ABCDEFG
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MARVEL
ANIMATED
FILMS & SERIES
- THE COMPLETE GUIDE -
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- INTRO -
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Listed here is every animated Marvel project ever made (...I think). Marvel has produced MANY such projects, some of which take place in various shared universes, but most of which are standalone. While much of this material varies wildly in quality, some of it is definitely worth seeking out. If you're having trouble figuring out which of these are actually worth your time, you're in the right place! I have sorted every entry by whether they are Essential, Worth Watching, or Deep Cuts. This guide only lists ANIMATED projects. It does NOT include so-called "motion comics".

For live action projects, see MARVEL LIVE ACTION FILMS & SERIES: The Complete Guide
For the MCU, see MCU WATCH ORDER: The Complete Guide
For the X-Men films, see X-MEN WATCH ORDER: The Complete Guide

Guide written by Rize. Last updated August 2023.
If you see any mistakes, or have any suggestions, email me at daxiafarren@gmail.com.
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- PART I -
THE ESSENTIALS
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NOTE: These are essential viewing for any aspiring Marvel fan!
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- THE SPIDER-VERSE TRILOGY -
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YEAR-TITLETYPENOTES
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2018
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-VerseFilmThis trilogy of films is truly transcendant, and far better than anything else on this list. Required viewing!
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2019
Spider-Ham: Caught in a HamShortPrequel short.
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2024
The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse StoryShortShort taking place between the first two films.
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2023
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-VerseFilm-
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Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-VerseFilmNOT YET RELEASED
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- THE YOST UNIVERSE -
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NOTE: These are some great movies and TV series, however, the boundaries of the universe are somewhat poorly defined. It's less of a cohesive universe and more of an "era" in Marvel animation. Most of its projects are designed to be standalone, so there is only very minimal crossover between them. Additionally, it has never been made explicitly clear which projects are officially canon to this universe, so it's a matter of debate. This is as close to the best watch order that you can get. Sadly, toward the end, the universe was basically cancelled before it could really flourish, because new management wanted a hard reset. So don't expect every subplot to be resolved, but do expect some of the best cartoons Marvel has made.
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2011
Thor: Tales of AsgardFilmA film about young Thor and Loki.
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2007
The Invincible Iron ManFilm-
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2007
Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer SupremeFilm-
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2009
Hulk vs. WolverineShort FilmShort film that is one half of the "Hulk VS" DVD.
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2008-2009
The Spectacular Spider-ManTV Series26 episodes (2 seasons). Sadly this excellent show was cancelled before it was allowed to finish.
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2009
Wolverine and the X-MenTV Series26 episodes. Sadly this excellent show was cancelled before it was allowed to finish.
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2010-2012
Avengers: Earth's Mightiest HeroesTV Series52 episodes (2 seasons). Sadly this excellent show was cancelled before it was allowed to finish.
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2009
Hulk vs. ThorShort FilmShort film that is one half of the "Hulk VS" DVD.
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2010
Planet HulkFilm-
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- MARVEL ANIMATED UNIVERSE -
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NOTE: While there are clear connections between the various shows in this universe, there are also glaring contradictions. Whether they are truly part of the same universe is up for debate. It's best not to worry about it, as the interconnectedness is minor, and each show is meant to stand alone. However, it is worth noting that, honestly, only X-Men and Spider-Man can really be considered "essential" from this universe. As for the rest...well, your mileage may vary.
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1992-1997
X-Men: The Animated SeriesTV Series76 episodes (5 seasons).
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2024-
X-Men '97TV SeriesNOT YET RELEASED
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1994-1998
Spider-Man: The Animated SeriesTV Series65 episodes (5 seasons).
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1994-1996
Fantastic Four: The Animated SeriesTV Series26 episodes (2 seasons).
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1994-1996
Iron Man: The Animated SeriesTV Series26 episodes (2 seasons).
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1996-1997
The Incredible HulkTV Series21 episodes (2 seasons).
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1998
Silver Surfer: The Animated SeriesTV Series13 episodes.
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1999-2001
Spider-Man UnlimitedTV Series13 episodes. Strange sequel series to "Spider-Man" that took on a wildly different concept. Marvel's unsuccessful attempt to copy DC's "Batman Beyond".
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1999-2000
The Avengers: United They StandTV Series13 episodes.
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- BIG HERO 6 -
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2014
Big Hero 6FilmDisney film adapted from an obscure Marvel comic. Only this main film is essential, the rest is up to you.
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2017-2021
Big Hero 6: The SeriesTV Series56 episodes (3 seasons). Takes place after the the film.
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2018
Baymax AndShorts6 shorts.
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2018-2020
Baymax DreamsShorts6 shorts.
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2018
Big Chibi 6: The ShortsShorts12 shorts.
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2019
Baymax & MochiShorts3 shorts.
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2022
Baymax!Shorts6 shorts.
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- OTHER ESSENTIALS -
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NOTE: These are entirely unrelated to each other.
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2017
Ant-ManShorts6 shorts.
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2021
Hit-MonkeyTV Series20 episodes (2 seasons). Violent adult series.
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- MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE -
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NOTE: A few Marvel cartoons, such as "What If?" and "Marvel Zombies", are great, but they take place in the larger MCU. Thus, they should NOT be watched standalone. They should be watched with the rest of the MCU. For details, see my MCU guide.
