The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is bringing it’s Infinity Saga to a close this weekend with the release of arguably “the most anticipated movie of all-time”, Avengers: Endgame. An event culminating 11 years and 22 movies that spawned multiple sub-franchises, and a now iconic cast of characters for audiences to find themselves in.
After last year’s historic and beloved Infinity War smashed box office records and set-up the real endgame with Thanos’ devastating snap, audiences have been frothing at the mouth to the reaction of the event. Over the course of the last year many have been preparing themselves to catch last minute easter eggs that could have been planted year ago, to fulfill that payoff in the 180 minute runtime of Endgame. This has resulted in “definitive” lists for each viewer, and for me this is no different.
Although I watched through the MCU last year for Infinity War (you can’t expect me to have the time to rewatch 20 movies in a row again) and Ant-Man and the Wasp and Captain Marvel releasing since, my MCU listing is finalized just in time for Endgame. Without further ado and over-filling this with needless exposition, let’s get into my ranking of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
21. The Incredible Hulk (2009)
Directed By: Louis Leterrier
The Incredible Hulk is one of those movies I really loved when it first came out, but upon rewatch I had never realized how dull the film is. Despite Ed Norton being a terrific actor and this version of the Hulk having the most definition to it’s design, the entire film feels like it’s stuck in quicksand. There’s a couple sequences that bring some genuine thrills, and there is a great sense of scope that it’s Jekyll and Hyde dynamic brings, but it’s characterizations of Bruce Banner and Betty Ross are emotionally distant. Norton looks like he’s sleepwalking and Liv Tyler delivers eye-rolling dialogue left and right. This movie can’t overcome its lack of style, lackluster narrative, and flat character work, but what can you expect from the director who went on to direct Clash of the Titans a year later.
Score: 1/5
20. Iron Man 2
Directed By: Jon Favreau
Unlike The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2 isn’t an unwatchable snoozefest. There are a few glimmers of excitement in the MCU’s first sequel, but it all feels rushed and in dire need of another draft of the script. It’s problems stem from being the first MCU film to prioritize universe building over singular story building and it widens the chinks in it’s armor that invites proper criticism. It presents some fascinating character growth in regards to Tony Stark’s progression as a character as it winks at the character's’ struggles with alcohol, just like it was in the comics. Unfortunately it doesn’t do anything compelling enough with it’s ideas and it proceeds to create artificial drama with it’s bird loving villain Ivan Vanko. Which is the real story of Iron Man 2’s failures. It fails to provide any compelling dynamics, plot points, or story to keep the tension high and it squashes it’s occasionally interesting character work. There isn’t a single memorable action scene or line, and it’s a rushed sequel with no distinct direction from Jon Favreau.
Score: 1.5/5
19. Thor: Ragnarok
Directed By: Taika Waititi
Ragnarok is a widely loved entry into this universe for a multitude of reasons I still have yet to understand. It’s a story primed for the big budget treatment, and a great outline to build the third part of Thor’s journey around, but why do I feel it crash landed? I could point my finger at almost everything here and pick a starting point, but it all boils down to be an aggravating experience. Waititi’s sensibilities are some I quite enjoy in other small scale projects like What We Do in the Shadows, but he may have delivered one of the most obnoxious superhero films to date. It’s overloaded with jokes that work like jarring insert shots, and it never compliments the story it wants to tell. So by the time we reach the third act, it becomes a pain to get through. Not only is it’s villain completely underwritten, but there is a clear lack of urgency in the story, that I still question why it was called “Ragnarok”. It’s slammed with colors, but they never serve a purpose or are used well enough to build it’s world, and it crumbles from the word “Go”. There’s a distracting Doctor Strange cameo that epitomizes some of the MCU’s laziest writing, and like Iron Man 2, there is nothing compelling within this film. It has some solid visuals and a few jokes land quite well, but it’s headache inducing and obnoxious.
