When it comes to the best Marvel movies, there's a lot to get through. In fact, the MCU now has a whopping 36 films, and it's showing no signs of slowing down. However, if you're hoping for a binge-watch of the franchise's greatest hits ahead of the release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, then you can't go wrong with our ranking of all the Marvel movies released so far. We're up to date with Thunderbolts, too, which is the MCU's latest release as part of Marvel Phase 5.
The quality of the MCU is pretty varied to say the least, but there are some stone-cold classics that are well worth your time. To help you along the way, we at Total Film and GamesRadar+ have put our heads together to help make your life easier come movie night. Below is our definitive Marvel ranking, from Iron Man onwards. Before we get any further, it's important to note that these are the films released by Marvel Studios that are part of the main Marvel timeline. This is why none of the Spider-Man or X-Men movies make it into this ranking.
If reading our ranking has you in the mood for a Marvel marathon, you can stream the majority of the films on Disney Plus right now – read our guide on how to watch the Marvel movies in order for more information on that. Now, with that out of the way, let's get to what you are all here for. Here is our list of the best Marvel movies of all time, ranking every MCU outing in order from worst to best.
36. Thor: The Dark World
Year: 2013
Director: Alan Taylor
A cape-wearing, long-haired god who talks like Shakespeare was always going to be a bit of a hard sell for modern-day cinema-goers. While Thor: Ragnarok knows how to have fun with the ridiculousness that is the God of Thunder, Thor: The Dark World (much like its predecessor) suffers from being a bit too superhero-y.
In a cinematic universe where we have intergalactic space opera shenanigans, WW2-era war films, and size-altering heist movies, a handsome man in a cape fighting a villain who comes across as Generic Evil Guy (Christopher Eccleston, wasted as Dark Elf Malekith) doesn't stand much chance. Something has to be lowest on this list, and most would agree it's The Dark World. You can read our Thor: The Dark World review if you're still on the fence.
35. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Year: 2023
Director: Peyton Reed
Hoo boy. Every criticism that can be thrown at Marvel Studios can pretty much be found in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Ropey CGI? Check. Tonal mismatch? Check. Wasted potential? Check. In retrospect, our three-star Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania review was very kind, wasn't it?
After the Ant-Family are dragged into the Quantum Realm (again), Paul Rudd's Ant-Man must battle his way out in a mini-universe ruled by Jonathan Majors' Kang the Conqueror. While the multiversal villain makes a good first impression, the post-credits reveal leaves Marvel's big new saga already in danger of feeling simultaneously rushed and bloated. Only Paul Rudd's magnetic charm stops this from sinking to the bottom of our list.
34. The Incredible Hulk
Year: 2008
Director: Louis Leterrier
The Incredible Hulk feels like the black sheep of the MCU family with its retroactively replaced lead. Because of that, it's hard to remember Louis Letterier's film – itself a reboot of Ang Lee's inventive-but-flawed 2003 take on the Hulk – with much fondness. Norton is decent enough as the troubled, perpetually tense Bruce Banner, but he's nowhere near as much fun as the jokier Mark Ruffalo, who made the role his own from The Avengers onwards.
The Incredible Hulk is a sort of origin tale that skips past Banner's gamma-ray-induced accident – that well-known story plays out as part of the opening credits sequence – and picks up with him months later in hiding, trying to find a cure. It's reasonably fun and hits all the key points for a successful superhero movie, but it still suffers from an uninspiring love interest and a forgettable baddie in Tim Roth's Emil “The Abomination” Blonsky. Check out our Incredible Hulk review for more details.
33. Iron Man 2
Year: 2010
Director: Jon Favreau
Listen, there is a reason we only gave this flick two stars in our Iron Man 2 review. This sequel lacks the fun and freshness of the first movie, and it's certainly the weakest of all the Shellhead films. It's nothing more than an acceptable follow-up whose main claim to fame is that it features Mickey Rourke wielding electric whips.
