Nowadays, Marvel films are almost exclusively considered to be those that are part of the MCU, with the movies not falling under this banner being branded as “non-canon” either jokingly or deliberately. However, there have been many great films that are apart from this cinematic universe. Rather than derive from critics-based sites like Rotten Tomatoes, we’ve compiled a list of non-MCU films ranked on entertainment value and audience enjoyment.
This means even those that weren’t critical darlings could be on this list. Also, we’ve put a three-film limit for a series to be included in order to make this list more dynamic. Finally, even movies that aren’t superhero films are considered as long as they’re part of Marvel Comics.
Venom (2018)
Down-on-his-luck Investigative Journalist Eddie Brock comes in contact with a strange symbiote from outer space. After merging with this sentient species, Brock gains superpowers and uncovers a larger plot concerning these mysterious beings.
Venom is what we consider as a pure fan film, in that it was made to appeal to the viewing audience and not the critics. Considered as Spider-Man’s archenemy, this film turned things around by making Venom an anti-hero and is worth a watch for bringing a nice twist in a previously established character as well as some hilarious cringe comedy. The likable cast makes this a straightforward superhero movie with the potential for future success.
Fantastic Four (2005)
Four astronauts encounter a cloud of cosmic energy in space that ends up giving them contrasting superpowers. With the threat of Victor Von Doom looming, the Fantastic Four have to band together to stop Doom’s plans.
Fantastic Four’s strong suit has been how it has aged well over the years, with its goofiness now carrying a certain charm about it. It’s perhaps the breeziest film you can find in the superhero genre, with no heavy-handed moments and all fun in store. Giving viewers a classic good vs. bad story, you’ll definitely want to check this out for a quick view that’s high on the thrills.
The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
Coping with feelings of isolation in school, Peter Parker becomes imbued with spider-like powers after an accident and has to deal with the rise of a reptilian foe who threatens the whole city. The Amazing Spider-Man was a worthy reboot to an already lauded series and proved well up to the task.
While the execution of its plot left more to be desired, you’d be hard-pressed to find an actor who so effortlessly fits the Peter Parker mold as Andrew Garfield. His chemistry with his love interest and the overall modern take on the superhero genre made The Amazing Spider-Man live up to its name.
Men In Black (1997)
A young NYPD cop is recruited into the Men in Black organization, as he realizes the universe houses far more beings than is publicly known. Paired with a hardened veteran, the two agents seek to eliminate extraterrestrial threats.
Not many know that Men in Black was adapted from a comic book series owned by Marvel, yet it remains one of the best films out of the publisher. The first part easily trumps the sequels, as it has that fresh feeling of exploring a new universe and crazy gadgetry in this wild alien ride. The evergreen pairing of Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones was at its very best the first time around.
Deadpool (2016)
Wade Wilson, a terminally ill man suffering from cancer, takes on the moniker of Deadpool to seek revenge on the people who scarred his physical appearance for life and ignited a mutation that makes death an impossibility,
Deadpool took all of the chinks in the X-Men film series apart and dared to be its own thing, poking fun at the series for its inconsistencies while celebrating its own ridiculousness. It’s basically a comedy movie posing as a slasher of a superhero film, yet it works so well that all you want is to have a laugh every two seconds as the film provides.
X-Men: Days Of Future Past (2014)
In a bleak future, the Sentinels have brought the mutants to near extinction, prompting the resistance to send Wolverine’s conscience back to the 1970s where he seeks to prevent the Sentinels from existing in the first place.
X-Men: Days of Future Past brought both the prequel series and the original series together for a heart-pounding film about time travel, as we get the best out of each character. It’s darker than most, but that’s how you appreciate the intensity of the heroes’ situation. With awesome scenes showcasing the best of the mutants’ powers and the crossover between young and old characters, there’s hardly anything wrong you can find here.
Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)
An eccentric supervillain’s attempt at causing global chaos leads to the recruitment of a young man named Eggsy into a secret spy organization. With a seasoned agent as his mentor, Eggsy goes on the path to becoming an unlikely hero.
Kingsman is another series that isn’t common knowledge to be part of the Marvel banner, and perhaps this lack of association is what made The Secret Service so awesome. Unlike MCU films, this one dared to indulge in brutality and delivered an incredibly violent action that is coupled with hilarious comedy bits. The over-the-top direction might as well qualify it as a superhero film, although the wild nature of the movie makes it a class apart.
Logan (2017)
In the future, the man once known as Wolverine has taken to becoming a recluse after a tragic event wiped out most of his kind. Threatened once more by hunters, he takes one last chance at escaping with the few friends he has left.
Logan is easily the most emotional superhero film out there, with the amount of heart involved in it rivaling the MCU’s best offerings. It superbly gives us a Wolverine unlike the one we’re used to, with his final journey filled with pain, poignancy, and character development that gives him a fitting send-off.
Spider-Man (2002)
Recent high school graduate Peter Parker experiences the struggles of adult life while adjusting to his newfound powers, as the maniacal Green Goblin pursues him. Carrying him into this transition is the belief that with great power there will come great responsibility.
Spider-Man was a masterclass in cinema for its time, being perhaps the first film in the genre to appeal to such a wide demographic through the use of quality storytelling and special effects. You’ll find life lessons galore here, as well as entertainment value from its hard-hitting action. Almost decades later, it’s a classic that remains relevant as ever.
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Peter Parker’s inability to accept the responsibilities of being Spider-Man result in him losing his powers, just when the villain Doctor Octopus emerges with a scientific experiment that could spell doom for the people.
Spider-Man 2 just might be the perfect superhero film to have ever been made; in fact, it might be one of the best films of all time. Its mastery came from the balance between Peter Parker’s inner struggles and his battles with Doc Ock. Every scene carried significant weight for all the characters, with even the action sequences having deep meaning attached to them. There are hardly any other movies as polished as this one, and everything from the dialogue to direction is sheer class.
