As well as finding massive success with their live-action franchises, Marvel has also produced a number of acclaimed animated movies. While the complex stories from Marvel Comics have provided plenty of material for the intricate narrative of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the development of animated projects under the Marvel label provides more creative freedom to filmmakers. Animation has made up a huge percentage of comic book adaptations over the years, with projects based on both Marvel and DC Comics seeing huge success, with some even spawning shared universes that rival those of the live-action adventures.
It could be argued that the DC Animated Universe has seen more popularity than Marvel's animated projects, with Warner Bros. perhaps meeting a higher standard in animation than they have in their live-action projects. While Marvel might be releasing animated stories in DC's shadow, they have still managed to produce some hugely entertaining and often more child-friendly adventures. Here are 16 examples of some brilliant Marvel animated movies.
16 Iron Man & Hulk: Heroes United (2013)
Marvel's Heroes United series kicked off with Iron Man & Hulk: Heroes United in December 2013. As Marvel Animation Studios' first direct-to-video film, Iron Man & Hulk utilized an innovative new technique known as "2-D wrap", which takes traditional animation and wraps it around the subjects, adding texture and weight and emphasizing its characters' facial expressions. The story features HYDRA scientists employing Abomination to capture the Hulk to drain his gamma energy. Using a version of Iron Man's arc reactor, they create the creature Zzzax, while the Hulk and Iron Man also battle a Wendigo and Mandroids, detailing a light-hearted and witty adventure for the two Avengers.
15 Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher (2014)
Following up on the Marvel Anime series, Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher was a 2014 Japanese anime film produced by Madhouse. The film follows Black Widow and the Punisher, who team up to stop a nefarious plot by the evil organization known as Leviathan. The dark, gritty tone provides a perfect setting for the Punisher's violence, although there is an odd shift in the tone about halfway through when a Marvel Comics favorite, Amadeus Cho, is introduced. The Avengers team does eventually make an appearance, but Black Widow and the Punisher are the focus of this exciting adventure, featuring plenty of tense fight scenes and unexpected plot twists.
14 Iron Man & Captain America: Heroes United (2014)
Leading on from Iron Man & Hulk: Heroes United, 2014's Iron Man & Captain America: Heroes United used the same "2-D wrap" technology to bring added realism to the storyline. This installment saw Iron Man and Captain America team up to battle the likes of the Red Skull and HYDRA, as well as Taskmaster, as the villains team up to bring down Captain America once-and-for-all. This animated film showcases a much more light-hearted relationship between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers than their MCU counterparts, as each hero believes they have the best approach to solving problems, each testing them out in hilarious and entertaining fashion.
13 Iron Man: Rise of Technovore (2013)
This 2013 Madhouse production, following on from the Marvel Anime series, features Matthew Mercer and Norman Reedus voicing Iron Man and the Punisher, respectively. In the wake of War Machine's tragic death, Tony Stark must clear his name as SHIELD has marked him as suspect number one. While Hawkeye and Black Widow team up to capture Iron Man, the armored Avenger teams up with the Punisher to take down Ezekiel Stane, Obadiah Stane's son, and the Technovore. The Punisher's screen time may be somewhat limited, but the character really shines in this tale of redemption, yet the mood is kept tense thanks to SHIELD's hunt for Iron Man.
12 Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors (2018)
Released simultaneously on the Disney Channel and Disney XD in September 2018, Marvel Rising: Secret Wars marked the first full-length film in the Marvel Rising series. In the wake of the global transformation of Inhumans, a new team formed under Captain Marvel known as the Secret Warriors, comprised of Ms. Marvel, Squirrel Girl, Inferno, Patriot, Lockjaw, Miss America, and Quake, voiced by Chloe Bennet from Agents of SHIELD. The new team works with SHIELD to face the new Inhuman threat of Exile, and though Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors may not be the highest-rated animated project from Marvel, the film did spawn a new and impressive animated franchise.
11 The Invincible Iron Man (2007)
2007's The Invincible Iron Man marked the third project in the Marvel Animated Features franchise, which included eight direct-to-video films produced by Marvel Animation and Lionsgate Entertainment. The Invincible Iron Man features self-assured billionaire Tony Stark finding a lost Chinese city and unwittingly releasing an ancient evil force. In order to save the world, Stark must become Iron Man and battle the Mandarin in a fantastic retelling of Iron Man's superhero origins. Arguably, the Mandarin's depiction in The Invincible Iron Man was more popular than his original portrayal in the MCU, though this new twist on Iron Man's origin does take several liberties with the source material.
10 Thor: Tales Of Asgard (2011)
Released in 2011, Thor: Tales of Asgard was the final project in the Marvel Animated Feature franchise. The film featured young brothers Thor and Loki joining forces to venture to Jotunheim and retrieve the legendary Sword of Surtur. The Warriors Three accompanied the siblings on their adventure in a quest that challenges both strength and will. Thor: Tales of Asgard sets itself apart by telling the story of a young future hero who has not yet been deemed worthy to wield the power of Mjolnir. Tales of Asgard once again proves that Marvel animation can tell a convincing, believable, and emotional story just as well as live-action projects.
