All Marvel Cinematic Universe films ranked worst to finest

Marvel began its multi-phase film takeover in 2008. Since then, this high-flying franchise has shelled out dozens of films and TV exhibits about Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Black Panther, the Hulk, Physician Unusual, Ant-Man, Spider-Man, the Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain Marvel — and generally all of them directly, as with Avengers: Endgame.

With a lot to select from, how do the flicks stack up? With Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 rocking into theaters, we have up to date our rating of the whole Marvel Cinematic Universe, factoring in epic motion, crackling comedy, wowing star energy, and harrowing disappointments.

Listed here are MCU films ranked worst to finest. Take pleasure in.

32. Iron Man 2 (2010)

A tepid followup to the modern brilliance of Iron Man, the sequel offers us a sinister but humorous Mickey Rourke(opens in a brand new tab) however does the franchise no favors with its artistic selections. We meet Black Widow, however not with out some basic 2010 misogyny, which is the foundation downside with Iron Man 2. The primary movie was all about Tony’s development as an individual, and the second would not let him mature almost as a lot. There’s nonetheless a protracted street earlier than that is the Tony we see in Endgame, nevertheless it’s too sluggish on that path.

31. The Unimaginable Hulk (2008)

Positive, it is a part of the MCU canon, however The Unimaginable Hulk was so aggressively meh that its title character received recast and was solely made palatable by The Avengers. Since it isn’t an origin story, we do not get to observe Edward Norton as Bruce Banner changing into the Hulk(opens in a brand new tab); he already is. We do not watch him fall in love with Betty (Liv Tyler), as a result of he already is. What we do get is loads of the large inexperienced man getting indignant, which can have been cool in 2008 however pales in comparison with the visible results that adopted.

30. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Ultron(opens in a brand new tab) has loads of good moments however shouldn’t be general a superb film(opens in a brand new tab). It is sloppy and it drags, even with formidable motion sequences in Sokovia, and it struggles to construct Ultron’s disdain for humanity. The principle Avengers have a enjoyable dynamic — look no additional than the get together scene at Stark Tower — however the brand new characters do not slot in (particularly since X-Males: Days of Future Previous(opens in a brand new tab) mainly owns Quicksilver). Black Widow, on the time robbed of a solo film, will get a disproportionate comfort prize of changing into Hulk’s girlfriend and a girl outlined by her biology.

29. Thor: The Darkish World (2013)

The Darkish World brings again Natalie Portman as Jane, but even because the bodily host of a literal Infinity Stone, she’s someway underutilized. There’s loads of levity, notably between Thor and Loki, and a shocking quantity of gravity in Loki’s “dying” — which is as soon as once more undone earlier than the film ends. Oh and a few dude named Malekith is mad… don’t fret about it.

28. Eternals (2021)

With no acquainted faces and little connection to the broader MCU, Eternals had a gargantuan process set forth from the beginning. Helmed by Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao, the movie introduces a minimum of a dozen new characters, a rushed historical past of their cosmic presence on Earth, an apocalyptic menace within the type of Earth changing into a Celestial, and a proof for a way the whole Marvel Universe was created. It is generally sluggish, generally muddled, and just a little too enthralled with its white male antihero — nevertheless it’s additionally a visible feast, an enormous victory for illustration, and a banger of a soundtrack.

27. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)

The third installment of the Ant-Man films dedicated the crime of forgetting to be humorous. As a substitute, the wackiest Avenger (Paul Rudd) was wedged right into a convoluted plot and pounded with eyesore CGI by Kang the Conquerer (Jonathan Majors), a MCU villain who fell far in need of dazzling us together with his dastardliness. Not even Michelle Pfeiffer as a badass superheroine in full may save this stinker. As I wrote in our evaluate, “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania has large stars, quirky cameos, motion sequences, world-building, and even — on uncommon events — punchlines. But it surely’s barely a film, pulling threads collectively for a grander scheme of merchandizing and cross-promotion over character-based storytelling.” — Kristy Puchko, Movie Editor

26. Physician Unusual (2016)

Iron Man minus the charisma, it took 5 years for Marvel to retread this territory and make Unusual attention-grabbing in time for Section 4. Benedict Cumberbatch is nice, however he is at all times nice(opens in a brand new tab), so let’s not give out free brownie factors. Unusual obtained applicable flack for whitewashing Asian characters and lore for the story, and tragically sidelines Rachel McAdams in each method. Visuals: Sure. Every part else: Meh.

25. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) 

Author/director James Gunn returns to the helm of the spinoff movie sequence he started with 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy. However post-Snap, these rock-loving rascals who race via the universe on misadventures have change into method much less enjoyable.

In Vol. 3, as soon as plucky Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) is in mopey, drunken mourning. Sensible-cracking Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) is out of fee after an assault from newcomer baddie Adam Warlock (Will Poulter). In the meantime, the remainder of the crew should drag their captain round on a sequence of heists to avoid wasting their ailing furry good friend. Drax (Dave Bautista) and Mantis (Pom Klementieff) supply strong laughs, and massive dangerous The Excessive Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji) brings a vivacious villain into play. Nevertheless, Gunn has slowed down his plot with bummer components, together with eugenics, genocide, and a surprising quantity of animal abuse and gore. So if you happen to’re searching for humor and rollicking enjoyable — as I wrote in our full evaluate of the movie — “Briefly, Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3 is a serious disappointment.” — Okay.P.

24. Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) 

Author/director Taika Waititi and main man Chris Hemsworth made magic with Thor: Ragnarok, leaning into the God of Thunder’s lovable himbo vibe to create a rock ‘n’ roll romp. However once they reteamed for this fourth installment of the Thor franchise, the enjoyable was sacrificed to a grim plotline of kidnapping, god-killing, and most cancers.

On the plus facet, Thor: Love and Thunder introduced Natalie Portman again to the MCU as a brawny feminine Thor, solid Christian Bale in a grizzly villain function that he giddily sunk his tooth into, and tossed in a rowdy Russell Crowe for good measure. However amid the screaming goats and rumbling motion sequences, Love and Thunder had an overstuffed plot that undercut its emotional moments, boasted wasted alternatives, and delivered a contented ending that was much more pressured than feel-good. It’s not Darkish World dangerous, nevertheless it positive ain’t good. — Okay.P.

23. Thor (2011)

Thor is not a high Marvel film, nevertheless it’s a basic fish-out-of-water story that teases how a lot enjoyable this character will likely be in time. The movie additionally offers us our first dose of Loki, considered one of Marvel’s finest villains to at the present time. It is easy to neglect the magnetism and subtlety of Hiddleston’s unique efficiency, and Thor is considered one of Loki’s finest arcs: The delicate sibling rising up in Thor’s shadow and coming to phrases with the reality about his previous.

(Additionally, Chris Hemsworth’s eyebrows are blonde, and it is horrible.)

22. Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

In some methods, Ant-Man and the Wasp(opens in a brand new tab) is extra even-keeled and sure-footed than its predecessor. It delivers zippy motion, tons of guffaws, and the nicest solid of characters we have ever seen within the MCU. Principally this film is simply so candy, whether or not it is Scott bending over backwards to impress his darling daughter or Hope and Hank going to nice lengths in reminiscence of Janet. Oh, and talking of Hope, she greater than holds her personal because the MCU films’ first true main girl. — Angie Han, Deputy Leisure Editor

21. Iron Man 3 (2013)

Iron Man 3 lets Tony get weak as he faces his post-Avengers PTSD. The movie offers ample time to visitor stars Rebecca Corridor, Man Pearce, and Ty Simpkins, all of the whereas remaining true to Tony’s inner battle and getting in just a few CGI battles. The Mandarin reveal is enjoyable (extra enjoyable as of 2021), even when Killian continues to be a boring baddie.

