EVERY THE CROW MOVIE AND TV SHOW, RANKED

As The Crow returns to theaters and the series is reborn after nearly two decades, audiences may wonder how the new installment compares to the previous films. Starting as a cult classic, it's remarkable to see how far The Crow series has come and the enduring legacy of its many adaptations. With each film or TV series offering a unique perspective on the classic revenge story, this guide aims to chronicle these various adaptations and perhaps even resurrect a few from the depths of obscurity.

Originally published by Caliber Comics in 1988, The Crow was the creation of James O'Barr. The comic quickly found its place as a cult classic, leading to a successful movie adaptation in 1994. The film became wildly popular, solidifying The Crow as a cultural touchstone for comic book movies. Since then, The Crow has evolved into a full-fledged phenomenon, with countless comics continuing O'Barr's work, multiple adaptations across different media, and enough branded merchandise to fill Hot Topic stores worldwide. The legacy of The Crow lives on, continually embraced by its devoted fans.

The Crow Reboot Was Dead Set on a Revival

The Crow (2024)

• Star Bill Skarsgrd reported to Esquire that 2024's The Crow had its ending rewritten to set up a sequel more easily.

After being stuck in Development Hell and cycling through multiple leads, the 2024 reboot of The Crow was finally resurrected when audiences believed the project was dead on arrival. Directed by Rupert Sanders of Ghost in the Shell fame, he emphasized that this movie is not a remake of the 1994 cult classic but rather a reimagining of James O'Barr's original comic. In this retelling, audiences follow the love story of Eric (Bill Skarsgård) and Shelly (FKA Twigs), who meet in a rehabilitation facility. After escaping, Shelly's dark past catches up with her as the demonic Vincent Roeg (Danny Huston) orchestrates their murders. Determined to save Shelly from Hell and bring her back to life, Eric bargains with the mysterious Kronos (Sami Bouajila) to kill those responsible for their deaths. Revived as an undead vigilante, Eric sets out to "put things right," redeem Shelly's past, and ensure Roeg faces his eternal punishment.

Even without the legacy of the '90s cult classic looming over it, the 2024 Crow film is underwhelming. While Bill Skarsgård was an inspired choice for the role and could have shined with a stronger script, the movie struggled to find its footing. Caught between being a revenge-thriller, supernatural horror slasher, superhero movie, or love story, The Crow reboot often settles on the more mundane aspects of each genre. Though there are some standout moments, like the opera house massacre, they are few and far between. Ultimately, audiences and critics alike made it clear they wished 2024's The Crow would have flocked off.

On a Wing and a Wicked Prayer

The Crow: Wicked Prayer (2005)

• Initially, the fourth movie was entitled The Crow: Lazarus and was about a rapper killed in a drive-by shooting.

The mining town of Lake Ravasu on the Raven Aztec Reservation is a toxic waste barrel ready to explode. Racial tensions are escalating, a new casino threatens to put countless miners out of work, and a cult is preparing to usher in the apocalypse. Led by Death (David Boreanaz), the cult sacrifices Lily Ignites The Dawn (Emmanuelle Chriqui) for her eyes as part of a ritual to summon Satan. When Lily's lover, James Cuervo (Edward Furlong), becomes another casualty of her murder, he returns as the Crow, seeking vengeance on Death and his followers as all Hell breaks loose.

When audiences see the text overlay stating that the main villain is "Looking to raise Hell…literally," followed by scenes of him dining on deviled eggs and devil's food cake, they'll know exactly what kind of film they're in for. The Crow: Wicked Prayer is a low-budget, 2000s horror movie that features men gleefully bathing in toxic waste, the Crow using a sharpie to don his iconic makeup, and lines like, "This is Mack Daddy, El Niño, calling you up, man. Quit your basking in the darkness and come up here and hit your pitch." If audiences can overlook the film's problematic elements and switch off their brains for 99 minutes, it becomes an enjoyably bad movie with plenty of riff-worthy material. Otherwise, it's just another Crow sequel that squanders the talents of David Boreanaz, Edward Furlong, Dennis Hopper, and Danny Trejo.

A Tale of Two Cities of Angels

The Crow: City of Angels (1996)

• Musician Iggy Pop had to decline the role of Fun Boy in The Crow but would later play Curve in its sequel.

Like the 2024 reboot, The Crow: City of Angels was plagued by a tumultuous production and development process. As a sequel, The Crow: City of Angels aimed to honor the original film while establishing its own unique identity. Set years after the first movie's events, the story follows a now-grown Sarah Mohr (Mia Kirshner) haunted by visions of death. Now living in Los Angeles, Sarah encounters mechanic Ashe Corven (Vincent Pérez), who, along with his eight-year-old son, was murdered by drug kingpin Judah Earl (Richard Brooks). Seeking vengeance for their wrongful deaths and aided by Sarah, the resurrected Crow embarks on a crusade across Los Angeles to bring down Earl. However, when Judah discovers that Ashe's power comes from his corvid companion, he drinks the bird's blood to steal that power for himself. Now mortal once again, Ashe must confront Judah one last time, hoping to find peace for both himself and his son in the afterlife.