This is where we see Tony Stark's fall from grace, as he faces personal demons relating to his love life and alcohol – Iron Man 2 riffs heavily on the classic "Demon in a Bottle" storyline from the comics. It's also the film where we first meet Black Widow, and Rhodey (Don Cheadle replacing Terrence Howard) makes good on his "Next time, baby" promise from the first movie by donning the War Machine armor, expanding on a friendship that will become a mainstay of the MCU. The main conflict storyline is pretty forgettable, and ultimately, everything feels subservient to setting up The Avengers.
32. Eternals
Year: 2021
Director: Chloé Zhao
You can probably guess, based on the fact that our Eternals review was one of the few positive rewrite-ups on the internet, that this title is among Marvel's most divisive movies. Directed by Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao, the film follows a group of ancient heroes who've been on Earth for millennia but cannot interfere unless their foes, the Deviants, are involved. That naturally raises a ton of questions, like could they really not help out with Thanos?
Despite having a stacked cast, starring Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Richard Madden, and many more, the film is ultimately a little too muddled and just not quite engaging enough to be a hit. It probably doesn't help that it took a step back from the MCU's overarching, interconnected storytelling, either. But, it still has its fans, who praise its cosmic scope, the ensemble cast of characters, and Zhao's trademark, stunning visuals.
31. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Year: 2017
Director: James Gunn
As we mentioned in our Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 review, this film is a good but not great time. It takes the formula laid out by the original, straps boosters to it, cranks up the stereo to full, and goes full throttle for over two hours. Unfortunately, though, where the original Guardians of the Galaxy was a surprise hit – a Marvel movie so different and refreshing – that set the bar impossibly high for the sequel.
The jokes aren't quite as fresh the second time around. You also feel like you've seen the new worlds before, and the individual character arcs feel repetitive. None of the character beats work quite as well, and Chris Pratt's Star-Lord lacks a certain something this time around.
30. The Marvels
Year: 2023
Director: Nia DaCosta
A musical number, a flurry of floating Flerkens, and Iman Vellani's impossibly charming Kamala Khan; there's a ton to love about The Marvels. It's cute and kind of fun (though we'd argue it should've been more so, given its zany premise). Ultimately, it's inconsequential, which is why it's towards the lower end of our ranking and why our The Marvels review has such a low score.
Candyman's Nia DaCosta allows time for each of the titular heroes – Khan's Ms. Marvel, Monica Rambeau's Photon, and Carol Danvers' Captain Marvel – to have decent-enough arcs, but considering there's a multiverse mess bubbling, the stakes just feel too low for the movie to really pack a punch. And the less said about Zawe Ashton's villain, the better...
The most memorable moment in The Marvels is its post-credits scene, which marks the X-Men's official introduction to the MCU – suck it, Deadpool and Wolverine! – and well, that's not really a good sign, is it?
29. Captain America: Brave New World
Year: 2025
Director: Julius Onah
The first proper outing for Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson as Captain America, Brave New World is something of an outlier in the Multiverse Saga, focusing more on a grounded political storyline than any universe-shaking shenanigans. While that's very refreshing this far into the MCU's convoluted post-Endgame run, Brave New World doesn't quite reach the epic heights of its predecessors in the Cap series. With reports of reshoots and a few lacklustre action sequences, the movie occasionally stumbles.
Mackie brings the heart and shines as the new Cap, and Harrison Ford's Red Hulk is plenty of fun, but overall, Captain America 4 is an uneven entry into Marvel Phase 5. You can read more in our Captain America: Brave New World review.
28. Ant-Man and the Wasp
Year: 2018
Director: Peyton Reed
The very first Marvel movie to give a female superhero billing in the title, Ant-Man sequel Ant-Man and the Wasp, marks a significant moment in MCU history, but it's so much more than that, too. Picking up after the events of Captain America: Civil War and set parallel to Avengers: Infinity War (but released a few months after it), Ant-Man and the Wasp is the perfect palate cleanser following Thanos's snap.
