A complete list of Marvel movies from best to worst

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July 2, 2018
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A complete list of Marvel movies from best to worst

With "Avengers: Infinity War", Marvel is at the top of the superhero game. The multi-hero blockbuster makes the Marvel Cinematic Universe the highest-grossing franchise of all time, and , they're not slowing down anytime soon.

Although the Marvel Cinematic Universe officially began in 2007 with the release of "Iron Man," Marvel has been in the movie business since 1986鈥攚ith the release of the critical flop turned fan-favorite "Howard the Duck."

Putting revenues aside, which heroes have been the most popular with fans? Has the dawn of the MCU given them more to celebrate, or has the glut of superhero movies led to ""

Using data from IMDb, 麻豆原创 has assembled a ranking of every live-action movie released by Marvel. This includes all films, the X-Men and Spider-Man franchises, as well as one-off features like "Electra" and "Punisher: War Zone." Each film is ranked according to its IMDb user rating, with the total number of user votes considered in the event of a tie. Read on to find out which Marvel movies had fans flying high, and which left them calling out for someone to save the day.

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#54. Captain America (1990)

IMDb rating: 3.3
Director: Albert Pyun
Runtime: 1 hour 37 minutes

This direct-to-video release tells the origin story of Marvel鈥檚 most patriotic hero as he awakens from a frozen coma to battle the evil Red Skull. Despite being the first cinematic depiction of Captain America, this film is most notable for its low budget and . The film鈥檚 poor reputation has not deterred its director, Albert Pyun, .

#53. Nick Fury: Agent of Shield (1998)

IMDb rating: 3.7
Director: Rod Hardy
Runtime: 2 hours

Before Samuel L. Jackson became known as the no-nonsense, one-eyed leader of S.H.I.E.L.D., the eyepatch was donned by none other than former 鈥淏aywatch鈥 star David Hasselhoff. In this TV movie, the super-spy comes out of retirement for one last battle against HYDRA. Although this particular mission didn鈥檛 go over well with fans, Hasselhoff would later make a return to the MCU鈥.鈥

#52. The Fantastic Four (1994)

IMDb rating: 3.9
Director: Oley Sassone
Runtime: 1 hour 30 minutes

Despite its low rating, this attempt to make a movie about Marvel鈥檚 most famous family has garnered has garnered a great deal of publicity, . In what would become , this film famously failed to meet fans鈥 expectations of what a Fantastic Four origin story should be鈥攖o the point where a  of this secret project

#51. Man-Thing (2005)

IMDb rating: 4.0
Director: Brett Leonard
Runtime: 1 hour 37 minutes

This little-known horror take on the superhero film centers around the attempts of a Florida sheriff who must investigate the rumors of the titular murderous swamp creature. It premiered on the Sci-Fi channel (now SyFy), followed by a limited international theatrical release, . In retrospect, the film鈥檚 failure isn鈥檛 too surprising;  of the swamp monster鈥檚 potential during filming.

#50. Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011)

IMDb rating: 4.3
Directors: Mark Neveldine, Brian Taylor
Runtime: 1 hour 36 minutes

The sequel to 2007's "Ghost Rider" finds protagonist Johnny Blaze doing battle with Satan himself in order to exorcise his titular alter ego. Although the film's box office failure spelled the end of the Ghost Rider series,  in the vein of "Deadpool."

#49. Fantastic Four (2015)

IMDb rating: 4.3
Director: Josh Trank
Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes

Despite its star-studded cast, the most recent attempt to revive the Fantastic Four franchise hasn鈥檛 done much better than any of its counterparts. In this instance, the retelling of the Fantastic Four鈥檚 origin story was . It later cleaned up at the infamous Golden Raspberry Awards, 

#48. Howard the Duck (1986)

IMDb rating: 4.6
Director: Willard Huyck
Runtime: 1 hour 50 minutes

The hero of Marvel鈥檚 first official theatrical release had neither a cape nor a mask鈥攂ut he did have webbed feet and an orange bill. 鈥淗oward the Duck鈥 follows the profane waterfowl from Duckworld as he struggles to save Earth from an intergalactic invasion. Although the film was a flop back in 1986, cameos in both 鈥淕uardians of the Galaxy鈥 films have led to a renewed interest in the characteralthough Guardians director.

