3 phases. 11 years. 23 films. With Spider-Man: Far From Home now out in theaters, it marks the end of phase three for Marvel Studios having completed their grand Infinity saga. It’s one hell of an achievement, the likes of which hasn’t ever been done before on such a scale, and in all likelihood, will probably never be replicated to the same degree.
So, to celebrate this, I’m going to do something that has totally never ever been done before in the history of online film writing – I’m going to rank all the Marvel Cinematic Universe films. Yup, first time this is happening. No one’s ever done this.
Now, it should go without saying, but I’ll just say it anyway – this ranking is not intended to be “objective,” it’s personal to me and my tastes, which are going to be different from yours, so expect some takes. But also, you know, don’t take this too seriously. This is all in good fun.
Anyway, here we go…
23. Iron Man 2
Honestly, you could rearrange these first three in any order because my feelings are largely indifferent on each of them. Frankly, if Iron Man 2 is the worst we can get with these, that’s pretty damn impressive. It definitely has its moments, and with guys like Sam Rockwell and Mickey Rourke saying “bird” over and over, it’s definitely not boring, but it is one of those early examples of Marvel Studios looking to future projects instead of focusing on the film itself.
22. The Incredible Hulk
I recall finding this somewhat underrated when it first came out, but not enough to really come to its defense because it does feel largely disposable. I like the look of the movie, and some of the action beats are solid, but man, so much of this film is so forgettable. Plus, it’s so weird to go back to this considering how little of it really matters in the grand scheme of things. The only thing relatively interesting about it is how it almost starts off like a sequel to the Ang Lee movie, so in a weird, roundabout way, that is also kind of a part of the MCU, which I honestly prefer over this.
21. Thor: The Dark World
Again, I feel like I enjoyed this more than most, but not enough to think of it any more positively than, “oh, that was fun,” and then almost immediately forgetting about it within a week. I do think there are some really enjoyable moments here, and the climax was a ton of fun with all that stuff with the portals. It’s greater connection to the infinity stuff is definitely the weakest aspect of the story here, but the moments in between that where it lets itself be a goofy Thor movie are solid.
20. Captain America: Civil War
So, while those first three entries were expected, I don’t think people will be that happy about these next three. Yeah, I don’t particularly care much for Civil War. I just don’t think the central conflict between Iron Man and Cap is as well realized as the story thinks it is, and the whole thing doesn’t really have much of a payoff further down the line. With something like “Civil War,” you’d expect something grand, but the results feel small and unfocused.
19. Spider-Man: Homecoming
First up, I love Michael Keaton as the Vulture, and I love the confrontation in the car, that is legit one of the best moments in any of these movies. Everything outside of that…not into nearly as much. Even though I ultimately liked Far From Home much more, both that and this put a lot more focus on Peter’s relationship with Tony more than anything connected to his past. He rarely feels like a whole character outside of that relationship, and it’s weird, which makes his arc seem more muddled and confused. Plus, I feel like they wasted an iconic comic book moment with Peter trapped under the rubble.
18. Avengers: Infinity War
I enjoyed this a lot when I first got out of it (which you can read about in my review), but the more I thought about it, the less I liked it. There’s still a ton to admire, and enjoy. However, the way it’s constructed just doesn’t really work for me. I get that “it’s Thanos’ movie, he’s the main character, blah, blah, blah,” but he’s not even a remotely interesting character. Yes, he’s got motivations, as ludicrous as they are, but that alone doesn’t make a character compelling. It’s elevated by Endgame’s resolution, but I don’t see myself revisiting this one anytime soon.
17. Iron Man
The one that started it all, and it’s a solid piece of work. Remember when they shot these on film? Anyway, good character piece elevated by a terrific performance from Robert Downey Jr. It barely breaks the origin story mold, and the villain doesn’t quite work, but that’s fine. It laid a strong foundation that the future films built upon, and it holds up relatively well for the most part. Again, not one I ever really desire to revisit, but it’s good, and these films wouldn’t have worked or even come together had the first not been as strong as it is.
