05 Jul The definitive Marvel Cinematic Universe ranking countdown – From ‘Iron Man’ to ‘Black Widow’
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is truly one of the greatest modern-day achievements in blockbuster cinema entertainment. The 23 films have all dominated the box office, albeit to varying degrees, and the Marvel characters have established enormous pop culture relevance, in a world formerly occupied by their DC rivals.
Think back to just a decade ago, and it was all about Batman and Superman. Nowadays, Iron Man and his fellow Avengers have completely taken over. Sure, Warner Bros. has been desperately striving to change that for the past few years. Wonder Woman and Aquaman have now inherited the DC mantle, and the results are improving. For now, Marvel still rules the roost.
With the release of Marvel’s epic undertaking Avengers: Endgame, now seems the perfect time to look back on the decade-long franchise, and attempt to rank them in some sort of best-to-worst order. I preface this countdown by saying that Marvel has not made a necessarily “bad film,” per se. But you can’t deny some have soared just that little bit higher than others.
So without further ado, here is The Jam Report’s definitive countdown of the films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
UPDATE – Black Widow now added!
24. Iron Man 2 (2010)
There has to be a bottom, and it should come as no surprise the worst of Marvel goes to Iron Man 2. It’s a terrible film, plain and simple. The narrative spends so much time with its eyes on the “Avengers Initiative” prize, it forgets to give us anything of interest or merit. Mickey Rourke, right in the middle of his post-The Wrestler career resurgence (which has already died), chews every piece of scenery possible.
His hammy villain Whiplash is a disaster. Try to even remember his villainous motivation. I’ll wait…can’t do it, can you? But you’ll remember he had a cockatoo. And electro-magnetised whips. And a horrendous Russian accent. And some form of vendetta against Tony Stark. And Sam Rockwell was involved. Somehow those things equalled a villain.
Robert Downey Jr. is still great, but he takes a huge backseat to the overstuffed storyline surrounding Tony Stark/Iron Man. Ultimately, the best part of this film is the introduction of Scarlett Johannson as Black Widow, who steals the whole thing, even with a sadly underdeveloped character, for now. Oh, and Thor’s hammer making an appearance after the credits.
23. The Incredible Hulk (2008)
It seems rather unfair to include The Incredible Hulk in this countdown. The film was produced before the cinematic universe really knew where it was going. Unlike the other chapters, this entry barely connects to the rest of the franchise. Yet, even as a stand-alone, it doesn’t really work. At all.
After the intense criticism of Ang Lee’s emotionally-wrought but blockbuster-light Hulk in 2003, director Louis Leterrier cranks the action right up but somehow offers up something completely dull and genuinely boring. Edward Norton does his utmost, giving far more than Eric Bana could, but it’s still not enough to save the film.
With two solo adventures under his gargantuan belt, it’s clear Hulk is a phenomenal side character, but can’t carry a film on his own. Maybe Mark Ruffalo will work out how it can be done someday. Bonus points for its great post-credits scene, with Tony Stark uttering the tantalising line, “What if I told you we were putting a team together?”
22. Thor: The Dark World (2013)
The most paint-by-the-numbers, formulaic piece of cinema in the MCU. There’s barely anything remarkable or memorable about Thor: The Dark World. It’s easily one of Marvel’s biggest disappointments, considering the stellar debut chapter. I must admit to being completely taken by this film, at the time. But after a re-watch, I’m at a loss to understand what I was thinking.
Perhaps I was just too dazzled by Chris Hemsworth to notice how woeful this film is. Losing all the charm and humour of its predecessor, the sequel gets far too bogged down in a heavy, convoluted plot that takes itself much too seriously. Likewise with its underdeveloped villain, which sadly wastes the talent of someone as wonderful as Christopher Eccleston. But, of course, Tom Hiddleston is there to provide the much-needed light and levity as lovable Loki, but even his involvement gets a little much. Chalk it up to the Loki mania created after The Avengers.
