All 5 ‘Underworld’ Movies, Ranked By Action Junkies
Vote up the Underworld movies worth sinking your teeth into.
The Underworld franchise received less-than-favorable reviews from critics. Still, fans worldwide enjoyed the movies so much that they garnered a devoted cult following and performed well at the box office.
The Underworld movies belong to the action-horror film genre, which doesn't get as much action as it did a decade or so ago, so the fact that Underworld has superseded critical expectations and maintained staying power is a feat in and of itself.
Fans are unsurprised, considering the Underworld franchise has action, suspense, forbidden romance, and gore with a gothic backdrop and moody cinematography. Not to mention, the plot was eaten up by those who loved vampiric and werewolf lore, with the film centering around feuding species and a new hybrid being that also happens to be the main love interest of a sexy assassin. Need we say more?
So, if you're a fan of Underworld and want to traipse through memory lane, read on to reminisce and learn where action junkies - yourself included - have rated these immortal films.
- 130 VOTESPhoto: Sony Pictures Releasing
Release Year: 2003
Primary Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Michael Sheen, Shane Brolly, Bill Nighy, Erwin Leder, and Sophia Myles.
The Action: For centuries, the vampiric clan and the Lycans have been warring. As mortal enemies, the vampires and Lycans constantly attack, undermine, and try to exterminate eachother. The Underworld film centers around assassin Selene, an orphaned vampire whose parents were murdered by Lycans, and Michael Corvin, an incredible mortal doctor whom the Lycans have taken an interest in. Selene spends the film trying to save Michael from Lucian, the Lycan leader committed to ending the vampiric race.
Why It Kicks Butt: Underworld is one of the rare films of the early 2000s to offer audiences a highly atmospheric, visually distinct, and edgy storyline not seen before with its gothic influences, tense drama, and stellar creature effects. Not only was the subject matter refreshing, but the action sequences were also phenomenally choreographed and consistently entertaining from start to finish. Underworld took a somewhat generic supernatural plot that had been done before and made it unique with interesting lore, disturbing villains, and intriguing, meticulously crafted characters alongside memorable action sequences. For many, it is the best film in the series.
Fun Fact: While filming Underworld, Kate Beckinsale, who played Serena, met her future husband, Len Wiseman, director of the Underworld film, on set. At the time, she was in a long-term committed relationship that ended that same year with Michael Sheen, who played Lycan leader Lucian in the movie.
- 236 VOTESPhoto: Sony Pictures Releasing
Release Year: 2006
Primary Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Tony Curran, Derek Jacobi, and Bill Nighy.
The Action: In Underworld: Evolution, the plot picks up exactly where it left off in the first film. Half-werewolf Michael and vampire warrior Selene are lovers who are hunting for clues about the history of their races and the seemingly never-ending war between them. Unfortunately, the pair is hated by the members of their own clans for their love. Yet, this doesn't stop them from trying to find a way to heal the rift between their two species, even though they have to face Markus, the perpetrator of the war.
Why It Kicks Butt: As far as sequels go, Underworld: Evolution exceeded expectations. For starters, it had much better pacing with more action throughout the film, with key action scenes shown at times where it could elevate the film. Besides incredible action sequences, it also tipped the franchise solidly into the horror-action genre with its gore and violent conflicts. The Lycans' brutish nature and the vampires' sophisticated violence lent the movie an air not yet seen in films of its kind. The action was also beautifully choreographed, as is the case with the first movie, and the special effects helped elevate the film even further. Fans also loved how the action began with the “forest scene” and how Selene gained powerful new abilities, making her a far more talented warrior and able to hold her own against the Lycan threat.
Fun Fact: Fans are treated to flashbacks in Underworld: Evolution of Selene that details a bit more of her past. Interestingly, the young girl who plays Selene as a child is the real-life daughter of Michael Sheen and Kate Beckinsale. That's why young Selene looks so much like older Selene.
- 323 VOTESPhoto: Sony Pictures Releasing
Release Year: 2017
Primary Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Theo James, Lara Pulver, Tobias Menzies, and Charles Dance.