Like its predecessor, the Ant-Man sequel has a simple and effective storyline that allows the characters to shine, and it's very much about Scott Lang and Hope Van Dyne's partnership. So why is it only number 19 on our list of the best Marvel movies? Ant-Man and the Wasp lacks the freshness of the original, with much of the fun of changing size being diminished by the seen-it-all-before factor – especially when even Captain America: Civil War had stolen Lang's Giant-Man thunder.
27. Thor
Year: 2011
Director: Kenneth Branagh
While Chris Hemsworth does a decent job of playing the God of Thunder, the character is tricky to make work with his old time-y speech and period drama-like clothes. Remember, this is some years before Hemsworth revealed an uncanny knack for comedy and Thor became one of the MCU's MVPs.
Thor does enough to set up the character for his future appearances, though, as well as establishing the family relationships that become important later on. In fact, Tom Hiddleston's Loki is one of the highlights of the film and makes his older half-brother much more interesting, which is probably why Loki has appeared alongside Thor in pretty much every Marvel movie he's in, but the first Thor movie has more heart than its sequel. Funny, sweet, and with plenty of ridiculous action sequences, in our Thor review, we do point out that this flick is fun. Unfortunately, that's all it is.
26. Black Widow
Year: 2021
Director: Cate Shortland
Black Widow is a prequel, slotting in between Civil War and Infinity War, and reveals more of Natasha Romanoff's shadowy past. The film sees the titular former assassin reluctantly reconnect with her secret family – David Harbour's Red Guardian, Rachel Weisz's Melina Vostokoff, and Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova – to take on the Red Room, the facility that turns young girls into Black Widows.
The action sequences in this film are slick and brutal, and Pugh's Yelena is a delight, fast becoming a fan favorite. It's maybe too little, too late for Natasha, though (especially as there's only so much a prequel in such an interconnected universe can do), and the entire plot turns into another CGI-fuelled battle in the third act, a formula that might be getting tired. For more details, read our Black Widow review!
25. Thor: Love and Thunder
Year: 2022
Director: Taika Waititi
Taika Waititi unfortunately proved lightning couldn't strike twice with Thor: Love and Thunder after Thor: Ragnarok's undoubted success. The Thor-quel may feature the electrifying debut of Natalie Portman's Jane Foster as the Mighty Thor, but it's a messy, loose affair all-round.
Christian Bale's Gorr the God Butcher has decided all gods must die, and it's up to our heroes to stop him, but it's a pantomime performance that's at odds with Jane's own cancer storyline. In truth, two iconic comic runs are butchered here, and the movie never really recovers from its meandering second act. In our Thor: Love and Thunder review we praised all of the action, adventure, and heart here – but Waititi's trademark zingy humor and colorful visuals only carry it so far this time around.
24. Thunderbolts
Year: 2025
Director: Jake Schreier
Thunderbolts is the final film in Marvel Phase 5, and oh boy, does it end an era with a fun bang. The basic premise of the film is us following a collection of some of the best anti-heroes from the multiverse as they are forced to work together and complete a dangerous mission. While the movie's plot is spotty at times and some action scenes don't hit as hard as you'd like, Thunderbolts embraces all its colorful characters and isn't afraid to break the standard MCU mould.
In our Thunderbolts review, we mention how the film is a great set-up for Marvel Phase 6 as it focuses on its present cast instead of trying to make references to the franchise's massive history. Its post-credit scene is also one of the best teasers for the next flick in the timeline...looking at you Fantastic Four. Thunderbolts may not be groundbreaking, but it's certainly a Marvel movie that you won't regret giving a rewatch if push comes to shove.
23. Doctor Strange
Year: 2016
Director: Scott Derrickson
Marvel's first foray into the mystical world could have been better. Benedict Cumberbatch's Stephen Strange is a Tony Stark clone but has none of the charm to overcome his arrogance. And that accent... this movie could have been saved by simply making the character, like the actor playing him, English.