Loki’s scenes with his brother are the highlights and their tumultuous relationship winds up being far more engaging than Thor’s romance with Jane. Perhaps that’s why Natalie Portman was vanquished from this franchise.
21. Iron Man 3 (2013)
Unpopular opinion – Iron Man 3 is one of Marvel’s worst films. I know it received really quite strong reviews. I know most Marvel fans celebrate it. But something about it just never clicked for me. It was an admirable experiment to mess with Tony Stark’s confidence and give him some serious PTSD after the events of The Avengers. It was an impressive U-turn on his character path. But it goes too far.
Stark is down-and-out much too long in this film. It’s really an Iron Man film where Iron Man spends the majority of the plot not being Iron Man. Adding to that, this film suffers from a lack of a major villain too. The Mandarin could have been something special, especially with Ben Kingsley in the role. But that plot twist, while rather clever and surprising, ruins all hope. And the less said about the finale sequence, the better. We attend an Iron Man film to watch Iron Man. Not 20 remotely controlled Iron Man suit things, flying all over the place.
All that aside, there were some great pieces still to be found here, but the film falls far more than it flies. Iron Man 3 does get one thing dead right; Bruce Banner’s post-credits fatigued reaction to hearing Tony Stark recount the events of the film. I’m right there with you, Hulk.
20. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Maybe it was the insane hype that meant Avengers: Age of Ultron would never live up to the lofty expectations set by its predecessor. All the same ingredients were there. Somehow, it simply didn’t quite glue together this time. Perhaps it was the darker tones or the over-complicated storylines. Too much was loaded into this film, and it was rather exhaustive to even attempt to keep up. More was definitely less.
Maybe it was also the lack of a great villain. James Spader does an impeccable job at voicing Ultron, but the character lacks any true depth or development. His motivation seems entirely forced and without true merit. Ultron despises the Avengers, but why? Is it simply because they’re heroes? That’s not enough and falls into the lazy “I’m bad because you’re good” plot trap. This entire film really felt like one big setup for Captain America: Civil War. It’s rare to see Marvel so focused on the next step and lose focus on its current task.
That being said, it’s still enormously entertaining in parts. The Hulkbuster vs. Hulk sequence is stellar popcorn entertainment. And while the finale is ludicrously ridiculous (floating city, anyone?), it’s ultimately epic and enthralling stuff. Under enormous expectations and pressure, writer/director Joss Whedon ultimately delivers something completely different to the first film, and that has to be admired. It’s just not what we wanted. Or needed. Bonus points for this film’s introduction of the magnificence that is Wanda Maximoff.
19. Ant-Man (2015)
After going through all sorts of pre-production hell, including losing its director a few months before cameras start rolling, Ant-Man was all but doomed to fail. The adventures of Scott Lang have never been the most popular in Marvel’s canon of heroes, and no one ever really expected him to be given a solo film. And yet, this stands as one of the best debuts of any character in the franchise.
There’s a very simple reason for that – Paul Rudd. Perfectly cast as Lang, Rudd gives boundless energy and impeccable comic timing to a character most viewers had never heard of. He brings genuine comedy to a film so desperately in need of it. The plot avoids the grand, apocalyptic themes of many other films of this genre, and instead focuses its stakes on the simple notion of a dead-beat father desperately attempting to earn access to his daughter.
It’s a wonderful change, and the film soars because of it. While it is let down by its villain, namely thanks to Corey Stoll’s rather unfortunate performance, there are some incredible visuals here, particularly the film’s toy train set finale. It’s a film that never should have worked, yet somehow remarkably does.
18. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Suffering more expectation and hype than any sequel in the entire franchise has been saddled with, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 could never hope to top its predecessor. The element of genuine surprise was lost. We knew these characters now, and, unlike the first film, we expected certain things from them. And to his credit, writer/director James Gunn delivers, yet again. Well, almost.
