Top 10 Pre-MCU Marvel Movies
Moviefone spotlights the ten best movies based on Marvel characters that were released before the birth of the MCU in 2008.
Thomas Jane in 2004's 'The Punisher.'
Marvel Studios' Marvel Cinematic Universe of movies began officially in 2008 with the premiere of 'Iron Man,' and the MCU has ruled the box office ever since.
But, before there was a shared Marvel universe, different studios released self-contained films based on the popular Marvel characters.
With 'John Krasinski), we thought now would be a perfect time to countdown the 10 best pre-MCU movies of all time.
For this list, we are only including movies based on Marvel characters that were released before the birth of the MCU in 2008, so non-MCU films released after 2008 such as 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' will not count.
Without further ado, let's begin!
Ghost Rider (2007)
In order to save his dying father, young stunt cyclist Johnny Blaze (Eva Mendes), the love of his life. Years later, Johnny's path crosses again with Roxanne, now a go-getting reporter, and also with Mephistopheles, who offers to release Johnny's soul if Johnny becomes the fabled, fiery 'Ghost Rider'.
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
The Fantastic Four (Laurence Fishburne), but all is not what it seems and there are old and new enemies that pose a greater threat than the intrepid superheroes realize.
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
Daredevil (2003)
A man blinded in a childhood accident (Ben Affleck) fights crime using his superhumanly-elevated remaining senses.
Daredevil
The Punisher (2004)
When undercover FBI agent Frank Castle's wife and son are slaughtered, he becomes 'the Punisher' (Thomas Jane), a ruthless vigilante willing to go to any length to avenge his family.
The Punisher
When undercover FBI agent Frank Castle's wife and son are slaughtered, he becomes 'the Punisher' -- a ruthless vigilante willing to go to any length to avenge his... Read the Plot
Blade (1998)
The Daywalker known as "Blade" (Wesley Snipes), a half-vampire, half-mortal man - becomes the protector of humanity against an underground army of vampires.
Blade
X-Men (2000)
Two mutants, Rogue (Hugh Jackman), come to a private academy for their kind whose resident superhero team, the X-Men, must oppose a terrorist organization with similar powers.
Spider-Man (2002)
After being bitten by a genetically altered spider at Oscorp, nerdy but endearing high school student Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is endowed with amazing powers to become the superhero known as Spider-Man.
Blade II (2002)
A rare mutation has occurred within the vampire community - The Reaper. A vampire so consumed with an insatiable bloodlust that they prey on vampires as well as humans, transforming victims who are unlucky enough to survive into Reapers themselves. Blade (Wesley Snipes) is asked by the Vampire Nation for his help in preventing a nightmare plague that would wipe out both humans and vampires.
X2 (2003)
Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and his team of genetically gifted superheroes face a rising tide of anti-mutant sentiment led by Col. William Stryker (Rebecca Romijn)—to unhinge Stryker's scheme to exterminate all mutants.
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is going through a major identity crisis. Burned out from being Spider-Man, he decides to shelve his superhero alter ego, which leaves the city suffering in the wake of carnage left by the evil Doc Ock (James Franco) as well...