Doctor Strange is a classic origin tale, but that's all it really is. And while at times it looks amazing thanks to its Inception-style city-bending antics, it lacks the action and interest of other MCU movies. It may have an all-star cast, but many of them are given little to do (Rachel McAdams, in particular, is criminally wasted), and the final fight, while definitely unique, is rather flat. Doctor Strange is just meant to introduce the character and set him up for future appearances in the MCU, and it does just that – it's good, just not that good. You can read our Doctor Strange review if you need more Marvel magic portals in your life.
22. Avengers: Age of Ultron
Year: 2015
Director: Joss Whedon
The Avengers was the movie that propelled the MCU into the stratosphere, yet Avengers: Age of Ultron doesn't come close in terms of storytelling – and that's despite the return of most of the cast and Joss Whedon behind the camera. The malevolent AI Ultron is yet another generic villain from the Marvel movie stable.
Meanwhile, the banter between the leading superheroes is nowhere near as fun this time around – which may have something to do with the movie being as concerned with setting up Phase 3 of the MCU as it is with saving the world. That said, in our Avengers: Age of Ultron review, we pointed out that there's lots to like about a movie that's arguably better than its reputation. That opening sequence ("Language!")? Hawkeye's secret backstory? The new Avengers? Black Widow and the Hulk's budding romance? That action-packed and emotional finale? All great. It’s just below average for Marvel, which really says a lot about the overall quality of the MCU.
21. Iron Man 3
Year: 2013
Director: Shane Black
The MCU upped the ante with Iron Man 3, which is far from a typical Marvel movie. In fact, it’s the movie that made it very clear that, from 2013 onwards, there was no longer going to be a typical Marvel movie formula. Lethal Weapon writer Shane Black directs Iron Man 3, a movie that's part superhero story, part existential angst-comedy. Black’s involvement is far more significant than his '80s action track record as his barnstormingly clever, postmodern film noir comedy, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, was fundamental in relaunching Robert Downey Jr’s career, post-rehab.
As such, we gave the film a much-deserved four stars in our Iron-Man 3 review. It's a solid collaboration to round off the character’s initial trilogy – a well-written, insightful piece of character-driven filmmaking that just happens to have a bunch of flying robot suits thrown in for good measure and a bait-and-switch villain that may lessen the movie in the eyes of some. With a script tailored to his deeper talents, Robert Downey Jr. really earns his (huge) paycheck here.
20. Captain Marvel
Year: 2019
Director(s): Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck
Arriving nearly two years after Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel was somewhat overdue when it landed. Luckily, Carol Danvers made an impact straight away, taking her place as the most powerful hero the MCU has ever seen – even Thor would think twice about a scrap with Captain Marvel.
Oscar-winner Brie Larson instantly makes the role her own, bringing a perfect blend of humanity and detachment fighter pilot recruited by the Kree after gaining her powers in mysterious circumstances. Despite an impressive supporting cast (Jude Law, Annette Bening, Ben Mendelsohn), the debut of classic shapeshifting villains the Skrulls, some clever twists, and action beats that make you punch the air in triumph, this is run-of-the-mill origin fare. Not one of the best Marvel movies, perhaps, but it’s certainly one of the most important – especially if you like cats. Check out our Captain Marvel review for more information!
19. Ant-Man
Year: 2015
Director: Peyton Reed
Ant-Man is Marvel's take on the crime caper. Everything about the story is classic heist; the slow-burn, getting-the-team-together characterization; the single, focused goal; the planning and practice montages. Ant-Man knows all of the genre's clichés, and it makes every one of them absolutely sing.
Fundamental to that success is its drastically smaller scale – literally and figuratively. There’s no incoming apocalypse here. No grand, villainous plan to change life as we know it. Just an old grudge, a corporate asshole, and a strong focus on the character comedy pushing the whole story forward. And that's why it works! Paul Rudd – an actor previously known more for his comedy chops more than his action attributes – is perfect in the title role. As we mentioned in our Ant-Man review, this flick is a breath of fresh air among Marvel's other movies.
18. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Year: 2022
Director: Sam Raimi
Following the magnificent cameos in Spider-Man: No Way Home was always going to be a challenge. And while the film (as we point out in our Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness review) does have plenty of famous faces littered throughout its runtime, the story itself is only just held together by a charming Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role, and the introduction of newcomer America Chavez, played by Xochitl Gomez.
Having Wanda become the villain following her turn in WandaVision was a complicated move from Marvel, but Elizabeth Olsen still impresses, and seeing multiple versions of Wanda and Strange is a treat. Perhaps the real highlight, though, is Sam Raimi's directorial flair, bringing his Evil Dead and Spider-Man know-how to this MCU flick. Unfortunately, with just a few too many characters to juggle, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is mid-tier. In short, it makes for a decent watch, but it doesn't deserve a place alongside the best Marvel movies.
17. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Year: 2022
Director: Ryan Coogler
Marvel and director Ryan Coogler were dealt an impossible hand with the untimely death of T'Challa actor Chadwick Boseman. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever makes the best of bad circumstances, paying tribute to the departed actor with a grief-tinged sequel to Black Panther that, while overly long, does at least take the MCU in a more mature direction. Unlike most comic book adventures, death is a permanent fixture in Wakanda Forever – and it stings. It also allows Letitia Wright's Shuri to step up in fine fashion, while also introducing Dominique Thorne's Ironheart to the world.
Throw in a political powder keg with Namor and his Talokan people, and it almost amounts to a Marvel classic. However, it's hoisted back by its own ambition: the bloat starts to show during the middle act, while Wakanda Forever is guilty of attempting too much. The inclusion of Martin Freeman's Everett Ross is proof enough that far too many plates needed spinning, even if the touching ending is among Marvel's best. You truly want to add this one to your watchlist, so head over to our Black Panther: Wakanda Forever review if you need more information.
16. Deadpool & Wolverine
Year: 2024
Director: Shawn Levy
Directed by Shawn Levy, Deadpool & Wolverine came at a time when, let’s face it, the multiverse was at a low point. Marvel was struggling to give fans that adrenaline-filled and joyous feeling we’re used to. However, as we mentioned in our Deadpool & Wolverine review, this threequel made us hopeful for the future as it's packed with humor, R-rated action, and some of the best cameos we’ve seen in the MCU, period.
In the movie, we see Ryan Reynolds’ Merc with a Mouth meet the TVA. After hearing that his timeline is dying, he sets out on a universe-jumping adventure to recruit a Wolverine variant to help save his world. The unlikely duo crack constant one-liners, have a tendency towards killing, and are just a joy to watch. Although its plot could have had more substance, few Marvel movies have been as fun as this one, and when fans needed it the most, Deadpool & Wolverine reminded us how enjoyable the MCU truly is.
15. Spider-Man: Far From Home
Year: 2019
Director: Jon Watts
Just to prove the versatility of the MCU, the follow-up to the epic Avengers: Endgame is its polar opposite. Where the superhero team-up to end all superhero team-ups was a film of vast, universe-shattering consequences, Far From Home is simply a fun romp around Europe with your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. The shadow of Thanos's finger snap (known as "the blip") still lingers, of course, as half the world comes to terms with returning after five years away, and Peter Parker struggles to live up to the legend of his mentor, Tony Stark.
In his fifth movie as Spidey, Tom Holland secures his position as the best-ever screen Wallcrawler, equally adept at comedy as he is at handling giant monsters with a penchant for destroying famous landmarks. While the threat ultimately proves a tad convoluted and ridiculous (even for a Marvel movie), returning Spider-Man: Homecoming director Jon Watts has a light enough touch to let the chemistry between his young stars do the heavy lifting. Check out our Spider-Man: Far From Home review for more details.
