The MCU started in 2008 and changed the way film universes are built, with all their movies intertwining and plastering Easter eggs throughout each film. The MCU also added post-credits scenes that either continued that particular story or teased a different movie in the franchise.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has released twenty-three films to date and has a whole new slate of films coming out in the next few years. As with any franchise, there have been some triumphs of cinema and there have been some disappointments. Although, the worst Marvel movie is still better than half of the other movies made today. No matter how people perceive a certain one though, they each add something to the franchise as a whole.
23 Iron Man (2008)
The MCU does not exist without Iron Man. If it failed then there most likely wouldn’t have been a shared movie universe. Luckily, it was a massive success and also relaunched Robert Downey Jr.’s career. Additionally, it successfully adapted Iron Man’s origin story from the comics and introduced S.H.I.E.L.D to casual viewers.
22 The Incredible Hulk (2008)
The forgotten child of the MCU, The Incredible Hulk is much better than most people give it credit for. The opening credits showed Hulk’s origins in a quick and effective sequence.
General “Thunderbolt” Ross was introduced and is still involved with the MCU today. It also included the super-soldier serum, which is a focal point of many MCU projects.
21 Iron Man 2 (2010)
Iron Man 2 introduced new characters to the franchise, such as Black Widow, Justin Hammer, and “Rhodey” as War Machine. Nick Fury was in more than just a post-credits scene and Howard Stark’s life was expanded on. Pepper and Tony shared a kiss, setting up the most important romantic relationship in the MCU.
20 Thor (2011)
Thor introduced fans to the God of Thunder and his life on Asgard. He also ends up on Earth, falls in love with Jane, and is betrayed by his brother, Loki. Thor helps save a small New Mexico city, ends up back on Asgard, and decides Earth will be under his protection.
19 Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Captain America: The First Avenger was the first MCU movie that served as a prequel, and was an origin story for the Star-Spangled Man. Important characters such as Bucky, Peggy Carter, Red Skull, and Arnim Zola were introduced and would play larger roles in future films. The Tesseract is also introduced and later serves an infinite purpose.
18 The Avengers (2012)
The Avengers was unprecedented and brought a group of heroes together for one big movie. It was also the first MCU movie to feature aliens attacking New York City, started the love-hate relationship between Steve and Tony, and introduced the QuinnJet and the Hellicarrier. The post-credits scene featured Thanos, the future enemy for all of the MCU.
17 Iron Man 3 (2013)
After the events of The Avengers, Tony Stark is left with crippling anxiety attacks but works through it in Iron Man 3. Tony creates a lot more suits, including a test version of Hulkbuster armor called Igor. Rhodey also changes from War Machine to Iron Patriot and Tony’s relationship with Pepper is expanded on.
16 Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Thor: The Dark World may not be remembered for its great villains, but it did include a lovely score and good performances from Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston. It also introduced the Aether and explains that it can’t be kept on Asgard due to the Tesseract being there. Both are confirmed to be Infinity Stones and later become a huge part of the MCU.
15 Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Captain America: The Winter Soldier brought back Bucky as the evil Winter Soldier and introduced the Falcon, Crossbones, and Agent 13.
It also reveals that S.H.I.E.L.D. has secretly been controlled by HYDRA for years and has been responsible for several major events, including the death of Tony Stark’s parents.
14 Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014)
Guardians of the Galaxy was a big hit and brought together a new team, which included a talking raccoon and a walking tree. It also provided a soundtrack full of classic songs, which Marvel would continue to use in future projects. Thanos was fully introduced and spoke his first words in the MCU.
13 Avengers: Age Of Ultron (2015)
Age of Ultron introduced a lot of new characters, but most importantly, the Vision and Scarlet Witch— both of whom were “created” by the mind stone in their own ways.
Ultron’s creation was a result of Tony’s fears and caused more tension between him and his Avenger teammates. They seemingly save the day but their actions in Sokovia would have major repercussions in future movies.
12 Ant-Man (2015)
Ant-Man introduced Hank Pym and Scott Lang, with Pym having worn the suit during World War II and Lang learning to become Ant-Man in this film. Hope Van Dyne and Yellowjacket are a major part as well, with Hope training Scott and Yellowjacket wanting to perfect Pym’s particles. The Quantum Realm is introduced, which becomes an integral part of the MCU.
11 Captain America: Civil War (2016)
The ramifications of Avengers: Age of Ultron come to fruition in Captain America: Civil War. Cap and Iron Man fight over the team’s civil liberties, with both heroes having their supporters.
The biggest moment is Tony finding out that a brainwashed Bucky killed his mom and dad, leading to a brutal fight and eventual fallout with Cap.
10 Doctor Strange (2016)
Doctor Strange introduced the world of sorcerers and magic into the MCU. It also introduced major characters such as The Ancient One, Mordo, Wong, and Dormammu. Dr. Stephen Strange becomes the Sorcerer Supreme by the end of the film and takes an oath to guide the time stone with his life.
9 Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 brought back everyone’s favorite lovable jerks. Gamora fights but then makes up with her sister, Nebula, and Peter Quill finds his real dad, Ego.
Ego explains that Peter is half of a god but also says he killed Peter’s mom. Yondu, Peter’s surrogate father, saves him from Ego and sacrifices himself for the team. The Guardians learn the importance of family and sticking together.
8 Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Spiderman: Homecoming was Spider-Man’s first solo outing in the MCU and brought in a lot of new characters, such as Vulture, MJ, and Shocker. Spidey also loses the Stark suit but gains it back and is offered a spot in The Avengers from Tony.
7 Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Thor: Ragnarok served as a new style MCU film, mixing humor with action and drama. Surtur, Hela, and The Grandmaster serve as antagonists while Hulk, Valkyrie, and Loki help the God of Thunder. Thor realizes his full power, even without his hammer.
6 Black Panther (2018)
Black Panther was visually stunning and told a wonderful story of a son taking over his father’s mantle. Wakanda being revealed to the world is a revelation to this day in the MCU. Kilmonger served as a worthy opponent for T’Challa and stated that he’d rather die a free man than go on living as a servant.
5 Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Infinity War was the culmination of every MCU movie up to this point, with Thanos finally taking center stage. Thanos acquiring all of the Infinity Stones led to half the world being turned to dust. The Snap turned the MCU upside down and is still having effects on today’s MCU.
4 Ant-Man And The Wasp (2018)
Ant-Man and The Wasp followed Scott’s arrest after helping Captain America and had Hope suit up as The Wasp for the first time. Janet Van Dyne is found alive in the Quantum Realm but she, Hope, and Hank are dusted by Thanos, leaving Scott trapped there— though that would later serve to benefit the Avengers.
3 Captain Marvel (2019)
Captain Marvel brought fans back to the year 1995 and introduced the powerful Carol Danvers. Skrulls are introduced as allies to Earth and Nick Fury loses his eye from Goose the “cat.” Carol’s powers may not be matched by anyone and would have a major impact in the rematch with Thanos.
2 Avengers: Endgame (2019)
After half the world is gone, the Avengers hatch a plan to bring everyone back. This leads to another monumental fight with Thanos, but this time, Tony Stark stops him by sacrificing his own life. Cap retires, which leaves The First Avenger’s future unclear at the moment. The dusted have returned after being gone for five years, which has been dubbed “The Blip.”
1 Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
As Peter tries to move on from Tony’s death, he takes a trip with his class to Europe. Although he gives Stark tech to Mysterio, Spidey stops him— but his true identity is revealed to the world. Spider-Man is at his most vulnerable during this time and he’ll need help to survive it.
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