10 Marvel Movies and Shows That Are Better Than You Remember

10 Marvel Movie/Shows That Are Better Than You Remember
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were looking over the films and TV series under the Marvel banner who either deserve a second watch, or who have gained newfound appreciation in recent years. While your mileage may vary between each, its never a bad thing to look back and find something positive in a piece of entertainment!
#10: Daredevil (2003)
Yes, both the Netflix series and Born Again are undoubtedly superior depictions of the Man Without Fear. Yes, that fight scene in the park wallows a little too deeply into cringe territory. Regardless, Ben Afflecks outing as the guardian of Hells Kitchen still had some charm to it, especially if youre someone who enjoys your superhero flicks with equal parts darkness and cheesiness. Also, can we appreciate how much fun the likes of Colin Farrel and the late, great Michael Clarke Duncan are having as Bullseye and Kingpin respectively?
#9: What If...? (2021-24)
Animated anthologies are an artform all their own, some succeeding, some failing. And while its final outing may have somewhat missed the mark, we dare say that the first season of What If was one of the MCUs boldest and most imaginative projects to date. Think about it, it gave us re-interpretations of established and beloved MCU characters who went on to become powerhouses in their own right, such as Captain Carter, Strange Supreme and Infinity Ultron. Not only were the stories entertaining, but it showcased that the MCU wasnt afraid to get a little weird. And weird, especially in this cinematic universe, can often lead to wondrous results.
#8: Marvel Anime: X-Men (2011)
Does it even come close to the likes of the original animated series or X-Men 97? Not on your life. But out of all the Marvel properties that got themselves the anime treatment, the X-Men certainly came out the best. The violence, the self-contained story, Madhouses gorgeous animation, it all adds up to quite a fun time, even if it doesn't quite reach the heights of other depictions of our favourite super-team of mutants. At the very least, the S-Tier glow up they gave Storm certainly warrants a casual viewing.
#7: Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
The red-headed stepchild of the Avengers films, Age of Ultron is simultaneously one of the most vital yet meandering team-ups of the Worlds Mightiest Heroes; introducing the likes of Vision, the Scarlet Witch, the Sokovia Incidents and a million other different plot-threads that would come into play later down the line. While there is a fair amount of busy work, some messy pacing and subplots that prevent it from reaching the heights of other big MCU event movies, it does have some killer scenes that have made us look on it more favourably in recent times. Hulk vs The Hulkbuster, the opening siege on Hydras base, and lest we forget, one of the MCUs greatest castings of all time in James Spader as Ultron we could listen to this android monologue for hours on end!
#6: Spider-Man 3 (2007)
Back in the day, this was the title reviled for putting an end to the original Spider-Man films, and on a downer ending at that. And yes, there are a bunch of silly moments, such as Emo-Parker, the infamous dance scene and its portrayal of Venom. That being said, on reflection, theres still a lot of that Sam Raimi goodness to be found here that made the first two films so amazing. Sandmans tragic downfall into villainy, the turbulence of Peter and MJs relationship, rejecting the symbiote suit. It may not swing as high as its predecessors, but its certainly got more heart to it than some other Sony Spider movies.
#5: Ms. Marvel (2022)
The stakes may be lower and the villains may be sadly forgettable, but what Ms Marvel has going for her is an absurd amount of infectious good will. As a fangirl turned hero in her own right, Iman Vellanis take on Kamala Khan will warm your soul, as she uses her newfound powers in an attempt to emulate her childhood heroes. Pair that with the shows tasteful take on the complexities of family, tradition and Jersey Citys melting pot culture, and this show punched well above its weight. Look at it this way, even after the failure of The Marvels, everyone is still eager for Kamala to make a big return to the MCU, so she must be doing something right!
#4: Agent Carter (2015-16)
She may not have any powers to her name, but Peggy Carter is one of the MCUs most stalwart and badass characters, which is why we feel her two-season solo series deserves way more attention than it initially got. While Agents of Shield flourished with a handful of seasons, Peggys outing was tragically cut short. That doesnt mean it isnt worth your time though. Tackling espionage, gunfights, and the vast prejudices of 1940s America, Peggy demonstrated that she was much more than Captain Americas best girl; she was a leading lady in her own right, whose legacy has thankfully endured throughout the years.
#3: Luke Cage (2016-18)
Daredevil was the jewel in the Netflix Marvel crown. Jessica Jones blew everyone away with its tormented lead, heinous villain and hard-hitting subject matters. Iron Fistwe dont talk about Iron Fist. So, where does that lead Harlems Hero for Hire? Underrated but certainly not underfoot, thats for sure. Mike Colter brings immense gravitas as the unbreakable protector, determined to save his town from any and all criminal corruption. Again, smaller in scale, but its themes and interpretation of the character were spot on. Sweet Christmas indeed.
#2: Thor (2011)
This God of Thunder has had some of the MCUs greatest moments across the franchise, despite having a filmography thats certainly been all over the place. Sitting comfortably between the highs of Ragnarok and the lows of Love & Thunder is the original Thor, which as far as Marvel origin movies go, is actually pretty solid. Theres a Shakespearian quality to it, especially when it comes to the fractured dynamics between the family of Norse Gods. Wed go as far as to say Thors exile from Asgard is one of the MCUs best moments! For setting down a solid foundation and all the good that came after, we feel this flick deserves its flowers.
#1: Moon Knight (2022)
Among the pantheon of TV series to emerge from the main canon of the MCU, fans and critics will often flock to WandaVision and Loki, and rightly so, theyre awesome. Its just that some of us also feel that a certain Fist of Vengeance also deserves to stand alongside them. Not only was Moon Knight a globe-trotting adventure featuring Egyptian Gods and some truly epic fight scenes, it also didnt hesitate to go deep into discussions of mental health, isolation and past traumas. Oscar Isaac delivered a masterclass performance as both Marc Spector and Steven Grant; two personalities sharing one body, both bound to serve as the Avatar to the God of the Night Sky. Disney, youd better get your butt in gear, because we need a new season pronto!
Which Marvel series do you think deserves a rewatch? Let us know in the comments!
