Marvel Age-by-Age Guide

Find out which Marvel movies, TV shows, apps, and games are appropriate for every age.

By Frannie Ucciferri

With great power comes great responsibility. The famous Spider-Man motto is true for parents deciding the right time to introduce their favorite Marvel superheroes to their kids. Marvel Comics has been entertaining families with popular characters like Spider-Man, Captain America, and Iron Man since 1939. And with Disney taking over the franchise in 2009, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has transformed into one of the biggest blockbuster series of all time. The movies have even inspired kids to pick up the classic comic books (and develop a love of reading along the way).

But even though young kids can't get enough of their favorite Marvel heroes, that doesn't mean every superhero adventure is appropriate for all ages. The cartoony action in the Lego Marvel Super Heroes game is going to be very different from the graphic, gory hijinks in the movie Deadpool.

Luckily, there are many age-appropriate options for kids if you're ready to dive into the Marvel universe. (If you're looking for info about the X-Men universe, check out our X-Men Age-by-Age Guide.) Keep in mind that all kids are different, so assess your child's ability to handle peril and conflict before you see the movies and TV shows or play the apps and games. And don't forget to stay until the end! Most Marvel movies have a secret scene after the credits that you won't want to miss.

Age 5–7: Look for animated action that's not too scary or intense.

Age 8–9: Go for more extreme (but still kid-friendly) cartoons.

Age 10–11: Start introducing popular faves that go lighter on violence.

Age 12–13: Dig into all the action-packed movie blockbusters, plus the tie-ins.

Age 14–15: Try some of the edgier spin-off series and video games.

Age 16+: Consider these racier (and often violent), highly rated stories.

Updated March 6, 2019