14. Captain America: The First Avenger
Year: 2011
Director: Joe Johnston
Captain America: The First Avenger is the beginning of everything we love about the heroic Cap – the bedrock on which one of the MCU's major characters is built. Chris Evans is superb as the young skinny kid from Brooklyn who becomes a beefcake overnight thanks to experimental Super Soldier serum and fights the Nazis. Hugo Weaving's Red Skull is one of the MCU's stronger villainous efforts.
The more languid period piece also helps repeat viewings, with Evans' Steve Rogers and Hayley Atwell's Peggy Carter beginning their fledgling romance here. Of course, Agent Carter is so unmissable she bagged herself a spin-off TV show and is one of the few MCU love interests who's actually interesting.
13. Spider-Man: No Way Home
Year: 2021
Director: Jon Watts
If you couldn't tell from our glowing Spider-Man: No Way Home review, this is a big movie. Not only does Spider-Man deal with the fallout of his identity being revealed to the world, he then has to contend with multiple villains from throughout his cinematic history. And we're not just talking evil-doers from Holland's time as the hero, but the multiverse being ripped apart and Doc Ock, Green Goblin, and Electro all coming into the MCU to cause trouble.
The highs are extremely high in the conclusion of the Homecoming trilogy, though the plot somewhat suffers under its own weight. Still, it's a Spider-Man fan's webbed dream seeing these older characters back, and Jon Watts' direction keeps things from falling apart.
12. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Year: 2021
Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is Marvel Phase 4's first origin story, and it introduces its titular hero with a bang. Simu Liu's Shang-Chi is a totally normal guy... apart from the fact that his mother hails from a mystical village, and his father is an ageless crime lord.
This film really feels like something different, with breathtaking martial arts action sequences and a compelling villain – Tony Leung's Wenwu is one of the MCU's best big bads, and the film is focused entirely on his relationship with his children. Throw in Awkwafina's hilarious Katy and the return of Ben Kingsley's Trevor Slattery, and you've got one great Marvel movie.
11. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Year: 2023
Director: James Gunn
Director James Gunn signs off for superhero pastures new (at DC, no less) with a real return to form for the Guardians gang. With Rocket's life hanging in the balance, Star-Lord and his intergalactic team jet off to uncover the secret to saving everyone's favorite trash panda. In the process, they discover his tragic origins and come face to face with the god-like High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji).
Packed with personality, charm, and genuine high-stakes, our Guardians of the Galaxy 3 review breaks down why it is the perfect antidote to what has been a flagging post-Endgame era for the MCU. It's not just a case of playing the greatest hits, either: new characters Cosmo, Lyla, Floor, and Teefs round out a stellar cast, while Iwuji's performance was so formidable that we wouldn't be surprised to see him make a return down the line. Only a couple of mean-spirited jokes and an uncomfortably dark tone stop this from cracking the top 10.
10. Spider-Man: Homecoming
Year: 2017
Director: Jon Watts
Well, here they are... our top 10 best Marvel movies...Once upon a time, we never thought we'd see a Spider-Man MCU movie – Marvel sold the rights a long time before the MCU existed – but thanks to a team-up between Marvel Studios and Sony, Spidey got his homecoming, and what a welcome home it was. Much of the success of Spider-Man: Homecoming hinges on the fact that it's not another Spider-Man origin story, and b) Tom Holland is perfectly cast as a teenage Peter Parker.
Despite not seeing Peter get bitten by that all-important spider, Homecoming is still a fairly traditional superhero movie, albeit one that owes nearly as much to classic high school movies as it does the works of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Throw in an injection of Tony Stark charm, a killer Spidey suit, and a perfectly delivered final act twist/reveal, and you've got yourself one hell of an MCU movie. If you need more convincing, just check out our five-star Spider-Man: Homecoming review!
