All 34 Marvel Cinematic Universe movies, ranked from worst to best

As a die-hard Marvel fan who’s been following the cinematic universe since its inception, I must say that the upcoming Deadpool 3 looks absolutely mind-blowing! The two hours of fan service it promises is just what I need after all the intense action and drama we’ve seen in recent MCU films. Plus, the hilarious gags aimed at the MCU are bound to have us rolling on the floor with laughter!

What’s the best movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)? And the worst?

After the incredible box office success of films featuring Deadpool and Wolverine, we’ve now reached our 34th Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie. This extensive collection has allowed us to revisit every title, from Iron Man to the latest release, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3. We’re daring enough to take on the challenging task of ranking all MCU films up to this point.

As a lifelong fan of Marvel Comics, I’ve spent countless hours immersed in the rich tapestry of stories and characters that make up the Marvel Universe. Over the years, I’ve watched every single Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie multiple times, each time finding new layers to appreciate. So here goes: after much deliberation and reflection, here’s my ranking of all 34 MCU movies from worst to best, but keep in mind that this is just one fan’s opinion, as I reserve the right to change my mind based on re-watching or future releases.

To help jog your Marvel Cinematic Universe memories, many of the films can be rewatched at your convenience on Disney+.

Chris Hemsworth delivers a commendable performance as Thor, and an impressive climactic scene is worth noting. However, overall, the film doesn’t offer much more than these points.

Thor: The Dark World suffers from a rubbish baddie in Malekith and a so-so plot.

Read our review of Thor: The Dark World.

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Phase 5 got off to the worst possible start with Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania.

As a gamer, I was genuinely hyped for The Multiverse Saga, expecting it to be a grand journey. But alas, what I received fell short of my expectations. Instead of building upon the intrigue, they seemed to have gotten lost in setting up Kang, leaving Ant-Man’s potential unfulfilled – something we fans were eagerly anticipating.

Read our review of Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania.

Watch now: Prime Video | iTunes | Disney+

In the film “Iron Man 2,” Robert Downey Jr.’s captivating personality lends it an engaging vibe. Additionally, this movie marks the entry of Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff, also known as Black Widow. Notably, Don Cheadle takes over the role of Rhodey from Terrence Howard in this sequel.

Nevertheless, the antagonists fell short of expectations, leaving the movie lacking the novelty found in its predecessor.

Read our review of Iron Man 2.

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As a devoted Marvel fan, I must admit that The Incredible Hulk no longer seems like it belongs in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s not that it’s abysmal, but it just lacks the cohesion with the rest of the universe. However, with Captain America 4 on the horizon, there’s a glimmer of hope that this might change.

In simpler terms, Edward Norton portrays the enraged green character, clashing against Tim Roth’s Abomination. His relationship is with Liv Tyler’s character, Betty Ross. However, just like him, he can’t recall what befell her.

Read our review of The Incredible Hulk.

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It seemed fitting that Taika Waititi would direct another Thor film following the massive success of “Thor: Ragnarok,” but the actual experience turned out to be underwhelming.

In a new twist, Thor: Love and Thunder amplified the film’s quirky elements, with Natalie Portman reprising her role as Jane Foster transformed into Mighty Thor. However, despite this, it seemed to lack the unique charm that made Ragnarok so successful. The movie did feature some entertaining yelling goats, though!

Read our review of Thor: Love and Thunder.

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The Eternals undeniably aimed for a distinctive approach compared to typical Marvel Cinematic Universe productions; however, they struggled under the burden of attempting too many elements.

Instead of merely presenting an enthralling narrative, the film needed to unveil a fresh squad of superheroes and detail their backstories. However, the origins of the Eternals didn’t leave a lasting impression compared to other stories we’re familiar with.

Read our review of Eternals.

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After over a decade, Scarlett Johansson’s character Natasha Romanoff finally received her own film, titled “Black Widow”. Upon its release, the movie was… satisfactory.

Although her “Avengers: Endgame” demise seemed insignificant at the time, it paved the way for introducing Florence Pugh’s character, Yelena Belova, into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And for that, we can’t entirely dislike it.

Read our review of Black Widow.

Watch now: Prime Video | iTunes | Disney+

The return of Sam Raimi to the world of superheroes for the movie “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” generated high expectations, yet it fell short of the mark.

The sequel is certainly fun and surprisingly dark for the MCU, yet having Scarlet Witch as the villain just never seemed to match with her WandaVision journey, despite Elizabeth Olsen’s best efforts.

Read our review of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Watch now: Prime Video | iTunes | Disney+

In the movie “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” the intelligent, sentient artificial intelligence character named Ultron makes for an impressive antagonist. The film cleverly employs elements reminiscent of horror movies, providing an enjoyable viewing experience.

In this instance, we’re introduced to fresh figures, Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, marking the potential deterioration of the bond between Tony Stark and Captain America. However, the narrative occasionally appears complex due to an abundance of characters and storylines.

