20 Marvel Animated Movies To Watch

First on our list of animated Marvel movies is: Marvel Rising: Battle of the Bands. Since her debut in 2014, “Spider-Gwen” or “Ghost-Spider,” Gwen Stacy has quickly captivated fans’ hearts.

In this Marvel heroes film, she shines in the spotlight along with an impressive cadre of beloved female heroes. They embark on a mission to unmask the culprits behind recent attacks.

As they dig into the investigation, Ghost-Spider and the Secret Warriors gear up for a band competition. For all die-hard Spider-Gwen fans eager to see her in her element, rocking out and showcasing her impressive skills, this film is a guaranteed thrill and a must-watch.

A simple gathering quickly escalates into a day full of heroic exploits as Shuri and her comrades in the Secret Warriors band together to save the day.

This animated coming-of-age story dives into Shuri’s character, offering deeper insights and highlighting the independence spirit among Marvel’s young heroines. This must-watch film applauds Shuri and displays the extraordinary journey of Marvel’s emerging heroes’ generation.

Get ready for an exhilarating Black Panther-themed adventure where the stakes soar to astounding levels. The brave protector and prince of Wakanda, Black Panther, must marshal his Avengers comrades when a menacing alliance forms between Ulysses Klaue, Eric Killmonger, and Thanos, with a set aim to steal Vibranium.

Even amid the enormous danger hovering throughout the film, audiences can still enjoy the delightful slapstick humor that echoes the much-loved LEGO Marvel Super Heroes games. It offers an entertaining experience that young viewers will absolutely love.

In the classic Marvel team-up “Hulk: Where Monsters Dwell,” the Jade Giant and the Sorcerer Supreme combat Halloween night-transformed teen monsters causing chaos in New York City.

To solve this strange puzzle, Doctors Strange and Banner must face the evil Nightmare in the Dream Dimension, with the formidable Howling Commandos, including a zombified Jasper Sitwell, Vampire by Night, Man-Thing, Werewolf, and Minotaur, ensuring their safety.

The story’s connection to the vast Marvel Universe, featuring Doctor Strange and the Howling Commandos, makes this an unmissable thrill. Plus, don’t miss the creative use of Iron Man’s Hulkbuster armor in this adventure.

In 2014, Madhouse animated the Japanese anime film Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher, extending the Marvel Anime series. The narrative spins around Black Widow and the Punisher teaming up to disrupt the malicious plots of the infamous organization, Leviathan. The film sustains a dark and gritty ambiance, a fitting backdrop for the Punisher’s proclivity for violence.

Yet, a fascinating turn unfolds when Marvel Comics’ favorite character, Amadeus Cho, steps into the story, adding an unique dynamic. While the Avengers squad does join the scene, the film primarily emphasizes the captivating adventures of Black Widow and the Punisher. Intense fight scenes and unforeseen plot twists punctuate this exhilarating escapade, promising an absorbing viewing experience.

Building on the success of Iron Man & Hulk: Heroes United, the 2014 film Iron Man & Captain America: Heroes United employed the innovative “2-D wrap” technology to elevate the realism of its storyline. In this episode, Iron Man and Captain America team up to face daunting enemies including Red Skull, HYDRA, and Taskmaster. These villains band together in a relentless effort to annihilate Captain America.

The animation spotlights a lighter interaction between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers than their Marvel animated universe
counterparts.

Each hero insists that their problem-solving method surpasses the other’s, resulting in humorous and delightful moments as they experiment with their strategies in amusing scenarios. The movie weaves a charming and captivating tale, brilliantly encapsulating their divergent personalities and offering a balance of humor and thrill.

In December 2013, Marvel’s Heroes United series kicked off with the launch of Iron Man & Hulk: Heroes United. This film marked the first direct-to-video release from Marvel Animation Studios, introducing the innovative “2-D wrap” technique. The creators wrapped traditional animation around the characters to provide texture, weight, and enhanced facial expressions.

The story follows HYDRA scientists as they hire the powerful Abomination to kidnap the Hulk and harvest his gamma energy. They leverage a modified version of Iron Man’s arc reactor to birth a formidable creature called Zzzax. Amidst this chaos, Hulk and Iron Man embark on a playful and cunning journey, battling foes like the Wendigo and Mandroids, and celebrating their heroic camaraderie.

In September 2018, Marvel Rising: Secret Wars premiered on Disney Channel and Disney XD, marking the first full-length film in the Marvel Rising series. The narrative focuses on the worldwide transformation of the Inhumans, spurring the creation of a new team, the Secret Warriors, under Captain Marvel’s leadership.

