Silver Surfer (1998)
TV SeriesOptional
Norrin Radd rebels against Galactus and searches for his home world. This 1998 Marvel series was made outside Marvel Studios’ main MCU line-up, so it’s optional for the watch order and works fine on its own. At 13 episodes, about 4h 46m in all, it streams on Disney+ in the US.
| Release date | February 7, 1998 |
|---|---|
| Episodes | 13 × ~22 min |
Why it’s worth knowing about
A stylish one-season cosmic series that ended on a cliffhanger.
About Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer is an animated series that starts with Galactus coming to Zenn-La. Norrin Radd agrees to become the planet-eater's herald, losing his memories in the process. Once Thanos interferes and some of those memories return, the Surfer turns against Galactus to protect Earth. Then he sets out across the galaxy looking for his lost homeworld and Shalla-Bal, running into Kree slavers, a Skrull uprising, Nova, Ego, Adam Warlock and others along the way.
It ran for 13 episodes on Fox Kids from February 7 to May 16, 1998. Saban Entertainment made it with Marvel, and Larry Brody developed it, with Stan Lee among the executive producers. It mixes cel animation with computer graphics in a style based on Jack Kirby's art. Paul Essiembre voices the Surfer, James Blendick voices Galactus, Gary Krawford voices Thanos and Camilla Scott voices Shalla-Bal. Episodes dealt with heavy subjects like slavery and imperialism. It ended after one season.
Good to know
- Brody says a legal dispute between Marvel and Saban ended the show. Eight scripts for season 2 were already written.
- The finale ends on a cliffhanger that was never resolved.
- The Fantastic Four are written out of the Galactus story, and Thanos serves Lady Chaos instead of Death.
- The Silver Surfer and Galactus reached the MCU in The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025), with Julia Garner as the Surfer and Ralph Ineson as Galactus.
How to watch it
Watch it in order. The 13 episodes tell one continuous story, starting with Galactus at Zenn-La and building toward Thanos. Because the ending is unresolved, go in for the journey, not the payoff. It's a natural follow-up to The Fantastic Four: First Steps for anyone who wants more of the Surfer, and Guardians fans get early animated takes on Ego and Adam Warlock.
Where to watch Silver Surfer in the US
| Streaming (subscription) | Disney+ |
|---|
Where to watch Silver Surfer outside the US
| Country | Stream | Other options |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Disney+ | None needed |
| Canada | Disney+ | None needed |
| India | JioHotstar | None needed |
Streaming availability last verified: October 16, 2026
All streaming options for Marvel movies and shows, by service and country.
Related guides
Silver Surfer FAQ
Why was the Silver Surfer animated series canceled?
According to developer Larry Brody, a legal dispute between Marvel and Saban stopped production. That happened even though eight episodes for a second season had been written.
Does the Silver Surfer cartoon have an ending?
No. The last episode ends on a cliffhanger in the Surfer's fight with Thanos, and it was never resolved.
Who voices the Silver Surfer in the 1998 series?
Paul Essiembre voices Norrin Radd/Silver Surfer.
Can you skip Silver Surfer?
Yes, skip it if you like. It’s a Marvel title, but not part of the MCU timeline.
How many episodes does Silver Surfer have?
Silver Surfer has 13 episodes, around 22 minutes each.
Is Silver Surfer part of the MCU?
No. It’s a Marvel title made outside the Marvel Cinematic Universe.