Score: 1.5/5
18. Ant-Man and the Wasp
Directed By: Peyton Reed
A lot of my issues with Ant-Man and the Wasp mirror Thor: Ragnarok, but this script might be the MCU’s worst. Marvel’s second film in the Ant-Man led sub-franchise is overloaded with seemingly endless exposition and an uneventful narrative. Placed directly after the events of Civil War, Ant-Man and the Wasp is still the only film with direct consequences from that film’s events (more on this later). It was a breath of fresh air, but the rest of the runtime proved to be the tired and drawn method we’ve seen before. A few jokes land, but otherwise it’s a big miss on that front. Which is a shame because the rest of the film doesn’t provide anything engaging either, at the very least, some good comedy could have salvaged this. It’s action beats ring hollow despite what could be the MCU’s most complete film from a visual effects standpoint. What made the previous Ant-Man entry so enjoyable was it’s never before seen action, and it’s familiar plotting still worked well because of it’s visual splendor. Ant-Man and the Wasp lacks all of that, and it’s cast of characters might be the most underwritten yet.
Score: 1.5/5
17. Captain Marvel
Directed By: Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck
The road to Captain Marvel was a long one. Littered with toxicity, unjust bias, and a baffling set of trailers, but I ended up coming around on being excited for the first female led MCU movie. It was a long time coming and the anger and vitriol gave me some optimism for it’s potential success. Unfortunately Captain Marvel proved to be more of the same, but the worst directorial effort since The Incredible Hulk. I’ve come to make my piece with Captain Marvel due to a refreshing outlook on 2019, but the frustration still dwells. This had the biggest potential to be Marvel’s most unique work yet. Toying with flashbacks to bring Carol’s journey to life was enticing, but it only gave this film more complications. There is a lack of narrative structure and it fumbles all aspects of it’s characterization and action sequences. Carol Danvers has no traits or personality worth investing in and caring about, and when propelled into action sequences that feel artificial rather than natural, it becomes a tremendous slog. It repeats visual cues from past MCU entries and even pulls a silly plot device from Thor: Ragnarok. Every minute of it’s two hour runtime feels lazy, and it’s a shame because the production design was actually quite dazzling and Brie Larson wasn’t too bad.
Score: 1.5/5
16. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Directed By: James Gunn
This is by far Marvel’s most mature work to date, and it makes its shortcomings all the more sore. What starts as a promising venture into deep space alongside the beloved Guardians of the Galaxy, it quickly dissolves into overly convenient and unimaginative writing. It harkens back to a lot of what made The Empire Strikes Back so special in regards to splitting up it’s characters and taking a more headstrong approach at it’s themes. What would usually flourish into touching and gripping narrative threads, it wallows in a few too many subplots, and it maims it’s predictable primary throughline. There are definitely a ton of laugh out loud moments to take in alongside what may be the best cinematography in this franchise, but it’s writing embraces it’s immaturity to the point where it’s big time motivations feel silly and head scratching. The entire cast delivers, and Kurt Russell is quite good even if he feels underutilized and his power set lacking in imagination. By far the most frustrating MCU entry to date, because it has so much promise to go beyond our expectations, but it’s just more of the same.
Score: 2/5
15. Thor: The Dark World
Directed By: Alan Taylor
I am just as stunned as you are that I prefer this film over six others, but I honestly don’t believe that The Dark World is as bad as it’s made out to be. First and foremost, there is an actual color palette that decorates each frame of this film with royal decadence and crown jewels. It’s the most lived in Asgard has felt, but it can’t save it’s uninteresting story. There are tons of surprises and distinct visual locations that elevate it’s scale and ho hum plotting, and there’s a lot to be dazzled by, but Malekith is an all-time worst villain. It all starts there, and the decision to make Jane a prominent aspect of the story is baffling to say the least. Not to mention how messy the middle act of this film gets. There’s weird stuff going on with realms, the Reality stone doesn’t really make much sense, and motivations become hazy. There is no doubt that The Dark World is not a good movie, but it does enough interesting things throughout that gives it the edge over the others trailing behind.
