Hellboy II: The Golden Army is a 2008 American superhero film based on the Dark Horse Comics character Hellboy created by Mike Mignola. A sequel to Hellboy (2004), it is the second installment in the franchise's live-action film series. Directed and written by Guillermo del Toro from a story he co-wrote with Mignola, the film stars Ron Perlman as Hellboy, alongside Selma Blair, Doug Jones, Jeffrey Tambor, and John Hurt. In the film, Hellboy and the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense must battle a mythical prince who plans to reclaim the world for his magical kindred. Hellboy II: The Golden Army was released in the United States on July 11, 2008, by Universal Pictures. The film received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its fantasy atmosphere, as well as Perlman and the other cast's acting performances. It grossed over $168 million against a production budget between $82.5–85 million. The film received a nomination for Best Makeup at the 81st Academy Awards. The film was followed by a reboot, simply titled Hellboy, released in 2019 by Lionsgate. Plot During Christmas 1955, a young Hellboy is told a bedtime story by his adoptive father, Trevor Bruttenholm, of an ancient war between human and magical creatures. After the magical creatures are driven back by the humans, the goblin blacksmiths extend an offer to Balor, king of the elves, to build him an indestructible mechanical army. Encouraged by his son Prince Nuada, Balor accepts; the Golden Army subsequently devastates humanity. Regretting his actions, Balor forms a truce with the humans, that they will keep to the cities and the magical creatures to the forests. The crown to command the Golden Army, which can only be worn by one of royal blood, is split into three pieces. Nuada, disagreeing with the truce, leaves in exile. In the present, a year after the evil sorcerer Grigori Rasputin's plans to summon his eldritch masters, the Ogdru Jahad, to enact Armageddon were foiled, Nuada returns and begins gathering the pieces of the crown. He collects the first piece from an auction, unleashing tooth fairies, voracious flying creatures that eat the crowd alive, and kills his father for the second piece. His twin sister Princess Nuala escapes with the final piece. Meanwhile, at the B.P.R.D., demonic special agent Hellboy is having issues with his girlfriend Liz, and dislikes that their organization must operate in secrecy. Investigating the