Watching a Marvel movie over the last decade was like participating in a game of Where's Waldo, except instead of a bespectacled man in red and white stripes, you were on the lookout for a comic-book legend. That legend of course was Stan Lee, creator of some of our favourite superheroes and arguably one of Marvel's best Easter eggs, who passed away at the age of 95 [1] on Nov. 12 after battling pneumonia and other medical issues.
While Lee has made cameos in countless Marvel movies and TV series, as well as non-Marvel shows and films (hello, Big Hero 6), his most memorable appearances were in Marvel live-action superhero movies dating back to the very first Hulk film in 1989. If you want to look back on his legendary cameos, here's every one we could find, with the exception of the Deadpool [2] trailer, which, while hilarious, wasn't from the movie. Also, fair warning: there are many Hulk and Spider-Man films on this list. Keep in mind Marvel's been through its fair share of Peter Parkers and Bruce Banners, and Lee met them all.
X-Men (2000)
2000 was a big year for many people, but especially for comic book fans thanks to the introduction of the first major blockbuster Marvel movie, X-Men. Something as momentous as this didn't get past Lee: he makes a brief appearance as a hot dog vendor in an early beach scene.
Spider-Man (2002)
Our first introduction to Peter Parker — at least on film — is in 2002 with the very first Spider-Man movie starring Tobey Maguire [4] as the titular hero. In the movie, the Green Goblin attacks a festival and Lee, who plays a bystander, ducks from the explosion while simultaneously saving a young girl from debris.
Hulk (2003)
The comic book legend's second Hulk cameo involves him playing a security guard alongside Lou Ferrigno, who played the Hulk in the live action CBS show.
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Lee reprised his role as a panicking New Yorker in the Spider-Man sequel, this time saving a woman from the chaos caused by Doctor "Ock" Octopus.
Fantastic Four (2005)
Delivering a cameo and mail, Lee portrays mailman Willie Lumpkin in the first Fantastic Four film.
X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
Jean Grey's telekinesis is so powerful, it manages to toy with her neighbor. Can you guess who plays him?
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
By now, you'd probably guess that Stan Lee is a pretty recognizable celebrity, but even comic book moguls have trouble getting into places. Lee, who plays himself in the Fantastic Four sequel, tries to get into the wedding of Sue Storm and Reed Richard in this hilarious scene.
Spider-Man 3 (2007)
The final Spider-Man film starring Tobey Maguire [5] includes a heartfelt line from Lee, who stands next to Peter Parker as they read a bulletin news report about Spider-Man. Lee turns to Parker, not knowing he's actually the masked hero, and says, "You know, I guess one person can make a difference." Such a touching send-off.
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Appearing in another Hulk movie, this time starring Edward Norton [6] as the titular character, Lee accidentally drinks a green drink infused with Bruce Banner's blood. Yikes.
The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
The second Spider-Man live-action film starring Andrew Garfield features Stan Lee as a librarian listening to music so loud, he doesn't notice a fight happening right behind him.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)
Stan Lee recognizes Peter Parker at Peter's graduation, which the superhero almost misses thanks to his Spider-Man duties.
Deadpool (2016)
In his most X-rated cameo yet, Lee plays an emcee at a strip club introducing their next stripper, Chastity. Goodbye, family friendly fun.
X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)
In his only Marvel cameo with his wife, the late Joan Lee, he wraps his arms around her as the world's nuclear weapons are about to launch into space.
The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989)
Yep, you read that right: the iconic Stan Lee cameos first started in the '80s in a TV movie. Lee, who was 67 at the time, plays a jury member in the 1989 film The Trial of the Incredible Hulk, which follows a court trial where David Banner (aka the Hulk) is a star witness.
Daredevil (2003)
A distracted New Yorker played by Lee is about to walk into oncoming traffic before being saved by a young Matt Murdock. Pay attention, dude!
Iron Man (2008)
Iron Man mistakes Lee for Hugh Hefner, but can you blame him? Dressed in a red robe and in the company of two blondes, he could easily pass as the Playboy founder.
Iron Man 2 (2010)
Tony Stark mistakes Lee for Larry King this time around as he makes his way through a crowd.
Thor (2011)
Never one to pass up a challenge, Lee's character in the first Thor fails to pull Thor's hammer from the ground with a pickup truck.
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Captain America made his way onto the big screen and into our hearts with his first film, The First Avenger. Lee briefly pops up as a WWII general waiting to get a peek of the legendary hero at a press conference.
Avengers (2012)
Arguably one of Lee's most tongue-in-cheek cameos, he plays a New Yorker who says, "Superheroes in New York? Give me a break," in response to the Avengers. We see what they did there.
Iron Man 3 (2013)
Lee's last Iron Man cameo involves him playing a beauty pageant judge excitedly giving his two cents.
Thor: The Dark World (2013)
In this sequel, Lee plays a patient at a mental institution asking Erik Selvig for his shoe back.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Lee's character is in a heap of trouble in the Captain America sequel — he plays a museum security guard who loses Captain America's costume.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Rocket hilariously calls out Lee's character, who flirts with a young woman in Xander, the capital of the Nova Empire. "Where's your wife, old man?"
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
While Lee seems to be a ladies man in the Marvel universe, he's not much of a drinker — in this role, Lee plays a vet who can't handle Asgardian liquor. Thor warned you, buddy.
Ant-Man (2015)
Maybe Lee is better at pouring drinks than drinking them? At least that's what it seems in this Ant-Man appearance where Lee plays a bartender.
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Getting his revenge for all the times Stark confuses him for someone else, Lee plays a FedEx delivery man who mistakenly calls Tony Stark, "Tony Stank."
Doctor Strange (2016)
Unknowingly finding himself in the middle of action yet again, Lee plays a bus passenger reading a copy of The Doors of Perception as Doctor Strange and Mordo are slammed into the window by Kaecilius.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Dressed as an astronaut, Lee's cameo in the Guardians of the Galaxy sequel involves him having a deep, and one-way, conversation with alien beings.
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
In this cameo, he portrays a neighbor yelling at the reckless Peter Parker (played by Tom Holland [7]).
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Lee plays the hairdresser behind Thor's short hairdo in Ragnarok (and Marvel's most surprising transformation).
Black Panther (2018)
T'Challa's winnings at a South Korean casino are claimed by a greedy gambler portrayed by Lee. Hey, finders keepers.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
This time portraying a bus driver, Lee calms down Peter Parker's classmates, who freak out as one of Thanos's ships hover over New York City. "What's the matter, kids? You never seen a spaceship before?"
Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
During an intense car chase sequence through the hilly streets of San Francisco, we briefly see Lee as he's about to get into his car. Unfortunately for him, some Pym technology zaps it, making it tiny.
Venom (2018)
After revealing to the audience that Venom hasn't died and is still a part of him, Eddie passes by Lee who is walking his dog. Lee stops to tell Eddie, "Don't give up on [Anne]. Either of you," alluding to the fact that he knows Venom is alive in Eddie's head.