Score: 2/5
14. The Avengers
Directed By: Joss Whedon
This is by far my hottest take as a film fan. What was once a cherished and unimaginable culmination of the MCU’s first phase, quickly dwindled due to a lack of exciting writing. I love movies with a simple plot, and I think that simplicity opens up opportunities to explore a wide variety of themes, arcs, and social commentary with ease. The Avengers is simple, and I appreciate that, but it relies on character banter to drive a narrative spectacle, and it doesn’t really provide for an engaging experience. After the first few viewings, all of the arcs, themes, and imagery is explored exactly as it’s presented, and it makes subsequent viewings almost worthless. The cast is dynamite and they never miss a beat, Ruffalo is at his best (by MCU standards) as Bruce Banner, and the third act is simply terrific. It perfectly encapsulates the charm, levity, and thrills that the sub-genre can offer, and it pops off the screen just like the pages. I totally understand why everyone loves this, but there just isn’t any value within it’s narrative worth taking away.
Score: 2/5
13. Doctor Strange
Directed By: Scott Derrickson
Ah, the tale of two halves. When I say that I loved the first half of Doctor Strange, I mean it on multiple levels. It’s dedication to character driven drama with a near action-less 60 minutes is some of the best character work the MCU has had. Benedict Cumberbatch perfectly conveys the personal struggle Stephen Strange was going through, and I felt every ounce of emotion captured through the eyes of Scott Derrickson. I was all-in on this movie and ready to warm up to the MCU again, but then...it’s magic was lost. After Strange was pushed into the trip of a lifetime, Doctor Strange rushes to it’s eye-rolling third act. It never establishes rules it wants to work within, and characters are able to do as they please as long as it’s convenient to get to the next scene. It’s boundaries collapse and Strange’s character somehow becomes someone that you want to root for less than you did before. It does have some dynamite sequences here and there, but it feels strung together by a studio rather than the singular vision that was so prominent in the first half. For a movie dealing with the overpowered time stone, it’s passage of time is conveyed poorly, and it makes me wish this film was made outside the cinematic universe model. This could have been one of the best CBMs ever…
Score: 2/5
12. Avengers: Age of Ultron
Directed By: Joss Whedon
Make no mistake, Age of Ultron is an ugly looking movie, but it has some of the best scenes in the universe. I would love to retitle this: Missed Opportunity, because this movie is a prime example of a director and studio clashing behind-the-scenes. It has signature Whedon trademarks in regards to a shifting perspective with the camera, and the banter is at an all-time high, but it’s clear that Marvel had other plans for the vision of this film. The script is unfocused and borderline ghastly here and there. Some scenes exist almost in it’s own narrative, separate from the primary focus of Age of Ultron, and the action scenes that bookend this film are a tough watch. It’s pure cannon fodder, absolutely, but in terms of geographical coordination, figuring out where characters are in relation to one another, or objectives is almost indecipherable. They kill Quicksilver for cheap emotional stakes, and that rings even more true because it seems like Wanda forgot she even had a twin brother in future films. Getting through Age of Ultron is like traversing a foreign jungle, sometimes there is cool stuff to see, but it’s a hot mess.
Score: 2/5
11. Captain America: Civil War
Directed By: Joe and Anthony Russo
If you thought my Avengers hottake was “weak sauce”, then I this is the right supplement for you. Initially I was in love with Civil War, the action sequences tickled my fancy, and I bought into the drama between Cap and Tony. Even then I wasn’t all in on Zemo, and the pace wasn’t the tightest, but it felt like the MCU film I’d been waiting for. After two re-watches the same weekend, the third viewing felt off. After being initially enamored by the drama, it got lost in the editing and screenplay. Where the Accords once loomed large, it became apparent that writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McPheely lost focus when they wanted to make Bucky the macguffin of the last two-thirds. Bucky’s involvement never compliments the Accords, and vice versa, so the film is constantly battling to uncover it’s true identity. Whether it wants to be a singular focus on Captain America and his blind loyalty combating with Tony’s blissful ignorance, or a focus on unraveling the role the Avengers play in American politics. Both storylines are juggled and sometimes dropped on a dime, and it quickly becomes a frustrating experience not too long into the film. The best example I could give on how poor the editing is, is that the movie goes out of it’s way to introduce Spider-man. A good scene if you look at it in a bubble, but within the context of the story, it comes at a time that’s unnatural and it slows the pace of the film down. Where as someone like Black Panther is introduced seamlessly into the narrative due to the actions that took place earlier in the film, his purpose for being apart of this story makes sense, and Spider-man’s doesn’t. One of those movies with a couple great scenes, but it never quite comes together as a whole.