9 Next Avengers: Heroes Of Tomorrow (2008)
As the fifth film in the Marvel Animated Features series, Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow introduced a new superhero team in the form of the Avengers' own children. Though the sudden appearance of the Avengers' children, and the death of the Avengers team, may be hard-to-swallow for some, Heroes of Tomorrow provides a captivating and emotional storyline nonetheless. The next generation of Avengers must avenge the deaths of their parents under the tutelage of the older Iron Man and Hulk, putting a twist on the popular Young Avengers stories that are growing in popularity with a number of MCU teases.
8 Ultimate Avengers 2: Rise Of The Panther (2006)
The second film in the Marvel Animated Features franchise and the follow-up to 2006's Ultimate Avengers: The Movie, Ultimate Avengers 2: Rise of the Panther introduced the eponymous Black Panther to the team as the Avengers travel to Wakanda to assist T'Challa in dealing with a Chitauri invasion. One of the most successful projects in Marvel's animation history, Ultimate Avengers 2 features a veteran Avengers team working against a dangerous foe, giving each hero ample screen time to showcase their remarkable abilities. The film also gave more attention to heroes that Ultimate Avengers ignored, including Hawkeye, Quicksilver, and the Scarlet Witch.
7 Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme (2007)
2007's Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme told Stephen Strange's origin story as a Master of the Mystic Arts and eventually Sorcerer Supreme almost a decade before the story was told in the MCU. As the fourth film in the Marvel Animated Feature franchise, Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme details the arrogant neurosurgeon's fateful car crash and journey of discovery into the Mystic Arts. Based on the popular sorcerer from Marvel Comics, years before Benedict Cumberbatch portrayed the character in live-action, Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme is a fun and entertaining retelling of his origins, internal struggles with vanity, and journey to acquire his powers.
6 Ultimate Avengers: The Movie (2006)
Similarly to the MCU's 2012 feature film, The Avengers, Marvel Animated Features' Ultimate Avengers: The Movie tells the story of the titular team coming together for the first time under the watchful eye of SHIELD and Nick Fury. Captain America is thawed in the present day and employed to lead the team of Avengers that consists of Iron Man, Thor, Giant-Man, the Wasp, Black Widow, and the Hulk. Ultimate Avengers: The Movie sticks a little closer to the Marvel Comics storyline than Marvel Studios did with The Avengers, but similar strokes are told, providing a great retelling of the Avengers' origins six years before the MCU tackled the story.
5 Hulk Vs. (2009)
Released as part of the Marvel Animated Feature franchise, Hulk Vs. is actually two films, with the double feature telling the stories of Hulk Vs. Thor and Hulk Vs. Wolverine. In Hulk Vs. Thor, Loki teams up with the Enchantress to harness the power of the Hulk and use it against Bruce Banner, leading to catastrophe in Asgard. In Hulk Vs. Wolverine, the beloved Marvel Comics battle it out as Wolverine is sent by the Canadian government to take down the Hulk. These are two hugely popular storylines in Marvel Comics, so it was great to see them adapted into vibrant and entertaining animation.
4 Planet Hulk (2010)
The seventh film in the Marvel Animated Feature series, Planet Hulk brought the hugely successful Marvel Comics storyline to life in 2010, years before Thor: Ragnarok adapted sections of the story for the MCU. Planet Hulk was one of the most popular animated films to come from Marvel animation, telling the story of the Hulk's exile after being deemed too dangerous to remain on Earth. Hulk's enslavement and gladiatorial battles were adapted both in Planet Hulk and Thor: Ragnarok, eventually leading to his quest for vengeance against the heroes of Earth - though this is toned down for Planet Hulk, and completely ignored in the MCU.
3 Big Hero 6 (2014)
On its 2014 release, Big Hero 6 became the most mainstream and commercially successful animated film by Marvel, adapted from the unusual superhero team from Marvel Comics led by young robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada and his brother's robot healthcare provider Baymax. This fantastic story is full of emotion and hilarious jokes that are fun for the whole family, bringing one of Marvel's lesser-known stories to life in brilliant animation. Though not as successful as many projects in the live-action MCU - and perhaps being too left-field to fit into the live-action franchise - Big Hero 6 still provides a great retelling of one of the more obscure Marvel Comics stories.
2 Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2018)
Based on the Marvel Comics character of Miles Morales, the Spider-Man from the Ultimate Marvel universe, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse marked a huge shift in animated Marvel projects after its December 2018 release. Featuring an all-star voice cast and some remarkable animation sequences, Into the Spider-Verse achieved critical acclaim, even taking home the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. As the first film in a trilogy for Sony, Into the Spider-Verse told Miles Morales' origin story as Spider-Man, replacing his universe's version of Peter Parker, who joined forces with multiversal Spider-People (and pig) to take down Kingpin in an extraordinary story of hope, persistence, and responsibility.
1 Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse (2023)
Following on from Into the Spider-Verse, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse received similar critical acclaim upon its June 2023 release, reintroducing audiences to Miles Morales, voiced by Shameik Moore. While operating as his universe's Spider-Man, Miles unwittingly unleashes a deadly threat on the multiverse and comes face-to-face with Spider-Man 2099 and the Spider Society in an effort to take down his new villain, though Miles soon learns that he may actually be the problem. Across the Spider-Verse's new animation styles and intricate storytelling perhaps rival that of Into the Spider-Verse, and with a third film planned for 2024, Marvel animated movies only seem to be getting more and more popular.