Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors

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Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors
Marvel Rising Secret Warriors.jpg
Promotional poster
Based on Marvel Comics
Screenplay byMairghread Scott [1]
Starring
Music byMichael McCuistion
Lolita Ritmanis
Kristopher Carter
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers Joe Quesada
Dan Buckley
Cort Lane
Eric Radomski
ProducersKenneth T. Ito
Howard Schwartz
Kalia Cheng Ramirez
EditorDaniel Earley
Running time80 minutes [2]
Production company Marvel Animation
Original release
Network
ReleaseSeptember 30, 2018 (2018-09-30) [3]

Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors is a 2018 American made-for-television animated superhero film produced by Marvel Animation. [4] It is the first full-length film of the Marvel Rising franchise. The movie features several superheroes, such as Ms. Marvel, Squirrel Girl, Quake, Patriot, and Miss America, as they join forces to defend the world against an unexpected threat. [5] [6]

Contents

Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors premiered on September 30, 2018, simultaneously on Disney Channel and Disney XD. [7] [8] The film received generally positive reviews from critics.

Plot

Kamala Khan is a teenager who lives in Jersey City, New Jersey, and is also an Inhuman with shapeshifting abilities and lives a secret life as the superheroine Ms. Marvel. She idolizes Captain Marvel, but clashes with her mother, who believes her interest in superheroes is time-wasting, and she has yet to overcome all of the unfortunate difficulties of being a rookie superhero. Kamala and her best friend Doreen Green, a fellow superhero known as Squirrel Girl, stop a thief in the park who steals from a food vendor. The thief is Dante Pertuz, who can control and manipulate fire. The girls also meet Victor Kohl, who is tracking Dante and tells them about how he is working to protect Inhumans from their own destructive powers. Victor and Dante both flee the scene before Kamala and Doreen are approached by S.H.I.E.L.D. agents Quake and Patriot, who have also been tracking violent incidents involving Inhumans. The agents leave, and the two friends decide to find Victor and Dante and solve the Inhuman incidents themselves and prove that Inhumans should be seen as heroes and not threats.

America Chavez has her motorcycle stolen by Dante, who is still unwilling to work with Victor, as he hates his powers for how they ruined his life. An accidental gas explosion in the street forces America, Kamala, Doreen and the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to work together. Shortly after, Quake is arrested by the agency for unsanctioned action in investigating the Inhumans. Kamala flashes back to when her powers were activated by the Terrigen bomb, and fears that Dante might be struggling with his own powers. She and Doreen argue about if they should trust Dante or Victor. Victor propositions Kamala to join his organisation, and fights her when she declines, as he transforms into his superhuman persona, Exile. He reveals that he is working for Hala the Accuser, who is scouting Inhumans to join the Kree, a militaristic alien race. Exile kidnaps Kamala, and she disappears into a portal. Doreen joins together with America and Patriot to rescue Kamala. They help Quake break out of custody, who joins them and reveals she is also an Inhuman. They are also joined by Captain Marvel, who uses her resources to assist the search.

Kamala wakes up to find that she is a captive in a spaceship cell along with Dante. They are forced by Hala the Accuser to fight each other in order to protect their families; however, they work together to outsmart Hala and escape. The pair also rescue the innocent Inhumans from their imprisonment, and join with Lockjaw, a giant bulldog who can teleport. Captain Marvel and the team arrive and help to fight Exile and Hala. Hala is expelled into space and Exile is defeated, but the spaceship is damaged in the fight. Working together and overcoming their doubts, the team safely lands the spaceship on Earth, and Exile flees. Kamala is overjoyed to meet her idol, but Captain Marvel encourages Kamala to forge her own path and not to follow in her footsteps.

