serve more as playful Easter eggs than crucial plot elements, they effectively establish the film as a prequel to the larger MCU timeline. The setting allows younger (and two-eyed) versions of Nick Fury and Phil Coulson to appear, explaining the origins of elements that become important later in the chronology. The soundtrack featuring bands like Nirvana and No Doubt amplifies the period vibes, while jokes about loading CD-ROMs and clunky pagers provide laughs that ground the cosmic superhero story in a not-too-distant past that many viewers remember.
The Phantom
The 1996 adaptation of Lee Falk’s comic strip The Phantom leans hard into its 1930s setting to create an adventure straight out of classic pulp serials. With Billy Zane rocking the purple suit, the film mixes period elements like seaplanes, Tommy guns, and colonial outposts with the character’s exotic jungle backdrop. The era allows for a globe-hopping adventure with art deco flair as The Phantom battles pirates and treasure hunters. While critics weren’t exactly kind when it was released, the film’s period authenticity was praised. From the cool vintage vehicles to the slightly formal dialogue, it helped create a distinct tone that separated it from more modern superhero flicks. The 1930s framing lets the movie embrace its pulpy roots and old-school heroics while adding visual interest through Depression-era fashion and technology.