The chronological order of Hellboy movies (both live-action and animated)

1. Hellboy (2004)
2. Hellboy Animated: Sword of Storms (2006)
3. Hellboy Animated: Blood and Iron (2007)
4. Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)
5. Hellboy (2019)

Hellboy (2004)

Hellboy (2004) begins in 1944 during World War II when Nazi forces, led by Grigori Rasputin, attempt to open a portal to Hell to summon Ogdru Jahad – seven ancient giants who can bring about its downfall – through which an Allied strike force interrupted it, only for Professor Trevor Bruttenholm to take in and name Hellboy as their baby demon ally.

Hellboy develops into a sizeable red-skinned demon with a tail and horns immune to fire and with extraordinary strength. After attending university, he joined the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense (BPRD), a secret government agency dedicated to investigating paranormal threats.

In 2004, Hellboy was asked to investigate a series of murders, which soon turn out to be linked to a plot hatched by Rasputin (resurrected) to bring about the apocalypse and uses Hellboy as the key to open up Hell and release Ogdru Jahad from confinement.

Hellboy must use his unique abilities to stop Rasputin and protect the world, with assistance from his BPRD colleagues such as Liz Sherman (a woman with pyrokinesis), Abe Sapien (a merman possessing psychic abilities), and Liz Sherman.

He must also come to terms with his destiny; being both human and demon, Hellboy must decide whether to embrace his demonic heritage or fight for good forces.

Hellboy eventually defeats Rasputin and prevents an apocalypse from happening while coming to terms with both sides of his identity: demon and hero.

Hellboy Animated: Sword of Storms (2006)

Hellboy Animated: Sword of Storms is an animated feature film released in 2006 based on Mike Mignola’s comic book series Hellboy—the movie’s plot centers around Hellboy and his BPRD colleagues traveling to Japan to investigate mysterious incidents.

Professor Mitsuyasu Sakai, an expert on Japanese folklore, acquires an ancient scroll that details a legend concerning two demonic brothers called Thunder and Lightning that once terrorized Japan by unleashing storms onto Daimyo (lord) landowners’ properties; eventually, they were defeated and sealed away using what became known as The Sword of Storms.

When Sakai attempts to read the scroll, he is taken over by Thunder and Lightning spirits; these demons aim to return to Earth to awaken their fellow dragons.

The BPRD becomes aware of a situation and sends Hellboy, Kate Corrigan, and psychic Russell Thorne to investigate. While on their mission, Hellboy finds the Sword of Storms, which transports him to an unfamiliar new realm.

Hellboy soon discovers he is in a Japanese folklore world. After meeting a kitsune (magic fox spirit), who informs him he must destroy the Sword of Storms to return home, Hellboy begins a quest.

Hellboy embarks upon his travels, encountering various yokai or Japanese monsters and discovering more of his past and connection to the Sword of Storms.

Liz Sherman and Abe Sapien are engaged in combat with dragons awakened by Thunder and Lightning, which have caused widespread destruction yet remain dormant until summoned by Thunder or Lightning again. Liz and Abe have tried unsuccessfully to stop these deadly dragons, but their efforts remain futile.

Hellboy eventually discovers and destroys the source of the Sword of Storms, freeing him from this strange new world and permitting him to return home.

Hellboy rejoins his team, defeating Thunder and Lightning together before defeating all four dragons that threaten Earth, thus saving it.

Liz Sherman and Abe Sapien are engaged in combat with dragons awakened by Thunder and Lightning, which have caused widespread destruction yet remain dormant until summoned by Thunder or Lightning again. Liz and Abe have tried unsuccessfully to stop these deadly dragons, but their efforts remain futile.

Hellboy eventually discovers and destroys the source of the Sword of Storms, freeing him from this strange new world and permitting him to return home.

Hellboy rejoins his team, defeating Thunder and Lightning together before defeating all four dragons that threaten Earth, thus saving it.

Hellboy Animated: Blood and Iron (2007)

Hellboy Animated: Blood and Iron is an animated feature film released in 2007 based on Mike Mignola’s Hellboy comic book series. The plot revolves around Hellboy and his fellow BPRD detectives investigating mysterious incidents around the Hamptons.

Hellboy and his team are called in to investigate a haunted mansion recently purchased by developer Oliver Trumbolt. Trumbolt is keen to exploit any supernatural activity for personal gain, hoping to use any paranormal presence for personal growth as he controls any ghostly activity at his property.

The BPRD team quickly becomes aware that Erzsebet Ondrushko’s ghost possesses the mansion; she was killed by Professor Trevor Bruttenholm in 1939 and now seeks revenge against both Bruttenholm and the BPRD.

Trumbolt has also used his mansion’s occult artifacts to summon supernatural creatures like harpies, hellhounds, and other supernatural entities for publicity stunt purposes; unfortunately, they’ve unleashed an army of monsters across the Hamptons.

Hellboy and his team must race against time to stop Erzsebet and her minions and stop Trumbolt from unleashing more monsters onto the world.

Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)

Hellboy II: The Golden Army is a 2008 superhero film based on Mike Mignola’s Hellboy comic book series, directed by Guillermo del Toro as the sequel to Hellboy (2004).

Hellboy and his BPRD colleagues investigate a plot by Prince Nuada of the Elven world to raise an army of golden soldiers against humanity.

Nuada has grown restless with humanity’s attempts at living in harmony with nature, believing instead that elves should rule over all. He awakens the Golden Army to launch a campaign of terror against humanity.

Hellboy, Liz Sherman, Abe Sapien, and their allies in the BPRD must stop Nuada and his army before they destroy humanity forever.

Hellboy (2019)

The 2019 Hellboy film marks a reboot of the franchise, with David Harbour replacing Ron Perlman in the title role and Neil Marshall serving as director. It follows Hellboy as he investigates a string of strange incidents around England.

Hellboy arrives in England as part of a mission from the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense (BPRD) to investigate a series of mysterious attacks perpetrated by Nimue, also known as Nimue the Blood Queen, an ancient sorceress with powerful magical abilities seeking revenge on humanity. Eventually, he discovers that Nimue connects these events.

Nimue was initially defeated by King Arthur and Merlin, who dismembered her body and scattered its pieces throughout England. However, Nimue has recently returned, seeking to unify all parts of her being so that she may unleash a plague upon humanity.

Hellboy must race against time to stop Nimue before she carries out her plan, with help from Alice Monaghan (a young psychic) and Ben Daimio (an Asian-American special forces agent).

Hellboy must also face his destiny head-on. Born of Anung un Rama, an evil demon destined to bring about its demise, Hellboy was raised among humans and has come to regard himself as part of them despite having demonic roots; therefore, he must decide whether to embrace his demonic heritage or continue fighting on behalf of good.

Hellboy ultimately defeats Nimue and saves the world, coming to terms with both sides of himself as both demon and hero.

Conclusion

So, this is it, order of Hellboy films and animations. Grab your seat, have some popcorn and enjoy your movie night. Thank you.