20 Marvel Animated Movies Ranked: The Ultimate Watch List

Marvel’s animated works brilliantly showcase their exceptional storytelling skills. These animated gems allow creators more artistic freedom than their live-action counterparts in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In animation, you don’t need a billion-dollar budget to make the Hulk smash a planet or to show Doctor Strange traveling through the Dream Dimension.

Some notable Marvel animated films worth viewing include Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher, Marvel Rising, The Invincible Iron Man, Thor: Tales Of Asgard, and Big Hero 6.

I have spent years watching these films—some on Saturday mornings with a bowl of cereal, others as direct-to-video releases that I eagerly rented from Blockbuster. While the MCU gets all the glory, I honestly believe some of these animated stories handle the characters better. They breathe life into the comic universe in a way live-action just can’t.

My Top Picks for Marvel Animated Movies

While some fans argue that DC’s animated universe (DCAU) overshadows Marvel’s, I think that is an unfair comparison. Marvel’s animation style is more experimental. From the anime-influenced Technovore to the groundbreaking style of Spider-Verse, Marvel takes risks.

Here is my personal ranking of the best Marvel animated movies, starting with the modern masterpieces and working our way back to the hidden gems.

1. Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse (2023)

On Earth-65, Gwen Stacy is a fugitive. In Brooklyn, Miles Morales meets the Spot, a villain capable of opening portals. This film isn’t just a movie; it is art. The way the directors blended different animation styles for different characters (like Spider-Punk appearing as a paper cutout) absolutely blew my mind.

My Personal Take: I was worried this sequel couldn’t live up to the first one, but I was wrong. The emotional depth here is staggering. Seeing Gwen’s watercolor world shift colors based on her emotions was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen in a superhero movie. If you only watch one movie on this list, make it this one.

2. Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2018)

Teenager Miles Morales struggles under his father’s expectations until a radioactive spider changes everything. This movie redefined the genre by lowering the frame rate to mimic the “step” of a comic book and adding literal text bubbles on screen. It introduced the mainstream world to the concept of the Multiverse long before the live-action MCU did.

My Personal Take: I still get chills watching the “Leap of Faith” scene where Miles finally accepts his powers. The soundtrack, the visuals, and the message that “anyone can wear the mask” resonate with me deeply. It is a perfect film.

3. Big Hero 6 (2014)

Big Hero 6 was a surprise hit. Based on a very obscure Marvel comic, it follows robotics whiz Hiro Hamada and his healthcare robot, Baymax. Combining heartfelt emotions with raucous humor, the movie provided a delightful experience for viewers of all ages.

My Personal Take: I admit, I cried at the end of this one. While it diverges heavily from the source material (in the comics, Baymax is a shapeshifting dragon-like robot), the change to a “marshmallow” nurse robot was genius. It’s the most heartwarming movie on this list.

4. Planet Hulk (2010)

Planet Hulk is widely recognized as the high point of Marvel’s direct-to-video animation. It tells the captivating story of Hulk’s banishment from Earth by the Illuminati (Iron Man, Dr. Strange, etc.) because he was deemed too dangerous. He lands on Sakaar, becomes a slave, and eventually a king.

My Personal Take: If you watched Thor: Ragnarok and thought, “I wish there was more Hulk arena fighting,” this is the movie for you. It’s gritty, violent, and treats the Hulk as a tragic, intelligent warrior rather than just a smashing machine. I actually prefer this version of the story over the MCU adaptation because it gives Hulk the respect he deserves.

5. Hulk Vs. (2009)

This entry is unique because it is two short films in one: Hulk Vs. Thor and Hulk Vs. Wolverine. In the Thor segment, Loki separates Bruce Banner from the Hulk, trying to control the beast to destroy Asgard. In the Wolverine segment, Logan is sent to hunt down the Hulk in the Canadian wilderness.

My Personal Take: The Wolverine segment is legendary. Not only do we get a brutal fight between Hulk and Wolverine, but we also get the “Weapon X” team, including Deadpool, Omega Red, and Sabretooth. The banter between Deadpool and Wolverine here is top-tier, and I frequently rewatch just this segment for the laughs.

6. Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme (2007)

Released long before the Benedict Cumberbatch movie, this film delves into the fascinating origin story of Stephen Strange. It meticulously portrays his evolution from a conceited neurosurgeon to a Master of the Mystic Arts. It covers his training in Tibet and his battle against Dormammu.

My Personal Take: I actually find the pacing in this animated version to be better than the live-action film. It spends more time on the training aspect and the philosophy of magic. Plus, the animation allows for some truly trippy visuals that fit the Doctor Strange aesthetic perfectly.

7. Ultimate Avengers: The Movie (2006)

Much like the 2012 Marvel Studios’ blockbuster, Ultimate Avengers tells the story of the first assembly of the titular team. Based on the “Ultimates” comic run, it’s a bit edgier than standard Avengers fare. The team includes Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Giant-Man, Wasp, and Black Widow.

My Personal Take: This movie holds a special place in my heart because it was one of the first times we saw a cohesive Avengers team on screen. I particularly enjoyed the conflict—the heroes don’t get along instantly. The final fight where the team has to take down a rampaging Hulk is intense and shows just how dangerous Banner really is.

8. Ultimate Avengers 2: Rise Of The Panther (2006)

The sequel brings the iconic Black Panther into the fold. The Avengers travel to Wakanda to help T’Challa defend his homeland from a threatening Chitauri invasion. It provides each hero with substantial screen time, spotlighting even previously underrepresented Avengers like Hawkeye.