#47. Elektra (2005)

IMDb rating: 4.7
Director: Rob Bowman
Runtime: 1 hour 37 minutes

This spinoff of 2003鈥檚 鈥淒aredevil鈥 follows female assassin Elektra (Jennifer Garner) as she tries to protect a father-daughter duo from rival mercenaries. The film has faded into obscurity in the wake of today鈥檚 superhero boom.

#46. Ghost Rider (2007)

IMDb rating: 5.2
Director: Mark Steven Johnson
Runtime: 1 hour 54 minutes

The 2007 origin story of Marvel鈥檚 fiery, supernatural motorcyclist , which was enough to warrant a sequel in 2011. However 鈥 hints that Johnny Blaze won鈥檛 be returning to the big screen anytime soon.

#45. Daredevil (2003)

IMDb rating: 5.3
Director: Mark Steven Johnson
Runtime: 1 hour 43 minutes

Despite arguably , Ben Affleck's turn as the blind lawyer-turned-crime fighter . Fortunately, fans of Matt Murdock's red-suited alter ego can get their fix for the character on 

#44. 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)

IMDb rating: 5.6
Director: Tim Story
Runtime: 1 hour 32 minutes

In this sequel to 2005鈥檚 鈥淔antastic Four,鈥 the superhero family teams up once again to prevent the mysterious Silver Surfer from destroying planet Earth. Although this film is the only sequel to any of the 鈥淔antastic Four鈥 movies, 鈥攕ignaling another bitter defeat for the Fantastic Four鈥檚 movie career.

#43. The Punisher (1989)

IMDb rating: 5.7
Director: Mark Goldblatt
Runtime: 1 hour 29 minutes

Ironically  centers on one of the company鈥檚 most violent characters. Similar to "Daredevil," the film鈥檚 reputation has been usurped by the Netflix show 鈥淧unisher,鈥 but  about this direct-to-video, quintessentially '80s superhero drama.

#42. Hulk (2003)

IMDb rating: 5.7
Director: Ang Lee
Runtime: 2 hours 18 minutes

led to a unique take on the superhero movie that  Although the Hulk would be rebooted in theaters five years later in 鈥淭he Incredible Hulk,鈥 no one was more disappointed that the film flopped .

#41. Fantastic Four (2005)

IMDb rating: 5.7
Director: Tim Story
Runtime: 1 hour 46 minutes

2005 saw the first Fantastic Four film to receive an official cinematic release. Although this origin story was the only Fantastic Four film to do well enough at the box office to warrant a sequel, . The only hero to escape from the wreckage was actor Chris Evans, who would later lead the Avengers as the MCU鈥檚 Captain America.

#40. Blade: Trinity (2004)

IMDb rating: 5.9
Director: David S. Goyer
Runtime: 1 hour 53 minutes

In the final film of the "Blade" trilogy, the no-nonsense vampire hunter goes toe-to-toe with Dracula while on the run from the FBI. Although "Blade III" , it's notable for the casting of Ryan Reynolds as Hannibal King. Reynolds would be no stranger to high-flying franchises in the years to follow, starring in both the unsuccessful "Green Lantern" and the box office smash "Deadpool."

#39. Punisher: War Zone (2008)

IMDb rating: 6.0
Director: Lexi Alexander
Runtime: 1 hour 43 minutes

This reboot of 2004鈥檚 鈥淭he Punisher鈥 did little to help get Marvel鈥檚 violent veteran off the ground. At the time of release, , returning only $10 million of its $35 million budget.

#38. Spider-Man 3 (2007)

IMDb rating: 6.2
Director: Sam Raimi
Runtime: 2 hours 19 minutes

In the final film of Sam Raimi鈥檚 鈥淪pider-Man鈥 trilogy, Peter Parker has to juggle his newfound celebrity with his developing relationship with Mary Jane Watson, all while doing battle with three of the series鈥 most beloved villains: Sandman, Venom, and Green Goblin. While the film was  at the time of its release, , if not his execution.

