The Blade franchise, based on the Marvel Comics, is one of the earliest successful adaptations of a superhero character to the big screen. Blade is a half-vampire, half-human "Daywalker" who hunts vampires while struggling while fighting against his own vampiric instincts. This list includes every Blade screen adaptation, with details on where to watch Blade online in the UK!
Original Blade Movie Trilogy
The franchise kicked off with Blade (1998), starring Wesley Snipes in the title role. Directed by Stephen Norrington, the film was praised for its martial arts sequences, horror storylines, and superhero elements. Dark and stylish, Blade was a commercial success which earned over $131 million USD globally and kicked off the Hollywood superhero movie trend.
Snipes returned for Blade II in 2002. It was directed by Guillermo del Toro, who brought his signature gothic and horror-centric approach to the trilogy. This sequel sees Blade teaming up with a group of vampires known as the Bloodpack to combat a new breed of mutant vampires called Reapers.
The third film, Blade: Trinity (2004), sees Blade facing off against the vampire patriarch, ‘Drake’. The film had mixed reviews, but gained a cult following in large part due to Ryan Reynolds’ comedic performance.
Blade TV Series
In 2006, Blade: The Series (2006) premiered starring Sticky Fingaz as Blade. The show was a continuation of the film trilogy, exploring Blade's ongoing battle against vampires, and introduced new characters and storylines. Despite having a strong pilot episode, the series was canceled after one season due to low ratings.
In 2011, an anime adaptation called Blade presented a different take on the character, with more focus on Japanese settings and influences. It was part of a Marvel Anime project that included other comic book characters like Wolverine and Iron Man.
Upcoming MCU Blade Movie
The upcoming movie Blade, a reboot of the franchise, is set to release in 2025. Mahershala Ali will star in the titular role of Blade, and Mia Goth as Lillith. The film is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), with Ali's casting already receiving widespread praise. The movie is expected to reintroduce Blade to a new generation of fans while staying true to the character's dark roots.
Where To Watch Blade In The UK
The original Blade trilogy can be streamed on various platforms in the UK, such as Amazon Prime Video and Disney+. Similar to other MCU content, the 2025 Blade film will likely be available on Disney+ after its theatrical release. The series can be harder to find, but check out the list below for the most up-to-date streaming information on where to watch the Blade TV series and movies.
