If you’re a Marvel fan and have made it through most, if not all, of the live-action franchise, we’ll say that you’re missing out if you’ve skipped the animated films. Here are the best Marvel animated movies to take you even deeper into one of the most fantastic comic universes of all time.
Best Marvel animated movies as of 2025
Surprisingly, it’s the DC Universe that has really taken off with animated movies. There’s no shortage of excellent DC animated films — 110 in total, compared to Marvel’s 17. Even some of the biggest heroes have shone in animated form; several of the best Batman movies fall into that category. So while it’s hard to say why Marvel has been holding back, there are some genuinely great Marvel animated movies. Here are a few of the best.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse follows Brooklyn teen Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore), who gets bitten by a radioactive spider and suddenly finds his life flipping upside down. He starts developing powers similar to those of a masked, web-slinging hero named Spider-Man, whom his police officer dad definitely does not approve of. But when things get interesting, Miles discovers he’s not alone: alternate-universe Spider-heroes start popping up. Together, they have to stop a threat that could destroy all realities.
One of the best Marvel animated films, and perhaps the best Spider-Man movie, based on fan and critical feedback, Into the Spider-Verse has a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Although not always the sole indicator of a movie’s greatness, it serves as a good gauge of audience response. You can read the reviews on this if you don’t take our word for it. — or at least take the Best Animated Feature win at the Academy Awards as proof. From its groundbreaking animation to its compelling story and unforgettable score, this movie appears not only on nearly every superhero best-of list but also on almost every recent best-animated movie list. Tied for first, or maybe coming in at a close second of the best Marvel animated movies, is the sequel, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023).
Ultimate Avengers: The Movie
Ultimate Avengers: The Movie, was released in 2006. It was only the third movie in the Marvel animated lineup, arriving after a long gap following the TV movies Dracula (1980) and Monster of Frankenstein (1981). Not really sure what was going on with the horror animation back then, but that’s a story worth revisiting. I also wouldn’t be terribly mad if Marvel came back to this genre — hey, Marvel execs, anyone listening?
Ultimate Avengers: The Movie tells the story of how a team of superpowered heroes comes together, thanks to Nick Fury’s networking skills. They must put aside their differences and work as a team to defend the world from an overwhelming threat. In terms of story, the villain is a bit lackluster, as is most of the plot. The animation also leaves us wanting, but this is still a solid first attempt from Marvel, marking the beginning of nearly 20 years of live-action films, with Iron Man coming out in 2008. While it may not be the very best Marvel animated film, its overall importance gives it a leg up, earning it a spot on our list.
Hulk Vs.
A Marvel double feature released in 2009, Hulk Vs. comes in two parts: Hulk vs. Wolverine and Hulk vs. Thor. Both are solid, and both have quick run times, so it’s an easy watch. These come after the classic comic book setup where our favorite heroes get pitted against each other for various reasons.
Hulk vs. Thor kicks off during a week in Winter when Odin, who usually keeps things under control, needs a ritualistic nap to regain his strength for the coming year. That leaves the door wide open for the mischievous Loki, who teams up with the Enchantress to separate Bruce Banner from the Hulk so the Hulk can be used as a weapon. And weapon he is — Thor gets a full-on smackdown.
Hulk vs. Wolverine similarly sees a Hulk out of control, and of course, a hero is needed to stop him. This leads to a brutal showdown between Hulk and Wolverine, complete with plenty of violence and blood. The animation from Japanese studio Madhouse is outstanding.
Planet Hulk
Planet Hulk is one of the most well-known Marvel animated films, which takes the Hulk out of his usual setting and throws him into a completely alien world. After being deemed too dangerous for Earth, the Illuminati heroes make a tough call on what to do with him. The ultimate decision to send the Hulk to space isn’t necessarily punishment, but is done in the hope that a calm planet might help the Hulk relax. Deep breaths, dude.
So, the Hulk is sent into space, but things don’t exactly go as planned: he crash-lands on the planet Sakaar, which is anything but relaxing. There, he’s captured and forced to fight as a gladiator. Over time, Hulk earns the respect of the other warriors and eventually rises to lead a rebellion against the tyrannical Red King.
This 2010 animated film is the seventh installment in the Marvel animated lineup, featuring plenty of action-packed sequences, strong voice performances, and creative animation that make it a worthy addition to this list. Planet Hulk closely follows the 2006 comic storyline and is a must-watch for any Marvel fan who wants to see a different side of the Hulk. Plus, if you liked Ragnarok, you’ll be pleased to see this side of his story.
Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme
Released in 2007, Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme is the fourth movie in the Marvel animated lineup, taking us to the magical side of the Marvel Universe. Although the film packs a lot into its runtime, it’s a great origin story and perhaps the best Marvel direct-to-DVD offering. Surprisingly, it took nearly ten years for the live-action version to be made, eventually starring Benedict Cumberbatch, who bears an exceptionally similar resemblance to this animated version. Great casting there.
Stephen Strange (voiced by Bryce Johnson) is one of the most skilled surgeons in the world, but he’s also arrogant and obsessed with his own brilliance. That all changes the night he starts having strange visions while driving home. At first, he brushes them off as stress-induced hallucinations, but one particularly vivid vision featuring some spectacularly haunting children leads to a car crash that irreparably damages his hands. No hands, no career. Desperate for a solution after a thwarted suicide attempt, Strange’s search for healing leads him to Kamar-Taj, where the Ancient One introduces him to the mystic arts. As he trains, Stephen is thrust into a world of magic, alternate dimensions, and ancient, mystical threats far beyond anything he has ever imagined.
Bonus pick: Big Hero 6
Sometimes forgotten as a Marvel film because it doesn’t scream “superhero” the way other MCU legends do, partly because technically it was created under Disney from a Marvel comic (this is after Disney bought Marvel, but before Marvel Studios was transferred). Still, Big Hero 6 was actually the most commercially successful Marvel animated film until Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. It even earned about $300 million more than Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. On top of that, it won Best Animated Feature at the Oscars, making it the only Marvel film to take home the big prize in that category. Fun Fact: Black Panther was nominated for Best Picture, though it lost to Green Book.
The story follows young robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada (voiced by Ryan Porter), who forms a superhero team with his inflatable healthcare companion Baymax and a group of friends to take down a mysterious villain threatening their city.
How we chose the best Marvel animated movies
This list has a little of everything, from the highest-rated films to the most commercially successful ones to the ones that were important for launching a new phase of Marvel. Still, we’re hoping Marvel will add a few more to their animated lineup and take some notes from DC in the process. Oof – did we just say that?
