The 20 Best Marvel Animated TV Series

Marvel’s line-up of heroes has left their mark on the world through comics, movies, games, and television series, especially those of the animated variety. These animated shows have come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but many have fans who fondly think of them, whether they watched it years ago or just streamed it.

Some shows were aimed towards children, often being subjected to strict guidelines, though many still managed to present poignant and even dark storylines. On the other hand, a few series were aimed at mature audiences. Some adhere to nostalgia, while others emulate other trends in animation.

Even series that only lasted one or two seasons still proved to be popular, developing prominent cult-followings. It also helps that these animated series served as an introduction to various Marvel heroes and villains for various fans, often defining how audiences think of these characters and even influencing later adaptations.

20 Spider-Man: The New Animated Series (2003)

Spider-Man: The New Animated Series, also unofficially known as MTV’s Spider-Man, was a series that followed the 2002 Spider-Man film, putting the famous web-slinger in a fully CGI show. While taking some inspiration from the live-action film, the series had a different continuity and starts with Peter Parker, Harry Osborn and Mary Jane Watson in college.

A Darker Take on Spider-Man

Various new characters were added into the mix, such as Indira “Indy” Daimonji, a research assistant who serves as a possible love-interest for Peter, serving something of a combination for Gwen Stacy and Betty Brant. A few of the villains were rewritten as new characters, such as Black Cat being revamped as the villainess Talon. Thanks to the series’ darker tone, many of the villains do not survive the series, yet were often portrayed in a sympathetic life, effectively recasting them as tragic figures.

The series also boasted a few notable voice actors, like Neil Patrick Harris as Peter Parker and Lisa Loeb as Mary Jane Watson. That said, the series proved to be short-lived, lasting only 13 episodes, with plans for a second season falling through. That said, it would go on to develop a cult-following. Buy on Vudu.

19 Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes (2006)

Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes was an animated series revolving around the title heroes: Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch, and the Thing. Produced by the French animation firm Moonscoop, the series’ tagline was a reference to the original comics’ tagline, “World’s Greatest Comic Magazine.”

The Fantastic Four in an Anime-Inspired Style

The series was especially known for its animation, which took inspiration from Japanese anime and manga, a style Moonscoop was known for employing in their works. Allegedly, it’s rumored Moonscoop wanted even more of an anime influence in the series, with Sue Storm nearly having pink hair.

The series was likely made as a follow-up for the 2005 Fantastic Four film, though somewhat conflated with the comics. Notably, Alicia Masters resembled her movie counterpart and was also portrayed as the stepdaughter of the villain Puppet Master. While the series used many villains from the team’s rogue gallery from the comics, most of the plots were original stories and took a somewhat lighthearted approach.

18 Spider-Woman (1979)

Spider-Woman is an animated series starring Jessica Drew. As the opening explains, as a child, Drew was bitten by a venomous spider. Her scientist father saved her with a special serum that would end up giving her superpowers. As an adult, Drew becomes the super-heroine Spider-Woman, all the while working as the editor of Justice Magazine.

One of the First Superheroines with Her Own Cartoon

While somewhat loosely resembling the comics, Spider-Woman is notably one of the first animated series to star a female superhero. In a nod to the live-action Wonder Woman series, Drew could transform into her alter-ego by spinning around. She also had a wide range of powers, such as the ability to telepathically communicate with spiders.

Spider-Woman occasionally encountered a few well-known characters, such as Dracula and Frankenstein’s Monster. Even Spider-Man himself also made a few guest appearances on the show. Stream on Disney+.

17 Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. (2013)

The Incredible Hulk is often cast as a solitary figure, to the point where the main theme of the live-action series was called “The Lonely Man.” However, Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. explores a series revolving around an entire team of Hulks: Hulk, Red Hulk, She-Hulk, A-Bomb, and Skaar. Together, they take on threats that only a Hulk can face, with the whole series framed as a reality show.

It Takes All Hulks

For most of the series, one driving question was why Hulk never appeared as Bruce Banner. This was eventually explained in the episode “Banner Day” that Banner is permanently in his Hulk form, even having to sacrifice a chance to stay as Banner. Similarly, Skaar, who is the Hulk’s son in the comics, never has his parentage explained by the end of the series. Stream on Disney+.

16 Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (1981)

Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends was a Saturday morning cartoon which saw the famous web-slinger join forces with Bobby Drake, also known as Iceman, and Angelica Jones, the alter-ego of Firestar. Together, with the help of some funding from Tony Stark, they fight crime together with the help of a secret lab.