Score: 2.5/5
10. Guardians of the Galaxy
Directed By: James Gunn
Without a doubt one of my most anticipated movies ever, and to this day it still stings that I don’t love this movie like I wanted to. Don’t get me wrong, I quite like the movie and it’s definitely an easy watch, but this movie really needed a better villain and a slightly better script. For all of the talk going into the film about how “different” and unlike anything we’ve seen from superhero movies, the narrative generally follows the same beats we’ve seen before and since. Sure, it has a talking tree and raccoon, but the narrative still suffers from a script that relies on banter to drive spectacle, and the story isn’t particularly compelling to string together interesting enough revelations to keep us on our toes. It is funny, and still earns many of its laughs as the ragtag cast members all deliver outstanding comedic work that compliments each other’s personality. Dave Bautista’s Drax is still one of my favorite castings to date, and seeing their interactions dazzle alongside some exciting visual effects work makes for plenty of entertaining scenes. I totally get why this is so beloved, and this is probably the only MCU ending that shows character growth through visual storytelling by harkening back to it’s first scene, and it works quite well. James Gunn has a strong grasp on these characters, I just wish it wasn’t held to the mold of the cinematic universe model.
Score: 3/5
9. Iron Man 3
Directed By: Shane Black
Everytime someone brings up Shane Black’s Iron Man 3, I always preface what I’m about to say with the fact that I truly believe this could very well be the best MCU movie if not for one (very) infamous twist. First and foremost, the character work is a Shane Black staple, and his comedic beats usually hit, and he is the right director for a character like Tony Stark. Not only had he worked with Robert Downey Jr. before in 2005’s Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, but this outing starts strong and full of promise. Focused less on action spectacle, but studying it’s main character to drive the narrative with fulfilling thematic resonance, but it also falls prey to the cinematic universe model. Implementing a twist that completely detracts from the illusion the film originally had, and substituting it with a villain that is no different than Electro from Sony’s The Amazing Spider-man 2. It has some pretty good action sequences and his understanding of what the suit resembles for Tony allows for it’s themes to be enhanced through action, and it’s pretty inspiring work by comparison to what the MCU usually offers. By no means a great movie, but a movie that works more times than it doesn’t, and just barely overcomes it’s unforgivable twist.
Score: 3/5
8. Avengers: Infinity War
Directed By: Joe and Anthony Russo
Much like most of the last few MCU movies on this list, I’ve had a weird relationship with them, but my standing on the beloved Infinity War has stayed the same since my initial viewing, at most losing a bit of magic outside the opening night theater experience. This is a big movie with a lot of ground to cover, and it unfortunately suffers from the films prior to IW not taking the time to plant the seeds explored here. Many character moments are lost in the stature of it all and some of the most beloved characters lose agency in a universe they molded into the titan that it is. Thankfully it’s villain is one of their best yet, and Thanos brings a presence to the film that almost all villains in this universe have lacked. He is definitely the protagonist to this story as it’s told through his perspective, but it’s hard to stay invested in that approach because he isn’t the character you want to root for. The story also heavily plays into servicing it’s fans by piling on one big moment after the next with the Avengers and giving you a reason to hoop, holler, and cheer, and like Civil War, doesn’t really compliment the fact that this is Thanos’ story. So many character moments lose meaning or purpose because it’s so focused on the scale of it all, that the meaning of that scale loses all purpose. Most of the time. It gets by on a well written villain, some great character arcs with Thor and Gamora, and some really fantastic visual effects with some decent action scenes here or there (when it’s confined and focused anyways), but the writing and editing needs some major touchups to make a more streamlined film with a lot more interior to fulfill that exterior.
