Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Stan Lee was a giant. In addition to his gregarious personality and knack for storytelling and self-mythologizing, the iconic comic creator was responsible for laying the groundwork for the entire Marvel Universe. Right when he was ready to quit, a 39-year-old Stan Lee decided, which a nudge from his wife Joan, to just create a comic for himself. That comic turned out to be Fantastic Four, a comic about deeply flawed superheroes published in an era when superheroes were godlike and not selling well. Through his collaboration with the equally brilliant artist Jack Kirby, the Marvel Universe was born in 1961.
It’s safe to say that 57 years later, Marvel’s taken over our universe. The characters created by Stan Lee and artists like Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, Don Heck, Bill Everett, and more are now featured in countless movies, animated films, and TV shows. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has become one of the most successful movie franchises of all time, and it’s all thanks to the work Lee and his co-creators did all those years ago.
If you’re still reeling from the news of Stan Lee’s passing at the age of 95, you can take solace in so many of the movies featuring characters he helped bring to life. If you have a Netflix account, you can easily queue up a truly marvelous memorial marathon. To help you out, true believer, we’ve assembled a list of 13 movies–both live-action and animated–that you can stream right now, and also included information about the characters Stan co-created and whether or not you’ll see him pop up in the film in one of his fan-favorite cameos. Excelsior!
'Spider-Man 3' (2007)
Netflix Summary: “The seemingly invincible Spider-Man goes up against an all-new crop of villains in the third installment of the blockbuster adventure series.”
Stan Lee Co-Creations: Spider-Man, Mary Jane Watson, Harry Osborn, Sandman, Gwen Stacy, May Parker, J. Jonah Jameson
Stan Lee Cameo: Peter Parker’s stroll through Times Square brings him face to face with his creator.
'Doctor Strange' (2007)
Netflix Summary: “Sorcerer Dr. Strange protects the world from supernatural threats. Seeking to heal from a tragic past, Strange makes a life-altering journey to Tibet.”
Stan Lee Co-Creations: Doctor Strange, Wong, Baron Mordo, Ancient One, Dormammu
Stan Lee Cameo: Nope!
'Planet Hulk' (2010)
Netflix Summary: “Exiled from Earth. Lost in space. But on a distant land ruled by evil, the green behemoth will find his destiny.”
Stan Lee Co-Creations: Hulk, the Kronans, Iron Man
Stan Lee Cameo: Nope!
'LEGO: Marvel Super Heroes: Maximum Overload' (2013)
Netflix Summary: “Villainous Loki is amassing an army to conquer Earth! His antics are keeping Spider-Man and S.H.I.E.L.D. busy as they tackle a host of bad guys.”
Stan Lee Co-Creations: Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Nick Fury, Spider-Man, Hulk, Loki, Black Widow, Pepper Potts, J. Jonah Jameson, Mandarin, Abomination, Doctor Octopus
Stan Lee Cameo: This is one of the many times Lee voiced “Hot Dog Vendor.”
Stream LEGO: Marvel Super Heroes: Maximum Overload on Netflix
'Marvel's Iron Man & Hulk: Heroes United' (2013)
IMDb Summary: “The Invincible Iron Man and the Incredible Hulk must join forces to save the Earth from its greatest threat yet.”
Stan Lee Co-Creations: Iron Man, Hulk, Abomination
Stan Lee Cameo: Nope!
'Iron Man & Captain America: Heroes United' (2014)
Netflix Summary: “They don’t always see mask to mask, but when our planet’s in danger, you couldnt ask for a better superhero team-up.”
Stan Lee Co-Creations: Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk
Stan Lee Cameo: Nope!
'Marvel Super Hero Adventures: Frost Fight! (2015)
Netflix Summary: “A vicious frost giant and his crony target Santa Claus. Do our superheroes have a snowball’s chance of stopping them?”
Stan Lee Co-Creations: Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Loki, Groot
Stan Lee Cameo: Nope!
Stream Marvel Super Hero Adventures: Frost Fight! on Netflix
'LEGO Marvel Super Heroes: Avengers Reassembled!' (2015)
Netflix Summary: “When Ultron seizes control of Iron Man’s armor, the Avengers race to save their friend and stop an evil plot to take over the world.”
Stan Lee Co-Creations: Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Spider-Man, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Falcon, Vision, Baron Strucker
Stan Lee Cameo: Nope!
Stream LEGO Marvel Super Heroes: Avengers Reassembled! on Netflix
'Marvel's Hulk: Where Monsters Dwell' (2016)
Netflix Summary: “On Halloween, the Hulk and Dr. Strange battle monsters wreaking havoc on New York and uncover an evil plot by Nightmare, ruler of the Dream Dimension.”
Stan Lee Co-Creations: Hulk, Doctor Strange, Nightmare, Minotaur, Jasper Sitwell, Rorgg, Zzutak
Stan Lee Cameo: Nope!
'Doctor Strange' (2016)
Netflix Summary: “He’s a broken man of science. And he’s desperate. His last hope for a fix involves metaphysics and magic. Life is strange.”
Stan Lee Co-Creations: Doctor Strange, Mordo, Wong, Kaecilius, Ancient One
Stan Lee Cameo: Keep an eye out for familiar passengers on a bus in this one.
'Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2' (2017)
Netflix Summary: “After a lifetime of searching the galaxy for his father, Peter Quill finds him. And the truth is a little out there.”
Stan Lee Co-Creations: Groot, Ego, the Watchers
Stan Lee Cameo: You’ll see him during Rocket and Yondu’s tear through the universe.
'Thor: Ragnarok' (2017)
Netflix Summary: “To save Asgard from a bloodthirsty goddess of death, the mighty Thor will have to battle his way to freedom and find a way back home.”
Stan Lee Co-Creations: Thor, Hulk, Loki, Hela, Heimdall, Odin, Skurge, Surtur, The Warriors Three, the Kronans
Stan Lee Cameo: As “Barber,” Stan’s the man responsible for giving Thor that new haircut.
'Black Panther' (2018)
Netflix Summary: “T’Challa, the superpowered new leader of the hidden, highly advanced African nation of Wakanda, strives to protect his home from enemies old and new.”
Stan Lee Co-Creations: Black Panther, Ulysses Klaue, T’Chaka
Stan Lee Cameo: Keep an eye out for “Thirsty Gambler” during the big casino brawl.