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2021-?
[various MCU animated series]-Link to MCU WATCH ORDER: The Complete Guide
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- PART II -
WORTH WATCHING
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NOTE: These entries, while perhaps not the cream of the crop, are notable in the history of Marvel projects. The quality varies, but they're all worth checking out if you're still hungry for more.
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- ULTIMATE AVENGERS -
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2006
Ultimate AvengersFilmTwo films heavily inspired by the "Ultimates" comics.
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2006
Ultimate Avengers 2: Rise of the PantherFilm
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2008
Next Avengers: Heroes of TomorrowFilmThis takes place years in the future, starring the children of the old Avengers. Debatable whether this is the same continuity.
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- MARVEL ANIME -
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NOTE: Just like it says on the tin, this is a universe comprised entirely of Japan-produced anime series. There is only minimal crossover between them.
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2010-2011
Marvel Anime: Iron ManTV Series13 episodes.
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2010-2011
Marvel Anime: WolverineTV Series13 episodes.
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2010-2011
Marvel Anime: X-MenTV Series13 episodes.
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2010-2011
Marvel Anime: BladeTV Series13 episodes.
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2013
Iron Man: Rise of TechnovoreFilm-
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2014
Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & PunisherFilm-
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- HEROES UNITED -
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2013
Iron Man & Hulk: Heroes UnitedFilmThese two films are rumored to have been written to fit into the MCU, but they were never recognized as such and could not possibly be canon anymore, if they ever were. Still, they form their own nice little standalone duology.
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2014
Iron Man & Captain America: Heroes UnitedFilm
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- MARVEL ANIMATION UNIVERSE -
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NOTE: Not to be confused with the "Marvel Animated Universe". Okay, so this is a weird one. At first, this universe showed clear shared continuity between "Ultimate Spider-Man" and "Avengers Assemble". But later, "Avengers Assemble" crossed over with the completely unrelated 2017 Spider-Man cartoon. How is this possible? It's not. Basically, all of these shows DO share a universe, but Spider-Man (and ONLY Spider-Man) gets totally rebooted towards the end. It doesn't make any sense, so don't try to understand. Frankly, these shows aren't amazing to begin with, so it's not even worth worrying about. The crossover is also very minimal. For the most part, these shows are pretty self-contained.
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2012-2013
Ultimate Spider-Man (Seasons 1-2)TV Series52 episodes. (2 seasons)
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2013-2015
Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.TV Series26 episodes. (2 seasons)
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2013-2015
Avengers Assemble (Seasons 1-2)TV Series52 episodes. (2 seasons)
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2013
Phineas & Ferb: Mission MarvelSpecialCrossover between Marvel characters and the cartoon "Phineas & Ferb". Since this is a comedy special, it is most likely not meant to be canon. It does feature the designs and voice cast from the Avengers Assemble universe, however, so I have placed it here.
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2014-2015
Ultimate Spider-Man: Web WarriorsTV Series26 episodes. Season 3 of "Ultimate Spider-Man".
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2016
Ultimate Spider-Man vs. the Sinister 6TV Series26 episodes. Season 4 of "Ultimate Spider-Man".
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2016
Avengers Assemble: Ultron RevolutionTV Series26 episodes. Season 3 of "Avengers Assemble".
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2015
Marvel Super Heroes: Frost Fight!FilmAn odd movie that takes place sometime during or after "Avengers Assemble" season 3.
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2016
Hulk: Where Monsters DwellFilmMovie featuring Huk and Doctor Strange.
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2017
Rocket & GrootShorts12 shorts. Prequel to the main Guardians of the Galaxy series.
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2015-2017
Guardians of the Galaxy (Season 1-2)TV Series53 episodes. (2 seasons)
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2017-2018
Avengers Assemble: Secret WarsTV Series26 episodes. Season 4 of "Avengers Assemble".
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NOTE: As stated before, after this point, Spider-Man is replaced by an entirely different version of Spider-Man, but the Avengers and Guardians continuity remains otherwise unchanged. You can chalk it up to the effects of the Secret Wars arc if you like.
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2017-2018
Spider-Man (Seasons 1-2)TV Series52 episodes (2 seasons). Introducing Spider-Man! Again!
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2018
Avengers Assemble: Black Panther's QuestTV Series23 episodes. Season 5 of "Avengers Assemble".
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2018-2019
Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission BreakoutTV Series26 episodes. Season 3 of "Guardians of the Galaxy".
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2020
Spider-Man: Maximum VenomTV Series6 episodes. Season 3 of "Spider-Man".
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- MARVEL RISING -
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2018
Marvel Rising: InitiationShorts6 shorts. Prelude to the main course.
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2018
Marvel Rising: Secret WarriorsFilmFilm featuring a team of various teen heroes from across Marvel called the Secret Warriors.
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2019
Marvel Rising: Chasing GhostsSpecialThese were all standalone specials continuing various plot threads from the movie, as well as introducing new characters to that world.
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2019
Marvel Rising: Heart of IronSpecial
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2019
Marvel Rising: Battle of the BandsSpecial
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2019
Marvel Rising: Operation ShuriSpecial
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2019
Marvel Rising: Playing with FireSpecial
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2019
Marvel Rising: Ultimate ComicsShorts6 shorts in a motion-comic style.