Blade (1998)
MovieOptionalLegacy
Half-vampire Blade hunts the vampires who killed his mother, facing the powerful Deacon Frost. This 1998 Marvel film sits outside the MCU timeline, so you can watch it on its own without any homework. It runs 2h and streams on Peacock in the US.
| Directed by | Stephen Norrington |
|---|---|
| Starring | Wesley Snipes, Stephen Dorff, Kris Kristofferson, N'Bushe Wright |
| Release date | August 21, 1998 |
| Runtime | 2h |
| Age rating | R, ages 17+ unless accompanied |
| IMDb rating | 7.1/10 |
| Box office | $131M worldwide |
| Series | Legacy Marvel films |
| Part of | Blade movies in order |
| Post-credit scene | No |
Why it matters now
The film that proved Marvel movies could work, a hard-R vampire action hit that launched the modern superhero era and paved the way for the MCU.
About Blade
Eric Brooks was born as his mother was dying from a vampire bite, and he grew up as a "Daywalker": he has a vampire's strength and senses but none of its weaknesses except the thirst. Now known as Blade, he hunts vampires across the city with his mentor, the weapons maker Abraham Whistler. After he rescues hematologist Karen Jenson from an attack, he runs into Deacon Frost, an ambitious young vampire who wants to use Blade's blood to awaken an ancient blood god.
New Line Cinema released the film on August 21, 1998. Stephen Norrington directed from a script by David S. Goyer, with Wesley Snipes as Blade, Stephen Dorff as Frost, Kris Kristofferson as Whistler, N'Bushe Wright as Karen and Udo Kier and Traci Lords in supporting roles. Reviews were mixed, with critics split on the story, but audiences gave it an A− CinemaScore. It opened at number one, made about $131.2 million on a $45 million budget and is often called Marvel's first successful film.
Good to know
- Blade first appeared in 1973 in The Tomb of Dracula, created by Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan.
- The opening blood rave in a nightclub is one of the film's best-known scenes.
- Stan Lee filmed a cameo as a police officer, but it was cut.
- The final Blade-versus-Frost sword fight was added in reshoots after early test screenings went poorly.
How to watch it
Watch this first among the Blade films, followed by Blade II and Blade: Trinity, then Blade: The Series. It's not part of the MCU, so it sits in the pre-MCU era of Marvel films. Expect a violent horror-action movie with a dark, late-1990s style, so it's for adults. It's essential viewing for anyone curious about how Marvel's movie success started before the MCU.
Where it fits in your watch
- All legacy Marvel films
Blade FAQ
Is Blade (1998) the first Marvel movie?
No, but it's often called Marvel's first successful film. It opened at number one and led to two sequels and a TV series.
Is Blade (1998) connected to the MCU?
No. It's a standalone New Line film. In 2019, Marvel Studios announced a separate MCU Blade project with Mahershala Ali in the lead role.
Who plays the villain in Blade?
Stephen Dorff plays Deacon Frost, a role that won him an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain.
Can you skip Blade?
Yes. It sits outside the MCU timeline, so nothing in the MCU depends on it.
When was Blade released?
Blade was released on August 21, 1998.
Does Blade have a post-credit scene?
No, Blade has no post-credit scene.
Where to watch Blade in the US
| Streaming (subscription) | Peacock |
|---|---|
| Rent or buy | Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango at Home |
Where to watch Blade outside the US
| Country | Stream | Other options |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Prime Video, HBO Max | Rent: Apple TV, Rakuten TV, Amazon |
| Canada | Not included | Rent: Apple TV, CosmoGo, Amazon |
| Australia | Not included | Rent: Apple TV, Amazon, Fetch TV |
| India | Not included | Rent: Amazon |
Streaming availability last verified: October 16, 2026
All streaming options for Marvel movies and shows, by service and country.