The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has become extremely popular, creating some of the most famous superhero movies ever. Still, not every Marvel film has been well-received or remembered. Some movies have weak stories, didn’t do well with audiences, or got lost in the shadow of bigger hits, leading them to be forgotten. These films might not be terrible, but they don’t stick in people’s minds. Here is a list of 10 Marvel movies that many people forget about.
1. The Incredible Hulk (2008)
The Incredible Hulk is part of the MCU, but it often feels like it is overlooked. Edward Norton plays Bruce Banner in this film before Mark Ruffalo stepped into the role later. The movie had a hard time standing out compared to earlier MCU films like Iron Man. It does have some good action scenes and Tim Roth gives an interesting performance as Emil Blonsky/Abomination. However, it doesn’t have the charm or flow that later MCU films do. Plus, it doesn’t connect much to the other stories in the MCU, making it easier to forget.
2. Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Even though Thor: The Dark World has popular characters like Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and Tom Hiddleston’s Loki, many fans think it is one of the less impressive movies in the MCU. The villain, Malekith, played by Christopher Eccleston, is pretty forgettable and not well-explained. The story about the Aether, which later turns out to be an Infinity Stone, seems confusing and unexciting. While there are a few funny and touching moments with Loki, this movie often gets overlooked when people talk about great Marvel films.
3. X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019)
Dark Phoenix, part of Fox’s X-Men series, tried to bring one of Marvel Comics’ classic stories to life but didn’t quite succeed. The movie had problems during its making and a script that felt hurried, which didn’t capture Jean Grey’s change into the Dark Phoenix properly. The acting was weak, and by this time, audiences were tired of the X-Men films. Because of this, the movie was quickly forgotten after it came out.
4. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
The follow-up to 2005’s Fantastic Four brought Silver Surfer into the mix and hinted at Galactus, but it didn’t really hit the mark. Although it got a bit more praise than the first movie, it still had issues with weak writing and lackluster visual effects, especially for a film of this stature. Many fans were especially let down by Galactus being shown as just a fuzzy cosmic cloud, which was a far cry from what they were used to in the comics.
5. Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011)
Nicolas Cage returned as Johnny Blaze, also known as Ghost Rider, in this sequel that tried to refresh some parts of the first movie while keeping some connections to it. Sadly, Spirit of Vengeance didn’t connect well with viewers because of its shaky tone and below-average visual effects. Though Cage’s unique style added a bit of fun, this film is mostly overlooked in the world of Marvel movies.
6. Elektra (2005)
Elektra, which came from the 2003 film Daredevil, featured Jennifer Garner in the lead role as the assassin. However, it didn’t manage to connect with viewers or critics when it came out. The story felt shallow and the action scenes didn’t impress, making the film seem more like a side note rather than a standalone project. Despite being one of Marvel’s first tries to focus on a female superhero, it didn’t really set the stage for later hits like Captain Marvel or Black Widow.
7. Blade: Trinity (2004)
The third movie in Wesley Snipes’ Blade series really fell short when you compare it to the first two. The plot felt scattered, and the comedic efforts from supporting actors like Ryan Reynolds and Jessica Biel didn’t quite hit the mark, making Blade: Trinity a tough sell for both critics and audiences. Even though Snipes still brought his A-game, this film just didn’t have the raw energy and depth that fans loved about the earlier installments.
8. Punisher: War Zone (2008)
After 2004’s The Punisher, this new version with Ray Stevenson as Frank Castle focused a lot on graphic violence but didn’t offer much in terms of an engaging story or deep character growth. Although some fans liked the darker vibe it had compared to other Marvel films back then, it didn’t really leave a mark on wider audiences.
9. New Mutants (2020)
At first, New Mutants was marketed as a thrilling horror twist on superhero movies in the X-Men world created by Fox. However, it went through many delays and eventually came out during the COVID-19 pandemic. This timing probably played a role in its disappointing box office results and minimal cultural influence. Although the idea of young mutants exploring their powers in a creepy facility was appealing, the slow pacing and lackluster execution made it hard for viewers to find much to take away from the experience.
10. Howard the Duck (1986
Howard the Duck is often seen as one of Marvel’s biggest missteps before the MCU came along. Instead of being remembered for any positive traits, it’s mostly known for being weirdly terrible. This live-action film, based on Steve Gerber’s comic character, showcased humor that fell flat and awkward shifts in tone, which turned off both critics and audiences when it first came out. Even now, it’s mainly mentioned as an example of how not to adapt comic books.
The following ten films highlight some of Marvel’s lesser-known works from various franchises over the years. Some of these films came out before Disney took over Marvel Studios, while others fit into or run parallel to the current MCU timeline.