Visually dazzling and incredibly entertaining, the sequel takes a vastly different approach in terms of its storyline. The first film brought the team together, whereas the second split them apart. It’s an admirable departure and one that may have been entirely necessary. There’s also far more focus on character here, but it’s at the expense of a truly great plot. And the lack of a great villain is the film’s major downfall, particularly given he doesn’t show up until late in the piece.
Regardless, Chris Pratt sparkles, once again. Zoe Saldana is luminous. Baby Groot is the cutest damn thing in this entire franchise. There are some sublime action pieces throughout. The dialogue is just as crackling as the original. The ending features one of the most emotional moments of the entire Marvel franchise. And, of course, we get another wicked and perfectly executed soundtrack.
17. Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
Proving that sometimes less is more, Ant-Man and the Wasp wisely keeps the stakes low, providing the perfect breath of fresh air we needed after the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War. At its heart, the film is two simple father and daughter tales. One father is attempting to set his life straight to regain his freedom to be the doting dad to his young daughter. The other tale is a daring rescue by a father/daughter duo desperate to find their missing wife and mother. And it’s wrapped up in a whole host of absurdity and ridiculousness that wisely never takes itself too seriously.
Director Peyton Reed once again takes great delight in playing with the concept of size and scale to glorious comedic effect. It’s another dizzying dance between miniature and oversized objects, including our heroes themselves. The film deftly pokes fun at itself and the results are an absolute blast. It’s another goofy and silly thrill ride that entertains as much as it amuses. It’s a perfect mix of comedy and action; something Marvel is quickly becoming infamous for.
With another endearing and relatable performance from Paul Rudd and a scene-stealing turn from Evangeline Lilly, the film is boosted further by its impeccable supporting cast of wonderful characters. With some outrageous set pieces, Ant-Man and the Wasp revels in its own silliness. It knows the absurdity of its premise and never shies away from how outrageous its narrative ultimately is. Its goofy heart is utterly infectious and the end result is a delight.
16. Black Widow (2021)
After a two-year break for the MCU and three release date delays (you don’t need me to remind you why that occurred), Marvel’s first prequel Black Widow finally arrived to deliver a fallen hero her deserving swan song. Part James Bond spy thriller, part Mission: Impossible action epic with a good dose of tense familial drama, Black Widow is a solid, entertaining outing with all the ingredients Marvel fans clamour for. While the film may not quite reach the pinnacle of the MCU’s best, its low stakes are a refreshing change from the recent swarm of apocalyptic comic book films.
Even with no prior experience with this style of filmmaking, Australian director Cate Shortland is deftly skilled at crafting plenty of wickedly entertaining set-pieces. The staggeringly thrilling opening sequence is one of the best of the entire Marvel franchise and the chaotic finale concludes proceedings with impressive excitement and plenty of emotion. But it’s the focus on family drama where Black Widow really zings. Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, and Rachel Weisz craft a spectacular familial dynamic, rooted in genuine love but complicated by anger, regret, and guilt.
Johansson typically shines, but Pugh steals this film as a new action heroine who is somehow both fragile and imposing. After the extended delays of Natasha Romanoff’s long-overdue solo film, Black Widow was certainly worth the wait. Much like its protagonist, it’s flawed and imperfect, but still entirely lovable and richly enjoyable. It’s a bittersweet farewell to a beloved character we’d already said goodbye to once before and a tantalising taste of what lies in store for Phase Four.
15. Doctor Strange (2016)
Marvel’s most daringly original entry to date, Doctor Strange is unlike anything else in the franchise. Much like Ant-Man, this was a character few anticipated to see in a solo film. Stephen Strange follows many of the same tropes as fellow Marvel member Tony Stark. A conceited playboy suffering a horrible disaster to bring him down to earth and consequently flip his world upside down. But unlike Stark and his discovery for weapons technology, Strange finds solace in the mystical arts and gifted with a whole host of incredible abilities, including bending the confines of space and time.
