Ranking the Marvel Cinematic Universe
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- DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsRobert Downey Jr.Chris HemsworthMark RuffaloThe Avengers and their allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe.9.5
Top 250 #2
Simply astounding. It will leave you in a terrifically deep sense of simultaneous shock and awe. Somehow, 'Infinity War' manages to blow away any preconceptions as the MCU marks its 10th anniversary in absolutely sublime fashion. It vastly exceeds the hype - providing devotees with humour and heartache in equal dose. There is no way to prepare yourself for this.
PR 9.3 | HP 1 | HR 9.5 | OV 7 | FV 2018 | LV 2021 - DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsRobert Downey Jr.Chris EvansMark RuffaloAfter the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War (2018), the universe is in ruins. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers assemble once more in order to reverse Thanos' actions and restore balance to the universe.9.1
Top 250 #7
The cinematic event of a lifetime. 'Endgame' is a devastatingly emotional, time travelling epic which fulfils on it's promise in ways you could never have imagined. It really is a preposterously well constructed finale - a love letter of a conclusion to the most ambitious saga in film history.
PR 9.2 | HP 5 | HR 9.2 | OV 5 | FV 2019 | LV 2021 - DirectorJon FavreauStarsRobert Downey Jr.Gwyneth PaltrowTerrence HowardAfter being held captive in an Afghan cave, billionaire engineer Tony Stark creates a unique weaponized suit of armor to fight evil.8.9
Top 250 #12
The film that introduced me to the wonder of superheroes - and kicked off the highest grossing franchise in film history. And what an unbelievable start it was.
RDJ is the epitome of cool as the slick billionaire Stark - he makes this film what it is, totally owning the role both in and out of the suit. As backstories go, Iron Man is a terrific adventure which hits the sweet spot of building a believable, justified villain and manifesting a hero you can identify with. The genius in a cave with "a box full of scraps!, using his mind to become something more than any regular man could, is a story so powerful to the ambition of those watching that you'll wonder why you'd never heard of the character before this film debuted.
If you're on a re-watch of the MCU - seeing RDJ don that Iron Man suit (well, gold titanium alloy... but it's kind of provocative) for the first time will give you a whole new appreciation for the franchise (as if it needed it). Given what's happened since, the ending has a whole new layer of emotion attached.
PR 8.8 | HP 13 | HR 8.9 | OV 4 | FV 2008 | LV 2019 - DirectorJon WattsStarsTom HollandZendayaBenedict CumberbatchWith Spider-Man's identity now revealed, Peter asks Doctor Strange for help. When a spell goes wrong, dangerous foes from other worlds start to appear, forcing Peter to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man.8.8
Top 250 #16
The greatest Spider-Man movie ever made. An MCU fans' wet dream and directorial lesson in utilising nostalgia as an narrative tool, not a mere cash-grab.
PR 8.7 | HP 16 | HR 8.8 | OV 3 | FV 2021 | LV 2022 - DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsChris EvansRobert Downey Jr.Scarlett JohanssonPolitical involvement in the Avengers' affairs causes a rift between Captain America and Iron Man.8.6
Top 250 #43
The Russo's somehow find a perfect balance between the two heroes at war - presenting equally tantalising cases to support each sides outlook. With an emotional reveal which will rock you to your core, 'Civil War' produces a surprising take on a somewhat underwhelming comic.
PR 8.7 | HP 27 | HR 8.8 | OV 3 | FV 2016 | LV 2019 - DirectorTaika WaititiStarsChris HemsworthTom HiddlestonCate BlanchettImprisoned on the planet Sakaar, Thor must race against time to return to Asgard and stop Ragnarök, the destruction of his world, at the hands of the powerful and ruthless villain Hela.8.6
Top 250 #45
Funnier than most superhero films combined, its an absolutely blast. 'Ragnarok' provides an intriguing, exciting take on a story-line which you would expect to evoke more terror than humour, breathing new life into Thor's character - in the oddest, most cosmically jarring way possible.
PR 8.5 | HP 44 | HR 8.6 | OV 4 | FV 2017 | LV 2021 - DirectorJoss WhedonStarsRobert Downey Jr.Chris EvansScarlett JohanssonEarth's mightiest heroes must come together and learn to fight as a team if they are going to stop the mischievous Loki and his alien army from enslaving humanity.8.6
Top 250 #54
A cinematic thrill like no other upon its release, the assembly of The Avengers was breathtakingly put together. Perhaps its most fantastic achievement is its subtle threading of stories which would later surface in Phase 2 and 3.
