Since 2008, Marvel has been the dominating comic book company on the big screen with movies like The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, and multiple Spider-Man franchises. When it comes to the animation department, it's DC that has been conquering since the 1990s while Marvel has mostly stuck to their live-action film and TV series. However, Marvel has produced several animated films.
While many haven't been as successful as DC's animations, for every mediocre title, Marvel has featured surprising animated films that rivaled their live-action counterparts. IMDb includes a list of the best and worst Marvel animations, so fans can check out what to watch next.
Updated on December 28th, 2022 by Mayra García: IMDb is a fastly changing platform. As the web's users constantly modify rankings, CBR continually updates this list to reflect the new rankings of each film. Among the best is Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Without a doubt, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will soon give the groundbreaking film some friendly competition.
17 Iron Man & Hulk: Heroes United (2013)
IMDb Score: 4.6
Adrian Pasdar and Fred Tatasciore star in Iron Man & Hulk: Heroes United as Tony Stark and Bruce Banner. This movie follows the two Avengers as they join forces again Hydra when this evil corporation almost causes a blackout all around the world. The movie has the lowest score when it comes to animated Marvel movies due to its linear plot.
However, Iron Man & Hulk: Heroes United features a team-up for the ages. Between battles against robots and wendigos, Iron Man and Hulk prove why they're among Marvel's most iconic figures. This film was created using the 2-D wrap, a technique that combines traditional animation and modern technology. This explains the texture of the backgrounds in every sequence of the film.
16 Marvel Super Hero Adventures: Frost Fight! (2015)
IMDb Score: 5.0
Marvel Super Hero Adventures: Frost Fight! depicts the Avengers battling Loki and Ymir, a ruthless frost giant. Since these two villains want to take Santa Claus' powers away in order to conquer the world, Earth's Mightiest Heroes must literally save Christmas.
A definite holiday experience, Marvel Super Hero Adventures: Frost Fight! is a great option to watch during the Holidays. It features renowned voice actors like Mick Wingert and Fred Tatasciore and it also has a Christmassy vibe. Its only problem is that it may be too kid-oriented to be enjoyed by adult fans.
15 Iron Man: Rise Of Technovore (2013)
IMDb Score: 5.2
Marvel released a few different series inspired by anime that were based on popular Marvel characters like Blade, Wolverine, and Iron Man. 2013 saw the release of Iron Man: Rise of Technovore which followed up on the anime series and featured other Marvel characters like Black Widow, The Punisher, Hawkeye, and War Machine.
Iron Man and his fellow heroes teamed up to take on Advanced Idea Mechanics/A.I.M. and the powerful techno-organic threat known as the Technovore. Despite its relatively low IMDb ranking, the movie developed a passionate fanbase that still loved the film.
14 Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors (2018)
IMDb Score: 5.4
A new connected world of Marvel heroes first appeared in a 2018 TV Movie called Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors. It saw a new team form under Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel that included newly created characters like Quake, Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel, Squirrel Girl, Patriot, Inferno, and Miss America Chavez. who recently gained popularity thanks to her MCU version.
Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors followed the global transformation of Inhumans as competing factions like S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Inhuman named Exile vied for new superpowered assets. While Secret Warriors wasn't the highest ranked of Marvel's animation, it successfully launched a franchise of movies, series, and shorts that introduced characters like Ghost-Spider and Ironheart.
13 Hulk: Where Monsters Dwell (2016)
IMDb Score: 5.4
DisneyXD launched an animated universe of connected series like Avengers Assemble and Hulk: Agents of S.M.A.S.H. These projects led to a couple of animated movies like 2016's Hulk: Where Monsters Dwell, which featured the titular hero smashing enemies alongside Doctor Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme.
Hulk and Doctor Strange joined forces on Halloween and found themselves working with the supernatural Howling Commandos. Hulk: Where Monsters Dwell will likely impress younger fans of the DisneyXD series, but some adult fans may find it lacking.
12 Iron Man And Captain America: Heroes United (2014)
IMDb Score: 5.5
In Iron Man And Captain America: Heroes United, the Invincible Iron Man and the Star-Spangled Man team up to battle the Red Skull and newer MCU villain Taskmaster from unleashing monster Hydra agents on the world. The animated adventure features Adrian Pasdar (Iron Man) and Roger Craig Smith (Captain America) who voiced the same characters on Disney XD's Avengers Assemble.
As shown by its IMDb rating, Iron Man and Captain America is a mixed bag. It has less story than one would think, and its animation style can be an acquired taste. However, the actors perform their roles well, helping create a short but fun action film for the whole family to enjoy.
11 Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher (2014)
IMDb Score: 5.7
Trading giant superhero spectacle for more of a dark, espionage thriller Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher pairs together two unlikely allies. To stop a terrorist organization from selling high-grade S.H.I.E.L.D. tech that could potentially cause mass destruction, Black Widow enlists Frank "Punisher" Castle, a hero with a hefty kill count, to help her.
Avengers Confidential is a simple but effective James Bond-styled story with Jennifer Carpenter and Brian Bloom excelling as the two titular characters. The other standout aspect of the film is its animation, becoming one of the most beautifully made animated Marvel films.
10 The Invincible Iron Man (2007)
IMDb Score: 5.8
Before Robert Downey Jr. flew high above the world's expectations, Tony Stark's origin story was told through an animated film that featured him facing off against the Mandarin. The Invincible Iron Man presented an intriguing story, and much like the live-action, it took its character seriously and with respect. However, it wasn't afraid to include Stark's cocky humor.