20. Captain Marvel (2019)

Even with the load of Avengers: Endgame on its shoulders, Captain Marvel is primarily an origin story, and the MCU does these rattling properly, even when this is not the perfect one. We meet the staggeringly highly effective Carol Danvers, a Kree warrior with the flexibility to avoid wasting the universe. Brie Larson and a wonderful solid make Marvel’s first solo feminine superhero outing one for the ages — a movie that additionally doubles because the Nick Fury origin story we didn’t know we wanted, and a star-making debut for Goose the “cat.”

19. Black Panther: Wakanda Ceaselessly (2022) 

This sequel to the stupendous 2018 hit Black Panther had an enormous problem in that the premature dying of its would-be main man, Chadwick Boseman, demanded a script overhaul. Set in a Wakanda nonetheless grieving the lack of King T’Challa, Black Panther 2 well wove the load of grief into its story, exploring mourning and legacy whereas organising an exciting new foe and sea-salty journey. Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Angela Bassett, Winston Duke, and Danai Gurira reprise their roles, whereas Dominique Thorne and Tenoch Huerta be part of the solid as child genius Riri Williams and underwater overlord Namor.

By bringing in large feelings alongside large motion, Coogler and firm do proper by the franchise Boseman as soon as shouldered. So, whereas this MCU providing satisfies on stunts and spectacle, it’ll additionally go away you teary-eyed. And we’re not mad at that. — Okay.P.

18. Black Widow (2021)

Marvel’s surprising two-year film draught ended with a long-overdue solo outing for Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) that takes place between Captain America: Civil Conflict and Avengers: Infinity Conflict. After years of grand-scale alien battles and CGI battle set items, Black Widow was a welcome throwback to human beings simply beating the heck out of one another, with nary an alien, wizard, or android(opens in a new tab) in sight. Natasha’s surrogate household (Rachel Weisz, David Harbour, and an completely charming Florence Pugh) go away a long-lasting impression in a movie worthy of the MCU’s first heroine.

17. Ant-Man (2015)

Kudos to this movie for bringing us Paul Rudd within the MCU, the factor you did not know you wanted. Rudd lends dimension and coronary heart to his efficiency as Scott Lang, a reformed felony and father to an cute little woman. His chemistry with Evangeline Lilly crackles (even when they saved her great things for the sequel), and Scott’s everyman persona makes him an irresistible addition to the hero roster. Michael Peña shines as Scott’s finest good friend, and Corey Stoll appears born to be a villain, although it is Michael Douglas as Hank Pym who steals the present together with his embittered quest for revenge.

16. Spider-Man: Far From Dwelling (2019)

Far From Dwelling formally ends the Infinity Saga with a smaller-scale story about Peter Parker discovering his place in a submit–Tony Stark world. Highlights embody Tom Holland hitting one more Spidey efficiency out of the park, Jake Gyllenhaal as a pitch-perfect Mysterio, and the perfect trippy CGI battle but seen within the MCU (sorry, Physician Unusual). It’s not the perfect solo Marvel film ever, however Far From Dwelling does loads of good work by closing one door and opening a brand new universe of prospects.

15. Spider-Man: No Means Dwelling (2021)

Probably the most formidable teamup since Avengers: Endgame sees Peter Parker tangling with house and time, solely to have Physician Unusual unleash a spell that unintentionally rips open the multiverse. Spider-Man followers obtained an unimaginable deal with, with resurgent villains from Sam Raimi’s early 2000s trilogy and Marc Webb’s The Superb Spider-Man films — in addition to earlier incarnations of the heroes themselves reprising their web-slinging roles. It is not greater on this record due to some obtrusive plot holes, nevertheless it’s the place it’s as a result of the whole lot else sticks the touchdown.

Regardless of the spectacle of returns and reunions, No Means Dwelling is an emotional powerhouse, its nice accountability resting on the shoulders of Tom Holland however shared with Zendaya’s MJ, Marisa Tomei’s Could, and each Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield as older, wiser Peters. Willem Dafoe’s Inexperienced Goblin is a standout, and whereas the film’s stakes are just a little questionable, the ending undoubtedly raises them for Peter Parker’s MCU future.

