TheMCUhas been around for nearly 20 years and, remarkably, the franchise remains as popular as ever. Over its 17-year run, it has undergone five phases; three in The Infinity Saga and two in The Multiverse Saga. In The Infinity Saga, each phase culminated in a crossoverAvengersfilm, with every installment gradually building towardthe grand finale inAvengers: Endgame. While The Multiverse Saga hasn’t matched the success of its predecessor, Marvel still has the opportunity to deliver astrong conclusion withAvengers: DoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Wars.
Thunderbolts*is the final film of Phase 5 beforePhase 6 starts withThe Fantastic Four: First Steps. Phase 5 has been an inconsistent era for the MCU, but it still has a few MCU projects that are some of the best in the franchise. It’s easy to look back fondly on The Infinity Saga, but it still had its share of low moments, as every MCU phase has had. Here are the best and worst movies from every phase of the MCU.
10Phase 1’s Best Movie: The Avengers Changed The Superhero Genre Forever
The Avengers (2012)
Iron Manwas an excellent first film for the MCU. It introduced audiences to an engaging hero and slowly started to build the Marvel universe. When Nick Fury told Tony Stark about The Avengers Initiative inIron Man’s post-credit scene, audiences couldn’t believe that a project this ambitious could work. However,Marvel proved its naysayers wrong withThe Avengers, bringing together characters from its first five films in a massive crossover event. It fulfilled so many comic book dreams and showed what’s possible in a superhero franchise.
It’s a game-changing film for the superhero genre and Hollywood. Many other studios have tried creating their own cinematic universes with mixed results.WhileThe Avengersdid change the industry, it’s also a great movie. It’s an adrenaline-fueled film filled with excellent action sequences, hilarious dialogue, and emotional drama that brings the team together. Everyone remembers where they were when the team circled up for the first time, and moments like that are why audiences fell in love with this universe.
9Phase 1’s Worst Movie: The Incredible Hulk Is One Of Marvel’s Most Forgettable Entries
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Many people forget thatThe Incredible Hulkis in the MCU, aside from Edward Norton no longer playing Bruce Banner. It’s just not that captivating of a movie. The plot is rather redundant, watching Hulk run and smash his way from the military, and the characters aren’t very engaging besides Bruce. The narrative hasn’t been relevant to the MCU, until recently, since many ofThe Incredible Hulk’s storylines received closure inCaptain America: Brave New World.
8 Ways Captain America: Brave New World Is The Incredible Hulk 2
There are several exciting ways in which Captain America: Brave New World is basically a sequel to 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, 17 years later.
However, the film isn’t awful and does have several highlights.The final fight between Hulk and Abomination is exciting and one of the best Hulk momentswithin the MCU. It’s nice to see a Hulk filled with so much rage, especially since he’s since become Professor Hulk. Norton is also an excellent Bruce Banner, and the rest of the cast fits their roles perfectly. If the script was better, this could have been a more memorable follow-up toIron Man.
8Phase 2’s Best Movie: Captain America: The Winter Soldier Added Some Grit To The MCU
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Over a decade later,Captain America: The Winter Soldieris still regarded as one of the best ever MCU films, and for good reason. It was an incredible shake-up to the MCU formula. Marvel was known for having lighter, more humorous movies, andThe Winter Soldierintroduced a darker, grittier tone through a captivating spy thriller. The Russo Brothers are one of the most reliable directors in the MCU, and this film shows why. The action is incredible, and they know how to perfectly place humor into a scene without ruining the more dramatic moments.
Additionally,it also changed how audiences looked at Captain America. AfterCaptain America: The First AvengerandThe Avengers, many saw him as the boy scout of the Marvel universe. However, this film made him a badass, giving him hardcore hand-to-hand combat scenes. It’s impossible to think that Steve Rogers isn’t one of the coolest heroes in the MCU after watching the elevator scene or the knife fight against the Winter Soldier. Many superhero films have tried to copyThe Winter Soldier’s direction and tone, but it’s hard to replicate near perfection.
7Phase 2’s Worst Movie: Thor: The Dark World Needed Some Light
Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Until Taika Waititi added his unique flair to Thor inThor: Ragnarok, the God of Thunder was one of the most boring characters in the MCU. Yes, he shined in eachAvengersfilm, butMarvel was severely underutilizing Chris Hemsworth’s comedic chops, especially inThor: The Dark World. It’s a lifeless sequel and doesn’t have much of the Shakespearian drama that Kenneth Branagh brought to the first film.
The main thing thatkeeps this film alive is the relationship between Thor and Loki. Loki is one of Marvel’s best villains and his love-hate sibling rivalry with Thor elevates this film beyond its thin plot. Outside the family drama and Thor’s relationship with Jane,The Dark World’s narrative with Malekith is surprisingly dull. Despite his cool design,Malekith is one of Marvel’s most boring villains. Asgard is one of Marvel’s most colorful worlds, butThe Dark Worldlacks the creativity and energy that makes other Marvel movies so engaging.
6Phase 3’s Best Movie: Avengers: Infinity War Left Audiences Stunned For An Entire Year
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Phase 3 is easily the most consistent phase of the MCU. It has the most films, but it seemed like Marvel was releasing hit after hit leading up to The Infinity Saga’s finale.Avengers: Endgameis a worthy choice for this slot, butAvengers: Infinity Waris better in a few respects.The main factor is that Thanos is an incredible villain, and the decision to focus so much time on him makesInfinity Warso compelling. While his actions are despicable, his motives are understandable, and it’s easier to hate a villain who’s so convinced they’re right.
