Every Marvel Release in 1998
Marvel released 3 movies and shows in 1998, years before the MCU began, about 8h 16m of viewing in total. The biggest at the box office was Blade, at $131 million worldwide. Here’s every release in order, with where each one fits.
Every release this year came from outside the MCU: Silver Surfer, Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., Blade.
| Release date | Title | Type | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 7, 1998 | Silver Surfer Not MCU | Series | 13 eps |
| May 26, 1998 | Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Not MCU | Film | 1h 30m |
| August 21, 1998 | Blade Not MCU | Film | 2 hours |
Marvel in 1998
Blade was the breakthrough. Released by New Line Cinema on August 21, 1998, it starred Wesley Snipes as a half-vampire hunter and was the first film Marvel Studios packaged and licensed. Directed by Stephen Norrington from a David S. Goyer script, it turned a $45 million budget into $131.2 million worldwide and is often called Marvel's first successful film.
It was also a year of recovery. On June 2, Toy Biz and Marvel Entertainment Group merged into Marvel Enterprises, bringing Marvel out of bankruptcy. Not everything clicked. Fox's TV movie Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., with David Hasselhoff as Fury and also written by Goyer, aired in May to poor reviews.
Spoiler Spoilers for 1998 releases: tap to reveal
- Wesley Snipes plays Blade again 26 years later in Deadpool & Wolverine (2024).
FAQ
Was Blade the first successful Marvel movie?
Yes. Blade made $131.2 million worldwide on a $45 million budget in 1998 and is often called Marvel's first successful film.
Who played Nick Fury before Samuel L. Jackson?
David Hasselhoff played Fury in the 1998 Fox TV movie Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.
How many Marvel movies and shows came out in 1998?
There were 3, about 8h 16m of viewing in all.
What was the first Marvel release of 1998?
Silver Surfer, released February 7, 1998.
What was the last Marvel release of 1998?
Blade, released August 21, 1998.