All 30 Marvel Cinematic Universe Movies Ranked From Worst To Best

Thanos (Josh Brolin) finally acquires the Mind Stone in Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Marvel Entertainment
Thanos (Josh Brolin) finally acquires the Mind Stone in Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Marvel Entertainment

30 films down, 30 more to go.

An aged Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) reveals himself to Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) in Avengers: Endgame (2019), Marvel Entertainment

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It’s been fifteen years since the Marvel Cinematic Universe first set sail, and though most of that time was spent exploring a sea of mediocrity, the franchise has seen its fair share of great films – and absolutely terrible ones – along the way.

And with the release of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, it felt like a good time to rank every film in the ambitious franchise from worst to best.

Shuri (Letitia Wright) unfurls her claws in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), Marvel Entertainment

Disclaimer: This is my list, and if you don’t agree with it, you can post your own or, alternatively, get bent.

Let’s get things started with the absolute last bottom entry on the list, which is pound for pound the worst MCU film in existence.

The Avengers assemble in Avengers: Endgame (2019), Marvel Entertainment via Blu-ray

30. Eternals (2021)

Kicking off the list is the one film that pretty much everyone collectively agrees is the worst MCU entry to date – Eternals.

A pretentious superhero story wrapped in Disney’s desire to pander to woke groups for clout, you’d be seriously hard-pressed to find anyone willing to defend this on the merits of its characters or story.

The only people who ever argue against its objective place at the bottom of the rankings are those who value ‘diversity’ both behind and in front of the camera because they can’t enjoy fiction if it doesn’t center on people who are just like them.

Makkari (Lauren Ridloff) prepares to confront Ikaris (Richard Madden) in Eternals (2021), Marvel Entertainment

After all, nothing like some postmodernism tied together with bright lights and big CGI monsters to distract the audience from the absence of a compelling story.

Arishem (David Kaye) explains the Eternals' purpose to Sersi (Gemma Chan) in Eternals (2021), Marvel Entertainment

29. Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

Kat Dennings and Natalie Portman are back. Yay…

Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings) keeps Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) company during chemotherapy in Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), Marvel Entertainment

Chris Hemsworth once said that Thor: Love and Thunder was a movie that a 7-year-old would make – and it shows.

An all-over-the-place disaster that attempts to be a Thor and Jane-centered rom-com and simultaneously a drama dealing with the very serious reality of the latter’s cancer, every attempt to give an air of seriousness to Jane’s morality is snuffed out by director Taika Waititi’s (aka David Cohen) habit of injecting comedy where it isn’t needed (it’s particularly unbearable in his Nazi Germany-set Jojo Rabbit).

Thor (Chris Hemsworth) split kicks a pair of Booskan speeders in Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), Marvel Entertainment via Blu-ray

Love and Thunder makes it clear that Waititi has no idea what he’s doing as a filmmaker.

Thor (Chris Hemsworth) turns to a dying Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) as Gorr (Christian Bale) prepares to ask Eternity for a wish in Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), Marvel Entertainment via Blu-ray

28. Thor: The Dark World (2013)

One of the few MCU entries that Disney doesn’t like to talk about, Thor: The Dark World was so forgettable that I honestly can’t event remember who its villain was or what its plot was about.

Thor (Chris Hemsworth) unleashes the might of Mjolnir upon Malekith (Christopher Eccleston)Loki (Tom Hiddleston) takes on the form of Captain America (Chris Evans) to taunt Thor (Chris Hemsworth) in Thor: The Dark World (2015), Marvel Entertainment

The film is one of the most uneventful in the entire MCU and about as interesting to watch as the Denver Broncos’ offense.

Thor’s mom dies, the end. That’s the movie.

Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) prepares to attack Earth in Thor: The Dark World (2015), Marvel Entertainment

The best thing about this film is that it kept Natalie Portman away from the MCU for 9 years until Cohen decided to ruin everything.

Loki (Tom Hiddleston) takes on the form of Captain America (Chris Evans) to taunt Thor (Chris Hemsworth) in Thor: The Dark World (2015), Marvel Entertainment

27. Iron Man 2 (2010)

Iron Man 2 is NOT a movie. This is a $200 million commercial for Marvel’s The Avengers.

Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) takes the stage at the Stark Expo in Iron Man 2 (2010), Marvel Studios

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The drop-off in quality from Iron Man to Iron Man 2 is truly astounding.

From the debut of Black Widow, the lead in to Thor, and the set-up of S.H.I.E.L.D., the film was so focused on setting up future MCU outings that it forget to set up a plot of its own.

Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) warns Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) about his future in Iron Man 2 (2010), Marvel Studios

Instead of a worthy follow-up to the film that started the MCU, Iron Man 2 gave us Mickey Rourke with a laughable attempt at a Russian accent as Whiplash and threw the potential for H.A.M.M.E.R. out the window seconds after they introduced it.

But hey, at least Scarlett Johannson looks good enough to distract you from her own character’s lack of a Soviet speech pattern.

Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) looks into Natasha Romanoff (Scarlet Johansson) in Iron Man 2 (2010), Marvel Studios

26. Thor (2011)

While Thor starts out strong with its Asgard storyline, the second they leave the realm is the second you stop caring.

Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Loki (Tom Hiddleston) ask Heimdall (Idris Elba) to unlock the Bifrost in Thor (2011), Marvel Entertainment

Loki might be the true bad guy pulling the strings, but outside of his ‘plans’, the biggest threat in this movie is a giant suit of armor.

Thor’s adventures in Asgard have all the makings of a classic coming-of-age fantasy story, but the film slams the brakes on that plotline in favor of watching the God of Thunder’s ‘fish out of water’ human interactions.

The Destroyer armor unleashes its power upon New Mexico in Thor (2011), Marvel Entertainment

And by the way, have I mentioned that Dennings is a garbage-tier actress yet?

The one good thing about this film is that it has Hemsworth both putting in effort to play and being given a good script for his portrayal of Thor, as each subsequent outing has seem him less jacked and less Thor-like in his actions (thanks, Waititi).

Thor (Chris Hemsworth) once again finds himself worthy of Mjolnir in Thor (2011), Marvel Entertainment

25. Iron Man 3 (2013)

Let’s talk about the film that ruined The Mandarian, A.I.M., and the Iron Patriot in one fell swoop.

Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) gears up to hunt down The Mandarin in Iron Man 3 (2013), Marvel Entertainment

The first true taste of the standard bait-and-switch marketing Marvel ahs employed ever since, the reveal of Trevor Slattery as the Mandarian left a bad taste in the mouths of near everyone who saw this film.

From there, threw away Marvel’s second most famous ‘villain organization’ for an ending where Pepper Potts saves the day at the last second and relegated one of the comics’ coolest armors to all of about seven-minutes of total screentime.

The Iron Patriot (Don Cheadle) greets the President of the United States in Iron Man 3 (2013), Marvel Entertainment

And to top things off, Tony blowing up all of his suits was just stupid, especially as we all knew Downey Jr. was contractually set to return to his armored identity in future films.

A movie that was seemingly set up as a dark thriller involving Tony Stark that ultimately turned out to be a joke, Iron Man 3 was a massive misstep, especially coming fresh off the heels of the first Avengers movie.

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24. Captain Marvel (2019)

The Stage 2 Cancer diagnosis for the MCU, Captain Marvel was the film that not only killed Rotten Tomatoes, but also destroyed the enormous amount of goodwill the franchise had earned among its fans.

Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) confronts the Kree Supreme Intelligence (Annette Bening) in Captain Marvel (2019), Marvel Entertainment

Sure, the film has a handful of genuinely enjoyable moments and splashes of shiny CGI strewn about its long stretches of middling boredom, but despite having a massive studio budget, the whole thing feels overall like the result of cutting corners and skimping on costs.

Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) unleashes her Binary form in Captain Marvel (2019), Marvel Entertainment via Blu-ray

And after all the insults and disingenuous hit pieces that were leveled towards fans in its defense, the Patient Zero for the current direction of the M-She-U ended up being nothing more than yet another soulless project crapped out of Marvel’s assembly line.

But hey, who can forget the greatness that was Goose The Cat?

Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) seconds away from losing his eye to Goose the Cat in Captain Marvel (2019), Marvel Entertainment

23. Black Widow (2021)

Scarlett Johannson may be the main attraction of this film, but Florence Pugh is the true star of Black Widow.

Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) draws on an intruder in Black Widow (2021), Marvel Entertainment

In what may be her breakout performance, Pugh overcomes the character limitations of being a Black Widow clone to become the character with the most heart and best-written arc in the entire movie.

But outside of that, this film has nothing else to offer. There’s no reason for it to exist.

Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) blows up the Red Room's engines in Black Widow (2021), Marvel Entertainment

Shortfalls in the film’s writing can be traced back to its production stage, where after hiring WandaVision creator Jac Schaeffer was to write the initial script, Marvel brought in The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby screenwriter Ned Benson to rewrite the entire thing, only to eventually call Thor: Ragnarok and Godzilla vs. Kong writer Eric Pearson to make sense of their mess.

Serving mainly as a final goodbye to Johansson and her 10-year-long run in the franchise, at the end of the day, it follows the same studio gameplan as every MCU film: make money and don’t stand out.

22. Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)

This film is the prime example of what happens when a studio demands that a surprise hit get a sequel.

The titular team take in their new surroundings in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), Marvel Entertainment

Filled with forced humor and too many callbacks to the first film, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 tried way too hard to recreate what audiences loved about the first film.

When you look at the final product, you realize just how empty the film and how badly it undid all the goodwill generated by its predecessor.

Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) is amazed by his newly unlocked Celestial powers in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), Marvel Entertainment

As a result, fans got a mediocre sequel – the norm for the MCU by this point.

It even found a way to waste Kurt Russel, for f–ks sake.

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21. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

The cardinal sin of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever isn’t that it’s a bad movie, but rather that its uneventful and has no clear direction of what it wants to be.

The unexpected and sudden death of Chadwick Boseman following a years-long battle with colon cancer stunned the entertainment world, and in the weeks that followed, Marvel announced that , they would not be recasting the role of T’Challa

The Black Panther is no more in 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' (2022)

However, according to Disney, the show had to go on and the story of Wakanda had to continue.

But rather than recast the role of T’Challa, despite the outpouring of demand for the studio to do so from not just fans but even the actor’s own brother, the House of Mouse decided it was time to replace the Black Panther with his little sister.

Queen Ramoda (Angela Bassett) and Shuri (Letitia Wright) mourn the death of her brother T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), Marvel Entertainment via YouTube

This decision to kill off T’Challa left the movie to be carried by a bunch of secondary characters who are not strong enough to lead a movie by themselves.

It is very difficult to recommend anyone give three hours of their time to a film that hoped to ride the wave of a man’s death to once again cash in on the black community.

Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) takes her new Iron Heart armor in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), Marvel Entertainment

20. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

At face value, Spider-Man: Far From Home is just another typical MCU film.

Spider-Man (Tom Holland) makes a surprise appearance at May Parker's (Marisa Tomei) FEAST fundraiser in Spider-Man: Far Frome Home (2019), Marvel Entertainment

It’s not that great, but it’s not that bad, and it plays up to the old tropes of “OMG that’s the guy from the other movie I’ve watched” to distract you from the fact that Disney laughed all the way to the bank after just robbing your ass blind.

Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) recruits Peter Parker (Tom Holland) to help save the multiverse in Spider-Man: Far Frome Home (2019), Marvel Entertainment

Largely boring and eventful, the film just passes the bare minimum of what qualifies as entertainment to justify not asking for a refund.

Even Spider-Man fans don’t have much to say about the web-slinger’s European adventure. This film only appeals to adults who feel like the only way to keep their childhood alive is by swearing a blood oath to Disney.

Spider-Man (Tom Holland) clings to the London Bridge in Spider-Man: Far Frome Home (2019), Marvel Entertainment

19. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

For those who thought this film would be a sequel to Doctor Strange, you were mistaken.

Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) scolds Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) for using the DarkholdDoctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) bends the damned spirits of the Darkhold to his will in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), Marvel Entertainment

No, this is a Scarlett Witch movie starring America Chavez and guest-starring Doctor Strange.

Between this bait-and-switch and its attempt to prop up Wanda as a sympathetic character even after she murdered everyone on screen for completely selfish reasons, the film did itself absolutely no favors.

Before leaving the project over creative differences, returning Doctor Strange director Scott Derrrickson wanted to turn this film into an R-rated horror film, but Disney wouldn’t allow it because they were (and still are) too busy trying to groom children with their programming.

