Ghost Rider (2007)
MovieOptionalLegacy
Stunt rider Johnny Blaze makes a deal with the devil and becomes the Ghost Rider. This 2007 Marvel film sits outside the MCU timeline, so you can watch it on its own without any homework. It runs 1h 54m and streams on Peacock and Starz in the US.
| Directed by | Mark Steven Johnson |
|---|---|
| Starring | Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendes, Wes Bentley, Sam Elliott |
| Release date | February 16, 2007 |
| Runtime | 1h 54m |
| Age rating | PG-13, some material may be inappropriate for under 13 |
| IMDb rating | 5.3/10 |
| Box office | $229M worldwide |
| Series | Legacy Marvel films |
| Post-credit scene | No |
Why it matters now
Nicolas Cage's flaming-skull biker was a box-office hit despite the reviews, pure 2000s comic-book excess that still has a devoted following.
About Ghost Rider
As a young stunt rider, Johnny Blaze signs a deal with the demon Mephistopheles to save his father. Years later Mephistopheles comes to collect, turning Johnny into a demon-hunting Ghost Rider and sending him after his own son, Blackheart, who is after the Contract of San Venganza. Along the way Johnny crosses paths again with Roxanne, the girl he loved as a teenager, and gets guidance from a mysterious figure known as the Caretaker.
Mark Steven Johnson wrote and directed for Columbia Pictures, working with Marvel Entertainment, Crystal Sky Pictures and Relativity Media. Nicolas Cage plays Johnny, with Matt Long as the younger version, Eva Mendes as Roxanne, Peter Fonda as Mephistopheles, Wes Bentley as Blackheart and Sam Elliott as the Caretaker, who also narrates. It opened in the US on February 16, 2007, topped the box office that weekend and earned about $229 million worldwide on a budget of around $110 million. Reviews were mostly negative (28% on Rotten Tomatoes), and Cage drew a Razzie nomination for Worst Actor.
Good to know
- Johnson said Cage was the only actor considered for Johnny Blaze.
- An early draft used Scarecrow as the villain; the studio switched to Blackheart to avoid confusion with the DC character of the same name.
- Sam Elliott had played General Ross in Ang Lee's Hulk four years earlier.
- Oscar-winning sound designer Dane Davis (The Matrix) shaped the Rider's voice, which Johnson described as a deep, demonic, mechanical lion's roar.
- The film rights went back to Marvel Studios in May 2013, after the sequel Spirit of Vengeance.
How to watch it
Watch this before its 2012 sequel, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, which brings Cage back with new directors and a darker tone. Neither film is tied to the MCU, so they can go anywhere in a wider Marvel watch. If you're catching up before the MCU's own Ghost Rider film in 2028, this is the best on-screen look so far at Johnny Blaze's origin. Come for Cage's offbeat energy and the supernatural action, not for a tightly plotted story.
Where it fits in your watch
- All legacy Marvel films
Ghost Rider (2007) FAQ
Is there a sequel to Ghost Rider (2007)?
Yes. Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2012) brought Nicolas Cage back, directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor. It drew weaker reviews but still made money.
Will Nicolas Cage play Ghost Rider in the MCU?
Not as of October 2026. Marvel Studios' Ghost Rider, due July 28, 2028, stars Ryan Gosling, who was confirmed at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2026.
Who plays Mephistopheles in Ghost Rider?
Peter Fonda plays Mephistopheles, and Wes Bentley plays his son Blackheart.
Can you skip Ghost Rider (2007)?
Yes. It isn’t part of the MCU timeline.
When was Ghost Rider (2007) released?
Ghost Rider was released on February 16, 2007.
Does Ghost Rider (2007) have a post-credit scene?
No, Ghost Rider (2007) has no post-credit scene.
Where to watch Ghost Rider in the US
| Streaming (subscription) | Peacock, Starz |
|---|---|
| Rent or buy | Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango at Home |
Where to watch Ghost Rider outside the US
| Country | Stream | Other options |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Not included | Rent: Apple TV, Rakuten TV, Amazon |
| Canada | Crave | Free: Global TV · Rent: Apple TV, Amazon, CosmoGo |
| India | Lionsgate Play | Rent: Apple TV, Amazon |
Streaming availability last verified: October 16, 2026
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