16. Thor
Yes, I know this seems super high. It’s honestly my theater experience that makes me rank this so high. It was senior year, and in my school, all the seniors got to take the day off toward the end of the year to see a movie, and that year, we got to choose between this and the new Pirates of the Caribbean, which is where most of them went. I sat in a theater with a handful of other people, and a weirdly large group of hyper jock dude bros who sat together near the front row, and they were pumped, I don’t know what their deal was. So, whenever Thor did something cool, they collectively yelled out “Thor,” which sounds like a nightmare, but honestly, it made the screening that much more fun. That’s my memory of this movie, which is why it’s this high. Probably doesn’t deserve it, but I do also have a soft spot for Kenneth Branagh’s style.
15. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Like Infinity War, I liked this a lot more when it first came out, but over time, some aspects just don’t sit right with me. I feel like all the depth people sometimes refer to with this is largely gutted by the big Hydra reveal. It turns the interesting grey areas that the film was exploring back into black-and-white, and there’s such a weird 9/11-truther-ness to the Hydra reveal that just feels icky to me. If they actually explored the idea of S.H.I.E.L.D. genuinely using shady tools and methods, there could be something real here, but the reveal felt like a bit of a cop out.
14. Ant-Man
Now we’re starting to enter the part of the list where I really like the movies. This one dealt with a lot of problems during early stages of production, but you wouldn’t really notice it when you’re watching it. Paul Rudd is an endlessly delightful presence, and I love the more intimate stakes that are present here. It’s just a silly, straightforward, goofy heist movie. The villain isn’t particularly memorable, but it’s serviceable for a movie like this. RIP Antony.
13. Thor: Ragnarok
Taika Waititi manages to inject his distinct sense of humor into the franchise, and breathed new life into Thor as a character. It’s easily one of the funniest Marvel movies, although, it does sometimes feel like the humor is prioritized over pathos and its themes of colonialism and revolution and oppression. If it weren’t as funny as it is, I would probably take more issue with that aspect, but because it works so well, it’s a weird, colorful, blast.
12. Doctor Strange
This one has a lot of baggage with it, from the white savior element to the whitewashing of the Ancient One, and similarities between Tony and Stephen Strange. But despite all that, I think it pulls it together really well. Strange has a great arc that deals in the idea of opening one’s mind, and learning about things that are beyond your understanding. Plus, it has one of the best climactic showdowns in all of these movies. There’s certainly some room for improvement if they were to get the sequel going, but I think this sets a cool stage for a hero like Doctor Strange.
11. Avengers: Endgame
Endgame brought the whole Infinity saga to its conclusion, and it pretty much nails it (as you can read about in my review). While it’s not perfect, by any stretch, it works where it counts, and the scope that the Russos are working with here is no easy task to begin with. This is definitely the best work by them, and it manages to work not only as an ending to a long running saga, but also as a celebration of everything Marvel Studios has accomplished over the past decade.
10. Spider-Man: Far From Home
I only just recently saw this (and reviewed it), so it hasn’t had a lot of time to sit with me like these other movies. I might not feel the same way about it, one way or the other, at some point in the future, but for now, I’m feeling pretty darn good about it, which says a lot considering how much I wasn’t into Homecoming. There are still some gripes I have, but it gets a lot right, and it ends on a note that makes me so excited to see where it goes next.
9. Captain Marvel
So, I guess I liked this a lot more than most people did (here’s my review, in case you missed it). In some ways, I get it, and others, not so much. I was genuinely interested in Carol’s journey as she discovered more of her past, and being able to come to her own as a hero despite everyone trying to control her. It helps that Samuel L. Jackson gets to do so much here, and while the filmmakers do push it sometimes, the 90s setting is a cool playground. Plus, it takes a cool angle with the villains that I didn’t totally expect, which is nice.