The voice actors in The Invincible Iron Man stand out, the animation is eye-pleasing, and the film has some great action scenes to keep one entertained. It's a shame this one never got a follow-up with characters like War Machine, Ultimo, or Crimson Dynamo.
9 Next Avengers: Heroes Of Tomorrow (2008)
IMDb Score: 6.2
Considering Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow looks like it's a silly and goofy superhero romp starring kids, it's easy to go in with low expectations. However, this film actually takes a much darker approach to the Marvel Universe. Presenting a dystopian future ruled by Ultron, the children of deceased Avengers must rise and take on their parents' mantle.
The next-gen heroes were well-designed and acted, the action was fun, and the film had good twists and turns. Featuring characters like Old Man Hulk, Next Avengers highlighted each member of the Avengers in some way and helped set up the young team's appearance in the comics.
8 Thor: Tales Of Asgard (2011)
IMDb Score: 6.2
The last straight-to-DVD film in Marvel's animated lineup, Thor: Tales of Asgard flew under the radar for many fans. It turned out to be a surprisingly good adventure film and followed the teenage Thor and Loki on a quest to recover Surtur's magic sword.
The characters all proved memorable, Loki was a shining star as usual, and the quest itself included a healthy balance of fun, darkness, comedy, intrigue, and character. When combined with great animation, Thor: Tales of Asgard helped end Marvel's straight-to-DVD line on a good note.
7 Ultimate Avengers II (2006)
IMDb Score: 6.5
With all the same characters returning from the first film, this movie introduces Black Panther, who would become a core ally for the Avengers. In a great leap for the character, Black Panther's story was told respectfully, and the Avengers proved outstanding once again.
Ultimate Avengers II tries to do a little too much in its shorter runtime, making it feel jumbled and preventing some characters from getting the screen time they desire. Despite that, everything that was great about the first movie returns for this one, which makes it a great sequel.
6 Ultimate Avengers: The Movie (2006)
IMDb Score: 6.6
Before Kevin Feige and Joss Whedon brought the characters to life in the major team-up film, Marvel Animation gave fans Ultimate Avengers: The Movie. Despite having a less than two-hour runtime, the film introduced fans to a well-performed and illustrated cast of characters and some exquisite action scenes.
Taking more inspiration from the Ultimate comics, Ultimate Avengers presented a new take on the Avengers that felt like a spectacle. Every frame of animation was top quality, and the same proved true for the voice acting. It also featured a darker version of the Incredible Hulk, depicting him as an anti-hero who took on all the Avengers.
5 Doctor Strange (2007)
IMDb Score: 6.6
2007 saw the release of two Marvel animated features: The Invincible Iron Man and Doctor Strange. Following the journey of Marvel's strongest magic user as he trained under the Ancient One, one of his most important allies, the film lets viewers step into Doctor Strange's life.
After he earned the title of Sorcerer Supreme, Doctor Strange was forced to test his abilities in battle against the followers of Dormammu while investigating a mysterious case of children trapped in a mystical coma. Fans were hoping to see a connected series of films launch from Invincible Iron Man and Doctor Strange, however, Marvel Animation stuck to mostly individual stories.
4 Planet Hulk (2010)
IMDb Score: 6.7
Much like the comic book story of the same name, Planet Hulk featured Hulk on an alien planet being forced to fight in a coliseum against the galaxy's toughest fighters and criminals. The Hulk received much more development in this film, and the stellar performances made it a hit among fans.
For anyone hoping to see Hulk go on a smashing rampage and battle fierce aliens, Planet Hulk doesn't disappoint. Many fans hoped to get a sequel in the form of World War Hulk, but such a development never happened. The fandom is still waiting to see if the MCU delivers.
3 Hulk Vs. (2009)
IMDb Score: 6.9
Presenting two movies for the price of one, the double feature Hulk Vs. pit everyone's jolly green giant against two of Marvel's most powerful and dangerous individuals. One of Wolverine's most surprising stories, it had Hulk battle the X-Men icon along with some villains for good measure, while the other story depicted a brainwashed Hulk facing off against Thor.
Character development and storytelling weren't the stars of these movies, but some fans didn't care. Instead, Hulk Vs. simply delivered loads of epic battles and character clashes in some of the most well-crafted action scenes of the straight-to-DVD animated films.
2 Big Hero 6 (2014)
IMDb Score: 7.8
Marvel and Walt Disney Animation adapted an obscure international Marvel team known as Big Hero 6 for the titular 2014 animated movie. Introducing a reimagined version of the team in a high-tech fantastical world, the film became an instant hit and even led to a spin-off animated series.
Following the death of his older brother, young Hiro teamed up with his brother's robotic invention, Baymax. Together with his high-tech equipped fellow students, the heroes of Big Hero 6 discovered the truth behind the tragedy and the mystery of the dangerous man in the Kabuki mask.
1 Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2018)
IMDb Score: 8.4
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse became an instant sensation when it came out and for good reason. Not only did it change focus to the underutilized Miles Morales from the Ultimate Spider-Man comics, but it was the first animated Marvel movie to hit theaters.
Adapting one of the most ambitious storylines from the comics, Into The Spider-Verse nailed every element. From fantastic performances and relatable characters to the revolutionary animation and thrilling action, many saw the film as flawless. Into The Spider-Verse beat out a Pixar movie as an Oscar winner for Best Animated Film.