On This Day

Blade released

August 21st 1998

11:27 21 August 2024

'Blade' opened in theaters across North America on this day in 1998. Based on the Marvel Comics character, the first of the 'Blade Trilogy' stars Wesley Snipes as the half-mortal, half-immortal vampire hunter out to avenge his mothers death and rid the world of vampires. The film opened to mixed reviews but was a big hit with audiences grossing over $131 million at the worldwide box office against a budget of $45 million.

'Blade' helped revitalise the superhero genre after a decline in popularity following the 90s 'Batman' movies and was not only the first successful Marvel film but also set the stage for the massively popular MCU franchise that followed.