Read our review of Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Watch now: Prime Video | iTunes | Disney+

In an exciting turn of events, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) introduced its initial solo female-led film with “Captain Marvel,” starring Brie Larson as Carol Danvers. This traditional MCU offering follows the familiar trajectory of an origin story, regardless of whether it’s deemed excellent or less than ideal by viewers.

In her performance, Larson matches the intensity of Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, a significant role for him recently. The film is continually entertaining, but it lacks the grandeur or the sense of a major occasion compared to the Black Panther movie.

Read our review of Captain Marvel.

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Since Black Panther: Wakanda Forever had to tackle the unfortunate passing of Chadwick Boseman, it delivered as a satisfactory follow-up to the initial film, though it fell slightly short compared to its predecessor in terms of quality.

As a gamer, I found its deep dive into sorrow and mourning to be far more impactful compared to its blockbuster-like aspects, such as the heavily CGI-enhanced ending. Balancing those elements seemed to elude it slightly.

Read our review of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Watch now: Prime Video | iTunes | Disney+

Far From Home” faced considerable challenges because it marked the end of Phase 3 and was the initial film following “Avengers: Endgame,” which significantly altered the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

It’s impressive that this Spider-Man story remains engaging, so bravo! Plus, it boasts one of the finest post-credit scenes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Read our review of Spider-Man: Far From Home.

Watch now: Prime Video | iTunes | Disney+

In the initial part of “Captain America: The First Avenger”, the underdeveloped and unhealthy Steve Rogers forms connections with Bucky and Peggy, only to be turned down by the military. This segment is exceptionally well-crafted.

Yet, the latter part of his “super-soldier” phase seems less impressive compared to the beginning. Nevertheless, he has an excellent supporting crew.

Read our review of Captain America: The First Avenger.

Watch now: Prime Video | iTunes | Disney+

With visually stunning Inception-esque effects and a stellar ensemble featuring Benedict Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton, Mads Mikkelsen, and Chiwetel Ejiofor, Doctor Strange makes a remarkable entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Despite being somewhat unusual and not particularly appealing, his former love interest played by Rachel McAdams seems irrelevant to the story.

Read our review of Doctor Strange.

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In the film Thor, Chris Hemsworth brilliantly portrayed the mighty Thor, the God of Thunder. This movie additionally showcased Tom Hiddleston as the exceptional Loki, one of the most remarkable villains within the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe.

It turned out that Kenneth Branagh’s unstoppable robot, the Destroyer, wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. However, Branagh was an excellent pick for director, and the film delivers plenty of hearty laughs along with some genuine emotional depth.

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Six years have passed since the release of “Deadpool 2”, and five years have elapsed since Disney acquired Fox. In this time, the pairing of Deadpool and Wolverine demonstrated that the Deadpool franchise remains sharp-edged. The return of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine made this third installment a delight for Marvel enthusiasts.

Enjoying an outstanding spectacle, Deadpool 3 spans two hours filled with delightful jokes targeting the Marvel Cinematic Universe (plus a few extras!). This summer blockbuster doesn’t disappoint, offering unexpected guest appearances and breathtaking action sequences.

Read our review of Deadpool & Wolverine.

Watch now: Out in cinmeas

In response to the somber events of “Avengers: Infinity War,” the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s 20th film, titled “Ant-Man and The Wasp,” served as a delightful contrast, marking the first time a female superhero was highlighted in the title.

Following the initial movie, it solidified the distinctly charming atmosphere of the Ant-Man series within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Though it may not be the most profound Marvel production, its humor and warmth set it apart as one of the most reliable and endearing.

Watch now: Prime Video | iTunes | Disney+

Originally titled “Captain Marvel 2“, the movie now known as “The Marvels” presents an unexpected alliance, bringing together Carol Danvers (also known as Captain Marvel), Monica Rambeau, and Kamala Khan (who is also referred to as Ms. Marvel).

Although The Marvels had a dismal start at the box office with record-low earnings during its initial weekend showing, it’s packed with thrilling action, loads of fun, and plenty of feline companions.

Additionally, the finale, especially the final scene of “The Marvels,” presents some pivotal shifts for the series.

Read our review of The Marvels.

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In a more casual and understandable manner, you could say that “Iron Man 3” features a major twist in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) involving the character of The Mandarin, portrayed by Ben Kingsley. This twist, appreciated by some viewers and frustrating to others, is considered one of the biggest bait-and-switches in the franchise.

Despite his character not becoming the infamous supervillain as anticipated, the film boasts impressive action sequences, delves into profound themes, and offers Gwyneth Paltrow’s character, Pepper, more substantial roles beyond just being frustrated with Tony Stark.

Read our review of Iron Man 3.

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In the end, Spider-Man: Homecoming turned out to be a delightful high-school comedy with a top-notch antagonist, played by Michael Keaton as The Vulture.

Despite being the third Spider-Man of the century, the portrayal by Tom Holland proved remarkably successful. As the youngest member of the Avengers team, Holland infused a revitalizing energy into the franchise. Moreover, the friendship between Holland’s Spider-Man and Jacob Batalon’s Ned has been particularly endearing to fans.

Read our review of Spider-Man: Homecoming.

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