Score: 3/5
7. Spider-man: Homecoming
Directed By: Jon Watts
This is all arbitrary anyways, but Homecoming and IW could easily swap places after another viewing of Homecoming when I complete my prep for Spider-man: Far From Home. As big of a Spider-man fan that I am, Homecoming is a film that really irks me, but does channel some of that boyish charm of a younger webhead. Negatively, the direction is quite non-existent as it doesn’t particularly have an identity or perspective it brings to the third launch of Spider-man in 14 years, but it’s cast may be the MCU’s best. Although Marisa Tomei’s Aunt May is reduced down to eye candy and doesn’t really serve any purpose outside of that, each performer still embraces their character in a way that helps expand the web that will certainly become tangled in Peter’s future. Most of the comedy works, and it’s third act embraces the best angles of what it means to be Spider-man, but like most of the last two phases, it’s script could definitely use some touch ups. Less Iron Man, a more organic approach to Spider-man’s suit (the assistance from Karen removes so much of what makes the character special), a better constructed villain with a deeper characterization beyond it’s rudimentary ideas. A villain like Adrian Toomes in this universe has all the foundation for a great idea, but he isn’t anything more than an idea that isn’t explored. His beef isn’t with Peter/Spider-man, it’s with Iron Man, and the film loses a central conflict to build a story around. It’s really just a movie that breezes by on our years of loving the character and hammering home the fact that it’s connected to the MCU. I can’t lie when I say that this is still a relatively easy watch with plenty of great characters.
Score: 3.5/5
6. Ant-Man
Directed By: Peyton Reed
Peyton Reed’s Ant-Man caught me by surprise in July of 2015. During that time I was still a fan of the universe and really looking forward to Ant-Man despite just having fallen in love with Edgar Wright’s movies and wishing Wright was directing the film instead. To my surprise, I left Ant-Man gleaming with excitement. Yellow Jacket is another terrible villain in the universe, and it does follow the typical MCU formula with some shallow characterizations, but I found the story a joy to watch. Not only that, but the action is really creative and unlike anything Marvel did before then, and hasn’t replicated since. It’s smaller in scale and it makes for some exciting action sequences with some really good laughs that have lasted the last few years. Michael Douglas’ Hank Pym might be the most underwritten character alongside Bucky Barnes, but there’s a lot to love in Ant-Man even if it’s narratively similar to everything else we’ve seen in the universe.
Score: 3.5/5
5. Thor
Directed By: Kenneth Branagh
No joke, this was an awful theater experience, but this is one of the only MCU movies that has aged extremely well. Kenneth Branagh’s direction is the MCU’s best and you can get mad at the Dutch Angles all you want, but for myself, it heightens it’s levels of mysticism present in Asgard and it’s hero. The way that Branagh tells this story is simply magical. Each scene serves a purpose in exploring it’s antagonist and protagonist and elevating the tension through their conflict. Where most MCU movies fail, Thor excels in giving the villain some spotlight. Loki, played by the awesome Tom Hiddleston, works as a perfect juxtaposition to Thor. Both are striving towards the same goal, but one is favored over the other. Over the course of the film, Thor and Loki are essentially deemed unworthy by Odin. Considering Odin believes that Loki’s identity as a child of the Frost Giants makes him unworthy to sit on the throne, and Thor’s immaturity gets him banished to Earth until he learns what it means to be a leader. This sets up their journey to be compelling and rewarding come the third act. Outside of some wonky side characters, and some relatively poor humor, Thor is simply terrific, and it’s a shame that the theme for the film isn’t more renowned, because it’s magnificent. One of the MCU’s best works, and maybe their best directed effort.
