Every Marvel Release in 2004
Marvel released 3 movies and shows in 2004, years before the MCU began, about 6h 4m of viewing in total. The biggest at the box office was Spider-Man 2, at $789 million worldwide. Here’s every release in order, with where each one fits.
Every release this year came from outside the MCU: The Punisher, Spider-Man 2, Blade: Trinity.
| Release date | Title | Type | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 16, 2004 | The Punisher Not MCU | Film | 2h 4m |
| June 30, 2004 | Spider-Man 2 Not MCU | Film | 2h 7m |
| December 8, 2004 | Blade: Trinity Not MCU | Film | 1h 53m |
Marvel in 2004
Spider-Man 2, released on June 30, 2004, holds up as one of the strongest superhero films of its era. It earned close to $800 million worldwide and won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects, and Roger Ebert called it the best superhero movie since 1978's Superman. Alfred Molina's Doctor Octopus later returned in No Way Home, picking up right where this film left off.
The rest of 2004 was weaker. The Punisher, with Thomas Jane and John Travolta, was Marvel's first major independent release as an equity owner and made $54.7 million. Blade: Trinity closed the year with a 24 percent Rotten Tomatoes score and stories of a hard shoot, though it did give Ryan Reynolds an early comic-book role. Behind the scenes, Marvel hired David Maisel, who began planning for the studio to make its own films.
FAQ
Did Spider-Man 2 win an Oscar?
Yes. It won Best Visual Effects at the 77th Academy Awards.
Was Ryan Reynolds in a Blade movie?
Yes. He played Hannibal King in Blade: Trinity (2004), years before Deadpool.
How many Marvel movies and shows came out in 2004?
There were 3, about 6h 4m of viewing in all.
What was the first Marvel release of 2004?
The Punisher, released April 16, 2004.
What was the last Marvel release of 2004?
Blade: Trinity, released December 8, 2004.