#37. The Punisher (2004)

IMDb rating: 6.5
Director: Jonathan Hensleigh
Runtime: 2 hours 4 minutes

鈥淭he Punisher鈥 marked the first theatrical appearance of Frank Castle鈥檚 violent alter ego since 1989. Although Marvel planned to release a sequel, it was scrapped after director Jonathan Hensleigh and star Thomas Jane left the project, citing creative differences. The planned sequel became the 2008 reboot 鈥淧unisher: War Zone.鈥

#36. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

IMDb rating: 6.6
Director: Gavin Hood
Runtime: 1 hour 47 minutes

This first spin-off of the 鈥淴-Men鈥 franchise tells the tale of how Hugh Jackman鈥檚 mutant got his iconic metal claws.  and multiple sequels, 鈥淴-Men Origins: Wolverine鈥 is most notable today for , although Reynolds would later mock this cameo in the anti-hero鈥檚 2016 film.

#35. Blade II (2002)

IMDb rating: 6.7
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Runtime: 1 hour 57 minutes

In the sequel to 1998's "Blade," the half-human, half-vampire assassin battles a gang of vampire mutants who threaten to wipe out both humans and vampires. The film was directed by future Best Picture winner Guillermo del Toro, whose success with "Blade II" 

#34. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

IMDb rating: 6.7
Director: Marc Webb
Runtime: 2 hours 22 minutes

Riding high off the success of 2012鈥檚 鈥淭he Amazing Spider-Man,鈥 Sony planned to use this sequel to  of the superhero. However, after this film become the , this plan was scrapped. , Spider-Man began appearing in MCU films, this time with newcomer Tom Holland under the mask.

#33. The Wolverine (2013)

IMDb rating: 6.7
Director: James Mangold
Runtime: 2 hours 6 minutes

In the second installment of the trilogy of Wolverine spin-offs, Wolverine travels to Japan in an effort to cope with the events depicted in 鈥淴-Men: The Last Stand.鈥 Director Darren Aronofsky (鈥淩equiem for a Dream,鈥 鈥淢other!鈥) was , but he resigned before filming began.  was hired to replace him.

#32. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

IMDb rating: 6.7
Director: Brett Ratner
Runtime: 1 hour 44 minutes

鈥淴-Men: The Last Stand鈥 closes out the original X-Men film trilogy with a war among the mutants following the discovery of a cure for their powers. Although the film was the highest-grossing entry in the franchise at the time of release, its dual plot lines were the result of 鈥攔esulting in a conclusion that left many fans unhappy.

#31. The Incredible Hulk (2008)

IMDb rating: 6.8
Director: Louis Leterrier
Runtime: 1 hour 52 minutes

In contrast to Ang Lee鈥檚 2003 take on Marvel鈥檚 greenest, angriest hero, this 2008 film marks the first entry in the MCU after the success of 鈥淚ron Man.鈥 However, ; Edward Norton  and was replaced by Mark Ruffalo.

#30. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

IMDb rating: 6.9
Director: Joe Johnston
Runtime: 2 hours 4 minutes

Captain America's origin storyand introduction to the MCUtakes viewers back to 1941 as the Avengers' leader leads the Allies to victory in World War II. Two Captain America sequels, three Avengers films, and millions of dollars later, it's hard to believe that actor Chris Evans originally turned down the part three times.

#29. X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)

IMDb rating: 7.0
Director: Bryan Singer
Runtime: 2 hours 24 minutes

鈥淴-Men: Apocalypse鈥 continues the time-bending series of X-Men films that started in 鈥淴-Men: First Class鈥 and 鈥淴-Men: Days of Future Past.鈥 At the time of release, critics predicted this ninth film in the X-Men series , but fans of Charles Xavier鈥檚 mutant students have nothing to fear. Another sequel, 

#28. Thor: The Dark World (2013)

IMDb rating: 7.0
Director: Alan Taylor
Runtime: 1 hour 52 minutes

In the sequel to 2011鈥檚 鈥淭hor,鈥 the golden-haired Norse god teams up with his mischievous brother Loki to save the universe from evil dark elves. Critics felt that , standing out among an all-star cast, including Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, and Idris Elba. Despite the mixed reviews, 鈥淭hor: The Dark World鈥 .