PR 8.7 | HP 12 | HR 8.8 | OV 3 | FV 2012 | LV 2019 - CreatorJac SchaefferStarsElizabeth OlsenPaul BettanyKathryn HahnBlends the style of classic sitcoms with the MCU, in which Wanda Maximoff and Vision - two super-powered beings living their ideal suburban lives - begin to suspect that everything is not as it seems.8.7
Top 191 TV #29 - DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsChris EvansSamuel L. JacksonScarlett JohanssonAs Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world, he teams up with a fellow Avenger and S.H.I.E.L.D agent, Black Widow, to battle a new threat from history: an assassin known as the Winter Soldier.8.5
Top 250 #73
Excellent action scenes accompanied by a fantastically written story ensure an outing which feels unique to any other MCU flick - more spy-thriller than superhero bonanza.
PR 8.4 | HP 58| HR 8.5 | OV 3 | FV 2014 | LV 2019 - DirectorJames GunnStarsChris PrattVin DieselBradley CooperA group of intergalactic criminals must pull together to stop a fanatical warrior with plans to purge the universe.8.5
Top 250 #83
On my first watch I didn't see what all the fuss was about...another phase of MCU films later and I've finally caught on. 'Guardians' presents a visual spectacle and score which helped set new standards for the MCU.
PR 7.6 | HP 65 | HR 8.5 | OV 3 | FV 2014 | LV 2019 - CreatorMichael WaldronStarsTom HiddlestonOwen WilsonSophia Di MartinoThe mercurial villain Loki resumes his role as the God of Mischief in a new series that takes place after the events of “Avengers: Endgame.”8.7
Top 191 TV #39 - DirectorJames GunnStarsChris PrattChukwudi IwujiBradley CooperStill reeling from the loss of Gamora, Peter Quill rallies his team to defend the universe and one of their own - a mission that could mean the end of the Guardians if not successful.8.4 (8.1)
A heartfelt send-off that doesn't wrap everything in a nice bow - instead it evokes life at its best, and most difficult. A story of revisiting your beginnings to evolve, and move forth. It feels distinctly of peak-MCU era.
PR 8.3 | HP 145 | HR 8.4 | OV 1 | FV 2023 | LV 2023 - DirectorRyan CooglerStarsChadwick BosemanMichael B. JordanLupita Nyong'oT'Challa, heir to the hidden but advanced kingdom of Wakanda, must step forward to lead his people into a new future and must confront a challenger from his country's past.8.4
Top 250 #151
A masterpiece with beautiful cinematography and a spot-on score. Adored for its approach in skipping the traditional origin story - 'Panther' instead dives right into a redemption tale of a hero's rise. Michael B. Jordan is excellent - magnificently conveying Killmonger as a villain you can sympathise with. Even if you don't agree with his actions; his motives are clear and true making him one of the most convincing and fully-fledged villains the MCU has ever offered.
PR 8.5 | HP 88 | HR 8.5 | OV 3 | FV 2018 | LV 2022 - DirectorSam RaimiStarsBenedict CumberbatchElizabeth OlsenChiwetel EjioforDoctor Strange teams up with a mysterious teenage girl who can travel across multiverses, to battle other-universe versions of himself which threaten to wipe out the multiverse. They seek help from the Scarlet Witch, Wong and others.8.2
Top 250 #210
The MCU's first true horror movie. Perfectly transforming our empathy for Wanda into distain for the Scarlet Witch - a villain only capable of bringing herself down.
A vicious, incredibly bold multiversal adventure, that's willing to takes risks with the much sought after characters it brings in. America Chavez's debut feature is heartfelt, the surprises are of the scream out loud variety and Wanda's heel turn is handled with finesse and horrifying sequences by Raimi.
Go in with an open mind - it's not what you'll expect and it will be divisive. Other than its slight pacing issues, the glee with which it brutalises characters will be too much for some to take. Be prepared for new territory, this is a séance that blows the multiverse wide open. It's also a bit cringe-worthy at points - but seems pretty self-aware of it. For me, it fumbles it's biggest surprise though - the Illuminati, devaluing the characters it brings in going forward. Yet there is so much to love about this movie - the ending in particular is fantastically handled.
P.S. Next time you dream, tell me you don't wonder if it really is you're alternative self...it totally is.
PR 8.3 | HP 193 | HR 8.3 | OV 2 | FV 2022 | LV 2022 - DirectorJoe JohnstonStarsChris EvansHugo WeavingSamuel L. JacksonSteve Rogers, a rejected military soldier, transforms into Captain America after taking a dose of a "Super-Soldier serum". But being Captain America comes at a price as he attempts to take down a warmonger and a terrorist organization.8.2
Top 250 #214
Though a little less respected than its successors, 'The First Avenger' retains its comic book feel to provide an exciting origin story with real stakes, and real heart.
