The Marvel Cinematic Universe is now the most successful movie franchise ever, but Marvel had movies before the first Iron Man in 2008. These earlier films were a bit inconsistent in quality, bringing characters like Spider-Man and Ghost Rider to life on the big screen. With fans looking forward to Spider-Man: Brand New Day next year, two of the best Marvel movies from that earlier period are now available to stream on Prime Video.
Prime Video now has both Blade and Blade II available to stream. These films, based on the Marvel Comics character Blade, star Wesley Snipes as the vampire hunter known as the “daywalker.” Stephen Norrington directed the first movie, which also features Stephen Dorff, Kris Kristofferson, and N’Bushe Wright. Guillermo del Toro directed the sequel, with appearances by Kristofferson, Norman Reedus, and Ron Perlman. However, the third Blade movie, Blade: Trinity, isn’t currently available on the platform.
Blade Paved the Way for the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Although not officially part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the movie Blade was important in paving the way for its success. Released around ten years before the MCU began, it earned $131 million worldwide, proving there was a strong audience for well-made superhero films. This demonstrated to studios that Marvel stories could be both popular and profitable, even before Marvel Studios was established.
Beyond its box office success, Blade demonstrated that large-scale comic book movies could work. With a 59% critic score and 78% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film set the standard for what would become the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It shifted away from the often over-the-top style of superhero movies at the time, opting for a darker and more realistic feel that influenced many subsequent films, including others in the MCU. Blade also showed that even relatively obscure Marvel characters could be successful in major motion pictures – a strategy the MCU would frequently use later on.
As a huge Marvel fan, I always knew Blade was special! It wasn’t just a cool movie on its own, but it really helped build excitement for Marvel as a whole, and paved the way for the creation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe we all love. It’s amazing to finally see Blade officially part of the MCU, even if it started with his appearance in the Marvel Zombies animated series. And I’m so excited for the live-action Blade movie starring Mahershala Ali – it’s been a long time coming, and I can’t wait to see it!
What’s New on Prime Video?
Prime Video added several titles in late 2025, including the movies Blade and Blade II on December 30th. That same day also saw the arrival of Practical Magic, Ready Player One, and The Legend of Tarzan. Earlier in December, viewers could stream films like the 1978 version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers and A Minecraft Movie. Looking ahead, Prime Video’s content will expand in January 2026 with new additions like Alien: Romulus, Final Destination: Bloodlines, and The Breakfast Club.
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2025-12-31 01:40