#27. The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

IMDb rating: 7.0
Director: Marc Webb
Runtime: 2 hours 16 minutes

Ten years after the premiere of Sam Raimi鈥檚 鈥淪pider-Man,鈥 Andrew Garfield swung onto the screen to reinvigorate the franchise after the critical failure of Raimi鈥檚 鈥淪pider-Man 3.鈥 The film  as to whether Garfield鈥檚 portrayal of the wall-crawler from NYC surpasses Tobey Maguire's turn in Raimi鈥檚 series of films. This battle  when Tom Holland entered the mix in 2016鈥檚 鈥淐aptain America: Civil War,鈥 giving fans plenty to keep their Spidey-senses tingling.

#26. Iron Man 2 (2010)

IMDb rating: 7.0
Director: Jon Favreau
Runtime: 2 hours 4 minutes

Just as the real world was starting to get used to the idea of the MCU鈥檚 regularly scheduled superhero blockbusters, 鈥淚ron Man 2鈥 depicts Tony Stark鈥檚 struggle to adjust to his new life as a privately funded vigilante. In addition to an all-star cast including Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, and Don Cheadle, the film had some superpowers behind the camera. The high-flying sequel was directed by Jon Favreau (鈥淩udy,鈥 鈥淪wingers鈥), and acclaimed screenwriter Justin Theroux wrote the screenplay.

#25. Thor (2011)

IMDb rating: 7.0
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Runtime: 1 hour 55 minutes

Thor's 2011 introduction to the MCU skirts the conventional origin story in favor of a family drama of godlike proportions. After being kicked out of his palace by his father, Odin, Thor must prove himself worthy of his powers by battling Loki, his conniving half-brother. , ensuring that Chris Hemsworth's seat on the MCU throne would be secure for many sequels to come.

#24. Blade (1998)

IMDb rating: 7.1
Director: Stephen Norrington
Runtime: 2 hours

The first film to feature Wesley Snipes鈥 grizzled vampire hunter , leading to two sequels and the emergence of the superhero genre as fans know it today. Although Blade has been absent from theaters since 2004鈥檚 鈥淏lade: Trinity,鈥  that he would be open to picking up the sword once again to reprise the role.

#23. Iron Man 3 (2013)

IMDb rating: 7.2
Director: Shane Black
Runtime: 2 hours 10 minutes

The final film of Marvel鈥檚 鈥淚ron Man鈥 trilogy once again had Robert Downey Jr. flying into uncharted territory.  after the legendary team-up that was 2012鈥檚 鈥淭he Avengers,鈥 and its star handled this pressure with Tony Stark鈥檚 devil-may-care aplomb鈥 throughout the filming process.

#22. Ant-Man (2015)

IMDb rating: 7.3
Director: Peyton Reed
Runtime: 1 hour 57 minutes

Despite its 2015 release date, 鈥淎nt-Man鈥 had been in development since 2006鈥攚hen 鈥淏aby Driver鈥 director Edgar Wright expressed interest in bringing Marvel鈥檚 tiniest hero to the big screen. But in a shocking turn, , citing creative differences with Marvel. Despite this, the size-changing superhero heist was a hit in theaters,  and paving the way for this year鈥檚 sequel, 鈥.鈥

#21. Spider-Man 2 (2004)

IMDb rating: 7.3
Director: Sam Raimi
Runtime: 2 hours 7 minutes

The sequel to Sam Raimi鈥檚 hugely successful 鈥淪pider-Man鈥 showed Hollywood how a successful superhero sequel should be made. Depicting Peter Parker鈥檚 struggle to live a life of heroic responsibility while still maintaining his personal relationships, the film was  upon its release in 2004. Even amidst the big-budget success of the MCU years later, fans of the superhero genre.