PR 8.3 | HP 124 | HR 8.4 | OV 4 | FV 2012 | LV 2019 - CreatorDoug MoenchStarsOscar IsaacEthan HawkeMay CalamawySteven Grant discovers he's been granted the powers of an Egyptian moon god. But he soon finds out that these newfound powers can be both a blessing and a curse to his troubled life.8.5
Top 191 TV #74 - DirectorJon WattsStarsTom HollandSamuel L. JacksonJake GyllenhaalFollowing the events of Avengers: Endgame (2019), Spider-Man must step up to take on new threats in a world that has changed forever.8.2
Top 250 #230
The perfect post-Endgame reintroduction to the MCU. With an expertly modernised villain, and teasing the possibility of the multi-verse, 'Far From Home' takes Spidey and the gang on a thrilling European adventure that stands among the best in the series. By adding trippy elements, and a grounded villainous turn, it is distinct from its counterparts, and will keep you gripped the whole way through. Oh, and it's home to perhaps the most shocking post-credit sequences in MCU history...
PR 8.0 | HP 215 | HR 8.2 | OV 2 | FV 2019 | LV 2021 - DirectorScott DerricksonStarsBenedict CumberbatchChiwetel EjioforRachel McAdamsWhile on a journey of physical and spiritual healing, a brilliant neurosurgeon is drawn into the world of the mystic arts.8.0
Awesome and absolutely mind-bending. Just as it was meant to be.
PR 8.0 | HP 242 | HR 8.0 | OV 2 | FV 2016 | LV 2019 - DirectorJon WattsStarsTom HollandMichael KeatonRobert Downey Jr.Peter Parker balances his life as an ordinary high school student in Queens with his superhero alter-ego Spider-Man, and finds himself on the trail of a new menace prowling the skies of New York City.8.0
I didn't think we needed another Spider-Man film - but Holland's take on the character is refreshing. A well-manufactured story shows the day-to-day impacts of superhero activity, much like 'Civil War', as Keaton's Vulture is portrayed with an incredibly understandable and down-to-earth backstory.
PR 8.1 | HP 240 | HR 8.1 | OV 3 | FV 2017 | LV 2019 - DirectorCate ShortlandStarsScarlett JohanssonFlorence PughDavid HarbourNatasha Romanoff confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises.7.9
An excellent action flick; a homage to classic spy thrillers that crafts its own legacy with the introduction of an excellent supporting cast, giving a newfound depth to Nat's character after her death.
PR 7.8 | HP - | HR 7.9 | OV 3 | FV 2021 | LV 2021 - DirectorShane BlackStarsRobert Downey Jr.Guy PearceGwyneth PaltrowWhen Tony Stark's world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution.7.8
A satisfying conclusion to the Iron Man trilogy - one which both humanises our hero, and revisits the past successfully. There were some aspects which irked me (man that was a lot of wasted suits) but the humour and visual brilliance outweigh its downfalls.
PR 7.9 | HP - | HR 7.9 | OV 3 | FV 2013 | LV 2019 - DirectorDestin Daniel CrettonStarsSimu LiuAwkwafinaTony Leung Chiu-waiShang-Chi, the master of weaponry-based Kung Fu, is forced to confront his past after being drawn into the Ten Rings organization.7.8
An origin story that is cool enough and funny enough to ensure you'll want to see its leading man again - even if its core story is somewhat flawed in its justification.
The hand-to-hand combat scenes are terrific - reaching new heights in terms of cinematography while also setting new standards for MCU action sequences (I'm looking at you, bus scene). Sometimes its magic is a little over-the-top, and it certainly leans into the aura of questionable CGI more than any other MCU feature. But a strong cast and typically fantastic world-building help create a new legend for kids to adore.
PR 7.7 | HP - | HR 7.8 | OV 1 | FV 2021 | LV 2021 - DirectorRyan CooglerStarsLetitia WrightLupita Nyong'oDanai GuriraThe people of Wakanda fight to protect their home from intervening world powers as they mourn the death of King T'Challa.7.7 (8.1)
During the first act its emotional punch drives it toward the top of MCU triumphs - but it dilutes its excitement with a bland finale. - DirectorAnna BodenRyan FleckStarsBrie LarsonSamuel L. JacksonBen MendelsohnCarol Danvers becomes one of the universe's most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races.7.7
An origin film that establishes Carol Danvers as a true badass. With several subtle MCU tie-ins, the film is extremely well handled as part of the wider universe, feeling like a natural part of the ever-expanding MCU. Larson is epic in her role - and will leave any woman coming out of the theatre feeling empowered.
PR 8.0 | HP 247 | HR 8.0 | OV 2 | FV 2019 | LV 2019 - DirectorAlan TaylorStarsChris HemsworthNatalie PortmanTom HiddlestonWhen the Dark Elves attempt to plunge the universe into darkness, Thor must embark on a perilous and personal journey that will reunite him with doctor Jane Foster.7.6
In what is a more exciting outing than the first film, 'Dark World' feels menacing yet thrilling. The supporting cast (particularly Portman) are fantastic, and help add the ditsy, fun element Marvel films have become known for.
PR 8.0 | HP - | HR 8.0 | OV 3 | FV 2013 | LV 2019