14. Avengers: Infinity Conflict (2018)

For years, all of it led as much as this: Nearly each Marvel hero you possibly can consider becoming a member of forces in opposition to the most important menace this universe has ever confronted(opens in a brand new tab). Infinity Conflict is big in scope and spirit, with the price range to match its astronomical ambitions. And in its ultimate moments, it packs a punch worthy of Thanos’ golden-gloved fist. If we have now one grievance, it is that this seems like half a film — and many people needed to wait a yr till Endgame. — A.H.

13. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)

Followers did not have any exorbitant expectations of GotG Vol. 2(opens in a brand new tab), particularly when low expectations yielded such pleasure for the primary movie. Right here we get Peter assembly his organic father Ego, combating together with his associates over mentioned father’s intentions, and mocked by those self same associates for his crush on Gamora, as uncovered by Mantis. We additionally get a great deal of Child Groot, who thawed many a stone chilly coronary heart, and the shock emotional gut-punch of Yondu on the finish.

12. Physician Unusual within the Multiverse of Insanity (2022) 

Lengthy earlier than Iron Man hit, Sam Raimi was shaping the superhero style together with his wacky and wild Spider-Man trilogy. So, it was frightfully becoming that this pioneering helmer returned to take Physician Unusual (Benedict Cumberbatch) to weird new universes. Embracing the unusual, this outrageous sequel provided goopy monsters, a bonkers buddy-cop vibe, kooky cameos, a enjoyable eff you to fan service, a vicious villain flip, and a magical cloak product of damned spirits, worn by an undead Physician. This one polarized critics, with some celebrating Raimi bringing his weirdness to the MCU machine, whereas others fretted this large franchise tamed the Evil Lifeless director’s aesthetic. However followers had been freaking out over the twisted delights of Raimi’s model of horror and havoc, like ripping a beloved character to ribbons and at last bestowing on Elizabeth Olsen the meaty Scarlet Witch twist she’s been begging for. The outcome could also be chaotic, however amid all of the mayhem, there’s loads of madcap enjoyable. — Okay.P.

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

Cynics anticipated Marvel’s first theater-exclusive movie in over two years to fail. It launched brand-new characters in addition to a dense mythology and an unknown lead. To not point out, a superb chunk of it’s in Mandarin. The film ended up shattering field workplace data and being top-of-the-line MCU standalones in a very long time, with large stakes, wealthy characters, and transfixing household drama. Its jaw-dropping motion sequences flex among the finest struggle choreography within the MCU and Hollywood at massive (bus battle, anybody??). Simu Liu belongs within the MCU and we will not wait to see extra of him in future phases. Can we discover a option to get extra Tony Leung too?

10. Captain America: Civil Conflict (2016)

Civil Conflict may very well be a tighter film, nevertheless it’s doing a hell of lots. Choosing up with the fallout of Avengers: Age of Ultron and Captain America: The Winter Soldier, this film completely interrogates the toll of our heroes’ adventures and divides them harshly on methods to transfer ahead. Black Panther and Spider-Man make epic MCU debuts, whereas secondary Avengers like Imaginative and prescient, Scarlet Witch, and Ant-Man nonetheless get their moments. The ultimate struggle is brutal as Cap and Tony come shut to really killing one another, and do not even reconcile earlier than the credit roll.

9. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

It is loopy to assume that early trailers of (opens in a brand new tab)Guardians(opens in a brand new tab) appeared foolish(opens in a brand new tab) when its rock ‘n’ roll comedy thrill journey mannequin is now the template for motion film promos. We did not anticipate a lot from Guardians in any capability; we had our avengers, our non-MCU Spider-Man reboot, but right here was this group of ragtag house trash in a film that was so significantly better than it had any proper to be. Chris Pratt could have debuted his six-pack, however extra importantly, he and the solid set a brand new customary for comedy and chemistry within the MCU and all superhero films.