The Spider-Friends Will Save the Day

Allegedly, Spider-Man and Iceman were originally going to be teamed up with the Human Torch, but an original character had to be used instead. Firestar proved popular, with the episode dealing with her backstory, “A Fire-Star Is Born,” going on to be a fan-favorite.

The series has also surprisingly “predicted” a lot of the directions Marvel would take over the years. Famously, during an appearance on the show, Wolverine was performed with an Australian accent, somewhat predating him being played by Australian actor Hugh Jackman, albeit with a North American accent. The series also had a clear interest in fans, with the third season episode, “Origin of the Spider-Friends,” allegedly being made as a response to viewers wondering how the characters formed their team. Stream on Disney+.

15 Marvel’s Spider-Man (2017)

Marvel’s Spider-Man is the follow-up to Ultimate Spider-Man, taking a look at Peter Parker’s career as a superhero. In this series, Parker lives in a world modeled around science, with Parker going to Horizon High, a school for geniuses. Soon, Parker teams up with other web-slinging heroes, like Miles Morales, Anya Corazon, and Gwen Stacy, who becomes Spider-Gwen/Ghost Spider.

W/G.P. => G.R.

Some aspects of the series weren’t too well-received early on, like the emphasis on Peter’s awkwardness or the near-obsessive focus on “science.” However, many fans felt the series got better as it went on and focused on more serialized stories. Of course, many fans also found it charming that Uncle Ben’s famous “Great Responsibility” quote was rewritten as an equation.

The series’ voice acting has also been praised. Notably, while some fans were initially surprised at hearing that Josh Keaton, who voiced Spider-Man in The Spectacular Spider-Man, would be the voice of Norman Osborn in the series, many would go on to enjoy the performance. Stream on Disney+.

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14 Spider-Man (1967)

Spider-Man’s first series was the eponymous 1967 Spider-Man cartoon. Early on, the series mostly followed the formula of a villain, usually a classic Spider-Man enemy, causing trouble and Peter Parker uncovering the plot while having to take pictures for the Daily Bugle.

Spider-Man, Spider-Man, Does Whatever a Spider Can…

Starting with the second season, however, it was decided to make the series more character-driven, with the first episode being an explanation of how Peter Parker became Spider-Man, with more focus on Peter’s life as a high-school student. Notably, Mary Jane Watson only appeared in one third-season episode, where she was somewhat conflated with Gwen Stacy, being written as Captain Stacy’s niece.

The series was infamous for its low budget, notably reusing animation from Rocket Robin Hood. Despite that, some fans argue this lends to the series’ charm. Over the years, footage from the series, especially its first season, has been used in internet memes. The famous Spider-Man theme, known for the line, “Spider-Man, Spider-Man, does whatever a spider can,” also originated with this series.

13 Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994)

Spider-Man: The Animated Series is a 1990s cartoon revolving around Peter Parker and his titular alter-ego. This time, Parker is a university student while working at the Daily Bugle,

The Series Was Many Fans’ Introduction To Spider-Man

The series was infamous for coming under strict censorship with what could be allowed. Notably, Gwen Stacy was initially written out, with some aspects of the character being given to the series’ incarnation of Felicia Hardy, or Black Cat. The final episode, however, wound up having Peter meet a Gwen Stacy from an alternate universe, where she was implied to have escaped her infamous fate. Morbius the Living Vampire also notably wasn’t allowed to bite anyone and drank plasma instead of blood.

Many aspects of the Spider-Man mythos, such as the Venom/Symbiote storyline or the “Man-Spider” mutation, became popular with fans thanks to being adapted into the series. In fact, many Spider-Man fans credit the series as their introduction to the franchise. Stream on Disney+.

12 Wolverine and the X-Men (2009)

Wolverine and the X-Men was an animated X-Men series that came out in the late 2000s. The series starts off with the Xavier Institute destroyed and many of the prominent characters missing or leaving the team. However, the emergence of anti-mutant forces inspires Wolverine to find the missing members and reassemble the group.

Getting the Team Back Together

While Wolverine was the main character, going on to become the leader of the X-Men, instead of focusing on the X-Men as a team, other characters were still given prominent roles. Notably, this was one of the first adaptations to use Forge and Emma Frost as main characters.

While the series had its fans, it only lasted a season. A comic of the same name, Wolverine and the X-Men, was released a few years after the series, which sees the title character serving as the headmaster of the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning. Stream on Disney+.