#20. Spider-Man (2002)

IMDb rating: 7.3
Director: Sam Raimi
Runtime: 2 hours 1 minute

Although this 2002 release now stands among a plethora of sequels and reboots, "Spider-Man" was a blockbuster like no other at the time of its release, becoming the  in its opening weekend. Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, and James Franco would lead the franchise through two more sequels, but this 2002 outing  as the film where the wall-crawling fun began.

#19. X-Men (2000)

IMDb rating: 7.4
Director: Bryan Singer
Runtime: 1 hour 44 minutes

Twelve years before the Avengers would famously team up onscreen, Bryan Singer brought Xavier鈥檚 School for Gifted Youngsters to life through this 2000 origin story. After two sequels and two spin-off series, it鈥檚 easy to forget that at the time, this super-powered drama starring English theatre actors Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen, alongside a then-unknown Hugh Jackman, .

#18. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

IMDb rating: 7.4
Director: Joss Whedon
Runtime: 2 hours 21 minutes

The second Avengers movie finds the team battling amongst themselves as one of Tony Stark鈥檚 creations goes awry, threatening to destroy not just the Avengers, but all of humanity. After finishing the film, director Joss Whedon left the 鈥淎vengers鈥 franchise behind,  that met Marvel鈥檚 strict plot requirements.

#17. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

IMDb rating: 7.5
Director: Jon Watts
Runtime: 2 hours 13 minutes

Tom Holland鈥檚 first outing as Spider-Man picks up where 鈥淐aptain America: Civil War鈥 left off, with the young webslinger still learning the ropes of his new powers under the stern tutelage of Iron Man. Holland claimed his portrayal of Peter Parker , leading the film to gross more than .

#16. Black Panther (2018)

IMDb rating: 7.5
Director: Ryan Coogler
Runtime: 2 hours 14 minutes

After Black Panther鈥檚 appearance in 鈥淐aptain America: Civil War,鈥 for more of Chadwick Boseman鈥檚 Wakandan monarch. Fortunately, this 2018 release did not disappoint. In addition to becoming the , the film鈥檚 plot, black director, and majority-black cast were  for minority representation in film.

#15. Doctor Strange (2016)

IMDb rating: 7.5
Director: Scott Derrickson
Runtime: 1 hour 55 minutes

"Doctor Strange" tells the story of Dr. Steven Strange as he goes from arrogant surgeon to reality-bending wizard. Although the film  and received an ,.

#14. X-Men 2 (2003)

IMDb rating: 7.5
Director: Bryan Singer
Runtime: 2 hours 14 minutes

In the second film of the now-ubiquitous 鈥淴-Men鈥 franchise, the mutants must work together to stop the evil Colonel William Stryker from eradicating all of Earth鈥檚 mutants. This highly anticipated sequel was a milestone for the genre: its 93-country debut was the  at the time of release. 

#13. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)

IMDb rating: 7.7
Director: James Gunn
Runtime: 2 hours 16 minutes

The sequel to 2014鈥檚 鈥淕uardians of the Galaxy鈥 sees Peter Quill and the gang struggle to function as a superhero team in light of their individual family issues鈥攊ncluding the arrival of Quill鈥檚 father, Ego. True to the over-the-top nature of Marvel鈥檚 intergalactic crime fighters, this film features 鈥攎ore than any other Marvel film.

#12. Captain America: Civil War (2016)

IMDb rating: 7.8
Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Runtime: 2 hours 27 minutes

The friendships forged among the heroes of the MCU are tested in this film, as Captain America and Iron Man lead separate factions against each other in response to governmental legislation of superheroes. In addition to massive success at the box officeit would become the the third Captain America flick features another accomplishment: the famous airport battle among the film鈥檚 protagonists .

#11. X: First Class (2011)

IMDb rating: 7.8
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Runtime: 2 hours 11 minutes

After the epic battles of the original X-Men series and the deep character work of its Wolverine spin-offs, there was only one direction for the franchise to go: backward. The film follows Charles Xavier and Magneto during the Cuban Missile Crisis of the '60s, as they begin the complicated friendship that will lead to the events of the first three X-Men films.

