The fictional characterFrank Castle / The Punisher, a comic bookvigilanteantihero created byGerry Conway,John Romita Sr. andRoss Andru and featured inMarvel Comics publications, has appeared as a main character in multiple theatrical, several animatedstraight-to-video films, and three fan films.
Most notably, he has appeared in two self-titled films, thefirst in 1989 withDolph Lundgren in the title role. Thesecond in 2004 withThomas Jane in the title role. Jane would reprise the role in the 2012 fan film,The Punisher: Dirty Laundry. As well asPunisher: War Zone in 2008, starringRay Stevenson.
In 2015,the character portrayed byJon Bernthal was integrated into theMarvel Cinematic Universe. First appearing in thesecond season ofDaredevil and later headlined two seasons ofThe Punisher (2017–19). Following the cancellation ofMarvel's Netflix series, including the two respective series. In 2025, Bernthal would reprise the role in variousMarvel Studios productions. This includes theDisney+ seriesDaredevil: Born Again (2025–present),[1] anuntitled Punisher television special as part of theMarvel Studios Special Presentations, and the theatrical filmSpider-Man: Brand New Day (both 2026).
Thefirst film, known simply asThe Punisher and starringDolph Lundgren, is a film that was released theatrically internationally butstraight to video in North America byLive Entertainment in 1989 that is most notable for lacking the character's signature skull.Marvel hiredJonathan Hensleigh to write and direct the2004 film, starringThomas Jane. The film was mainly based on two Punisher comic book stories;The Punisher: Year One andWelcome Back, Frank.[2]
A direct sequel was supposed to follow based on strong DVD sales, but the lack of a good script kept the project in development for over 3 years, and by the end both Jonathan Hensleigh and Thomas Jane pulled out.[3][4][5] In June 2007,Lexi Alexander was hired to direct and Ray Stevenson was hired in July to play the Punisher in the newly titledPunisher: War Zone, which became a reboot, and not a sequel to 2004'sThe Punisher.[6] This is the second time the film series has been rebooted, after the 2004 production rebooted1989'sThe Punisher.[7] The film was released on December 5, 2008. The films primarily focus on Frank'svigilante crusade after the death of his family.
The Punisher appears in a self-titled film released by Live Entertainment, portrayedDolph Lundgren. This version is described as an unnamed "city's most wanted, and most mysterious, vigilante" and a "one-man weapon against crime" who has killed 125 people in the five years preceding the film's events. Additionally, he is a former police officer, undercover detective, andU.S. Marine whose wife Julie and daughters Annie and Felice Castle were murdered by mobsters via a car bomb meant for him. After being legally declared dead following the incident, Castle establishes a base for him in the labyrinthine sewer system and kills mobsters wherever he finds them. However, his efforts draw the attention of Gianni Franco, a leading mobster who seeks to unite the mob families, and Lady Tanaka of theYakuza, who kidnaps the mob families' children to force them to submit to their control.
The Punisher appears in a self-titled film released by Lions Gate Pictures, portrayed byThomas Jane. This version is an FBI agent and former soldier who goes on to retire after killing Bobby Saint, son of corrupt businessman Howard Saint. However, Howard retaliates by sending men to slaughter Frank's family amidst a Castle family reunion. Left for dead,burnt out, and haunted by the tragedy, Frank takes up a skull shirt given to him by his son before the latter's death and sets out to avenge his family by killing Howard and his inner circle. In an extended cut of the film, it is revealed Frank's friend Jimmy Weeks (Russell Andrews) sold him out to Howard.
