Marvel’s animated films may not get the red-carpet attention their live-action cousins do, but don’t sleep on them—there’s some seriously great storytelling tucked away in Marvel’s animation vault. While the MCU dominates theaters, these animated gems have quietly delivered everything from multiverse chaos to heartfelt origin tales. So, if you’re ready for a deep dive into the standouts, here’s the ultimate IMDb-ranked lineup of Marvel’s best animated movies.
10. The Invincible Iron Man (2007)
There was no Tony Stark before Robert Downey Jr., but for a fan of the character, The Invincible Iron Man provided an animated origin story. This one pits Iron Man against the Mandarin, and it’s dressed in a flashy early-2000s aesthetic. It’s a pre-MCU time capsule—perhaps not as memorable as the live-action version, but still an interesting glimpse into Iron Man’s animated past.
9. Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow (2008)
What if the Avengers’ children had to save the world? That’s the idea here, and it’s as much fun as it sounds. With Ultron threatening as the bad guy, a new set of heroes—consisting of the offspring of iconic Avengers—takes over to defend the planet. Yeah, it tilts younger in tone, but watching these legacy heroes in action makes it worth watching.
8. Thor: Tales of Asgard (2011)
Coming shortly after Thor’s initial MCU outing, Tales of Asgard does a flashback to a younger, pre-Mjølnir Thor. We watch him get into early adventures with Loki, Sif, and the Warriors Three, along with plenty of sibling sparring and shenanigans. Bonus points for bringing in Amora the Enchantress, a nice touch for comic book fans.
7. Ultimate Avengers 2: Rise of the Panther (2006)
This sequel brings Black Panther into the lineup, as the Avengers stand against the Chitauri once more. Although recycling the same bad guy isn’t exactly innovative, the action still pays off, and at the moment, fans were hungry for anything Avengers-related well before the MCU came together in theaters.
6. Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme (2007)
Dark and more mystical than most Marvel animated adventures, this film is a good primer for Stephen Strange. The plot covers a lot of the same ground as the MCU’s Doctor Strange, but with Mordo fully turned villain. It even received an Annie Award nomination—proof that it’s not just another forgettable cartoon.
5. Ultimate Avengers: The Movie (2006)
The first that kicked off Marvel’s series of animated team-ups. Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, Giant-Man, and Wasp come together to battle the Chitauri in a traditional comic-book-style battle. Some criticized it as somewhat by-the-numbers, but its energy and animation improved upon Marvel’s previous live-action failures of the early 2000s.
4. Planet Hulk (2010)
Arguably, the greatest Hulk storyline ever adapted. Hulk finds himself on a violent gladiator world, where he becomes a leader from an outcast. The action is fierce, the planet is densely populated, and the narrative was so compelling that the MCU stole elements of it for Thor: Ragnarok.
3. Hulk Vs. (2009)
Two short films, double the destruction—Hulk Vs. Thor and Hulk Vs. Wolverine. Despite the simple titles, both are packed with layered storytelling, from Weapon X’s dark experiments to Loki’s trickery. It’s a showcase of Hulk at his most unstoppable and unpredictable.
2. Big Hero 6 (2014)
Yes, it’s a Marvel franchise—and it’s a hoot. Big Hero 6 rescues an unknown comic team and turns them into animated heroes, with Baymax at the forefront as the world’s greatest hugbot. Humorous, touching, and beautifully animated, it’s evidence that Marvel can ace family-friendly adventure as well.
1. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
This wasn’t simply a victory for Marvel animation—it was a breakthrough for superhero movies in general. Miles Morales’ tale combines a staggeringly visual style with heart, humor, and a love letter to the Spider-heritage. With its innovative multiverse narrative and unforgettable characters, it’s no wonder this is not just Marvel’s greatest animated movie, but one of the greatest superhero movies of all time.