We’re leaving reality far behind in this one, and with it, we get some of the most striking and incredible visual sequences ever seen on film. If it weren’t for The Jungle Book, it would have walked home with an Oscar for Best Visual Effects. But for all its visual grandeur, it’s still a wonderfully captivating character piece, led by the sublime Benedict Cumberbatch.
Another piece of perfect casting, Cumberbatch plays Strange’s existential crisis with flair and panache and winds up being one of the best superheroes in Marvel’s arsenal. Yet again, there are some villain issues (it’s hard to even remember the name of Mads Mikkelsen’s character), but the terrific supporting cast more than make up for this, and give us a grand piece that truly surprised us all.
14. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Rivalling The Avengers in the stakes of sheer cinema joy, Captain America: Civil War delivers popcorn entertainment like few others in the saga. With its staggering roster of characters, this should be considered Avengers 2.5. It was a thrill to once again see so many of Marvel’s best in one spot, but this time pitted against each other. Plus bonus points for introducing Spider-Man, at just the right time.
But for a film featuring almost all of Marvel’s superheroes to this point, it’s still first and foremost a Captain America movie. With the struggle surrounding the sudden political involvement in his activities, and the ongoing battle to reclaim his beloved Bucky Barnes from the dark side, there is some serious exposition here. While not as plot-heavy as its predecessor, it still packs a punch thematically, named around how much personal responsibility our heroes should accept in relation to the repercussions of their actions in battling villain after villain.
Unlike its Avengers chapters, the high stakes here are mostly not around saving the world from impending doom, but rather saving the entire Avengers Initiative from imploding in on itself. The events here change the franchise considerably, and it’s a delicious teaser for what’s to come next. It also happens to feature the best and most incredibly entertaining battle sequence in Marvel history, so far. The airport stand-off scene is utterly sublime in every possible way and something that will never get old.
13. Thor (2011)
Hiring noted Shakespearean director Kenneth Branagh seemed like utter lunacy, at the time. But Thor really is a classic Shakespearean tale, full of both intense drama and absurd comedy, and Branagh delivered in spades. What begins as an epic family drama quickly becomes a fish-out-of-water comedy before turning into a tale of a brash and conceited God finding his humility and place in the world. Or should that be worlds?
It’s hard to remember a time before Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston weren’t household names. Prior to Thor, they were relatively unknown. It’s another mark of Marvel’s astute skill at casting newcomers in the roles they were clearly born to play. Hemsworth is mesmerising to watch here. For all his muscles and brute strength, he gives Thor a deep sense of character, and his comic timing is truly perfect. Likewise with Hiddleston, who instils Loki with such deliciously naughty villainy. It’s no wonder he quickly became one of the most beloved characters in the entire Marvel universe.
There’s great chemistry between the brothers, and a wonderful connection between Thor and Natalie Portman’s Jane, even if that chemistry couldn’t be sustained in the sequel. With some sensational visual pieces and some truly humorous comedy, Thor is terribly underrated within the franchise. It’s worth a revisit to see why this introduction is worthy of its high place in this countdown.
12. Captain Marvel (2019)
Taking a huge leap forward by featuring a female superhero in the lead role for the first time, Captain Marvel was long overdue. While the Marvel franchise had given us several glorious female heroines to cheer for, none were given the reigns to their own solo cinematic adventure. With a hefty weight of expectation and a toxic backlash from online trolls, Captain Marvel had a point to prove.
While the end result may not have reached the heights of other Marvel adventures, the film was enormously entertaining and its heart was all sorts of infectious. And Brie Larson deftly silenced the deafening noise surrounding her casting with a stellar leading performance to offer a new heroine to take the Marvel franchise forward. From the moment she was cast, Larson inherited this responsibility with incredible verve and the end result is up there on the screen for all to see.
With a narrative rooted in space mythology where the search for one’s origins is equally as important as the fight to save the universe, Captain Marvel served as both a terrific origin story and a connecting chapter to bring this (literally) blazing heroine into the wider Marvel universe. Throw in a splash of humour, plenty of 90s nostalgia, and an adorable feline companion, and it’s ultimately a terrifically enjoyable and richly satisfying rollercoaster ride.
11. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Much like Ant-Man and the Wasp, the latest Spider-Man adventure arrived off the back of an emotionally exhausting Avengers film, providing the burst of light and levity audiences so desperately needed. If Avengers: Endgame was the main course, Spider-Man: Far From Home was the deliciously fun dessert we were all craving.
While the spectre of loss hangs over this sequel, there’s boundless fun and pitch-perfect humour to be found within, providing just the escapism needed. With another supreme leading performance, Tom Holland further proves he’s the right man for the job. Effortlessly endearing and adorably awkward, Peter Parker is consistently conflicted between his despondent desire for a normal teenage life and the exhausting Spider-Man duties, gifting Holland the chance to showcase plenty of adolescent angst.
Adding Jake Gyllenhaal to the mix proves to be a masterstroke of casting, with the actor offering a sublime addition to the Marvel universe as the enigmatic and mystical Mysterio. The obligatory action sequences are typically spectacular, but the film deftly follows a new path with several terrifically inventive fantasy sequences with eye-popping and mind-bending visual delights. Endlessly fun and visually spectacular, it’s a European vacation worth taking.
10. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
The third time really was the charm for the Thor franchise. After the deeply disappointing second entry, it was time to shake the trilogy up. Enter New Zealand director Taika Waititi. Armed with a screenplay filled with sublime comedy and sensational action, Waititi delivered something truly different, wonderfully charming, and downright fun. It turned out a heavy dose of humour was precisely what this series needed.
At its core, Thor: Ragnarok is a comedy, first and foremost. Yes, it still has the epic set pieces we demand from a Marvel film. But surrounding that are lashings of delicious and earned humour, whether it be dry self-deprecation or classic slapstick absurdity. Chris Hemsworth had already proven his impeccable comedic timing, with tastes of comedy popping up in his previous Marvel appearances. He’s wisely given full reign here. With Waititi’s guidance, the results are sublime.
Throw in brilliant supporting turns from Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/Hulk, the introduction of Tessa Thompson as brash badass Valkyrie and the director himself as scene-stealer Korg, and you get a truly wonderful ensemble piece. And then there’s Cate Blanchett as our villain Hela. Blanchett chews every single piece of scenery and has the time of her life playing it bad. Thor: Ragnarok never takes itself too seriously, and therein lies its magic. Visually spectacular, action-packed, enormously entertaining, and genuinely hilarious. What a ride.
9. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Another unpopular opinion – Captain America: The First Avenger is one of Marvel’s absolute best. Perhaps it’s just been too long since people have seen it. You’ve possibly forgotten how utterly spectacular this film really is. But outside of Tony Stark’s unbeatable debut, this still stands as one of the best and most impressive introduction pieces of any of Marvel’s superheroes.
As a character, Captain America doesn’t read well on paper. For all his comic book popularity, he’s very one-dimensional. Enter Chris Evans, the truest example of Marvel’s knack for casting brilliance. Evans plays Steve Rogers with such genuine heart and glorious heroism, instantly making us all fall in love with Captain America, the greatest of all Marvel superheroes. For all its “USA! USA!” themes, the film never feels like propaganda, which is ironic, given that was decidedly the original intention of the comics. Its World War II setting is the perfect introduction for this character, and the production design and costuming are utterly magic. As is the villain, with Hugo Weaving giving a masterful performance as the menacing Red Skull.
There’s something so wonderfully old-fashioned about Captain America, even if it can come across a little corny. But it embraces that corniness, and never shies away from its true intentions. It’s everything a Marvel film should be – fun, colourful, entertaining, warm, exciting, and it just so happens to deliver the most deeply emotional conclusions of any Marvel film so far. Plus that unforgettable “You’ve been asleep, Cap” Times Square reveal in the film’s closing moments. Truly magic.
8. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Finally coming home to properly join the cinematic franchise where it belonged, there was a lot riding on getting Spider-Man: Homecoming just right. Despite its best intentions, the Andrew Garfield films never quite got there. A reboot seemed far too soon, yet somehow entirely necessary. Sony Pictures rightly joined forces with Marvel Studios to craft something entirely fresh and new, and it was a massive slam dunk.
After his glorious appearance in Captain America: Civil War, it was clear Tom Holland was the right guy for the job. With just one film, Holland had already proven to be the best cinematic Spider-Man yet. Yes, better than Tobey Maguire. Search your feelings. You know it’s true. Pulling back the reigns on the story gives us more of a great high school film about an awkward teenager coming to terms with his new powers, all while finding his place in the world.
There’s teenage angst. There’s genuine youth-orientated humour. And there’s a wonderful character journey, all cemented by Holland’s impressive performance. And it’s one of the few Marvel films without villain issues. Michael Keaton gives us one of the best antagonists in the entire franchise, with Vulture being far more grounded and realistic than many of his cohorts. But the greatest joy of Spider-Man: Homecoming is how genuinely fun this film is, more so than perhaps anything else in the MCU.
7. Iron Man (2008)
The one that started it all. The one we really owe the entire cinematic universe to. If Iron Man failed, who knows where we’d be right now. And it very easily could have. For all his popularity now, Iron Man was relatively unknown in 2008. The true Marvel comic fans knew him, but the general movie-going audience did not. Introducing him to the world, and beginning the potential franchise featuring his fellow Avengers team members, was incredibly important. And it all fell down to one man – Robert Downey Jr.
Now, it’s easy to forget back in 2008 Downey Jr. was not the box-office draw he is now. In the early years of the 21st century, he was more likely to be found in a quirky, independent piece of cinema than a summer blockbuster. But he was born to play Tony Stark, perfectly blurring the line between incredible arrogance and lovable charm. The action and explosions were important, but getting the right character inside the suit was key. And they nailed it with Downey Jr. Director Jon Favreau gives the film his wonderful vision and creates such a perfect template for the entire franchise to follow. Even with the epic future plans of Marvel in front of him, Favreau avoids the temptation to make this a “setup” film, and it stands alone with such strength and independence.
We get a great villain from Jeff Bridges, some wonderful dialogue from a cracking screenplay, and the formation of the leader of what will soon be the greatest superhero team in cinema history. And that ending. That “I am Iron Man” ending. Glorious and completely unexpected. Just when you think they’re done, we’re handed the first of the now-infamous Marvel post-credits scenes, with the introduction of Nick Fury, and his Avengers Initiative plans. Genius. There is no better way to craft a huge franchise than to begin by delivering one phenomenal film and concluding with a killer teaser at what’s to come.
6. Black Panther (2017)
A groundbreaking game-changer. One of Marvel’s boldest statements to date. Black Panther perfectly toed the line between a popcorn blockbuster and a socially aware think piece, delivering a new superhero for the ages. This was black representation unlike anything we’d seen from a major franchise, and the cultural impact was a genuine milestone moment in modern cinema history that became the first comic book adaptation to be nominated for Best Picture.
As a white guy, it’s hard for me to measure what this film ultimately meant to the African American community. But just one look at the social media reaction to this film and those insane box-office numbers show how deeply Black Panther resonated with people of colour. This was finally the chance for a person of colour to see themselves as the star of a superhero film. It was a chance to see their culture and history deeply rooted in the foundations of a major studio release. Visually, this is unlike anything else in the MCU.
But putting the cultural relevance aside, Black Panther is a brilliantly crafted and wildly entertaining film for people of any colour. A gripping narrative mixed with sensational casting and sublime set-pieces makes this a thrilling experience from start to finish. The film grabs you from the opening and never once lets you go. With gorgeous cinematography, perfect visual effects, dazzling costume designs, and a stunning African-inspired (and Academy Award-winning) score, it’s a goldmine of riches for both the eyes and the ears. Black Panther breaks all the rules, and we are better for its existence in this universe. Wakanda forever, indeed.
