Marvel 'Legacy' Films
Year: 1998 - Present
Created by: Various
Films: 29
Created by: Various
Films: 29
"What would you prefer? Yellow spandex?" - Cyclops
When comic book publisher Marvel fell on hard times during the 1990's, their decision to sell off the rights to their characters to film distributors was a necessity to keep their heads above water. Prior to Tim Burton's Batman in 1989, comic book films had been seen as bad business, and 1997's Batman and Robin brought that fear back. But thanks to New Line Cinema, Twentieth Century Fox, and Sony Pictures, Marvel made bank at the box office with Blade, X-Men, and Spider-Man, setting the stage for a superhero renaissance during the early 00's. Whilst Marvel would regain its footing and create its own film studio in the late 00's, going on to create the Marvel Cinematic Universe, standalone Marvel projects are still being released to this day for characters they have not re-acquired the rights to.
Here you will find links to all non-MCU Marvel films. Whilst some films and franchises have been brought in to the MCU in various capacities, all films listed here were released either before the MCU's creation, or not as a canonical entry in the MCU saga.
Here you will find links to all non-MCU Marvel films. Whilst some films and franchises have been brought in to the MCU in various capacities, all films listed here were released either before the MCU's creation, or not as a canonical entry in the MCU saga.
Blade (1998-2004):
Starting the superhero renaissance is the half-vampire/half-human vampire hunter, Blade. Blade was considerably darker and bloodier than any comic book film before it, with a reverence for the source material, New Line Cinema created a trilogy that gave audiences faith in comic book movies.
X-Men (2000-2020):
The longest running superhero film franchise of all time, X-Men came hot off the heels of Blade and cemented the idea that comic book films weren't just about quippy one-liners and zany outfits. Whilst the X-Men franchise certainly had its weak links over the years, some of the films are heralded among the best in the genre. Going on for long enough to have multiple reboots and spin-off's, the X-Men franchise is best navigated in release order for those unfamiliar with the intricacies of its timeline.
Spider-Man (2002-2007):
The trilogy credited with truly kicking off superhero mania in the early 00's, Sam Rami's Spider-Man trilogy is nothing short of incredible. With the first film bringing Marvel's most popular hero to the big screen in a truly spectacular origin story, its sequel goes bigger and better in almost every conceivable way. Whilst the third film may have dropped the ball in a number of areas, audiences have looked back on it with fondness in the years since. A pulpy storyline akin to a soap-opera, the Spider-Man trilogy is pure unadulterated superhero fun.
Hulk (2003)
Whilst Hulk certainly isn't held with the same reverence as the likes of X-Men and Spider-Man, Ang Lee's slightly cheesier approach worked well for audiences in the early 00's. An often forgotten peculiarity, Hulk is very much a product of giving creative control to a more experimental filmmaker.
Daredevil (2003-2005):
The Daredevil films were a low-point for Marvel films in the 00's, but both Daredevil and Elektra are filled with enough fun action and respect for the source material to ensure their cult classic status. With the likes of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner in their respective leading roles, there's still a lot to enjoy about these quirky misfits.
The Punisher (2004-2008):
With demand for mature comic book films on the rise, one of Marvel's bleakest properties was given his shot at the big screen with less than stellar results.
Fantastic Four (2005-2015):
Marvel's first family hit the big screen for the first time in the mid 00's. Directed by Tim Story, Fantastic Four and its sequel were family fun, though lacked the refinement of X-Men and Spider-Man. Hoping to bring the family back on top form in 2015, director Josh Trank rebooted the franchise with less than favourable results in what is widely considered to be one of the worst superhero films ever.
Ghost Rider (2007-2011):
Another mature Marvel adaptation, Nicholas Cage leads in two satanic thrill rides with Marvel's hottest (literally) biker. Whilst not critical or commercial hits, the Ghost Rider films were a last gasp of a pre-cinematic universe world.
Sony's Spider-Man Universe (2012-Present):
With the MCU already in full swing, Sony attempted to start their own cinematic universe with Spider-Man at the centre of it. Despite hitting a number of significant setbacks including poor critical reception and numerous delays, The Sony's Spider-Man Universe (SSU) is still going today, although entries since Venom have had a significant lack of Spider-Man in them.