9. Black Panther
Year: 2018
Director: Ryan Coogler
The MCU was already a massive deal when Black Panther roared into cinemas in early 2018, but no Marvel film before had a bigger cultural impact. Only Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Avengers: Endgame, and Avatar had made more money at the US box office at the time. Fronted by royalty in the form of King T'Challa, the ensemble is one of the best Marvel movies in the MCU so far.
Another star is the country of Wakanda itself – a stunning, vibrant, and oh-so-alive world that feels both futuristic and steeped in culture and tradition. Everything about it, from the palace, to the mountain home of M’Baku and the Jabari tribe, is utterly unique and brilliantly realised. The plot of the movie is tightly woven around Wakanda, dealing with both the internal and external conflicts the country is going through. And then there's Michael B. Jordan's villain, Erik Killmonger, who is terrifying, sympathetic, and relatable in equal measure. It's been a long time coming, but like we said in our Black Panther review, this movie is a strong, bold, and thrilling solo film.
8. The Avengers
Year: 2012
Director: Joss Whedon
It's hard to remember now, given what Marvel has achieved since, but when The Avengers movie arrived, it was a revelation, especially as a lot of people thought there was no way the studio could pull something like this off. A crossover movie with multiple main characters and a storyline spanning various franchises? It felt like a crazy plan that could never work, but, thanks to the foundations laid by the previous Marvel movies and the skilled hands of writer/director Joss Whedon, The Avengers became Marvel's first movie to gross over a billion dollars.
Not only did it work – it's a fantastic film in its own right, and undeniably one of the best Marvel movies so far. With superheroes galore, action-packed blockbuster battles, and enough balance in the storyline to actually get to care about each character, the Avengers have gone down in cinematic history.
7. Captain America: Civil War
Year: 2016
Director(s): Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Released in the same year as Batman v Superman, Captain America's third film – Civil War – didn't need to try too hard to beat its DCEU rival. Despite being thought of as Avengers 2.5 by fans thanks to the sheer volume of other MCU heroes who show up, Civil War is really Cap v. Iron Man, with the two characters squaring up against each other.
After many world-ending missions, Civil War is a smaller, smarter story, about clashing ideologies, but it never gets bogged down with windy introspection, and because we know all the characters so well, we care deeply about their motivations and viewpoints. On top of that, there are the wonderful introductions of Spider-Man and Black Panther, that bit with Ant-Man, and Vision wearing a delightful range of knitwear. Villain-wise? It works, as the Big Bad turns out to be Captain America and/or Iron Man, depending on your point of view. Epic stuff.
6. Thor: Ragnarok
Year: 2017
Director: Taika Waititi
To be the wackiest, most whimsical MCU movie released in 2017 (the same year as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Spider-Man: Homecoming) is impressive. For that movie to be a Thor movie? It's practically god-like. But are we really that surprised when Taiki Waititi is the man behind the camera? The What We Do in the Shadows director does away with all the Shakespearean theatrics and instead goes full retro-futurism for the threequel, with a healthy sprinkling of full-blown surrealism thrown in.
The result is a comedy that happens to be a superhero movie at the same time. As we pointed out in our Thor: Ragnarok review, it's the freshest MCU flick since that time they introduced a talking tree. Jeff Goldblum's Grandmaster, Waititi's rock warrior Korg, and Bruce Banner/Hulk all have their moments of comedy gold, but Chris Hemsworth's Thor turns out to be the funniest of them all. Who saw that coming?
5. Iron Man
Year: 2008
Director: Jon Favreau
This is where it all started. While Iron Man isn't the best Marvel movie (read our Iron Man review for more details on that big statement), it definitely deserves a certain amount of kudos. After all, without Iron Man we might never have had the MCU. Indeed, it’s easy to forget what a risk it was at the time, considering it starred an actor with a troubled past making a comeback playing a B-list superhero.
Marvel’s gamble paid off spectacularly as Iron Man became a hit, and over a decade later, it's still one of the best superhero movies around. If you want to know how to do an origin story right, rewatch Iron Man because it barely puts a foot wrong. Robert Downey Jr was the perfect person to bring the arrogant Tony Stark to life, and his technologically advanced suit was a breath of fresh air next to the cape and tights we were used to seeing superheroes wear previously. Over a decade on, Iron Man remains one of the best Marvel movies.