5. Marvel’s The Avengers (2012)
The one we were all waiting for with bated breath. The one that never should have worked, but somehow did. After headlining their own solo films, Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and the Hulk were finally coming together. But how do you handle such colossal characters, all sharing the screen for the first time, without the film becoming a giant mess? You put Joss Whedon behind the director’s chair. And you have them face the now-beloved Loki as their chief antagonist.
Whedon, with his history of strong character pieces, understood there needed to be more than just action here. Bringing these four heroes together, plus Black Widow and Hawkeye, would not be an easy ride. The apocalyptic conflict may be with Loki, but the real battle was within the Avengers themselves. Whedon crafted a screenplay that tapped into that conflict perfectly so that when our heroes finally put aside their differences for the greater good, it’s the stuff of cinematic magic. Just think of that revolving shot of our mighty Avengers finally standing together. It’s perhaps the most iconic shot in the entire franchise.
The screenplay is loaded with Whedon’s trademark wit and humour, with some deliciously wonderful lines of dialogue and genuinely humorous sequences throughout. The final Battle of New York may go a little over-the-top, but you’re having too much fun with this movie to even care. Each character somehow gets ample screen time, and a perfectly executed individual storyline, which is perhaps the film’s greatest triumph. It was a true moment in history that every Marvel fan will never forget. It still holds up today. It will still hold up for decades to come. It’s something very special, and always will be.
4. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
It’s difficult to rank the recent two Avengers films, as they ultimately serve as one film told in two epic chapters. Wrapping up this era of Marvel films in spectacular fashion, Avengers: Endgame was the blockbuster to end all blockbusters. With a moving impact few sequels could ever hope to deliver and an array of glorious moments that will have you either smiling, crying, cheering, or clapping (and sometimes all four at once), this is the rousing and exhilarating conclusion fans deserved.
While the term “fan-service” may often be thrown at this franchise as an insult, directors Anthony Russo and Joe Russo clearly know their audience well and offer up a treasure trove of references, easter eggs, and cameos from the entirety of this franchise’s 11-year history. Even the most casual of fans will enjoy the ways this film pays tribute to what’s come before. For those viewers who find themselves in the obsessive fan category, this spectacular finale is everything you could have hoped for…and then some.
At its core, Avengers: Endgame is a highly emotional piece of cinema, particularly for those who have faithfully followed this franchise for over a decade and now experience a strong connection to these lovable characters. While still offering up the dazzling set pieces this franchise is renowned for, its beating heart offers an emotional core that’s deeply affecting. As we’re told in the film, every hero story must have an end. We’ve arrived at that end and what a way to bring this franchise to a close.
3. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
One of the only films in the Marvel franchise to deftly deliver some timely social and political commentary somewhat unexpectedly found itself being one of its greatest. Captain America: The Winter Soldier sets itself apart from all others by taking a page from world events and spinning them into the Marvel universe – something the comics were often known for doing, but the MCU films have mostly shied away from.
A deeply complex conspiracy-filled tale of government corruption and political surveillance, the film is dark and gritty, but still somehow enjoyable and entertaining. With all the saga surrounding WikiLeaks/Julian Assange and Edward Snowden, this film could not have been more timely. Placing Steve Rogers squarely in the middle of a paranoid state where no one can be trusted is a mark of genius, with Captain America finding himself battling against the very corporation he has always sworn to protect. How can you stand for America when America is swiftly turning to the dark side? Seems even more timely in a President Trump world, doesn’t it?
Making matters even worse is the reemergence of his thought-to-be-dead best friend Bucky Barnes, reborn as the brutal assassin The Winter Soldier. Barnes’ transformation is jarringly wonderful, as is Sebastian Stan’s star-making performance. For all its lashings of government espionage and conspiracies, the film shines even brighter with its action set-pieces, particularly when Captain America and The Winter Soldier face off.