This diverse squad comprises Ms. Marvel, Squirrel Girl, Inferno, Patriot, Lockjaw, Miss America, and Quake, featuring the voice of Agents of SHIELD’s Chloe Bennet as Quake.

Teaming up with SHIELD, the Secret Warriors tackle the rising Inhuman menace known as Exile. Although Marvel Rising: Secret Wars may not have garnered the top ratings among Marvel’s animated endeavors, it effectively established the base for a formidable new animated franchise.

The film’s launch paved the way for animated escapades, highlighting Marvel’s dedication to broadening its narrative universe beyond conventional formats.

Madhouse’s 2013 production, a continuation of the Marvel Anime series, features Matthew Mercer and Norman Reedus voicing Iron Man and the Punisher respectively.

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 as the main suspect.

As Hawkeye and Black Widow team up to capture Iron Man, the armored hero unexpectedly partners with the Punisher to challenge Ezekiel Stane, son of Obadiah Stane, and the formidable Technovore. Despite his relatively brief appearance, the Punisher’s character sparkles in this redemption story.

The plot intensifies as SHIELD doggedly hunts Iron Man, creating a suspenseful tone throughout the story.

In 2011, Thor: Tales of Asgard closed the Marvel Animated Feature franchise as its final installment. The film features young brothers Thor and Loki, setting off together on a dangerous voyage to Jotunheim. They aim to seize the legendary Sword of Surtur, accompanied by the Warriors Three. The brothers encounter substantial challenges throughout their journey, pushing their strength and willpower to their limits.

The unique aspect of Thor: Tales of Asgard is its spotlight on a youthful Thor, who has not yet earned the right to harness Mjolnir’s immense power.

This narrative decision explores the shaping years of a future hero. The movie effectively proves that Marvel animation can deliver enthralling, credible, and emotionally engaging stories, matching the caliber of their live-action versions. Thor: Tales of Asgard exemplifies the narrative power of Marvel’s animated endeavors.

In 2007, The Invincible Iron Man debuted as the third installment in the Marvel Animated Features franchise. Marvel Animation and Lionsgate Entertainment co-produced this series of eight direct-to-video films. This specific film trails the adventures of self-assured billionaire Tony Stark.

After discovering a hidden Chinese city, he unwittingly releases an ancient evil force. To save the world, Stark morphs into his alter ego, Iron Man, and takes on the formidable Mandarin, providing a gripping reinterpretation of Iron Man’s superhero beginnings.

Interestingly, The Invincible Iron Man gained substantial popularity for depicting the Mandarin, outshining the character’s initial portrayal in the Marvel animated universe. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that this refreshing take on Iron Man’s origin story does exercise creative freedom with the source material, incorporating its unique plot twists.

Much like the 2012 Marvel Studios’ blockbuster, The Avengers, Ultimate Avengers: The Movie by Marvel Animated Features tells the story of the first assembly of the titular team, under the supervision of SHIELD and Nick Fury.

The film brings us to the modern-day awakening of Captain America, who takes on the leadership role for a powerful lineup including Iron Man, Thor, Giant-Man, the Wasp, Black Widow, and the Hulk.

Although Ultimate Avengers: The Movie stays more true to the original narrative of Marvel Comics than Marvel Studios’ version of The Avengers, it successfully encapsulates the roots of the team, offering an intriguing retelling six years before the MCU introduced its version of the story.

Hulk Vs. Thor, the first film, unveils Loki and the Enchantress joining forces to manipulate Hulk’s power into a weapon against Bruce Banner, causing chaos in Asgard.

The second film, Hulk Vs. Wolverine spotlights an exciting face-off between two legendary Marvel Comics characters. Here, the Canadian government sends Wolverine to tackle the mighty Hulk.

These enthralling storylines, drawn from the Marvel Comics universe, transform into colorful and compelling animated films, pleasing fans with their accurate depictions.

Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow, as the fifth film in the Marvel Animated Features series, breathes new life into the superhero genre by unveiling a team made up of the Avengers’ children. Although the sudden emergence of the Avengers’ offspring and the demise of the original team may disconcert some viewers, Heroes of Tomorrow captivates with its emotionally charged story.

In this movie, the Avengers’ next generation faces the daunting task of avenging their parents’ deaths.

