While the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has generally garnered a lot of attention for Marvel movies, there are several that have failed to attract the audience and praise that they deserve. Comic book movies in general have had a long road to becoming popular and mainstream cinematic releases.
While comics, and specifically those about superhero movies, have managed to capture imaginations for decades, Marvel’s attempts to translate their stories to the big screen haven’t always been so successful. However, after launching the most popular franchise of all time in the MCU, it’s worth looking back at some of the films that failed to get more attention.
8
Big Hero 6
First up, Big Hero 6 is a Disney animated film from 2014. While the movie had some degree of success, the storytelling, animation, and intense emotions of the piece make it worthy of so much more.
And add to that the fact that this was actually an obscure Marvel movie that released during the peak of the MCU, it’s insane that it slipped under the radar. But realistically, since it wasn’t set in the main MCU timeline, or even closely connected to Earth-616, it makes some degree of sense.
Big Hero 6 may be aimed at kids and pre-teens, but the depth of the story, as the hero deals with grief and sadness, and uncovers a plot by a corrupt businessman, is just too good to pass up.
7
The Marvels
Moving across to the MCU, there are a handful of releases within that universe that deserve much more attention than they got. For instance, The Marvels, a movie which acts as a sequel to Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel, and even WandaVision, went underappreciated because it was too much work for some people.
However, this movie has a lot going for it that audiences and fans of the MCU missed out on while it was in its theatrical run. From the action, to the comedy, and the chemistry between the heroes, this movie is an absolute delight.
And since landing on Disney+, the positivity around this movie has increased exponentially, suggesting that many people didn’t give it a chance because of negative reviews during the theatrical release window.
6
Avengers: Age of Ultron
While the Avengers movies generally appear to excel, there is one Avengers story that, despite introducing pivotal MCU characters, tends to get the brunt of bad press. Avengers: Age of Ultron was the second outing for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, but it didn’t land well with some critics at the time.
With some characters being introduced only to die in the same film, and other heroes acting out of character, it was a major adjustment. However, as the awkward transitioning teenager phase of the MCU, it makes sense that things were changing, and this movie actually depicts that perfectly.
Not to mention, James Spader as Ultron was an inspired choice, and Wanda Maximoff’s debut delivered one of the most powerful and compelling characters from the comics to the big screen. Age of Ultron deserves more love.
5
X-Men: First Class
The Fox X-Men movies did a huge part in turning the tides of Marvel’s cinematic success. In the 2000s, the original X-Men trilogy exploded in popularity, and with castings like Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, and Patrick Stewart as Professor X, it proved to be a huge hit that would endure for years to come.
However, once the trilogy was resolved, Fox stumbled in terms of figuring out how to progress these stories, and the early solo Wolverine stories did not land as intended for Fox. So, they decided to go back to the beginning, and deliver a reboot to the story.
Now, releasing a reboot to a successful franchise 11 years after it began (and five years after the trilogy ended, and just two years after X-Men Origins: Wolverine), was already a risky move. But the fact that iconic characters like Professor X were recast also didn’t help the film’s success.
Ultimately, it worked out for the rebooted franchise when they combined the timelines in X-Men: Days of Future Past, but X-Men: First Class was a worthy entry that earned its place in the saga.
4
Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness
Another MCU title that became a sequel to several projects, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, stands out as the first theatrical release in the Multiverse Saga to actually explore the multiverse. And on top of that, it introduced the multiverse hopping America Chavez in extraordinary style.
This movie delivers on the magic and stunning visuals that the first entry had, while also becoming a more integral piece of the MCU puzzle. However, due to a plot where a former hero, Wanda Maximoff, is now the villain, and a lack of engagement with the Disney+ MCU shows, it faltered.
Despite this, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has some of the most intriguing storytelling of the recent MCU, delving into horror, and experimenting in a way that breaks new ground. It’s just a shame more people didn’t see it.
3
Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings
Likewise, the first film in the Multiverse Saga to focus on a brand-new hero, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, had a lot going for it with Simu Liu in the leading role. This film also finally delivers on introducing the real Ten Rings organization after they were teased in Iron Man, 13 years earlier.
Shang-Chi takes the MCU to China, after most of the stories earlier in the franchise focus on the US, deep space, and fictional countries like Sokovia and Wakanda. In this way, it helps to open up the MCU to the wider world of stories, but it also sets up a character who could be pivotal in future crossovers.
However, not enough people engaged with the story, despite rave reviews. This is likely down to people choosing to leave the franchise after the Infinity Saga was resolved, but it’s a shame, because Shang-Chi had the potential to be the Multiverse Saga’s Tony Stark, with his story kicking off Phase Four.
2
Ant-Man
Ant-Man initially debuted all the way back in 2015, and like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, it took the MCU in a whole new direction. This comedy-driven heist film quickly established the MCU’s potential to tell stories in different genres, but the movie remains one of the most underrated of the franchise.
Paul Rudd excels in the role of Scott Lang, imbuing his character with humor and sincerity, while Michael Douglas pulls off a stern and unyielding Hank Pym. The story is wonderfully emotional, and takes the audience on a journey as Scott tries to put the pieces of his life in order.
However, Ant-Man is often forgotten among the backdrop of gods and superheroes who appear altogether more heroic than this former crook. Still, it deserves better than to be forgotten.
1
Hulk Vs.
Finally, a film which is a significant shift from everything else listed here, though one of arguably the most exciting and engaging Marvel features in a long time, Hulk Vs.
This movie is an animated straight-to-video release that came out in 2009. It’s made up of two parts, Hulk Vs. Wolverine, and Hulk Vs. Thor, and it delivers incredible action that rivals much of what’s been seen in the MCU.
Not only does it depict some of the most powerful and adored characters in Marvel history going head-to-head, but it literally dedicates nearly the entire runtime to exploring a thrilling and exhausting brawl between these mighty heroes.
It’s unlike anything else in the MCU, and it stands out as one of the best animated Marvel features, which earns it a spot at the top of this list, as Marvel’s most overlooked film of all time.