My Personal Take: While sequels are usually worse, I liked the global scale of this one. Seeing Wakanda animated years before the live-action phenomenon was a treat. The stakes felt higher, and the death of a major character (I won’t spoil who) added emotional weight I wasn’t expecting.

9. Next Avengers: Heroes Of Tomorrow (2008)

This film breathes new life into the superhero genre by unveiling a team made up of the Avengers’ children. In a dark future where Ultron has won and killed most of the original Avengers, the kids (raised by an aging Tony Stark) must save the world. It features James Rogers (son of Cap), Torunn (daughter of Thor), and Azari (son of Black Panther).

My Personal Take: I went into this expecting a cheesy kids’ movie, but I was blown away. It is surprisingly dark—Ultron actually killed the Avengers! Watching an elderly Hulk finally decide to smash Ultron is one of the most satisfying moments in Marvel animation history.

10. Thor: Tales Of Asgard (2011)

This film features young brothers Thor and Loki, setting off together on a dangerous voyage to Jotunheim to seize the legendary Sword of Surtur. The unique aspect here is seeing a youthful Thor who has not yet earned the right to harness Mjolnir’s immense power.

My Personal Take: It is refreshing to see Thor and Loki actually working together as brothers before the jealousy and betrayal took over. It feels more like a classic fantasy adventure (like Lord of the Rings lite) than a superhero movie, which makes it stand out from the rest of the list.

11. Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher (2014)

Produced by Madhouse (the studio behind Death Note), this film pairs Black Widow with the Punisher to disrupt the malicious plots of the organization Leviathan. It has a very distinctive anime art style, differing from the usual western animation of other Marvel films.

My Personal Take: This is a hidden gem for anime fans. The pairing of Black Widow and Punisher works surprisingly well—they are both willing to cross lines that Captain America wouldn’t. The action scenes are fluid and stylish, exactly what you would expect from a top-tier Japanese studio.

12. The Invincible Iron Man (2007)

Before Robert Downey Jr. defined the role, this animated feature told a slightly different origin story. Billionaire Tony Stark discovers a hidden Chinese city and unwittingly releases an ancient evil force. To save the world, he morphs into his alter ego, Iron Man, and takes on the formidable Mandarin.

My Personal Take: While the animation is a bit dated now (it has that mid-2000s CGI look), the story is solid. I liked that it leaned heavily into the “Technology vs. Ancient Magic” theme, which is a core part of Iron Man’s struggle that the movies didn’t explore as deeply until much later.

13. Hulk: Where Monsters Dwell (2016)

In this Halloween special, the Jade Giant and the Sorcerer Supreme (Dr. Strange) combat teen monsters causing chaos in New York City on Halloween night. To solve this puzzle, they must face the evil Nightmare in the Dream Dimension.

My Personal Take: This is my go-to watch during October. I loved seeing the “Howling Commandos” (Man-Thing, Werewolf by Night, and a zombie Jasper Sitwell) get some screen time. It’s a fun, spooky romp that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

14. Iron Man: Rise of Technovore (2013)

Another Madhouse production, this features Norman Reedus voicing the Punisher. The narrative unravels following the devastating loss of War Machine, putting Tony Stark in a tight spot as he tries to clear his name while SHIELD chases him. The animation is slick, and the Technovore designs are genuinely creepy body-horror elements.

15. Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors (2018)

This film focuses on the next generation: Ms. Marvel, Squirrel Girl, Patriot, and Quake. It’s definitely aimed at a younger demographic than Planet Hulk, but it has a lot of heart. It highlights the diversity of the Marvel Universe and gives Squirrel Girl the spotlight she deserves. If you have kids who are just getting into Marvel, this is the perfect entry point.

16. Iron Man & Captain America: Heroes United (2014)

Iron Man and Captain America team up to face Red Skull and Taskmaster. I’ll be honest: the cel-shaded CGI animation style used here is a bit “love it or hate it.” It looks a bit like a video game cutscene. However, the banter between Tony and Steve is top-notch, capturing their “frenemy” dynamic perfectly as they argue over tactics while fighting Hydra.

17. Iron Man & Hulk: Heroes United (2013)

The predecessor to the Cap team-up. The story follows HYDRA scientists as they try to harvest Hulk’s gamma energy to create Zzzax, a creature of pure electricity. It’s a straightforward buddy-cop movie with superheroes. It’s great for younger viewers who just want to see Hulk smash things and Iron Man fly around.

18. Marvel Rising: Battle of the Bands (2019)

Since her debut, “Spider-Gwen” (Ghost-Spider) has captivated fans. In this short film, she shines in the spotlight. Ghost-Spider and the Secret Warriors gear up for a band competition while fighting crime. It’s fun, lighthearted, and features some catchy tunes. If you love the “Gwen” from the Spider-Verse movies, you’ll enjoy seeing her here.

19. Marvel Rising: Operation Shuri (2019)

A simple gathering escalates into a day of heroic exploits as Shuri joins the Secret Warriors. This animated coming-of-age story dives into Shuri’s character, highlighting her intellect and independence. I really appreciated that they focused on her tech skills and leadership, proving she is more than just “Black Panther’s sister.”

20. LEGO Marvel Super Heroes: Black Panther

Get ready for an exhilarating Black Panther-themed adventure where the stakes are high but the mood is light. Black Panther must marshal his Avengers comrades against Thanos and Killmonger. The delightful slapstick humor echoes the much-loved LEGO Marvel Super Heroes games. It is unapologetically silly and perfect for a family movie night.

Marvel Animated Series History (TV)

If you loved the movies, you owe it to yourself to check out the shows that laid the groundwork. Here is the complete timeline of Marvel on the small screen.