The next day, Kamala and Squirrel Girl make amends, before they stumble upon a secret headquarters. Kamala, Doreen, Dante, America, Quake, Patriot and Lockjaw come together to form an "unofficial" superhero team under Captain Marvel's guidance. Quake is appointed as the leader, and the team are told to train in secret, as they name their team the "Secret Warriors". Kamala looks forward to finding out more about Inhumans and their purpose.

Back at the headquarters, Captain Marvel meets with Captain America, who is pleased to see his student Patriot step out of his shadow. He states his interest in working with an underground team of superheroes.

Cast

Production

On December 7, 2017, Marvel Entertainment announced the creation of a television film titled Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors. [12] [13] [14] The film was executive produced by Joe Quesada, Dan Buckley, Cort Lane, and Eric Radomski. [15] [16] Stan Lee, Sana Amanat, and Marsha Griffin are credited as co-executive producers [17] [18] Screenwriter for the film is Mairghread Scott with Alfred Gimeno as supervising director. [19] [20] [21]

Music

"Born Ready"
Promotional single by Dove Cameron
ReleasedAugust 23, 2018 (2018-08-23)
Genre Pop
Length2:07 [3]
Label
Songwriter(s) Tova Litvin
Doug Rockwell [3]
Producer(s) Doug Rockwell [3]

In August 2018, the film's theme song, "Born Ready," was released on Walt Disney Records VEVO YouTube channel. [23] [24] The song is sung by Dove Cameron, who portrays Ghost-Spider / Gwen Stacy in other Marvel Rising media. [3] [25]

Release

Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors premiered on Disney Channel and Disney XD on September 30, 2018. [26] [27] The film was later made available to stream on Disney+. [28] [29] [30]

Reception

Viewership

As of March 2019, Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors had been viewed 2.9 million times. [31]

Critical response

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 100%, with an average rating of 7.50/10, based on 7 reviews. [32]

Chelsea Steiner of The Mary Sue stated Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors is an entertaining and warm-hearted animated film that celebrates diversity and inclusion. She found the story of Kamala Khan and Doreen Green learning to master their powers refreshingly original, especially with its focus on female superheroes and a woman of color in the lead. Steiner appreciated the central friendship between the two female characters, noting how Khan's hesitancy contrasts with Green's upbeat optimism to create a touching portrait of sisterhood. She complimented the film's willingness to tackle mature themes, using discrimination against inhumans as a metaphor for prejudice, and highlighted its positive message about found family and female empowerment. [33] Emily Ashby of Common Sense Media gave Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors a grade of 4 out of 5 stars, describing it as an exciting animated origin story full of action and positive messages. She found that while the film features plenty of hand-to-hand fights, weapons, and explosions, the violence is mild and consequence-free, making it safe for younger viewers. Ashby appreciated the strong themes of teamwork, self-identity, confidence, and embracing one's uniqueness, highlighting how the teen heroes grow from insecure individuals into a united team. She praised Ms. Marvel's emergence as a compassionate leader, America Chavez's inspiring resilience after personal loss, and Daisy Johnson's moral integrity. Ashby also valued the film’s emphasis on female heroes who defy traditional body types and showcase ethnic and LGBTQ+ diversity. [34]

Megan Damore of Comic Book Resources said that Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors delivers a heartfelt and hopeful animated adventure aimed at younger viewers but enjoyable for all ages. She found the film sincere in its themes of acceptance and praised the way it balances a large cast, weaving strong personalities into dynamic relationships without forcing conflicts or introductions. Damore appreciated the standout debut of America Chavez, noting her lively visual design and welcome LGBTQ representation, and highlighted Ming-Na Wen's energetic performance as the villain Hala the Accuser. She praised the vibrant characters, talented voice cast, and uplifting story, while finding the animation less detailed than the preceding Initiation shorts, with bland settings and occasional inconsistencies in character design. [35] Kevin Yeoman of Screen Rant stated that Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors successfully introduces a new wave of diverse Marvel heroes while keeping the story light and accessible. He found the film simple but nimble in balancing team-building action with more personal, human interactions, praising its focus on Kamala Khan as a smart, relatable teen hero. Yeoman appreciated the dynamic between Ms. Marvel and Squirrel Girl, as well as the inclusion of characters like America Chavez and Quake, which broadens representation in Marvel animation. He praised the film's ability to tell a larger adventure within an 80-minute runtime, even if some character backstories felt underdeveloped. [36]

