Your Age-by-Age Guide to Marvel Movies, TV Shows and Games!

Who would forget Uncle Ben’s reminder to Peter? “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 classic comic books (and develop a love of reading along the way!).

It’s a given that young kids can’t get enough of their favorite Marvel heroes, but 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 humor and graphic images in Deadpool.

How do you choose an appropriate Marvel movie, TV show or gamefor your kids?

There are many age-appropriate options for kids if you’re ready to dive into the Marvel universe. 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 of play the apps and games. Don’t forget to stay until the end! Most (if not all!) Marvel movies have post-credit scenes that you won’t want to miss. Discuss the movie with your kids and make it a conversation topic to see how they understood the movie’s themes and plot. Take note of the age-by-age guide below:

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

Watch:

• Marvel Super Hero Adventures
• Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel
• Marvel's Spider-Man (TV show)
• Marvel's Rocket & Groot

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

Watch:

• Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
• Marvel's Avengers Assemble
• Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy (TV show)

For ages 10–11: Start introducing popular faves that go lighter on violence

Watch:

• Spider-Man (2002)
• Spider-Man 2
• Captain America: The First Avenger
• Spider-Man: Homecoming
• Captain Marvel

Play:

• Marvel Puzzle Quest
• Lego Marvel Super Heroes
• Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2

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

Watch:

Movies:

• Iron Man
• Thor
• The Avengers
• Guardians of the Galaxy
• Black Panther
• Avengers: Infinity War
• Or watch the whole MCU in order.

TV shows:

• Marvel's Agent Carter
• Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Read:

• Miles Morales: Spider-Man

Play:

• Marvel Strike Force
• Marvel Ultimate Alliance
• Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2
• Lego Marvel's Avengers
• Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3

Common Sense Media is an independent nonprofit organization offering unbiased ratings and trusted advice to help families make smart media and technology choices. Check out its ratings and recommendations at www.commonsense.org and sign up for its newsletter to read more articles like this.