The Avengers (2012)
Kernel Score: 87% · 36,306 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Science Fiction, Action, Adventure
Released: 2012-04-25
Runtime: 143 minutes
Is The Avengers worth watching?
Worth watching. The first big team-up of Marvel's heroes is funny, fast and easy to follow, with a good sense of who each character is. It's a crowd-pleaser, but best if you've seen at least a few earlier Marvel films.
Watch it if you
- want a big, bright superhero team-up
- like banter mixed into the action
- are happy to catch up on earlier Marvel films first
Skip it if you
- are tired of city-wrecking finale battles
- want something grounded and quiet
Best for: Popcorn movie night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The Avengers
- Stream: Disney+, Hulu
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
When an unexpected enemy emerges and threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins!
The Avengers parents' guide: ages 10+
Parents need to know that this PG-13 superhero blockbuster features large-scale comic-book action and an alien invasion, alongside strong teamwork and heroism.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — Extended comic-book battles and a city-leveling alien invasion drive frequent but largely bloodless action violence.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Avengers
If you liked The Avengers, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Avengers: Endgame (2019) — 91%: The same team facing the biggest stakes yet.
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018) — 90%: Larger-scale team-up with a serious villain.
- Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) — 90%: Funny, colourful team-up of misfits.
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) — 86%: Sharper, thriller-style follow-up for one of the team.
- Captain America: Civil War (2016) — 85%: Heroes split into two sides in a team-up with real drama.
- Iron Man (2008) — 85%: Where the series began, and still a fun watch.
Director
Cast
- Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark / Iron Man
- Chris Evans as Steve Rogers / Captain America
- Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner / The Hulk
- Chris Hemsworth as Thor
- Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow
- Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton / Hawkeye
- Tom Hiddleston as Loki
- Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson
- Cobie Smulders as Agent Maria Hill
- Stellan Skarsgård as Selvig
The Avengers FAQ
Is The Avengers worth watching?
Worth watching. The first big team-up of Marvel's heroes is funny, fast and easy to follow, with a good sense of who each character is. It's a crowd-pleaser, but best if you've seen at least a few earlier Marvel films.
Where can I watch The Avengers?
In the US you can stream The Avengers on Disney+ and Hulu and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Avengers OK for kids?
The Avengers is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 10+. Parents need to know that this PG-13 superhero blockbuster features large-scale comic-book action and an alien invasion, alongside strong teamwork and heroism.
What movies are like The Avengers?
If you liked The Avengers, try Avengers: Endgame, Avengers: Infinity War, Guardians of the Galaxy and Captain America: The Winter Soldier.