These films always find a new way to show Cap’s incredible strength, and this one has a doozy. How can you forget the image of Cap desperately holding on to a helicopter with one arm and the side of a building with the other? It’s another iconic moment in this franchise and one that will long be synonymous with the MCU. With the film spiralling to an incredible climax, it’s clear the Captain America series is the greatest trilogy of the Marvel franchise.
2. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
The culmination of ten years of groundwork becomes Marvel’s triumphant moment. And what a moment it is. For the last decade, all roads were leading up to Avengers: Infinity War. We always knew Marvel were planning this gargantuan crossover event, bringing together dozens of characters for perhaps the biggest spectacle in cinematic history. Many thought it would be a cataclysmic failure. How wrong they were.
With the most glorious roster of Marvel characters, it’s a fanboy’s dream to see Tony Stark stand side-by-side with Doctor Strange or Spider-Man join forces with Star-Lord. Everywhere you look in this film, there’s something to make your heart sing. But, rather wisely, Avengers: Infinity War also manages to completely destroy your heart at the same time. It’s a film that is both incredibly entertaining and utterly devastating. You’ll laugh but you’ll also sob. You’ll cheer but you’ll gasp. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that leaves you completely breathless by its unexpected conclusion.
Cemented by the incredible performance of Josh Brolin as our lead villain Thanos and filled with a dazzling array of performances from its incredible cast, Avengers: Infinity War is the event film we had been waiting for. It’s fan-service on a level never before seen. It’s a film that richly rewards those who have given so much of their time and energy to this cinematic universe over the last ten years. It’s a damn masterpiece that demands repeat viewing, and those viewings only serve to make this film shine ever brighter. A total triumph and a sublime piece of cinema.
1. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Marvel’s biggest gamble yet turned out to be their crowning achievement. Remember when you first heard they were making a film starring the chubby guy from Parks & Recreation, the girl from Britney Spears’ disastrous film debut Crossroads, a WWE-wrestler-turned-actor, an anthropomorphic racoon voiced by Bradley Cooper, and a walking tree voiced by Vin Diesel? Remember feeling Marvel had truly lost their damn mind? Remember seeing it for the first time and realising how incredibly mistaken we all were? Somehow, Guardians of the Galaxy became a true masterpiece of cinema. Somehow this incredible film became the greatest Marvel film to date.
It’s really lightning in a bottle stuff here. You can’t plan it. You can’t repeat it. It just happens. A lot of it has to do with James Gunn’s wonderful direction and impeccable screenplay, loaded with great humour, enormous heart, and a wonderful plot. Perfectly cast, the ensemble has such glorious chemistry, especially in their initial stages of truly despising each other. They all seem to be having a blast here, and the results speak for themselves. When Star-Lord literally dances onto our screen, it marks the arrival of a truly great cinema hero. And the arrival of a true star in Chris Pratt, who gifts Peter Quill with equal parts Han Solo and Indiana Jones, yet somehow his own character entirely.
The film is genuinely fun from start to finish. It demands repeat viewing because you can seemingly never get enough of this wonderfully wacky adventure. Gunn crafts such a gorgeously designed world for his characters to inhabit, and the visuals in this film are worth the price of admission alone. It’s the kind of epic space adventure Star Wars fans were crying out for but were never gifted with.
You add in that now-iconic soundtrack, a truly great villain, and a whole swag of characters you will genuinely care about, especially the pop culture phenomenon that is Groot, and you have the greatest piece of cinema in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It has set a benchmark all Marvel films will be judged against. It’s a bar set so high, it simply may never be topped.
So there it is, folks. My take on the Marvel Cinematic Universe. What an incredible journey it has been and will continue to be. Who knows what delights await us in the future. Regardless, it’s been over a decade of superb films from the greatest franchise in the history of cinema and a decade we should all be thankful we were alive to witness.