Blade (1998) is a superhero film directed by Stephen Norrington and based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. The film stars Wesley Snipes as the titular character, Blade, a half-human, half-vampire hybrid who hunts vampires to protect humanity.

The story follows Blade, who possesses the strengths of a vampire but none of their weaknesses. He is on a mission to eradicate the vampire race, driven by his quest for vengeance against the vampire who turned his mother into a vampire, leading to her death. The plot centers around Blade’s battle against Deacon Frost (played by Stephen Dorff), a powerful vampire who seeks to unleash an ancient prophecy and bring about a new age of vampiric dominance.

Blade is notable for its blend of action, horror, and martial arts, featuring stylish fight sequences, a dark tone, and a unique take on the vampire genre. The film’s visual style, action choreography, and Snipes’s charismatic performance were widely praised. Additionally, the film helped pave the way for other superhero movies in the late 1990s and early 2000s, influencing the genre significantly.

The movie was successful both critically and commercially, leading to two sequels: Blade II (2002), directed by Guillermo del Toro, and Blade: Trinity (2004). The success of Blade is often credited with helping to revive interest in comic book adaptations and setting the stage for future superhero films.