11 Guardians of the Galaxy (2015)

Guardians of the Galaxy is an animated series revolving around the eponymous team. Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket Raccoon, and Groot work together to fight against Thanos. Early on in the series, the team have come across an artifact with a map that leads to the Cosmic Seed, which can create a new universe, meaning the team must destroy it before Thanos obtains it.

They’re a Little Good, a Little Bad, a Little Bit of Both

Many fans felt the series began to pick up by its second season, which features a greater focus on an ongoing continuity. The series combines elements from the movies with earlier incarnations, such as portraying Peter’s father as J’son of Spartax, like in the comics, as opposed to Ego the Living Planet. The series would also be adapted into its own comic series, Marvel Universe: Guardians of the Galaxy. Stream on Disney+.

10 Ultimate Spider-Man (2012)

Ultimate Spider-Man was a Disney XD series starring the title web-slinger. In this series, Peter Parker has already been Spider-Man for a year and is given a chance to train and become the “Ultimate Spider-Man,” thanks to Nick Fury. However, he must prove himself by working with four other young superheroes: Nova, White Tiger, Iron Fist, and Power Man.

Spider-Man Leads a New Team

In the third season, the series became known as “Ultimate Spider-Man: Web Warriors” and featured Peter encountering his various counterparts from across the multiverse, including Spider-Ham and Miles Morales. The fourth season became known as “Ultimate Spider-Man vs. the Sinister Six,” which saw the introduction of the Scarlet Spider and Gwen Stacy as Spider-Woman.

One unique aspect of the series was that Peter Parker often broke the fourth wall, with viewers even getting to see a few imagination spots inside his mind. Stream on Disney+.

9 Avengers Assemble (2013)

Avengers Assemble was an animated series that served as a follow-up to The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Inspired by the popularity of the Avengers movies, though not a direct adaptation of it, the line-up includes Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye, as well as the Falcon, who was the only one who did not appear in the films at the time.

Made With the Movies in Mind

In keeping with the theme of mirroring the movies, the series became “Avengers: Ultron Revolution” during the third season, likely inspired by the Age of Ultron movie. This was followed by a fourth season, “Avengers: Secret Wars,” in which Black Panther forms a new team, and a fifth season, “Avengers: Black Panther’s Quest,” which focused on Black Panther as the main character, likely inspired by the success of the character’s eponymous film. Stream on Disney+.

8 What If…? (2021)

What If…? is a Marvel anthology series based on the comic series of the same name, which looks at what would happen in the Marvel universe if just one thing had changed. While the comics have existed in some form since the 1970s, the animated series take influence from Marvel’s Infinity Saga films. Uatu the Watcher functions as the series’ narrator and commentator.

One Change Can Make a Big Difference

Each episode title is framed as a “What If” question. Viewers get to see things like what would happen if T’Challa became a Star-Lord, Peggy Carter became a super-soldier instead of Steve Rogers, or the Avengers assembling in 1602. Naturally, with a series like this, Marvel fans can’t help but speculate about what kind of alternate realities could make a good story for the series. Stream on Disney+.

7 X-Men: Evolution (2000)

X-Men: Evolution was the second attempt to give the title heroes an animated series. In a departure from other stories, most of the mutants are reimagined as teenagers while living at the Xavier Institute, with Professor Charles Xavier helping them to hone their powers.

X:Men: The High School Years

The idea of rewriting the characters to be younger allowed viewers who were unfamiliar with the X-Men series to get an introduction to the characters. Early on, the series focuses more on the characters, with some stories not having villains. By the third season, the familiar themes of prejudice and persecution became more prominent after the mutants’ existence was revealed to the world.

In addition to helping to introduce characters to audiences, the series is also notable for introducing Wolverine’s young clone X-23, who would later appear in other parts of the franchise.

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6 The Incredible Hulk (1996)

The Incredible Hulk was an animated series revolving around the title character from the late 1990s, initially dealing with Bruce Banner and his angry alter-ego being on the run from the military. The Hulk often encountered a variety of other characters from the Marvel Universe. Notably, the series would later feature She-Hulk, promoted as something of a co-star during the second season, and another alter-ego of Banner’s, the Gray Hulk, who fights his green counterpart in the center of Banner’s mind.

