Iron Man is a central figure in the Marvel Universe, known for helping to form the Avengers and using his wealth to do good. While Tony Stark was a well-known hero for years, he didn’t reach his current level of popularity until Robert Downey Jr. began playing the role. Marvel Studios made a smart gamble by choosing Downey Jr. to launch the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it was incredibly successful. Downey Jr. starred in three Iron Man films, four Avengers movies, a Spider-Man film, and Captain America: Civil War.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has a ton of Iron Man material – enough to fill a massive aircraft carrier! With Robert Downey Jr. returning as Doctor Doom, fans are eagerly anticipating more. But while we wait, there are still plenty of Iron Man adventures to enjoy in animated form. Here’s a ranking of every animated Iron Man series and movie.
18) Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes
Iron Man doesn’t get to be the main hero in Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes. In this animated series, an Iron Man suit causes problems for the Fantastic Four, leading them to Tony Stark for help. It’s quickly revealed that Doctor Doom is the one pulling the strings, leaving little room for Iron Man to shine.
17) Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends
I love the classic superhero cartoons, but sometimes the characters felt a little flat. I remember being disappointed with Iron Man’s appearances on Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends. He wasn’t really doing much – mostly just helping out Spider-Man, Iceman, and Firestar instead of having his own interesting story.
16) LEGO Iron Man
Marvel and LEGO often team up to create toys, video games, shows, and films. Iron Man is a popular character in these projects aimed at children, so his personality is usually made a little more gentle. While he still has his heroic moments, they aren’t quite strong enough to move him higher on this ranking.
15) The Marvel Super Heroes
Iron Man is one of Marvel’s oldest characters, appearing in their very first animated series, The Marvel Super Heroes. The show featured several heroes, including Captain America, the Hulk, Namor, and Thor, with each getting their own set of episodes. While the animation isn’t impressive by today’s standards, it’s historically significant as the first attempt to bring these characters to the screen.
14) Avengers Assemble
The Iron Man we see in Avengers Assemble is direct and focused, immediately uniting Earth’s heroes after a tragic loss. This initial event sets the tone for the series, pushing Tony Stark to consistently perform at his best, no matter how difficult the situation.
13) Marvel’s Super Hero Adventures: Frost Fight!
Even heroes deserve a break for the holidays, but Loki isn’t happy about it and causes trouble in Marvel’s Super Hero Adventures: Frost Fight! As a standalone movie, there’s not a lot of focus on developing Iron Man’s personality, but he still gets to enjoy some exciting action as he battles frost giants.
12) The Invincible Iron Man
The Invincible Iron Man presents a unique challenge by featuring the Mandarin, a comic book villain who deserves more attention, as the main antagonist. However, the portrayal of Tony Stark himself isn’t ideal; the story focuses on his flaws without showcasing his strengths.
11) Iron Man
Iron Man’s popularity has led to a unique anime series! It follows Tony Stark as he travels to Japan to train a new team of pilots who will eventually take his place. While it’s different seeing him outside of New York and without his usual Marvel teammates, the change of scenery actually works well for the story.
10) M.O.D.O.K.
Marvel really shines when it embraces the sillier side of its stories, and the series M.O.D.O.K. definitely does that. The show centers around the villain and his quest for world domination, constantly thwarted by Iron Man. A particularly good choice is the voice acting – Jon Hamm brings a unique performance to the role, thankfully avoiding any imitation of Robert Downey Jr.
9) Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers
In Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers, Tony Stark creates a program to record superhero abilities, but it ends up being used against him. His partner, Akira Akatsuki, controls when Tony is deployed, creating a fascinating and unusual partnership rarely seen in Marvel stories.
8) The Super Hero Squad Show
Although the LEGO version of Tony Stark isn’t as complex as the original, The Super Hero Squad Show gets it right. Tony still has his signature wit while teaming up with other heroes, and the show’s catchy theme song always adds to the fun.
7) Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow
Tony Stark’s reputation as a carefree bachelor doesn’t exactly paint him as a father figure. But in Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow, he’s forced to take on that role when his creation, Ultron, destroys the Avengers, leaving their children orphaned. He risks everything to protect them in a moving story.
6) Iron Man: Extremis
Okay, I know it’s a bit different including a motion comic, but Iron Man: Extremis is just too good to leave off any list of great stories. It’s based on that amazing run by Warren Ellis and Adi Granov, and it’s all about Tony Stark trying to stop a dangerous serum from falling into the wrong hands. Honestly, Jason Griffith’s voice work is incredible – he takes the comic book dialogue and makes it feel completely natural in this new format. He really nailed it!
5) Ultimate Avengers
The Ultimate Avengers movies offer a gritty take on the classic Marvel story. These versions of the heroes are more complex and have sharper personalities – even Tony Stark isn’t afraid to challenge his teammates when things get tough. It’s a realistic approach, especially when dealing with an alien invasion.
4) MAU Iron Man
The competition really heats up with the top four contenders. The Marvel Animated Universe gives Iron Man a lot of screen time, both in his own series and as a guest star. The show explores almost all of Tony Stark’s famous comic book enemies. A big part of the character’s success is due to Robert Hays, who gives a truly excellent performance.
3) What If…?
It’s no surprise that the Iron Man we know from the Marvel Cinematic Universe is considered one of the best, so his alternate versions also rank highly. Tony Stark appears in several episodes of What If…?, and consistently stands out, even in tragic moments like his defeat by Killmonger. In the world of superheroes, any attention is good attention.
2) Iron Man: Armored Adventures
Most Marvel shows depict Iron Man as a fully grown hero, reflecting the difficult experiences that shaped him. However, Iron Man: Armored Adventures is different – it shows a teenage Tony Stark learning to be a hero while still navigating the challenges of being a kid. This fresh take on the character, created by Adrian Petriw, is a unique addition to the Marvel universe.
1) Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes
Many fans consider Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes to be the best Marvel TV show because it wasn’t afraid to explore complex and exciting stories. This approach allowed for a well-rounded portrayal of Iron Man, showcasing both his serious and compassionate sides. The series also featured numerous action-packed battles with villains like Thanos, giving him ample chances to demonstrate his fighting abilities.
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2025-11-22 22:17