Every Ghost Rider Movie & TV Show To Watch Before Ryan Gosling's New Movie
San Diego Comic-Con had many great reveals, especially for Marvel Studios, as its Hall H panel finally confirmed that Ryan Gosling would star in an upcoming Ghost Rider project set to hit theaters in 2028. Ghost Rider is one of Marvel's most popular supernatural characters with a design that transcends its narrative because of how cool he looks.
Though we don't often think of Ghost Rider in movies and TV, that doesn't mean the character hasn't appeared in multiple shows and movies. From live-action films to animated and live-action TV appearances, we have every appearance of the character you should watch before the new movie. Check them out on Disney+, Prime Video, and more!
After appearing in a non-speaking role in X-Men: The Animated Series (1992-1997), Ghost Rider got his first full appearance in Fantastic Four (1994-1996). As the Danny Ketch version of the character, he appeared in the episode "When Calls Galactus."
In the episode, Ghost Rider rides up and stops Galactus with his Penance Stare, forcing the villain to face remorse for the planets he's killed and the lives on them. It was a brief moment, but one that defined the character and proved just how popular he was at that time.
In the '90s, Marvel was most popular for its animation, and The Incredible Hulk (1996-1997) was another example of an amazing series during this time. The Hulk met many heroes in his show, including the Fantastic Four and Iron Man, but one of his best team-ups was with Ghost Rider in the episode "Innocent Blood."
Once again, Danny Ketch is back, and he faces the Hulk and then later works to aid him from a larger threat. This was the last time we saw the character in the '90s, and it's a shame because of how impressive they showcased Danny Ketch's character and the Rider's power.
Ghost Rider (2007) was not only the first time we saw the character in live action, but it was also the first time we saw the original flame-headed anti-hero, Johnny Blaze, carrying the curse. Starring Nicolas Cage, the origin film explores his deal with Mephisto and how it turned him, in this canon, into the Devil's bounty hunter.
The film is a fun time and manages to be eerie while still leaning into what made superhero films fun during this era of the genre. It also features many characters from Ghost Rider's history, like Roxanne Simpson, Blackheart, and Carter Slade. Lighthearted and fun, Ghost Rider is a great gateway for the character.
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011) is a loose sequel to the 2007 film because it stars Nicolas Cage, but the origin and even the bike and look are reworked for the character. This story sees Johnny Blaze at his lowest, and he has to escort a young boy, said to be the son of the Devil, to a safe place.
The film is often considered one of the worst comic book movies out there, as the action isn't very energetic and the story greatly undersells Ghost Rider's power in favor of feverish filming techniques. That said, this is one of the best examples of a scary and eerie Ghost Rider that feels like a possessed monster rather than a guy with a flaming skull but still acting normal.
Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. (2013-2015) was a post-MCU superhero series about the Hulk and his many friends and frenemies who were also gamma-charged, working together to face multiple enemies. The team also met many other characters like Ghost Rider in the episode "Spirit of Vengeance."
The episode showed the Rider hunting down Abomination and Red Hulk, and we see just how strong Johnny Blaze's Penance Stare is, depowering the Abomination. It's a fun episode that showcases the relentlessness of the character and a great modern look at the character.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013-2020) is a series beloved by fans for many reasons and is still at the top of the list for being recanonized. However, its standout season, bar none, was Season 4, which featured the live-action debut of Robbie Reyes as Ghost Rider.
Gabriel Luna brings a fun quality and many layers to his character, and the series also makes him truly terrifying. Another great way to be introduced to the lore of the Ghost Rider, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. gives us our most recent version of the anti-hero yet.
Avengers Assemble (2013-2019) was a series designed to build on what the MCU had in terms of popularity, reinvigorating the team with a new art style and stories. In the episode "The Wastelands," no Ghost Rider is introduced. Instead, we see multiple unknown Riders who work for Ares and the Beyonder riding together.
This episode isn't a must-watch to understand the character per se, but it is a crucial watch to truly understand the scope and depth of the character and just how long Mephisto has been using people as his servants.