Once again, because studio committees have taken over the roles of screenwriter and director and virtually killed all creativity in the industry, a much better movie gets trashed before it ever got to see the light of day.

Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) bends the damned spirits of the Darkhold to his will in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), Marvel Entertainment

18. Avengers: Age Of Ultron (2015)

Speaking of bait-and-switches, the first genuine one in the MCU was Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Iron Man (Tony Stark) dons his Hulkbuster armor in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Marvel Entertainment

Remember how this film’s trailer made it look like its story was going to be a dark epic that saw the Avengers pushed like they had never been pushed before?

Instead, Joss Whedon decided to waste James Spader’s performance as one of the most menacing in the Marvel Universe on knock-knock jokes.

Ultron (James Spader) chases his potential body through the streets of Seoul in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Marvel Entertainment

One massive commercial for future MCU films disgused as an Avengers story, Age of Ultron will go down as one of the biggest letdowns in the history of the MCU.

Vision (Paul Bettany) prepares to put an end to the threat of Ultron (James Spader) in A damaged Ultron (James Spader) taunts the Avengers during the Battle of Sokovia in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Marvel Entertainment via Blu-ray

17. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

Much like every other MCU film, Shang-Chi is littered with moments where humorless, scene-killing attempts at comedy are played up for cheap laughs.

After a beautiful opening sequence that sets the tone for a story that mixes elements of fantasy and romance, we are dumped into a modern timeline and bombared with joke that wouldn’t even be worth of a a modern Saturday Night Live sketch.

And of course, because it’s a Marvel superhero film, everything ends with a giant CGI monster fight to keep casual fans happy enough to make them believe their $15 was money well spent.

Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) feels the full force of Wenwu's control over the Marvel Cinematic Universe's version of the Ten Rings in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021), Marvel Entertainment via Blu-Ray

While it isn’t a bad film, Shang Chi is certainly a missed opportunity to be so much better.

Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) stands triumphant over the Dweller-in-Darkness in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021), Marvel Entertainment

16. The Incredible Hulk (2008)

The Marvel movie that Disney pretends doesn’t exist because it technically belongs to Universal Studios.

A post-transformation Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) inquires as to his current whereabouts in The Incredible Hulk (2008), Marvel Entertainment/Universal Pictures

This movie on its own is a solid film, but because of said ownership issues and the amount of turmoil that went on behind the scenes caused by the actors, the studios, the licensing, and the need for it to set up an the Avengers movie, it’s been silently buried by the ranks at Disney.

And it’s a shame, because it’s so much better than the try-hard efforts of the MCU’s last two phases.

Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) reveals himself as the Jade Giant in The Incredible Hulk (2008), Marvel Entertainment/Universal Pictures

Oh, and I like Edward Norton FAR BETTER than I like Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk.

Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) loses control for the first time in roughly a month in The Incredible Hulk (2008), Marvel Entertainment/Universal Pictures

15. Black Panther (2018)

Having a civil rights movement unfairly attached to its name aside, Black Panther is a solid film with many original ideas.

T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) gives chase to Ulysses Klaw (Andy Serkis) in Black Panther (2018), Marvel Entertainment

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My biggest gripe here was I felt like the character of Black Panther himself was portrayed better in other MCU entries – namely Captain America: Civil War – that his own movie.

Meanwhile, Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger ranks among the franchise’s greatest villains, but I don’t know if that says more about him or the MCU’s inability to properly book a good villain.

In terms of rankings, Black Panther is the film begins the break away from the worst that the MCU has to offer in favor of its better films.

T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) calls out Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) in Black Panther (2018), Marvel Entertainment

14. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

David Cohen may be a one-trick pony, but at least his trick worked better here than it did in Love and Thunder.

Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is splattered against the windshield of Valkyrie's (Tessa Thomspon) ship in Thor: Ragnarok (2017), Marvel Entertainment

Ragnarok improved the God of Thunder’s cinematic track record by leaving behind many fans’ least favorite parts of the on the past two Thor films – like Kat Dennings.

But in the process, you can tell he picked up a lot of influence from the Guardians of the Galaxy series, dumping in lots of references to 1980s pop culture in an attempt to win over hipsters and making sure to get every cents worth out of its licensing of Led Zepplin’s ‘Immigrant song’.

Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is welcomed to Sakaar in Thor: Ragnarok (2017), Marvel Entertainment

I’ve also got to give the film credit for coming up with an unconventional ending to the film similar to, albeit not as happy as, the one we got in the first Doctor Strange.

Surtur (Clancy Brown) lays waste to Asgard in Thor: Ragnarok (2017), Marvel Entertainment

13. Ant-Man and The Wasp (2018)

It’s pretty obvious that Ant-Man and The Wasp was intended to be a light-hearted, upbeat comedy that brings up the spirits of the audiences – and it delivers exactly that.

Scott Lang (Paul Rudd), Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lily), and Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) search out Sonny Burch (Walton Goggins) in Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018), Marvel Entertainment

Doubling down on all the elements of the original that audiences liked, director Peyton Reed delivers a sequel that is honestly better overall than the first.

Plus, even though he joined the Ant-Man series halfway through the first film’s development, Reed manages to keep intact the feel of what we know of Edgar Wright’s original vision for Marvel’s shrinking sensation.

Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) emerges from the San Francisco Bay as Giant-Man in Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018), Marvel Entertainment

That’s to say nothing of the role Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, and Michael Douglas play in the film’s enjoyment, as the performances of the charismatic trio enhance an already humorous script filled with great dialogue – which exists as a feat in and of itself seeing as how the film has 5 writers.

Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) has a question for Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) in Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018), Marvel Entertainment

12. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

It’s hard to set a new direction for Spider-Man given how his film series have been rebooted like three times in 15 years, but with Homecoming, we finally get a high school version of the wall-crawler that isn’t thirty-years old.

Peter Parker (Tom Holland) passes time while stuck in a Damage Control facility in Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Marvel Entertainment

Centering on the psuedo-father/son relationship between Tony Stark and Peter Parker and featuring Michael Keaton delivering an out-of-the-park performance as the Vulture, Homecoming is wall-crawler’s best solo film since Spider-Man 2.

Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is unhappy with Peter Parker (Tom Holland) in Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Marvel Entertainment

You will definitely nitpick some of the creative decisions, but how much they effect your overall viewing experience is on you.

Spider-Man: Homecoming exemplifies Disney’s strengths with the MCU by delivering a super hero outing that’s both fun and undeniably entertaining.

Aunt May (Marissa Tomei) discovers Peter Parker's (Tom Holland) secret identity in Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Marvel Entertainment

11. Avengers: Endgame (2019)

For many Marvel fans, this film is considered the end of the MCU as they knew and loved it.

The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) prepares to use the Infinity Stones to undo Thanos' (Josh Brolin) snap in Avengers: Endgame (2019), Marvel Entertainment

If you followed any part of the film’s eleven-year build-up, you will definitely like Endgame.

Jam-packed with moments of fanservice included specifically for fans to mark out to in theaters, fanboys will love it and general audiences will enjoy the experience.

Captain America (Chris Evans) proves himself to be worthy of Mjolnir in Avengers: Endgame (2019), marvel Entertainment

Featuring such now iconic scenes as Cap, Iron Man, and Thor facing against Thanos and the climactic assembly of every hero who had appeared in the films thus far, Endgame marked the last chapter in the ‘quality’ era of the MCU.

Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is laid to rest in Avengers: Endgame (2019), Marvel Entertainment

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10. Doctor Strange (2016)

Years out from its initial release, Doctor Strange is still one of the most visually creative films in the entire MCU.

The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) separates Doctor Strange's (Benedict Cumberbatch) physical and astral forms in Doctor Strange (2016), Marvel Entertainment

With an aesthetic best described as essentially Inception on steroids, the Sorcerer Supreme’s first film gets an ‘A’ not just for its visuals, but also its ‘Batman Begins with magic added to the mix’ origin story.

The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) confronts Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen) in the Mirror Dimension in Doctor Strange (2016), Marvel Entertainment

Further, the film stars Benedict Cumberbatch in a role that feels entirely natural for him and features what is arguably the best ending out of the entire MCU.

Suffice to say, Doctor Strange deserves all of its high praise.

Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) has come to make a deal in Doctor Strange (2016), Marvel Entertainment

9. Ant-Man (2015)

If only Disney had let Edgar Wright finish his original take on the Tiny Titan’s silver screen debut – I mean they let Rian Johnson destroy Star Wars for the sake of his ‘vision’, but they couldn’t let Wright do the same for Ant-Man?

Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is unsure of what to make of Hank Pym's signature particles in Ant-Man (2015), Marvel Entertainment

Regardless, I dig the creativity that went into creating the world that Ant-Man lives in and making it stand out as visually unique.

Plus, Paul Rudd is an underrated hit in his role as Scott Lang, though Michael Peña nearly steals the entire movie from him

The Falcon (Anthony Mackie) catches Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) trying to break into Avengers' HQ in Ant-Man (2015), Marvel Entertainment

Its villain is weak, but that’s an MCU problem as a whole rather than Ant-Man specific one.

This is definitely one of the few films you can rewatch and still be entertained with.

Darren Cross (Corey Stoll) suits up as Yellowjacket in Ant-Man (2015), Marvel Entertainment

8. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Another movie that’s highly underrated compared to its peers, Steve Rogers’ introduction to the MCU both well done and gives you persepctive on why his relationships with Bucky and Peggy were so important to him.

Captain America (Chris Evans) and Bucky (Sebastian Stan) stand atop a HYDRA train in Captain America: The First Avengers (2011), Marvel Entertainment

The First Avenger is also served well by its respective casting of Tommy Lee Jones and Hugo Weaving as Colonel Phillips and the Red Skull, not to mention its dedication to recreating 1940s America.

Everyone may know how this film has to end, but its still provides a great ride along the way and sets the stage for Cap to have the best series of films in the MCU hands down.

Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) tells Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) that he had a date in Captain America: The First Avengers (2011), Marvel Entertainment

7. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

In my opinion, this is where the MCU truly ended. After this, everything else might as well be non-canon.

Spider-Man (Tom Holland) steps in to save Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) from Cull Obsidian (Terry Notary) in Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Marvel Entertainment

As a moviegoer, this is the perfect popcorn film for audiences – escapism at it’s finest.

As a comic book fan, this is everything you have waited a decade for – Thanos is finally here and he is ready to end half of all life in the universe.

Captain America (Chris Evans) stands defiant against Thanos (Josh Brolin) in Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Marvel Entertainment

There are many things I liked about the film and many things that I didn’t like, but ultimately, none of them will matter much in the face of the ‘snappy’ culmination of the world’s first – and so far only successful – shared cinematic universe.

Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) suffers the effects of 'The Snap' in Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Marvel Entertainment

6. Marvel’s The Avengers (2012)

Still standing as the gold-standard for the MCU, The Avengers is the film that successfully proved the concept of a shared universe could work and arguably ruined Hollywood as a result.

Loki (Tom Hiddleston) taunts Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) while sitting in captivity aboard the Helicarrier in The Avengers (2012), Marvel Entertainment

Before Joss Whedon’s life fell apart, he put together the film that created a newfound sense of pride for comic book fans and nerd culture alike.

On one hand, you can’t deny that seeing all these superheroes come together in one movie was a game changer for the entertainment industry and quite the ‘Marvel’ for audiences to see.

The Avengers assemble in The Avengers (2012), Marvel Entertainment

On the other, the success of The Avengers kicked off a ‘shared universe’ arms race between major Hollywood studio, which in turn led to a number of ‘nerd culture’ IPs being haphazardly optioned for such a potential endeavor.

At the end of the day, whether or not this was a good or bad development all depends on your personal tastes.

Captain America (Chris Evans) watches on as Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) puts an end to The Battle of New York in The Avengers (2012), Marvel Entertainment

RELATED: Wokeness, Or Superhero Fatigue – What Exactly Is Killing The MCU?

5. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

Even though it’s driven purely by nostalgia for the web-slinger’s past Sony films, No Way Home still makes it into the Top 5 due to just how enjoyable it is.

Spider-Man (Tom Holland) responds to reports of a super-villain attack in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), Marvel Entertainment

Breaking the chains of the mediocre ‘Phase 4’ it found itself in, No Way Home dramatically cuts the filler in service of steering the franchise back in the direction of what Spider-Man is all about: engaging storylines, life lessons, and the hero’s iconic rogue gallery.

