The Marvel Cinematic Universe had a hold on Marvel movies as they built up towards the ultimate villain, Thanos. Of course, that era ended, and the continuity has explored other directions in which to go. In particular, they explored the multiverse as well as the aftermath of the battle with the mad titan.
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However, as the MCU tries to get its bearings years after the cinematic event, there are other films just outside the continuity that made waves. Some are classic films from an era where no one really knew what to do with superheroes. Others were part of their own series of films building up to their own major conflicts.
10
X-Men First Class
X-Men And The Cold War
The X-Men series of films has their ups and downs. Sometimes you end up with a Days of Future past, while other times you get something as bad as X-Men Origins: Wolverine. X-Men First Class is that neat middle of the road, taking the series for a soft reboot and changing up the time period.
This film has everything you could want in an X-Men flick. You’ve got the cold war tensions rising, real historical events, and younger versions of both Magneto and Xavier becoming the people they were always meant to be.
9
Spider-Man
Starting The Superhero Boom
This wouldn’t be the first time Spider-Man got a live action adaptation, but it is one of the most memorable. Serving as an origin story for Peter Parker, it is always fun to see him rise to the occasion when the city is threatened by the Green Goblin.
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Toby Maguire and Willem Dafoe provide the perfect personalities for the hero and villain roles. Maguire has that awkward good-boy personality that could make any grandmother bake a batch of cookies for, while Dafoe sells the part of Normal Osborn as he fights his inner demons and pays the price for it.
8
Blade
The Coolest Vampire Hunter
When you think of a vampire movie based on Marvel properties, Morbius is not the one. Instead, you think of Blade. This film got a cult following for how action-packed it is. In particular, one of the best scenes hits you right at the beginning, setting the stage for what to expect.
This is where Blade enters a nightclub full of vampires as blood rains down from the sprinklers above. The daywalker himself is played by Wesley Snipes, who knows how to kill vampires and look cool while doing it.
7
Spider-Man 2
Great Action And Greater Comic Book Shenanigans
Spider-Man 2 is considered the best in the original trilogy of Spider-Man movies. It also has one of the best incarnations of Doc Ock. Back then there was no MCU or a grand multiverse. Spider-Man was simply himself, keeping the streets clean and watching those he cared about most become villains he would need to stop.
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This film has so many iconic moments, ranging from Doc Ock robbing a bank to the action-packed train fight sequence. This is one film where every sequence feels like it’s coming straight from the comic book pages themselves.
6
Venom
Sony’s Best Standalone Villain Film
Venom’s relationship to the MCU is a confusing and often complicated scenario. However, Venom’s films have no true connection to it. It’s a Spider-Man villain movie without Spider-Man making an appearance. This allows Venom to take center stage as an anti-hero.
With cool action sequences and plenty of good chemistry between Venom and Eddie Brock, it manages to be a fun romp without needing to be tied to any grander storyline. Each film after only solidified Venom as the only anti-hero that Sony could make work.
5
Big Hero 6
Disney Meets Marvel
One film that never feels like a Marvel movie when you first watch it is Big Hero 6. However, this Disney film is actually based on the comics of the same name. When Hiro is left to take care of his brother’s robot, Baymax, he must uncover a secret plot that may have had something to do with his brother’s untimely death.
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With so many Marvel movies eventually touching the MCU in some way or form, Big Hero 6 is as far away as possible from it.
4
Spider-Man Into The Spider-Verse
The Greater Web Of The Multiverse
It’s impossible to talk about Non-MCU Marvel movies without bringing up Into The Spider-Verse. Miles Morales as Spiderman had been rising in popularity before the film’s release and once it hit theatres, Miles Morales became a household name.
The animation is out of this world, giving each version of Spider-Man their own distinct style from the world they came from. Even the frames on Miles are used to convey how new he is to this role, as he finds out that anyone can be Spider-Man.
3
X-Men: Days Of Future Past
Logan To The Past
If there’s one X-Men movie that is considered the definitive experience, it’s X-Men: Days of Future Past. This entry feels like the Infinity Wars of the X-Men series with a huge cast of characters seen throughout the other films, including younger versions from in X-Men: First Class.
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With great visuals and fight sequences, this film manages to do time travel right as the threat of the Sentinels forces Xavier and Magneto to team up and send Logan back to the past. With some of the highest stakes in the series, it is no wonder this film comes out on top.
2
Logan
An End For The Most Popular X-Men
Wolverine is one of the most iconic characters from the live action films. Hugh Jackman feels born to play the role. However, all stories come to an end and in this particular feature, Logan makes one last journey with his newfound daughter.
There is a sense of finality in Logan that makes this both a fantastic drama but also somewhat of a gloomy trek. With no Mutants having been born in 25 years, Xavier reaching the end of his days, and Laura deciding what her future will be, it’s a perfect ending for this Wolverine in the vast multiverse.
1
Deadpool 2
Deadpool’s Best Entry
Out of all the Deadpool movies, Deadpool 2 is by far one of the best. It has great action sequences, fun humor, sneaky little cameos, and plenty of fourth-wall breaking jabs. It also does a good job as a time travel flick.
Deadpool 2 is the last film before Deadpool would start brushing the outskirts of the MCU. As Wade learns what it means to be a hero, he needs to prevent another powerful mutant, a young Fire Fist, from using his fire-starting powers and going down a path of villainy.
