Every Marvel Release in 2008
2008 brought 5 Marvel movies and shows, 2 of them MCU titles, adding up to about 16h 31m. Iron Man earned the most, $586 million worldwide. The full list is below, in release order.
MCU films: Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk. Outside the MCU: The Spectacular Spider-Man, Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow, Punisher: War Zone. Critics liked Iron Man best (94% on Rotten Tomatoes).
| Release date | Title | Type | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 8, 2008 | The Spectacular Spider-Man Not MCU | Series | 26 eps |
| May 2, 2008 | Iron Man | Film | 2h 6m |
| June 13, 2008 | The Incredible Hulk | Film | 1h 52m |
| September 2, 2008 | Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow Not MCU | Film | 1h 18m |
| December 5, 2008 | Punisher: War Zone Not MCU | Film | 1h 43m |
Marvel in 2008
Iron Man opened on May 2, 2008, and started the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It was Marvel Studios' first self-financed film, distributed by Paramount, and it rested on Robert Downey Jr., an actor Marvel executives had resisted casting. The film grossed $585.8 million, earned two Oscar nominations and was added to the National Film Registry in 2022. Its post-credits scene started the MCU's most famous habit.
The Incredible Hulk followed on June 13 with Edward Norton. Universal distributed it, and the distribution rights didn't return to Marvel until 2023. Tim Roth's Abomination and William Hurt's General Ross both came back years later. In December, Punisher: War Zone made just $10.1 million and is often described as the lowest-grossing Marvel film.
Spoiler Spoilers for 2008 releases: tap to reveal
- Iron Man's post-credits scene introduces Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury and the Avenger Initiative.
FAQ
What was the first MCU movie?
Iron Man, released on May 2, 2008, was the first MCU film and opened Phase One.
Why was Edward Norton replaced as the Hulk?
Norton clashed with Marvel during production, and Mark Ruffalo took over for The Avengers. Kevin Feige said the team film needed actors who thrive in an ensemble.
How many Marvel movies and shows came out in 2008?
There were 5, about 16h 31m of viewing in all.
What was the first Marvel release of 2008?
The Spectacular Spider-Man, released March 8, 2008.
What was the last Marvel release of 2008?
Punisher: War Zone, released December 5, 2008.