Over the years, many have come to appreciate The Crow: City of Angels, if not for its iconic soundtrack, then for its stylized set design. It is evident from the final product and behind-the-scenes details that The Crow: City of Angels was meant to be a very different film. However, interference from Miramax producers resulted in a story that feels like the mangled remains of something better. While various cuts and fan-edited versions offer glimpses of what could have been, as it stands, The Crow: City of Angels is a somewhat underwhelming sequel that deserves better.

The Crow Returns From Death Row

The Crow: Salvation (2000)

• The third film was originally set to be directed by Rob Zombie and pitched as a futuristic horror movie.

When Alex Corvis (Eric Mabius) is sentenced to death by an electric chair, not everything is as it seems. Wrongly convicted of murdering his girlfriend Lauren (Jodi Lyn O'Keefe), Corvis returns from the grave to uncover the truth and hunt down a man with a distinctive zig-zag-shaped scar who appears to be at the center of it all. Upon meeting Lauren's sister, Erin (Kirsten Dunst), who initially believed him guilty, the two uncover a conspiracy involving corrupt cops, including Erin's own father. Together, they discover that Lauren was murdered to silence her after she found her father's dirty dealings. When Erin is kidnapped and has her mouth sewn shut, Alex is led to the kingpin behind the conspiracy, Captain John L. Book (John Ward). In the end, justice prevails as Corvis and Erin strap Captain Book to the electric chair, executing him for his crimes. With his name cleared, Corvis reunites with Lauren in the afterlife, leaving their spirits in Erin's heart as they rest in peace.

Despite its low budget, The Crow: Salvation is anchored by a strong premise and a talented cast, including Kirsten Dunst of Spider-Man fame and William Atherton from Ghostbusters. Additionally, the film's iconic visuals, such as Corvis' scarred face and Erin's sewn mouth, contribute to its lasting impact. While it may not be a perfect supernatural crime-thriller, The Crow: Salvation is a hidden gem for those willing to give it a chance.

The Crow Takes Off as a TV Series

The Crow: Stairway to Heaven (1998-1999)

• The Crow: Stairway to Heaven introduced Snakes, undead enemies of the Crows who were unjustly slain.

The Crow: Stairway to Heaven, the only TV series based on The Crow, offers a fresh take on the original film's story. While Eric Draven (Mark Dacascos) is still driven to avenge his death and reunite with Shelly (Sabine Karsenti), his journey is far more complicated. Eric must navigate the delicate balance between life and death, addressing numerous wrongs before he moves on to the Land of the Dead. The series also introduces Hannah Foster (Bobbie Phillips), the first onscreen female Crow, who embarks on her own quest for justice after her daughter's death. The Crow: Stairway to Heaven stands out as a unique take that reflects the landscape of '90s television, alongside shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Forever Knight, and Xena: Warrior Princess.

Though not a traditional adaptation of The Crow, this series has a lot to offer. Like the campy charm of the Adam West Batman series, The Crow: Stairway to Heaven serves as a nostalgic time capsule, featuring endearing characters, surreal storylines, and creative expansions of the mythology. More of a '90s superhero show than a gothic-horror thriller, Mark Dacascos shines as Eric Draven, and much of the supporting cast delivers solid performances. So cheesy at times that it could be served on a slice of pizza and best enjoyed with a can of Surge, The Crow: Stairway to Heaven offers a very different yet oddly enjoyable experience compared to most of The Crow films.

The Crow Remains an Iconic Cult Classic

The Crow (1994)

• The Crow ranked 468 on Empire's 2008 list of the 500 greatest movies of all time.

The film that started it all and remains one of the best comic book movies ever made, The Crow, helped define a generation. This timeless tale of romance, revenge, and loss follows musician Eric Draven (the late Brandon Lee), who rises from the grave to seek retribution for the life that was stolen from him and his true love, Shelly Webster (Sofia Shinas). Confronting the criminals responsible for their deaths and taking on the sinister Top Dollar, the film concludes on an emotional note as Eric leaves the living world to reunite with Shelly in the afterlife.

The Crow set a high standard for comic book adaptations with its stylized visuals, intense action, heartfelt story, and unforgettable characters. It's easy to see why The Crow became an iconic piece of gothic cinema and why so many films have struggled to recapture its magic and cultural impact. The film resonates because it taps into universal themes of love, loss, and the resilience needed to face life's hardships. As Eric Draven famously said, "It can't rain all the time," reminding audiences to seek out the rainbows, count the silver linings, and perhaps even dance through the storms. Life is beautiful, and while it is fleeting, it continues on through the memories we cherish and the legacy people leave behind.

2024-08-28T03:06:08Z dg43tfdfdgfd