THE PHANTOM (1996)

This week, we’re continuing the superhero spotlight with a true hidden gem of 90s adventure cinema: The Phantom (1996).

Let’s be real—this movie doesn’t get nearly enough love. It’s fun, fast-paced, and full of adventure. In a world before superheroes wore grim expressions and leather suits, The Phantom gave us a bright purple costume, a jungle cave lair, and a hero who just wants to do the right thing. And it is a home run!

Monsters/Villains: 🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖 (8.3)

Treat Williams is having the time of his life as Xander Drax—the perfect mix of charming and over-the-top evil. His goal? Find the three Skulls of Touganda and harness their ancient power. Along the way, we get pirate gangs, secret cults, and Catherine Zeta-Jones flying a plane while being a total femme fatale. Every villain is entertaining, and the stakes feel big without ever taking themselves too seriously.

Actors/Characters: 🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖 (9.0)

Billy Zane is Kit Walker, the 21st Phantom. He brings sincerity, confidence, and quiet nobility to the role. He’s not snarky or OBNOXIOUS—just a genuinely good man in a wild situation, living up to a legacy. Kristy Swanson is great as Diana Palmer—smart, brave, and the perfect match for Kit. And we can’t forget Patrick McGoohan, who brings real warmth and wisdom as Kit’s ghostly father in a few standout scenes.

Story: 🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖 (8.4)

Ancient relics. Hidden temples. Pirates. Jungle chases. Secret societies. This movie checks all the boxes. It’s light on its feet but never dumb. The film plays it all straight in the best way possible—even if we don’t get to see The Phantom in his classic striped shorts!

Joe’s Score: 🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖 (9.1)

The Phantom is a blast from start to finish. It’s got heart, humor, a perfect cast, and that rare thing: a superhero movie that’s actually fun without being a joke. It leans into its comic book roots with color, spirit, and style. If you love The Rocketeer, Indiana Jones, or A classic adventure STORY, this one is absolutely worth your time.

Long live the Ghost Who Walks!

OVERALL ( 8.7)

1. The Exorcist (9.25)

2. Psycho (9.22)

3. Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein (9.0)

4. Silence of the lambs (9.0)

5. REAR WINDOW (8.8)

6. Ed Wood (8.78)

7. THE PHANTOM (8.7)

8. VERTIGO (8.65)

9. The Omen (1976) (8.45)

10. The Creature from the Black Lagoon (8.42)

11. Salem’s Lot (8.4)

12. StranGERS on a TRAIN (8.35)

13. The Ghost & Mr Chicken (8.32)

14. It (2017) (8.3)

15. DIAL M FOR MURDER (8.3)

16. Rosemary’s Baby (8.28)

17. SINISTER (2012) (8.25)

18. The Mummy (1999) (8.12)

19. The Phantom of the Opera (1925) (8.08)

20. Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) (8.07)

21. THE MUMMY (1959) (8.0)

22. The Wolfman (1941) (7.98)

23. The Lost Boys (7.97)

24. DRACULA (1931) (7.85)

25. DICK TRACY (1990) (7.72)

26. The Thing (1982) (7.67)

27. The Fog (7.5)

28. Homicidal (7.12)

29. Halloween (1978) (6.65)

30. The Wolfman (2010) (6.25)

31. Ernest Scared Stupid (5.35)

32. Monster Squad (5.22)