Best Non-MCU Marvel Movies
It's absolutely INCREDIBLE what Marvel has been able to do with their properties. They've created a dozens of movies and TV shows that all tell one over arching story. It's insane to think that one company was able to weave all these different products, on different platforms together to make something so brilliant. The movies, the Netflix shows, the network TV shows...they all came together to tell this incredible story and for the most part, all of it work extremely well.
But, before Marvel and Disney put together this master plan, there were stand alone movies. Some of those movies were awesome (Spider-Man for instance) and some of them absolutely SUCKED (pick any Fantastic Four movie). But, looking back, there was a lot of extremely good stuff in there that should be remembered and celebrated.
So, below, is my list of the Top 5 Non-MCU Marvel Films. When I started re-watching these movies and trying to put together this list, I was shocked how hard it was.
Before we get to the actual list, here are some honorable mentions: Amazing Spider-Man, X-Men: First Class, Hulk, The Punisher and The Wolverine.
5. Blade II
The first Blade was great. The second film was even better. I don't know why, but people seem to forget the Blade Trilogy and how AWESOME they were. Before Deadpool, Blade was THE R-rated comic book franchise. And it was BAD ASS.
4. Deadpool
Speaking of Deadpool, how GREAT was this movie? I have to admit, I had the fear when they originally announced they were making this movie because Fox did not have a stellar record with this character. Between that god awful Wolverine movie, Ryan Reynolds' Green Lantern attempt and the fact that it was in development limbo forever did not have my confidence high. But, thankfully, they pulled this thing off in a beautiful, beautiful way.
3. Spider-Man 2
I think this movie gets overlooked a lot because of the ABSOLUTE disaster Spider-Man 3 was. But the first Spider-Man film was solid. The sequel was even better. First the first time ever, really, you got to experience the full drama of Peter Parker and what it's ACTUALLY like being Spider-Man. Alfred Molina's Doc Oc was fantastic. At the time this movie came out, it was the best Marvel based movie ever created and stayed in that slot for a long time.
2. X-Men: Days of Future Past
This movie is what X-Men fans were hoping and praying for. X2 was pretty darn solid. First Class was great. But this movie really captured the essence of the X-Men character and told a great, yet ambitious story. To this point, X-Men movies have been hit or miss...but this was definitely the best.
1. Logan
This movie, based on the 'Old Man Logan' comic story line, is nothing short of incredible. The script for this film won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Hugh Jackman was incredible as Wolverine, delivering quite possibly the best performance of his career. And to this point, is the best non-MCU film ever made.