The 20 best non-Marvel movies from Marvel directors

Jon Favreau was responsible for kicking off the MCU with Iron Man back in 2008. He also directed its sequel and played Happy Hogan, Tony Stark’s right-hand man, in several films in the series. While Iron Man may be his buzziest film, his most rewatched is certainly the holiday classic Elf. Starring Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf, the Christmas comedy is a staple within the festive genre and has become mandatory viewing every December.

Ryan Coogler gave audiences two of the most prolific superhero movies of all time: Black Panther and its sequel, Wakanda Forever . The first was a cultural phenomenon and a huge milestone for representation in Hollywood, while the second was a touching tribute to late actor Chadwick Boseman. Before entering the world of Wakanda, Coogler breathed new life into the Rocky franchise with 2015’s Creed, following Adonis Creed as he is trained by Rocky and navigates his father’s Apollo’s legacy. 

Destin Daniel Cretton was at the helm of martial arts blockbuster Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Prior to this, Cretton was a notable name in the independent film world thanks to his moving drama Short Term 12 . The film follows a group of counselors who work at a foster care unit for troubled teens. It features an impressive ensemble cast made up of many now-famous actors before their big breaks, including Brie Larson, LaKeith Stanfield, Kaitlyn Dever, Rami Malek, and Stephanie Beatriz. 

When Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn was fired from the MCU before eventually being rehired, DC quickly snatched him up to direct The Suıcide Squad. Not to be confused with 2016’s Suıcide Squad, which wasn’t exactly a critical darling, Gunn’s film is unlike anything the DCEU had produced at the time. Task Force X recruits the likes of criminals Harley Quinn, Peacemaker, and Bloodsport for a secret mission. Violent, twisted, and hilarious, it is a breath of fresh air within the superhero genre. 

Shane Black contributed to the MCU by directing Iron Man 3, and soon after, he returned to his black comedy roots with buddy flick The Nice Guys . Set in the 1970s, Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling play two private eyes who investigate the disappearance of a girl and the death of an adult film star. The film has immaculate ‘70s vibes, and Crowe and Gosling are a match made in heaven. It was clear here that Gosling had the comedic chops to eventually tackle the role of Ken in Barbie.

Acclaimed independent film director Chloé Zhao brought her artistic touch to the MCU with 2021’s Eternals, a sprawling and intimate superhero epic that feels unlike anything Marvel has produced. The year before, Zhao directed the arthouse flick Nomadland, which shot her to the big time. Frances McDormand plays Fern, a woman who becomes a nomad and travels through the American West. The film won Best Picture at the Oscars, and Zhao won Best Director. 

Popular British actor and director Kenneth Branagh first introduced Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and Tom Hiddleston’s Loki into the MCU with his 2011 film Thor. Both before and after working in the MCU, Branagh has built up an impressive directorial slate and has recently found more success thanks to his Hercule Poirot movies. 2023’s A Haunting in Venice has been the most well-received, with Branagh playing the mustached detective in a supernatural twist on the classic murder mystery. 

Nia DaCosta brought audiences 2023’s body-swapping superhero romp The Marvels, the sequel to 2019’s Captain Marvel, which sees the titular hero team up with Ms. Marvel and Monica Rambeau. DaCosta's other notable directorial effort is a world away from the fun of the MCU, with her remake of horror classic Candyman releasing in 2021. The film puts a fresh modern spin on the original tale and will have viewers making sure they don’t say Candyman five times in front of a mirror. 

Before Anthony and Joe Russo took over the Captain America and Avengers side of the MCU, director Joe Johnston brought the patriotic hero to life in Captain America: The First Avenger. Johnston had previously directed several family films, the most successful being the original Jumanji starring Robin Williams. The film sees two children play a jungle-themed board game that comes to life and releases a man who has been trapped in the game for years. Equally magical and thrilling, Jumanji remains a classic.

The weird and wonderful world of Doctor Strange entered the MCU back in 2016, with director Scott Derrickson at the helm. Benedict Cumberbatch plays the sorcerer supreme and has appeared in the franchise multiple times since. Derrickson is noted for directing what is widely considered to be the scariest modern horror movie ever, Sinister . Ethan Hawke plays a crime writer who moves into a home where gruesome murders have taken place and makes terrifying discoveries. This one is not for the faint of heart. 