Score: 4/5
4. Black Panther
Directed By: Ryan Coogler
Black Panther is a film that really surprised me. Not only is it’s cast loaded with stars, but the drama and story is riveting. This is probably the best script in the franchise, and it shows because of how incredible Killmonger is as a villain. Like Thor, Black Panther sees it’s hero and villain striving to achieve the same goal, and it results in the hero winning, but taking Killmonger’s most rational part of his stance and applying it to his (T’Challa) own outlook on Wakanda. It’s told like a true tragedy, with shades of Shakespearean elements that contain betrayal, romance, action, and vibrant worlds. The third act stumbles a bit, the visual effects are pretty bad, and it has some bad MCU elements in its DNA that don’t make this the best entry in the franchise, but it is a damn good one.
Score: 4/5
3. Iron Man
Directed By: Jon Favreau
The first film in this decade long franchise is still one of their absolute best works, and as time has gone on, it’s a film I’ve appreciated more and more. Understanding that this movie was almost entirely improvd is a miracle. To be the spawn of what is now known as the biggest franchise in the world (PERIOD), and to be a film that was virtually scriptless, to work as well as it does is just insane. It might be their most triumphant work, and to me, their most ambitious. Still to this day. Not only because it made money back, but because it started this whole thing, and it paid off with an airtight narrative with an awesome lead character. Robert Downey Jr. slips into the shoes of Tony Stark, and the rest is history. Obadiah Stane isn’t the best villain, but within the context of 2008, he’s quite good. The third act woes were foreshadowed here as it became a constant in this franchise, but that doesn’t prevent this film from being a downright awesome movie with great effects that blend CGI and practical, and a great cast of characters. I love this movie.
Score: 4/5
2. Captain America: The First Avenger
Directed By: Joe Johnston
This was mid-tier MCU for me until I had watched this in prep for Endgame, and I cannot begin to tell you how excellent this film is from start to finish. Chris Evans absolutely owns the role of Steve Rogers, and his charm radiates so far and wide, it almost makes up for the lack of character in his best pal Bucky. The production design is the franchise’s best as it has a texture to it that gives all five of our senses something to do from scene to scene. Whether it’s the busy streets of New York, or the horrors of war, we can see, smell, hear, touch, and maybe even taste what Joe Johnston is putting on screen. It’s a period piece that hugs science-fiction with warmth and power, and the end result is peak comic-book storytelling. From its commentary on American propaganda, to it’s thrilling action scenes, The First Avenger hit every beat it needs to to be one of the very best comic-book movies in general. I salute this film every chance I get.
Score: 4.5/5
1. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Directed By: Joe and Anthony Russo
For all of the crap I give the Russo brothers, this is their shining achievement. No, it isn’t a 70s political thriller (it isn’t even close to being one), no it isn’t a grey story, and that’s why I love it. It’s a superhero movie, that’s black and white, with a hero who is put in a tough spot, who answers the call to duty (which is exactly why he was created to begin with) to stop evil, so he can save America. The Russos took the idea of Captain America, gave him a purpose in a contemporary setting, and they delivered a truly exhilarating movie. Outside of a “meh” third act set piece, every action sequence prior to this is intense because it’s confined. There’s motive, purpose, and a sense of fear around every corner and across every street, as we don’t know who to trust right alongside the characters. It’s story is simple, and the Winter Soldier is a formidable foe for Captain America. Steve’s patriotism is tested in this movie, and that’s why I love it. He doesn’t fight for himself, he fights for America, and even when it seems like no one is on your side, that doesn’t mean you should give up. Fight for your rights. This is the MCU’s best work, and I think the Russos work much better in a simpler setting, because when they aren’t trying to fulfill our wildest dreams, they get the job done.
Score: 4.5/5
Thanks for checking this out, and I hope you enjoyed it even if you pulled out a few hairs due to some of my rankings. I have a complicated relationship with this franchise, and I hope Endgame delivers (make sure to check out my review when it goes up!).
How do you rank the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
Where do you think Endgame will end up?
If you’ve seen Endgame, where does it land on your list?