The Action: Selene returns in Underworld: Blood Wars and is the main heroine fighting off attacks from the vampiric faction and Lycan clans that betrayed her. She joins forces with her returning allies, David and Thomas. In this final film in the franchise - so far - Selene embarks on a dangerous quest to end the long-standing war between the species, even if she has to make the ultimate sacrifice to save humanity.
Why It Kicks Butt: Let's be honest. Underworld: Blood Wars had an iffy plot, but its saving grace was how action-packed it was, and the central theme is that Selene kills for love. This movie lived up to the audience's expectations in terms of blood, violence, and gore, with body dismemberment, bullet wounds, and Lycans and vampires alike drenched in blood. Not only was this visually pleasing, but the action throughout was exciting and captivating, made all the more so by the killer soundtrack that harmonized incredibly well with the fight scenes. And, who can ever forget the hand-to-hand struggle between Marius and Selene? It was so well executed that we still catch ourselves thinking about it today.
Fun Fact: Not only is she the first woman to direct an Underworld film, director Anna Foerster was adamant that practical werewolf effects be used in this film, as opposed to the strictly CGI creatures implemented in latter sequels.
- 417 VOTESPhoto: Sony Pictures Releasing
Release Year: 2012
Primary Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Stephen Rea, Michael Ealy, Theo James, and India Eisley.
The Action: In the movie Underworld: Awakening, Selene is captured by humans who have learned of the existence of vampires and Lycans. The humans decide both species are a threat and wage an all-out war against them. Selene also learns that she has been sleeping for more than a decade, Michael, her hybrid lover, is dead, and she has birthed their daughter.
Why It Kicks Butt: With the death of Michael, the romance plot is technically abandoned, although it still lingers as viewers are reminded of it throughout the film, and action ensues with his and Selene's daughter holding the key to saving their species. Even though Selene appears to be powerless against a genetically enhanced Lycan - her strongest enemy - she still kicks butt and performs incredible action scenes that showcase her physicality and intensity, lending credibility to the fight scenes. In addition, Underworld: Awakening utilizes impressive visual effects to enhance the action, especially during werewolf transformations and when vampire abilities are shown. It's also worth noting that the film's brisk pace helps keep audiences entertained and engaged with non-stop action scenes, preventing the narrative from becoming a bore to watch. Overall, it's a solid film in the Underworld franchise.
Fun Fact: Underworld: Awakening was the first film in the franchise not to feature new performances by Brian Steele, Bill Nighy, and Michael Sheen, and yet it was still a hit amongst fans thanks to the refreshed storyline, angst of a love lost, fight for a better future, and incredible action sequences with Selene.
- 523 VOTESPhoto: Sony Pictures Releasing
Release Year: 2009
Primary Cast: Michael Sheen, Rhona Mitra, Bill Nighy, Kevin Grevioux, and Steven Mackintosh.
The Action: Many found Underworld: Rise of the Lycans to be one of the best prequel movies in a film franchise. This movie tells the epic origin story of the centuries-old war between the vampires known as the Death Dealers and the Lycans, their one-time slaves. During this film, audiences are shown how Lucian convinced his fellow slaves to rise up against the aristocratic vampires and break free of enslavement with the help of his secret vampire lover, Sonja. This rebellion is what led to the full-fledged war between the two species.
Why It Kicks Butt: The cast and acting in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans is phenomenal, and the cinematography is gritty, grim, and beautiful, helping to highlight the extraordinarily gory and dark action scenes that excite the senses. Michael Sheen is the main character in this movie, and his unhinged performance makes the action scenes even more entertaining. He expertly plays the role of an enslaved Lycan who rejects his semi-favored position in a vampiric household to lead a relentlessly brutal and violent rebellion to gain freedom for his fellow Lycans. The film's epic battles between the Lycans and vampires and visceral one-on-one combat are thrilling to watch. Not to mention, the special effects help enhance the realism of the action and immerse viewers in the unfolding conflict.
Fun Fact: Rhona Mitra, who plays Lucian's vampire lover Sonja, auditioned for the role of Selene in Underworld but lost it to Kate Beckinsale. When Rhona Mitra was cast as Sonja, there were a few concerns, considering the two actresses' remarkable physical resemblance. Ultimately, it was decided that Mitra was ideal for the role since Viktor turned Selene into a vampire because she reminded him of Sonja.