8. The Avengers (2012)

The primary Avengers was and at all times will likely be a very stellar teamup. The movie would not waste time on expository baggage, with loads of witty banter and interesting face-offs as a substitute (Mjolnir vs. Vibranium, anybody?). Tom Hiddleston does a powerful job as Loki per common — even with out the plausible motivation he had in Thor — working for some man named Thanos who we do not have to fret about but. The Avengers additionally ends with shawarma, thus unintentionally creating the perfect sub style: Avengers-not-avenging. When can we inexperienced gentle that franchise?

7. Iron Man (2008)

As each the daybreak of the MCU and the second coming of Robert Downey Jr., Iron Man shocked audiences who forgot superhero films may very well be good(opens in a brand new tab) (this was a yr after Spider-Man 3). Downey is the proper hubristic Tony Stark, an conceited billionaire sobered by changing into a prisoner of battle. It was a enjoyable model of 2005’s Batman Begins, with intercourse and costly gadgetry to supplant the masks and the brooding, and it holds up.

6. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

Homecoming is, merely put, a goddamn delight. Tom Holland is a born showman and a flawless Peter Parker; the solid is gifted, humorous, and various; it is a view of New York we have ludicrously by no means seen; and Vulture was the perfect villain since Loki when this movie premiered in 2017. Not an thrilling film to be a feminine character, however Zendaya crushed each scene she had and has solely gotten higher within the sequels.

5. Avengers: Endgame (2019)

The ultimate chapter of the Infinity Saga and of three phases, 22 films, and 11 years of the MCU caught the touchdown and made it look straightforward. We’d spend years griping about time journey or lamenting the final moments between Steve and Bucky, however the easy details are that Endgame hit a powerful variety of emotional beats, together with near-perfect conclusions for a number of O.G. Avengers. It is a heist, a love story, and the whole lot magnificent concerning the MCU, and we find it irresistible 3000.

4. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

The Star-Spangled man with a plan was as soon as a scrappy child from Brooklyn, till a organic experiment made him swole extraordinarily sturdy. With the assistance of Peggy Carter, Abraham Erskine, Howard Stark, and his day-one pal Bucky Barnes, Steve turns into the type of hero individuals keep in mind for many years, even whereas he is off actually cooling his heels within the Arctic. From Crimson Cranium to the Howling Commandos to Bucky’s heartbreaking fall and that adrenaline-fueled first kiss, The First Avenger hits all the fitting marks.

3. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

It took the higher a part of a decade, however Marvel lastly found out who Thor was with Thor: Ragnarok. Director Taika Waititi places Chris Hemsworth’s appreciable comedy chops to good use, leading to a model of the character that feels brisker and looser than something we have seen earlier than. Toss in some stellar work by Jeff Goldblum, Cate Blanchett, and Tessa Thompson, plus the return of Tom Hiddleston as Loki and Mark Ruffalo because the Hulk, and you have got probably the most entertaining Thor film but.

2. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

The MCU had S.H.I.E.L.D. infiltrated by Hydra and utterly modified the sport for the Avengers’ alliance. Winter Soldier units the stage for Cap and Iron Man’s feud in Civil Conflict, and for Steve and Bucky’s love affair renewed friendship. It charmingly and elegantly introduces Falcon and has a minimum of 4 combating feminine characters, none of whom features as a love curiosity. Winter Soldier is not trapped in a single style; it is a spy thriller disguised as a superhero film and higher for it.

1. Black Panther (2018)

Even the worst MCU films are type of good, which implies that the perfect ones are actually distinctive — none greater than Black Panther. Ryan Coogler, alongside together with his gifted solid and crew, crafted a movie that has one thing to say, that feels distinctive in its model and perspective – whereas additionally delivering on the same old superhero film items, like lovable heroes, thrilling motion, and a compelling villain. Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa feels fittingly regal, surrounded by admirable supporting gamers like Michael B. Jordan, Letitia Wright, Angela Bassett, and Danai Gurira. Although it took far too lengthy for Marvel to guess on a Black superhero on the field workplace, it paved the way in which for the type of illustration we would like and want in future phases.

Angie Han, Alison Foreman, and Kristy Puchko contributed to this text.

UPDATE: Could. 1, 2023, 3:30 p.m. EDT This record has been up to date to incorporate the most recent MCU releases.