Guided by the older versions of Iron Man and Hulk, they set off on a journey that adds a unique twist to the increasingly popular Young Avengers tales. This exciting premise has gained traction, spurred on by hints and teases in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme, released in 2007, actively delves into the fascinating origin story of Stephen Strange, long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe took it up. As the fourth installment in the Marvel Animated Feature franchise, the film meticulously portrays Strange’s evolution from a conceited neurosurgeon to a Master of the Mystic Arts, eventually attaining the revered title of Sorcerer Supreme.

The film recounts the life-altering car accident that sets Strange on a transformative journey of self-discovery within the Mystic Arts.

Drawing from the beloved sorcerer’s depiction in Marvel Comics, the film animates his fascinating journey, examining his initial battle with vanity and his rigorous pursuit to gain his exceptional powers.

Ultimate Avengers 2: Rise of the Panther, the sequel to 2006’s Ultimate Avengers and the second in the Marvel Animated Features franchise, brings the iconic Black Panther into the team.

The Avengers travel to Wakanda in this high-octane film to help T’Challa defend his homeland from a threatening Chitauri invasion.

Recognized as one of Marvel’s top animated works, Ultimate Avengers 2 provides each hero with substantial screen time, spotlighting even previously underrepresented Avengers like Hawkeye, Quicksilver, and Scarlet Witch.

Ultimate Avengers 2 offers a thrilling story that fuses intense action with character-driven narratives. It enriches Marvel’s animated legacy by including the fan-favorite Black Panther and a more extensive roster of heroes, delivering a captivating and dynamic adventure.

Planet Hulk, the seventh installment in the Marvel Animated Feature series, vibrantly adapts the highly popular Marvel Comics storyline to the screen in 2010, predating the MCU’s Thor: Ragnarok, which borrowed elements from the narrative.

Recognized as a high point in Marvel animation, Planet Hulk tells the captivating story of Hulk’s banishment from Earth due to his excessive danger.

The film vividly illustrates Hulk’s enslavement and involvement in gladiator-style battles, themes common to both Planet Hulk and Thor: Ragnarok, and builds towards his relentless quest for revenge against Earth’s heroes.

However, it’s worth mentioning that Planet Hulk takes a slightly more restrained approach in depicting this quest, and the MCU entirely overlooks this aspect.

Big Hero 6, released in 2014, quickly became Marvel’s most popular and commercially successful animated film.

It took cues from the unusual superhero team in Marvel Comics, led by the intelligent young robotics whiz Hiro Hamada and his brother’s healthcare robot, Baymax. Combining heartfelt emotions with raucous humor, the movie provided a delightful experience for viewers of all ages.

Big Hero 6 infused a vibrant energy into one of Marvel’s less prominent stories, magnifying its splendor through dazzling animation.

Despite not achieving the same level of success as many MCU live-action projects, Big Hero 6 offered a striking reinterpretation of one of Marvel Comics’ less well-known tales, perfectly capturing its spirit.

Teenager Miles Morales, struggling under his police officer father’s expectations in New York City, acquires Spider-Man-like abilities after a radioactive spider bites him at an abandoned subway station, a spot his Uncle Aaron took him to for graffiti art. There, he stumbles upon Kingpin’s collider, a machine aimed at accessing parallel universes to resurrect his deceased wife and son.

As Spider-Man fights Kingpin’s minions, Green Goblin and the Prowler, an explosion fatally wounds Spider-Man and kills Goblin. Before dying, Spider-Man hands Miles a USB to disable the city-threatening collider. Traumatized by Spider-Man’s death at Kingpin’s hands, Miles escapes.

Attempting to carry on Spider-Man’s legacy, he damages the drive. At Spider-Man’s grave, Miles encounters Peter B. Parker, an older, downtrodden Spider-Man from another dimension.

On Earth-65, Gwen Stacy, unknown to her police captain father George, is Spider-Woman. Haunted by her role in her best friend Peter Parker’s death when he transformed into the Lizard, she’s a fugitive.

One night, she battles an Italian Renaissance-themed Vulture alongside Spider-People Miguel O’Hara and Jess Drew, who arrive using portal-generating watches. Cornered by her father, she reveals her secret identity, leaving him devastated and trying to arrest her. Miguel reluctantly inducts Gwen into the Spider-Society, helping her escape.

In Brooklyn on Earth-1610, sixteen months post-Alchemax collider’s destruction, Miles Morales meets the Spot, an Alchemax scientist whose body fused with portals following the collider blast.

Spot blames Miles for his condition, revealing he transported the alternate-dimension spider that bit Miles, causing him to become Spider-Man. Spot travels to universes with colliders to boost his power.