#10. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

IMDb rating: 7.8
Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Runtime: 2 hours 16 minutes

This second film of the Captain America series marked the first MCU film directed by Joe and Anthony Russo; the brothers would later helm the smash hits "Captain America: Civil War" and "Avengers: Infinity War." They weren't the only key players to be introduced in this film: through his portrayal of Cap's old friend-turned-rival Bucky Barnes, actor Sebastian Stan's .

#9. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

IMDb rating: 7.9
Director: Taika Waititi
Runtime: 2 hours 10 minutes

The sequel to 鈥淭hor: The Dark World,鈥 was full of changes for fans of the God of Thunder, not the least of which was actor . Despite these changes, 鈥攚hich was largely 

 

#8. Iron Man (2008)

IMDb rating: 7.9
Director: Jon Favreau
Runtime: 2 hours 6 minutes

As the first film of the MCU, this origin story of Tony Stark鈥檚 metal-suited hero introduced now-familiar MCU fixtures like Stan Lee cameos, post-credits sequences, and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury. Surprisingly, as the film is the basis for the rest of the cinematic universe, .

#7. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

IMDb rating: 8.0
Director: Bryan Singer
Runtime: 2 hours 12 minutes

James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender do the time warp again in this sequel to both 鈥淴-Men: The Last Stand鈥 and 鈥淴-Men: First Class.鈥 In order to prevent an apocalyptic attack on present-day Earth, Hugh Jackman鈥檚 Wolverine travels back in time to the 1970s, where he encounters younger versions of Charles Xavier and Magneto.

#6. Deadpool (2016)

IMDb rating: 8.0
Director: Tim Miller
Runtime: 1 hour 48 minutes

Although Deadpool鈥檚 on-screen debut occurred in 鈥淴-Men Origins: Wolverine,鈥 audiences wouldn鈥檛 get to see the origin story of Marvel鈥檚 infamous Merc With a Mouth until this 2016 film. Ryan Reynolds鈥 fourth-wall-breaking take on the superhero story was a hit at the box office, where it .

#5. Deadpool 2 (2018)

IMDb rating: 8.1
Director: David Leitch
Runtime: 1 hour 59 minutes

The sequel to 2016's "Deadpool" finds the wise-cracking hero trying to become more responsible. Unfortunately, his mission to protect a young mutant is complicated by the arrival of Cable, a cybernetic soldier with a grudge against Deadpool's young charge.

#4. Logan (2017)

IMDb rating: 8.1
Director: James Mangold
Runtime: 2 hours 17 minutes

Hugh Jackman gives his last performance as Wolverine in the conclusion to the metal-clawed mutant鈥檚 trilogy of spin-off films. With a , 鈥淟ogan鈥 made history as the .

#3. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

IMDb rating: 8.1
Director: James Gunn
Runtime: 2 hours 1 minute

This intergalactic adventure film was a breakout role for former 鈥淧arks and Rec鈥 actor Chris Pratt, . Additionally, the film鈥檚 soundtrack, comprised of pop hits from the '60s and '70s, was the  to land the #1 spot on the Billboard Top 200 charts.

#2. The Avengers (2012)

IMDb rating: 8.1
Director: Joss Whedon
Runtime: 2 hours 23 minutes

This ensemble superhero film was an unprecedented hit for Marvel, bringing in over $1 billion at the box office. However, the process that brought 鈥淭he Avengers鈥 and all its preceding standalone films to the big screen was a gamble: Marvel offered the movie rights to its "Iron Man," "Captain America," "Hulk," and "Thor" as .

#1. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

IMDb rating: 8.8
Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Runtime: 2 hours 29 minutes

The most recent Avengers film has already become Marvel鈥檚 biggest success, having earned the title of the . In order to keep important details from leaking before the film鈥檚 premiere, directors Joe and Anthony Russo 鈥攖o the point that at the time of the premiere, some of the film鈥檚 actors .

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