This is, without question, the best Spider-Man film to star Tom Holland behind the mask. Of course, that’s due in large part to Andrew Garfield, whose return has the most people talking.

Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), Marvel Entertainment

It took a while, the gamble of having cast three different Spider-Men in the span of 15 years finally pays-off with No Way Home.

Spider-Man (Tobey Maguire), Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield), and Spider-Man (Tom Holland) prepare to save the multiverse in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), Marvel Entertainment via Blu-ray

4. Captain America: Civil War (2016)

You can call it Avengers 2.5 all you want, but this Cap-led effort was far better than Age of Ultron, mostly because of who was involved.

Captain America (Chris Evans) leads the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), the Falcon (Anthony Mackie) and the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) into battle against Iron Man's (Robert Downey Jr.) pro-registration Avengers in Captain America: Civil War (2016), Marvel Entertainment via Blu-ray

After winning over audiences with their spy-thriller take on the Star-Spangled Avenger in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, the combination of the Russo Brothers behind the camera and Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely on story writing duties has proves itself to be the Grand Slam formula for the MCU with Civil War.

Spider-Man (Tom Holland) makes his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in Captain America: Civil War (2016), Marvel Entertainment via Blu-ray

Featuring, the story of the Winter Soldier, the debut of Spider-Man, the political divide between the two-sides, and one of the most intriguing and effective villains in MCU history, Civil War delivered a better superhero mash-up than either of the first two Avengers movies.

Hell, Black Panther was even a better ‘Black Panther’ in this movie than in his own feature film.

T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) refuses to let Baron Zemo (Daniel Brühl) take the easy way out in Captain America: Civil War (2016), Marvel Entertainment

3. Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 1 (2014)

A film starring an obscure group of superheroes and led by a former WWE champion and the fat guy from Parks and Recreation, this movie should not have worked but it did.

Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) runs for his life in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Marvel Studios

A space opera atmosphere backed by 1970s pop music, a cast of actors who each made their chemistry work by bringing something different and compatible to the table, and featuring humor that is funny in a way that doesn’t clash with its tone, Guardians of the Galaxy is a winner because it is the most fun you can possibly have in the MCU.

Also, Nicole Perlman does not get enough credit for writing this film.

Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista) and Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper) n Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Marvel Studios

2. Iron Man (2008)

The film that jumpstarted the entire MCU is a textbook perfect origin story for a superhero.

Believe it or not, Robert Downey Jr. was a massive casting risk at this point in his career due to his then-struggles in his personal life.

Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) emerges from his cave after making use of a box of scraps in Iron Man (2008), Marvel Entertainment

So much so that Marvel brought in Terrance Howard – the film’s first cast and highest paid actor – to serve as the star power insurance behind their gamble on Downey Jr.

Lucky for Marvel, RDJ’s performance as the Armored Avenger paid off, jump-starting the world of Marvel as we know it today.

Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) puts an end to the Ten Rings' assault on Gulmira, Afghanistan in Iron Man (2008), Marvel Entertainment

How the times have changed.

Grounded in a sense of realism thanks to its lack of outright ‘super’ or ‘magical’ powers and willingness to avoid many of the superhero film tropes of its time, Iron Man was the superhero movie that comic book stories could be enjoyed by even non-fans.

Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) makes a decision about his secret identity in Iron Man (2008), Marvel Entertainment

1. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

The absolute best movie of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has to be Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) gives a sit-rep update in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Marvel Entertainment

Flipping the MCU on its head with the revelation that HYRDA had been running S.H.I.E.L.D in secret for decades, Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely wrote The Winter Solider (and Civil War) as a cautionary tale against the dangers of government overreach – a theme which, according to their political hot takes, apparently flew far over the heads of the film’s stars.

Further, not only does the film feature great acting all around, it also sees the Russo Brothers eliciting each franchise actor’s best respective MCU performance to date.

Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is accosted by Hydra's sleeper agents within S.H.I.E.L.D. in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Marvel Entertainment

The Winter Soldier isn’t just the best MCU movie, but also – as the test of time will prove – one of the best superhero movies ever put to film.

Bucky (Sebastian Stan) stands victorious over Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Marvel Entertainment

NEXT: Eric July Explains Why He No Longer Wants To See His Favorite Marvel Characters In The MCU

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