4. Avengers: Endgame
Year: 2019
Director(s): Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Avengers: Endgame is the ultimate vindication of Marvel’s brave vision for a shared universe; the culmination of dozens of story arcs across 22 movies, and the perfect finale for the first stage of MCU overlord Kevin Feige’s grand plan. The storytelling choices are bold – that time jump, the character deaths, the nods to earlier movies – but they all make perfect sense in the context of the saga.
With its heroes at rock bottom after the events of Infinity War, Endgame has its fair share of bleakness (poor Thor), but also plenty of laughs and moments of triumph. The final act is a masterclass in direction, as the Russo brothers marshal one of the most complicated action set-pieces in cinema history. Come the end and the Marvel Cinematic Universe is changed forever. An epic every bit as bold as Thanos's crazy scheme, Endgame is blockbuster filmmaking at its finest. You can read all about this masterpiece in our Avengers: Endgame review.
3. Guardians of the Galaxy
Year: 2014
Director: James Gunn
Guardians of the Galaxy is a wonderful, funny, and warm sci-fi scramble through some of the most exotic locations in the MCU – and it's also the movie with the loosest connections to Iron Man, Captain America and the rest. Seriously, it's wholly deserving of the four-star rating in our Guardians of the Galaxy review.
Arguably the best thing to happen to big screen space opera since Star Wars (Star-Lord, Gamora and Groot could be this generation's Han, Leia and Chewie), it's got a fresh, lively lightness of touch that simultaneously feels like it's rebelling against the Marvel formula, while remaining 100 per cent part of the MCU. Everything is held together by a generous streak of fun, while the "Awesome Mix" cassette soundtrack perfectly suits the mood. The least-Marvel of the Marvel movies, then, but also one of the best.
2. Avengers: Infinity War
Year: 2018
Director(s): Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
The "I am your father" revelation from The Empire Strikes Back is perhaps the most memorable, downbeat, and talked-about blockbuster cliffhanger of all time. The end of Avengers: Infinity War runs it pretty close, however, by giving antagonist-in-chief Thanos the upper hand, and leaving half of the MCU's heroes literally turned to dust. Okay, you could argue that without Avengers: Endgame to conclude the story, it feels kind of unfinished – though you could also level that accusation at The Empire Strikes Back – but viewed as the first act of a larger story, it's a remarkable piece of work.
Infinity War manages to be emotionally powerful and incredibly funny (often in the same scene), its scale and scope are mind-bogglingly vast, and the crossover character interactions are unexpected and fun. Perhaps, most importantly, Marvel solves its villain problem in spectacular style, with Josh Brolin’s Thanos being both the driving force of the movie and a plausible bad guy – his grand plan is clearly deranged, but there's a weird, twisted logic to it. And without Infinity War, there could be no Endgame. Check out our five-star Avengers: Infinity War review for more details.
1. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Year: 2014
Director(s): Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Here it is: the best of the best Marvel movies. The Winter Soldier set a new precedent for the MCU. The Captain America sequel is a totally different take on the universe – a ’70s Cold War thriller that doesn't put a foot wrong.
Hell, The Winter Soldier should be named one of the best Marvel movies of all time for the elevator scene alone; a moment so memorable it was homaged in Avengers: Endgame. The movie also has far-reaching implications for the rest of the Marvel universe – such as that SHIELD reveal – and establishes the resurrected Bucky Barnes as a major piece in the puzzle for years to come. It’s also the most balanced of the Marvel movies in terms of action and pace, with the Russo brothers really setting a high level of quality for future films to match. No wonder Marvel Studios put them in charge of Infinity War and Endgame.
For more on superheroes, be sure to check out all the upcoming superhero movies heading to cinemas and streaming soon.
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