6 Years On, I’ve Never Experienced Anything Like Avengers: Infinity War’s Ending
The Avengers: Infinity War ending still has me reeling, in part because there hasn’t been anything like the experience since it was released.
It also has non-stop pacing from the second the movie starts. Thanos destroys Thor’s ship, beats up the Hulk, kills Loki, and the film never slows down. WhileEndgamehad a more exciting finale,Infinity Warhad a more impactful, shocking ending that left viewers stunned once the screen cut to credits.A superhero film had never ended with a villain winning, and Marvel had the guts to do it and force its audience to wait a year to see what happened next.Endgamewas so satisfying becauseInfinity Warwas so devastating.
Captain Marvel (2019)
Phase 3 is the best phase of the MCU. Unfortunately, one movie has to be the worst of this phase, andCaptain Marvelfits that label. It’s not an awful movie or a failure for the studio, grossing over $1 billion worldwide. However,Captain Marvelwas an underwhelming experience afterInfinity War’s post-credit scene teased her arrival. Brie Larson isn’t bad in the role, but the script and the direction don’t portray her as charismatic or engaging.
The film’s best parts are her dynamic with Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury, whose de-aging effects still look good almost six years later. TheSkrulls are also likable and well-written, including Ben Mendelsohn’s Talos, and Goose the Cat has many hilarious moments. The same can’t be said for Jude Law’s Yon-Rogg, who falls into the dull, forgettable villain category. Some of the action also falls flat, and the film’s color palette could have used more pop. It’s an OK film that could have been great with some script and directing changes.
4Phase 4’s Best Movie: Spider-Man: No Way Home Delivered The Ultimate Spidey Love Letter
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
AfterEndgame, many wondered when the next major Marvel spectacle would arrive. Fortunately, fans only had to wait two years forSpider-Man: No Way Home. The film wasthe ultimate dream come true for Spider-Man comic book readers and longtime franchise viewers, dating back to 2002’sSpider-Man. Seeing Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland team up was incredible, delivering on every expectation. Maguire and Garfield slipped back into their roles seamlessly, while Holland proved he could hold his own alongside these two iconic actors.
Maguire and Garfield’s return is the selling point ofNo Way Home, but it is still an excellent Spider-Man story. Holland’s Peter Parker gets put through the wringer due to his identity being exposed andWillem Dafoe’s Green Goblincausing tragedy. However, he demonstrates Spider-Man’s selflessness by making a huge sacrifice in the film’s finale, and it shows that this trilogy was truly the beginning of his journey, not the end.
3Phase 4’s Worst Movie: Thor: Love And Thunder Was Too Goofy For Its Own Good
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
Thor: Love and Thundertook what worked inThor: Ragnarokand put it into overdrive. While Waititi’s humor works for many people, it is overbearing in this film. It is a constant barrage of goofy jokes and cartoony characters, andthat could work ifLove and Thunder’s plot didn’t demand a more serious tone. Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster has terminal cancer, and the film doesn’t give this story the time it deserves. The same can be said about Thor’s search for self-realization andGorr the God Butcher’s revenge.
Christian Bale is excellent as Gorr, but isn’t in the movie enough. He’s called the God Butcher, but the film only shows him killing one god.Gorr could have been one of Marvel’s best villainsif Waititi had given him the focus he deserved.Love and Thunderhas too much on its plate, and it’s not balanced by a tone that fits its story.
2Phase 5’s Best Movie: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Gave Marvel’s Best Outcasts An Emotional Finale
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
TheGuardians of the Galaxyfranchise is one of Hollywood’s most unlikely success stories. James Gunn took a team featuring a talking raccoon and a sentient tree and made them relatable fan favorites.Some Guardians may still be around after this film, butGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3is an emotionally satisfying finale that gives several characters the endings they deserve. Gunn injects the film with heart and humor, all boosted by an excellent soundtrack.
It also features exciting action scenes, like the hallway fight set to the Beastie Boys' “No Sleep Till Brooklyn.” Chukwudi Iwuji’s High Evolutionary is a terrifying villain and one of the most loathsome MCU characters. The film’s narrative centers around Rocket Raccoon, but every character gets many moments to shine and fulfill an arc. It’s a satisfying end to a beloved trilogy and a reminder that the MCU can shine with the right creative minds.
1Phase 5’s Worst Movie: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania Forced Marvel To Make Some Changes
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumaniawas intended to be a pivotal film in The Multiverse Saga, introducingKang the Conqueror as the next Thanosand the central villain ofAvengers 5. However, the film was such a disappointment that it forced Marvel to reconsider its plans. Despite a solid performance from Jonathan Majors, Kang never reached the level of menace needed to make audiences truly fear him. Additionally,Quantumaniasuffered from many of the MCU’s most frequent criticisms.
Much of the humor fell flat, and the film was overloaded with CGI that often appeared unpolished. M.O.D.O.K., in particular, was a poorly executed visual effect, and many dramatic moments lacked emotional weight due to the overly digital backgrounds. TheAnt-Manfranchise thrived on small-scale, self-contained stories that served as lighthearted diversions from theMCU’s larger stakes.Quantumaniastripped away what made the franchise unique, and ultimately failed to generate excitement for The Multiverse Saga.