8. Ant-Man and the Wasp
Peyton Reed made an entire superhero movie that’s basically an extended riff on What’s Up, Doc?, and it’s about as awesome as it sounds. It’s a delightful chase movie that seems to have little interest in the needs of the overall brand, and instead revels in its own weirdness and charm. It takes everything that worked about the first film, and cranks it up. I had such a great time with this (which you can read more about in my review), and while I can understand that it might seem a bit too inconsequential for some, it totally worked for me.
7. Marvel’s The Avengers
The first major crossover is still one of Marvel’s very best. So much rode on the success of this film, and the fact that they were able to pull it off is damn impressive. It might seem a bit quaint now, but it’s pretty perfectly constructed all around. It’s delivered everything it needed to, and it made such a big impression that Hollywood has been trying and failing to replicate its success ever since. The studio just wouldn’t be where it is today if it weren’t for this movie coming together as well as it does.
6. Avengers: Age of Ultron
I like this about as much as I do the first Avengers, which I know might rustle some feathers, but I honestly think the character work and themes being explored here are some of the most interesting and compelling out of these movies. Yes, parts of it are messy, it’s clear why the production of this practically broke Joss Whedon, but I do think it’s greater than the sum of its parts. It’s takes some bold choices, it feels intensely personal, and I think Ultron is the most underrated villain in the franchise.
5. Captain America: The First Avenger
Cap has always been the heart and soul of the series, and that is felt more strongly in this than any of his other films. Joe Johnston leans on his throwback sensibilities, and it makes for a hell of a unique experience compared to some of the more standard, by-the-numbers filmmaking you find in a bunch of these movies. It’s not necessarily airtight, but it has a lot of heart, and it cements Cap as the hero that in many ways became the face of the series.
4. Guardians of the Galaxy
When James Gunn was announced to do a Marvel movie, I couldn’t be more excited, and I was made even happier when I finally saw the first Guardians, and realized he totally delivered. It’s an incredible space adventure with a great sense of personality, character, and humor. It completely captures Gunn’s unique voice while also fitting in alongside the rest of the Marvel films. It also further established that Marvel Studios can take any property, and turn it into a cash cow no matter how ridiculous it might seem.
3. Iron Man 3
Shane Black made a Marvel movie, and that is so weird to say out loud, but I’m so glad it happened, and this is the one we got. It’s so clearly Black’s movie through and through, featuring some of the best banter and dialogue in the whole franchise. The Mandarin twist is an absolutely legendary move, and while it seems like future movies don’t really take the events of this into consideration all that much, I don’t care. It’s a total blast, and watching this was perhaps the first time I was ever really invested in Tony as a character.
2. Black Panther
In case you havne’t noticed, I tend to appreciate the Marvel movies that allow the filmmakers to lean on their distinctive creative impulses, and that trust between the studio and filmmaker is felt more than ever with Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther. I’ve loved all his movies before this, and I was so glad to see him take the transition to blockbuster filmmaking without sacrificing anything that made him such a great filmmaker. There are some nits that could be picked, but overall, it’s a great work that deserved all the acclaim and accolades it received.
1. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
This one has been my favorite since it came out, and I doubt anything will topple it anytime soon. It’s wild to me that Marvel let James Gunn make this movie in this particular way. It takes an almost completely different approach than you’d expect with a sequel, doubling down on all the personal elements that informed the first. It’s basically two-plus hours of a bunch of people sitting around and talking about their feelings, it’s a story that explores abuse, forgiveness, parenting, and the capability of bad people to change in ways that are more nuanced than anyone could have anticipated considering the material. You can tell Gunn threw so much of himself here and within his characters, and it works because of that. It is the only one of these movies that actually got me emotional watching it, and it still has the best final shot. I was happy when I saw the news that Gunn was bring brought back to do Volume 3 because it’s hard to imagine anyone else capturing these characters in the way he set them up. I can’t wait to see what he does with these characters next.
And there it is! All the Marvel Cinematic Universe films release thus far ranked. I’m sure your list is different, feel free to tell me how you rank these films in the comments.