Victor Garett of MovieWeb described Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors as a standout animated superhero film outside the DC universe. He highlighted the film's emphasis on friendship, teamwork, and the responsible use of powers, and praised its focus on diversity and representation, noting that the characters' varied backgrounds and abilities enhance both the narrative and its themes. [37] Joe Garza of Slashfilm asserted that Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors is a wholesome and engaging animated film for younger viewers. He found that it effectively spotlights lesser-known Marvel characters like Kamala Khan, Squirrel Girl, America Chavez, and Patriot, alongside appearances from heroes such as Captain Marvel, Captain America, and Quake. Garza appreciated how the film balances teen superhero struggles with aspirational heroism and its focus on friendship and teamwork. He complimented the way it offers entertainment for both children and older Marvel fans, making the story accessible while still fun for longtime followers of the franchise. [38]

Accolades

Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors was nominated for Doll of the Year at the 2020 TOTY Awards. [39] [40]

In other media

Miscellaneous

References

  1. ↑ Trumbore, Dave (December 7, 2017). "Marvel Announces Animated Feature Film 'Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors'". Collider. Archived from the original on December 8, 2017. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  2. ↑ Whyte, Alexandra (August 13, 2018). "Marvel teams up with Young Storytellers". Kidscreen. Archived from the original on October 26, 2018. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Johnson, Zach (August 23, 2018). "Watch Dove Cameron Sing the Marvel Rising Theme Song "Born Ready"". E! . Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  4. ↑ Lisabeth, Zach (May 6, 2020). "Marvel Is Reportedly Developing A Live-Action Secret Warriors". Looper . Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  5. ↑ Bui, Hoai-Tran (September 12, 2018). "'Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors' Trailer: Meet Marvel's Most Diverse (Animated) Team Ever". /Film . Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  6. ↑ Trumbore, Dave (December 7, 2017). "Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors Animated Movie Announced". Collider . Archived from the original on December 8, 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  7. ↑ Staff, AWN (September 12, 2018). "WATCH: New Trailer for 'Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors'". Animation World Network . Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  8. ↑ Lawrence, Britt (September 12, 2018). "Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors Trailer Is Fun And Action-Packed". CinemaBlend . Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  9. ↑ Diaz, Eric (December 7, 2017). "MARVEL RISING Animated Film Series Rounds Up a Diverse Group of Superheroes". Nerdist . Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Hayner, Chris E. (December 11, 2017). "Marvel Launching New Animated Universe With Marvel Rising". GameSpot . Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Voice Of Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023. Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  12. ↑ Wickline, Dan (December 7, 2017). "Marvel Is Working On A Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors Animated Feature". Bleeding Cool . Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  13. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (December 7, 2017). "Marvel Launching Next-Gen Franchise 'Marvel Rising'; Feature Film In Works". Deadline . Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  14. ↑ Trumbore, Dave (December 7, 2017). "Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors Animated Movie Announced". Collider . Archived from the original on December 8, 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  15. ↑ Zahed, Ramin (August 10, 2018). "Marvel Rising Kicks Off Young Storytellers Venture". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  16. ↑ Prudom, Laura (August 8, 2018). "Marvel Rising Sneak Peek: Meet Squirrel Girl". IGN . Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  17. ↑ Amber (December 9, 2017). "Marvel Reveals New Animated Franchise 'Marvel Rising'". Rotoscopers. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  18. ↑ Foster, Elizabeth (February 12, 2018). "Marvel's mod squad". Kidscreen . Archived from the original on November 1, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  19. ↑ Pockross, Adam (December 7, 2017). "New Marvel Rising feature and shorts to introduce next generation of Marvel Universe". Syfy . Archived from the original on January 14, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  20. ↑ Holub, Christian (July 16, 2018). "'Marvel Rising' aims to create superhero stories for a new generation of female fans". Entertainment Weekly . Meredith Corporation. Archived from the original on July 17, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  21. ↑ ICv2 (December 8, 2017). "Marvel to Launch New IP with Animation". ICv2 . Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  22. ↑ Release, Press (August 24, 2018). "Dove Cameron Debut New Single "Born Ready, " Theme Song To Marvel Rising Animated Series". WSYM. Archived from the original on July 5, 2020. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  23. ↑ "We Were "Born Ready" for Dove Cameron's New Song and Music Video for Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors!". Disney.com . August 24, 2018. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  24. ↑ Newsdesk, Laughing Place Disney (August 24, 2018). "Dove Cameron Performs Theme Song "Born Ready" For "Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors" Film". LaughingPlace.com. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  25. ↑ Lovett, Jamie (August 25, 2018). "Dove Cameron Sings 'Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors' Theme Song". ComicBook.com . Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  26. ↑ Trumbore, Dave (September 12, 2018). "Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors Trailer Sees Captain Marvel Forming a Team". Collider . Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  27. ↑ Damore, Meagan (August 24, 2018). "Disney XD Releases Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors Debut Date, Theme Song". Comic Book Heroes . Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  28. ↑ Paige, Rachel (January 1, 2020). "Here's What's Coming from Marvel on Disney+ in January". Marvel.com . Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  29. ↑ Webb, Kevin; Cohen, Steven (March 17, 2022). "A running list of every Marvel show and movie you can stream on Disney Plus — from 'Iron Man' to 'Moon Knight'". Business Insider . Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  30. ↑ Anderson, Sage (February 17, 2023). "From Blockbuster Films to Obscure Shows and Docs, Here's All the Marvel Content on Disney+". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  31. ↑ Gramuglia, Anthony (March 31, 2019). "Marvel Rising: Three New Specials Announced". Comic Book Resources . Archived from the original on April 10, 2023. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  33. ↑ Steiner, Chelsea (September 28, 2018). "'Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors' is Empowering and Inclusive". The Mary Sue . Archived from the original on November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  34. ↑ Ashby, Emily. "Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors TV Review | Common Sense Media". Common Sense Media . Archived from the original on November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  35. ↑ Damore, Meagan (September 29, 2018). "REVIEW: Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors Brims With Heart & Hope". Comic Book Resources . Archived from the original on November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  36. ↑ Yeoman, Kevin (September 24, 2018). "Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors Will Likely Entertain Any Marvel Fan". Screen Rant . Archived from the original on March 23, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  37. ↑ Garett, Victor (February 17, 2023). "The Best Animated Superhero Movies That Aren't DC". MovieWeb . Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  38. ↑ Garza, Joe (January 24, 2023). "15 Marvel Animated Movies That Are Actually Worth Watching". /Film . Archived from the original on June 28, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  39. ↑ "2019 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Award Finalists Unveiled". Toy Association . Archived from the original on July 8, 2025. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  40. ↑ Langsworthy, Billy (November 13, 2018). "TOTY Awards 2019 nominees revealed". Mojo Nation. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  41. ↑ Fujikawa, Jenn (September 12, 2018). "New 'Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors' Doll Collection Lets You Recreate The Action". Marvel.com . Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  42. ↑ "Marvel Minute | Marvel Rising, Marvel Games, and more! | "Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors" is finally here! Marvel Games at NYCC! It's time for your #MarvelMinute with host Lorraine Cink. Watch:... | By Marvel | Facebook". Facebook . October 1, 2018. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  43. ↑ Dinh, Christine (October 11, 2018). "This Week in Marvel Games: Marvel Rising and Symbiotes Enter the Fray". Marvel.com . Retrieved June 22, 2023.
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