Abstract This paper concerns semilinear elliptic equations involving sign-changing weight function and a nonlinearity of subcritical nature understood in a generalized sense. Using an Orlicz–Sobolev space setting, we consider superlinear nonlinearities which do not have a polynomial growth, and state sufficient conditions guaranteeing the Palais–Smale condition. We study the existence of a bifurcated branch of classical positive solutions, containing a turning point, and providing multiplicity of solutions.