Despite 2004'sThe Punisher being abox office disappointment,Lions Gate Entertainment was interested in a sequel based on the film's strong DVD sales.Jonathan Hensleigh andThomas Jane were set to commence filming of the sequel, but the project remained indevelopment hell for over 3 years due to the lack of a good script despite numerous writers being attached even after Hensleigh pulled out. Thomas Jane was so eager to do the sequel starring Jigsaw as the villain, that he'd put on an additional 12 pounds of muscle, and that "it would be darker, bloodier and more unfriendly than the first one." However, after reading the new script byKurt Sutter, he stated, "What I won't do is spend months of my life sweating over a movie that I just don't believe in. I've always loved the Marvel guys and wish them well. Meanwhile, I'll continue to search for a film that one day might stand with all those films that the fans have asked me to watch."[8][9]
Lions Gate Entertainment planned to produce a directsequel titledThe Punisher 2, withAvi Arad, chairman and CEO ofMarvel Studios, stating that the second film would "become the fifth Marvel property to become a sequel."[10]Jonathan Hensleigh said that he was interested in working withThomas Jane again forThe Punisher 2.[11] Jane said that the villain forThe Punisher 2 would beJigsaw.[12] The project lingered in development for over three years.Jonathan Hensleigh completed a first draft of the script before pulling out around 2006.John Dahl was in talks to direct the film but pulled out due to script quality issues and the studio not wanting to spend a lot of money on the project.[13][14]Rob Zombie was also considered to direct the sequel.[15] In a statement on May 15, 2007,[16] and in two audio interviewsThomas Jane said that he pulled out of the project due to creative differences and the budget of the film being cut, in addition to directorWalter Hill being turned down as director by Lionsgate.[17][18] After reading the new script byKurt Sutter, Jane stated:
What I won't do is spend months of my life sweating over a movie that I just don't believe in. I've always loved the Marvel guys, and wish them well. Meanwhile, I'll continue to search for a film that one day might stand with all those films that the fans have asked me to watch.[19][20]
In June 2007, it was reported announced thatLexi Alexander replaced Dahl as director,[21] and that actorRay Stevenson would replace Thomas Jane in the title role.[22]The Punisher 2 then becamePunisher: War Zone,[23]
At the 2012San Diego Comic-Con, Jane debuted an independently financed Punisher short film, serving as anunofficial sequel directed byPhil Joanou, written by Chad St. John, produced byAdi Shankar, and co-starringRon Perlman, titledDirty Laundry.[24] Jane said, "I wanted to make a fan film for a character I've always loved and believed in – a love letter to Frank Castle & his fans. It was an incredible experience with everyone on the project throwing in their time just for the fun of it. It's been a blast to be a part of from start to finish — we hope the friends of Frank enjoy watching it as much as we did making it."[25]
The Punisher appears inPunisher: War Zone, portrayed byRay Stevenson. This version is a formerForce Recon Marine who has operated as the Punisher for five years. After inadvertently killing an undercover FBI agent while assaulting a mob dinner, he attempts to atone for his mistake and threatens to quit vigilantism over his partnerMicrochip's protests. Amidst this, he must also contend with the FBI's "Punisher Task Force" andBilly "The Beaut" Russoti / Jigsaw, a survivor of the mob dinner who seeks to recruit an army to get revenge on Frank.[26]
Stevenson had expressed interest in sequels, hinting atBarracuda as a possible villain.[27] At the 2008San Diego Comic-Con, when asked if he signed on for more Punisher, he said, "If I had my wish, it's going to run and run. It's up to the fan base. If this works, we get to do it all again."[27] AfterWar Zone was not received well by audiences, the rights for the character eventually reverted to Marvel.
Stevenson would later reprise his role as Castle / The Punisher inThe Super Hero Squad Show (2009).
In September 2014, Director duo,Anthony and Joe Russo indicated that the Punisher had twocameo appearances in their feature filmCaptain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), as a Penske truck driver who runs over two differentHydra agents. The Russos also expressed interest in aMarvel One-Shot being produced about the character.[28]
In February 2020,Adam G. Simon stated that he had previously pitched aThe Punisher film toMarvel Studios that would be set in theMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), after the events of theNetflixtelevision seriesof the same name, withJon Bernthal reprising his role, described as "Falling Down by way ofFull Metal Jacket":[29]
"You got to let this thing live inR-Rated territory and it has to have the same grit and unapologetic boldness ofLogan. In my take, we findFrank Castle as we left him at the end of the series, only now completely aware of the threat that superheroes and villains pose to mankind. So, Frank Castle has to go gunning for the person who he feels is responsible for the innumerable civilian casualties. The one who started it all by organizing these weapons of mass destruction to come together.Nick Fury. The twist is that Frank is being used, he spots the double-cross early at the end of act one. From that point on, we have a3:10 to Yuma situation. Frank and Fury on the run from everyone, heroes and villains. It's3:10 to Yuma meetsLéon: The Professional by way ofWinter Soldier."