Hulk Should Sound a Little Familiar

The series is generally considered one of the darker Marvel cartoons to come from the era, as well as 1982’s The Incredible Hulk cartoon, though this was toned down during its second season. Notably, Lou Ferrigno, who played the Hulk in the earlier live-action series, serves as the voice of the Hulk, with Neal McDonough providing the voice of Bruce Banner. Other notable voices included Luke Perry as Rick Jones and Cree Summer as She-Hulk.

5 Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2023)

Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur is an animated Disney Channel series based on the characters of the same name. Lunella Lafayette is a kid genius who accidentally bring a T. rex, Devil Dinosaur, into the present. They join forces, combining their brains and brawn, to protect New York’s Lower East Side from all sorts of villains. Meanwhile, Lunella’s new friend Casey serves as her secret keeper and Moon Girl’s manager.

Moon Girl Magic!

Many characters, such as Lunella’s grandparents and her friend Casey, as well as a few villains, are introduced in the series, exploring Moon Girl’s mythology. Fans of the comics have especially praised the expanded universe.

The series is known for its music, especially its opening, “Moon Girl Magic,” with R&B singer Raphael Saadiq serving as the series’ composer. The colorful animation has also been praised, using all sorts of styles and shout-outs, with characters transforming into Muppets or Princess Serenity and Tuxedo Mask at the drop of a hat. Stream on Disney+.

4 The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes! (2010)

The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes! was a Disney XD series based around the titular superhero team. The plot kicks off when a series of breakouts occurs, releasing various supervillains into the world. To combat this threat, the Avengers are born. Originally, the team was made up of Iron Man, Thor, Ant-Man, the Wasp, and the Hulk. In time, other superheroes like Captain America and Black Panther will join them.

Things Take Off as the Team Grows

While nominally based on the comics, the series also employs elements from the Ultimate Universe and Marvel’s films. Despite lasting two seasons, with a planned third season going unmade, the series would develop a cult-following.

Generally, fans often recommend watching the series all at once, creating a single narrative, especially as episodes weren’t always aired in order during the original run. Some fans also felt the series reached its stride as more members were added to the team. Stream on Disney+.

3 The Spectacular Spider-Man (2008)

The Spectacular Spider-Man was a series starting with a high school-aged Peter Parker dealing with his Spider-Man alter-ego. Combining elements from previous Spider-Man adaptations, this version of the series placed greater emphasis on Peter’s classmates, and other people in Parker’s life, than earlier versions.

Spider-Man Goes Back to His Roots

Notably, Gwen Stacy was given a large role early on, serving as one of her largest appearances in media before the introduction of Spider-Gwen. Gwen notably survives the series, even surviving a fall reminiscent of the one that doomed her comic counterpart in the series’ Thanksgiving episode, “Nature vs. Nurture.”

The series was a bit short-lived, with legal issues allegedly preventing a third season from being made, but it proved to be a fan-favorite and a cult-classic Spider-Man adaptation. Many of the series’ voice actors have also been praised, particularly Josh Keaton as the voice of the title character. Buy on Apple TV.

2 X-Men ’97 (2024)

X-Men ’97 is an animated series serving as a follow-up to X-Men: The Animated Series. Professor Xavier has left the Earth, and the X-Men must continue the fight to keep peace between humans and mutants. However, things take a turn when it’s revealed that all that Xavier has created has been willed to Magneto.

The ’90s Are Making a Comeback

In addition to the returning characters, a few more X-Men, including more villainous ones, have now become core members of the team. These include the shape-shifting Morph, the time-traveler Bishop, and Magneto, who serves as their new leader. The continuation also allows for mutants who did not appear in the earlier series to appear, such as Sunspot, who is portrayed as a new recruit.

The animation has especially been praised for matching the style of the original series while using new technology. Several voice actors from the original series appear in the series, with some even reprising their characters. Stream on Disney+.

1 X-Men: The Animated Series (1992)

X-Men, also known as X-Men: The Animated Series, was an animated series from the 1990s revolving around the X-Men. The main cast is made up of Cyclops, Wolverine, Rogue, Storm, Beast, Gambit, Jubilee, and Professor Charles Xavier, though other various X-Men make appearances. Together, they take on the government, villainous mutants, otherworldly forces, and even themselves.

This One’s for You, Morph!

Relatively faithful to the comics, the series would prove to be one of Marvel’s longest-running series even years later. The series was rather ambitious with its storylines for a Saturday morning cartoon, such as portraying Nightcrawler as a monk. In many ways, fans often think of the series as the Marvel equivalent to Batman: The Animated Series. Notably, the series’ popularity brought about the continuation, X-Men ’97. Stream on Disney+.