Director Sam Raimi is well acquainted with both superheroes and horror and meshed the two in the sequel Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Raimi kickstarted his prolific career with the horror cult classic The Evil Dead back in the ‘80s, launching one of the most acclaimed horror franchises in cinema history. This tale of a cabin in the woods and flesh-possessing demons is full of gore and dread, proving you don’t need a blockbuster budget to conjure up scares.

Kiwi director Taika Waititi brought his signature humor and camp style to the serious world of Asgard with Thor: Ragnarok and Thor: Love and Thunder, reinventing the God of Thunder as a lovable goof. In between his Marvel success, Waititi released the satirical comedy film Jojo Rabbit. The film follows a young German boy whose imaginary friend is Adolf Hitler when his views are changed after meeting a Jewish girl. It sounds bizarre, but only Waititi could pull it off with so much wit and heart.

Australian director Cate Shortland gave viewers the long-awaited solo film for Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff with Black Widow. Before tackling assassins and spies, Shortland directed the tense Aussie thriller Berlin Syndrome, starring Teresa Palmer. Palmer plays an Australian photographer on holiday in Berlin who has a one-night stand with a man and wakes up the next morning to find he is holding her captive in his apartment. Disturbing and full of dread, it’s a heavy film with a lot to unpack.

Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck teamed up to make Captain Marvel, the MCU’s first female-led superhero movie, with Brie Larson in the titular role. The pair are frequent collaborators and worked together on one of Ryan Gosling’s earlier movies, Half Nelson. Gosling plays a teacher who is a drug addict and befriends a student whose brother is in jail for dealing drugs. While Fleck went solo to direct the film, Boden co-penned the script with him and worked as a producer.

Long before Peyton Reed catapulted the pint-sized Scott Lang into the MCU with Ant-Man, he directed the iconic high school cheerleading comedy Bring It On . Starring Kirsten Dunst and Gabrielle Union, the film follows a high school cheerleading squad that discovers their ex-captain stole their best routines from another school team. Elements of the movie are outdated, but it’s still an entertaining 2000s flick full of fun choreography and a rocking soundtrack.

Before Mark Ruffalo cemented himself as Bruce Banner in the MCU, the role was played by Edward Norton in 2008's The Incredible Hulk, directed by Louis Leterrier. Leterrier also directed crime-thriller Now You See Me , which stars Ruffalo alongside Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, Morgan Freeman, and more. The Horsemen are a group of magicians who are chased by detectives after stealing a large sum of money. The film has plenty of tricks up its sleeve and is full of twists and turns. 

Deadpool 3 , which will see Ryan Reynolds return as Wade Wilson alongside Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, is the next MCU film set to release. At the wheel is director Shawn Levy, who has worked on titles such as Stranger Things and Free Guy. One of his best films is the family-adventure Night at the Museum , which sees museum exhibits come to life on a night guard’s shift. Filled with both thrills and laughs, the film boasts an incredible cast that includes Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, and Owen Wilson.

2024 will see Captain America’s iconic shield passed to Sam Wilson in Captain America: A New Order , with Harrison Ford also starring. The film is directed by Julius Onah, who caught the attention of film critics with his 2019 independent dramatic thriller Luce. The film follows a top student whose reputation and life with his adoptive parents are threatened by his history teacher. The film is deeply layered and explores thought-provoking social themes, led by powerful performances.

Jake Schreier is set to direct Marvel’s Thunderbolts , which will follow a group of antiheroes who are recruited by the government for missions. Familiar MCU faces such as Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, and Florence Pugh will star. Prior to getting the big gig, Schreier directed the sci-fi Robot & Frank in 2012. Frank Langella plays an aging burglar who is gifted a robot by his son and teams up with the droid to commit heists. The film’s unique concept gives way to an affecting drama with plenty of sweet moments.

Marvel’s upcoming Blade reboot, following the famous vampire hunter, has had a rocky development and gone through several directors. However, Yann Demange is currently set as director and seems to have the gig locked in permanently. Demange directed the acclaimed British war film ‘71, starring Jack O’Connell, in 2014. The film tells the story of a young British soldier who is abandoned by his team in the midst of a riot in Belfast and is gripping from start to finish.