In June 2025, it was announced that Bernthal will be reprising his role as Castle / The Punisher in the upcoming filmSpider-Man: Brand New Day.[30]
The Punisher appears inIron Man: Rise of Technovore,[31] voiced byNorman Reedus.
The Punisher appears inAvengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher, voiced byBrian Bloom.[32] He is apprehended byS.H.I.E.L.D. after interfering with one of their missions, but is offered to work with Black Widow to stopLeviathan in exchange for his release.[33]
List indicators
- This table only shows characters that have appeared in three or more films in the series.
- A dark grey cell indicates that the character was not in the film or that the character's presence in the film has yet to be announced.
- AV indicates a voice-only role.
| Character | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| The Punisher | Lionsgate–produced films | ||
| The Punisher | Punisher: War Zone | ||
| 1989 | 2004 | 2008 | |
| Francis "Frank" Castle The Punisher | Dolph Lundgren | Thomas Jane | Ray Stevenson |
| Maria Castle | Photograph | Samantha Mathis | Photograph |
| Danny / Will Castle | Robert Simper | Marcus Johns | |
| Bumpo | John Pinette | ||
| Frank Castle Sr. | Roy Scheider | ||
| Spacker Dave | Ben Foster | ||
| Mickey Duka | Eddie Jemison | ||
| Quentin Glass | Will Patton | ||
| Joan | Rebecca Romijn | ||
| The Russian | Kevin Nash | ||
| Howard Saint | John Travolta | ||
| Livia Saint | Laura Harring | ||
| Robert "Bobby" Saint | James Carpinello | ||
| John Saint | |||
| Paul Budiansky | Colin Salmon | ||
| Angela Donatelli | Julie Benz | ||
| Grace Donatelli | Stephanie Janusauskas | ||
| Linus Lieberman Microchip | Wayne Knight | ||
| Billy "The Beaut" Russoti Jigsaw | Dominic West | ||
| James "Loony Bin Jim" Russoti | Doug Hutchison | ||
| Martin Soap | Dash Mihok | ||
| Character | Phase Six |
|---|---|
| Spider-Man: Brand New Day | |
| 2026 | |
| Introduced in Marvel's Netflix television series | |
| Francis "Frank" Castle Sr. The Punisher | Jon Bernthal |
| Matt Murdock Daredevil | Charlie Cox |
| Introduced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe | |
| Ned Leeds | Jacob Batalon |
| Peter Parker Spider-Man | Tom Holland |
| Bruce Banner Hulk | Mark Ruffalo |
| Michelle "MJ" Jones-Watson | Zendaya |
| Mac Gargan Scorpion | Michael Mando |
| Introduced inSpider-Man: Brand New Day | |
| TBA | Sadie Sink |
| TBA | Liza Colón-Zayas |
| Film | Release date | Box office gross | Reference | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Other territories | United States | Other territories | Worldwide | ||
| The Punisher (1989) | April 25, 1991 | October 5, 1989 | Not disclosed in gross | Not disclosed in gross | [34] | |
| The Punisher (2004) | April 16, 2004 | May 5, 2004 | $33,810,189 | $20,889,916 | $54,700,105 | [35] |
| Punisher: War Zone (2008) | December 5, 2008 | December 3, 2008 | $8,050,977 | $2,110,516 | $10,161,493 | [36] |
| Film | Critical | Public | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | CinemaScore | |
| The Punisher (1989) | 25% (16 reviews)[37] | 63 (4 reviews)[38] | — |
| The Punisher (2004) | 30% (169 reviews)[39] | 33 (36 reviews)[40] | B+[41] |
| Punisher: War Zone | 29% (111 reviews)[42] | 30 (24 reviews)[43] | B−[41] |
An animated Punisher fan film titledDo Not Fall in New York City was released in 2012, withLee Westwood voicing the eponymous character.[44]
Stuntman Eric Linden, who worked on theMCU / Netflix seriesThe Punisher as a stunt coordinator, second unit director, andstunt double forJon Bernthal,[45] directed and portrayed the Punisher in the short filmSkull, produced in association with FXitinPost.[46]
| Characters |
| ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titles |
| ||||||||
| In other media |
| ||||||||
| Related | |||||||||
