As of October 26, 2023, Marvel has released a total of 51 theatrical movies. This encompasses the entirety of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), as well as movies based on Marvel characters produced by other studios like Sony and 20th Century Fox (now owned by Disney).
Breaking Down the Marvel Movie Landscape
The simple answer belies a complex and fascinating cinematic history. Understanding the number of Marvel movies requires acknowledging the different entities involved in their production and distribution. We’ll explore the MCU, the Sony Spider-Man Universe (SSU), the X-Men franchise, and other stand-alone projects to provide a comprehensive overview.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), spearheaded by Marvel Studios, is the dominant force in Marvel’s movie output. This interconnected narrative spans across multiple films and television series, creating a cohesive and immersive experience for viewers.
Beyond the MCU: Marvel Characters at Other Studios
While Marvel Studios controls the MCU, the rights to certain characters, most notably Spider-Man and the X-Men, were previously held by other studios. This resulted in separate film franchises, each with its own continuity and aesthetic. These franchises have significantly contributed to the overall number of Marvel movies.
Understanding the Numbers: A Clear List
Here’s a breakdown of the 51 Marvel movies, organized by franchise and production company:
Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU): 33 Movies
- Phase One: (6 movies) Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers
- Phase Two: (6 movies) Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Ant-Man
- Phase Three: (11 movies) Captain America: Civil War, Doctor Strange, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Captain Marvel, Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man: Far From Home
- Phase Four: (6 movies) Black Widow, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Eternals, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Thor: Love and Thunder
- Phase Five: (4 movies) Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, The Marvels, Thunderbolts
Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU): 3 Movies
- Venom, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Morbius
Non-MCU Spider-Man Movies (Sony): 8 Movies
- Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man 3, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (releasing soon)
X-Men Franchise (20th Century Fox): 13 Movies
- X-Men, X2: X-Men United, X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, X-Men: First Class, The Wolverine, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Deadpool, X-Men: Apocalypse, Logan, Deadpool 2, Dark Phoenix, The New Mutants
Other Marvel Movies (Various Studios): 4 Movies
- Howard the Duck, Punisher, Blade, Ghost Rider
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To further clarify the scope of Marvel movies and their cinematic universe(s), here are answers to frequently asked questions.
What is considered a “Marvel movie”?
A “Marvel movie” is generally defined as any film based on characters and properties originally published by Marvel Comics. This includes films produced by Marvel Studios, as well as those produced by other studios who have licensed or owned the rights to specific Marvel characters.
Does “How Many Movies Does Marvel Have” include animated films?
Yes, the total of 51 includes the animated films Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse from Sony Pictures Animation. Animated television series and direct-to-video animated movies are generally excluded from this count. Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse is currently slated to be released in 2024.
Are television series like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. included in the movie count?
No, television series, even those directly connected to the MCU like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. or the various Disney+ series such as WandaVision and Loki, are not included in the theatrical movie count.
What is the difference between the MCU and the SSU?
The MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) is the interconnected series of films produced by Marvel Studios, beginning with Iron Man in 2008. The SSU (Sony’s Spider-Man Universe), also referred to as the Venomverse, is a separate universe created by Sony Pictures, focusing on characters related to Spider-Man, but not directly connected to the MCU until recently.
Is Spider-Man: No Way Home part of the MCU or the SSU?
Spider-Man: No Way Home is a unique case. While produced by Sony Pictures, it is considered part of the MCU due to its direct integration with the MCU storyline and characters. It represents a collaborative effort between Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures. The three Spider-Men of the films (Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, Tom Holland) converge in the movie, marking a significant moment in the MCU and Spider-Man cinematic history.
Will the X-Men ever fully integrate into the MCU?
With Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox, the rights to the X-Men reverted to Marvel Studios. Characters from the X-Men universe have already begun to appear in the MCU. A complete integration is anticipated in future MCU projects, though the exact timeline and approach remain undisclosed.
Why did Marvel sell the rights to certain characters like Spider-Man and the X-Men?
Marvel sold the film rights to characters like Spider-Man and the X-Men in the 1990s, during a period of financial hardship. These sales were necessary to keep the company afloat. At the time, producing their own movies seemed like a distant prospect.
What is the chronological order of all Marvel movies?
While the release order is important, the chronological order within the MCU storyline can be different. A simple search for “MCU chronological order” will yield detailed lists explaining the proper viewing sequence within the universe’s internal timeline. The order of Sony and Fox movies is typically determined by release date.
What upcoming Marvel movies are planned for release?
Marvel Studios has announced a slate of films planned for release in Phases Five and Six of the MCU. These include titles like Captain America: Brave New World, Fantastic Four, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, and Avengers: Secret Wars. Sony also has plans for future SSU films.
Where can I find a complete list of all Marvel movies?
Numerous websites, including Marvel.com, Wikipedia, and IMDb, provide comprehensive lists of all Marvel movies, often categorized by studio and franchise.
Which Marvel movie has grossed the most money?
Avengers: Endgame is the highest-grossing Marvel movie to date, achieving over $2.79 billion worldwide.
Which Marvel movie is considered the best by critics and fans?
The perception of the “best” Marvel movie is subjective. However, films like Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and Black Panther are consistently ranked highly by both critics and fans.