‘Ironheart’ Trailer Breakdown: Every Marvel Reference and Secret

After years of anticipation, the character Ironheart will soon take flight on Disney+, starting this summer. Ironheart is an intriguing figure who has recently joined both the Marvel Universe and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. (She made her initial appearance in the 2022 film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.)

Since Riri Williams may not be familiar to you as a Marvel character due to her recent introduction, our latest Marvel video serves as a guide. Here, we delve into Riri’s Marvel background and contrast it with the representation in Wakanda Forever. We will also shed light on The Hood, the new series’ antagonist, and explore an intriguing theory about Ironheart. With Robert Downey Jr. returning to work on Avengers: Doomsday, we ponder if the MCU’s Riri might collaborate with a digital replica of Tony Stark’s A.I., similar to her comic book counterpart.

To find the solution to that question, along with additional insights, check out our comprehensive analysis of the Ironheart trailer in the video below:

If you enjoyed the video dissecting the Ironheart trailer on Disney+, don’t miss out on more of our videos! For instance, check out our analysis on the potential impact of Thunderbolts on the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and what we can expect from its ending in terms of the future of the MCU. We also have a video that recaps all the Marvel movies and shows leading up to Thunderbolts*. You’ll find these videos and many more on ScreenCrush’s YouTube channel, so remember to subscribe for future updates. Right now, head out to theaters to watch Thunderbolts*, while Ironheart will be available on Disney+ starting June 24.

Sign up for Disney+ here.

Every Marvel Cinematic Universe Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best

36. Eternals

Initially, I wouldn’t have anticipated an Oscar-winning director spearheading a Marvel film based on Jack Kirby’s daring comics would result in a less indispensable addition to their roster. Regrettably, Eternals fails to coalesce effectively. It generally adheres to the fundamental principles of Kirby’s creation with minor yet disconcerting alterations – for instance, transforming the malevolent Deviants into faceless creatures without clear objectives or motivations.

The ensemble, boasting commendable supporting roles from Kumail Nanjiani and Brian Tyree Henry, is somewhat overshadowed by the leads, Gemma Chan as Sersi and Richard Madden as Ikaris, who grapple to convincingly portray their long-standing romantic involvement. (Their love story spans 6,000 years; they exude the unease of two individuals on an awkward first date.) The screenplay intermittently delves into intriguing concepts regarding the linkages between superheroes, mythology, and religion, only to consistently forsake these thought-provoking ideas for a succession of generic combat sequences involving uninteresting monsters. It’s challenging to fathom a more tedious film about immortal extraterrestrial automatons attempting to thwart imminent apocalypse than this one.

35. The Incredible Hulk

As a movie enthusiast, I must admit that the production of this Marvel film seems to have been hastily thrown together after Iron Man’s success. The casting of Tim Roth as the world’s elite soldier, who transforms into a bulky bony creature, feels more like a misstep than an intentional choice for the role of the ultimate villain, Loki. (Read more .)

34. Thor: The Dark World

Almost had a Thor film directed by Patty Jenkins, but what we ended up with was a gloomy pursuit of a dull MacGuffin, featuring one of the most uninteresting villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. On the bright side, if this movie hadn’t performed so poorly, Marvel might not have been as open to making significant changes, leading to the creation of Thor: Ragnarok. (Read more .)

33. The Marvels

This Marvel film, despite being ahead of three others in the list, can be considered messy and intense. A trio of captivating Marvel characters – Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel, Iman Vellani’s Ms. Marvel, and Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeau – find themselves teamed up to thwart a Kree warlord with malicious intentions. Although the on-screen chemistry among the actors is superb, the narrative, while concise, presents an overwhelming chaos and questionable decisions that seem illogical and incoherent.

32. Captain America: Brave New World

In a different setting, the same plot: “The correct character, the incorrect narrative. This sentiment could apply to several recent Marvel films (such as The Marvels) but it’s particularly relevant to Captain America: Brave New World, which grants Anthony Mackie’s charming Sam Wilson his own movie, only to burden him with a monotonous villain and a tale riddled with unnecessary references to The Incredible Hulk. (Yes, we were all on the edge of our seats, waiting for updates on Betty Ross.)

31. Doctor Strange

In a nutshell, the mind-bending images are captivating, but “Doctor Strange” struggles to shake off the impression that it’s essentially an updated version of “Iron Man 2 with a sprinkle of magic.” The positive note is the clever twist at the end involving Dormammu. However, the negative point is the strange cape worn by the character that seems out of place. (You can read more about it here.)

The cool special effects are great, but “Doctor Strange” still feels like a remake of “Iron Man 2 with some magic added.” The good thing is the smart conclusion featuring Dormammu. But the bad thing is Doctor Strange’s weird cape. (You can read more about it here.)

30. Iron Man 2

Despite being better than you might recall, it’s still not outstanding. Sam Rockwell’s dancing skills can conceal many flaws, but they can’t hide them all. Trimming 15 minutes of setup from Avengers could potentially make for a much stronger film. (Read more here.)

29. Ant-Man

The film Ant-Man is not bad per se, but it’s challenging to enjoy it without feeling like a scaled-down adaptation of what could have been the Edgar Wright movie we deserved. However, Michael Peña’s character Luis stands out as one of the most memorable non-superpowered characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. (Read more [here](…)).

28. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

Stepping into the role of a movie critic here: “Ant-Man squaring off against Kang the Conqueror? As portrayed by the imposing Jonathan Majors, even Kang acknowledges that Scott Lang is biting off more than he can chew. This battle of titans mirrors the film itself, with the relatable humor and charming characters from the Ant-Man universe struggling to keep pace with the grandiose multiversal conflicts unfolding in Marvel Phase 5.

As a standalone Marvel movie, it’s passable. However, as an extension of the Ant-Man saga, it falls short of expectations, particularly for fans eagerly anticipating more screen time with Michael Peña’s beloved character, Luis, who is noticeably absent from this installment.

27. Ant-Man and the Wasp

The movie “Ant-Man and the Wasp” shines brightest when it embraces its compactness. This is seen through Paul Rudd’s humorous exchanges with his fellow actors, Michael Peña’s heartfelt monologues, and a tender, family-centric storyline about a fractured family striving to mend itself. (Read more .)

26. Captain Marvel

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Brie Larson’s character Carol Danvers could be the most potent hero, yet her movie seemed to fall short on emotional intensity. However, it remained engaging thanks to standout performances by Ben Mendelsohn, who brought life to the cunning Skrull Talos, and Samuel L. Jackson, along with his astoundingly convincing de-aging visual effects, portraying a youthful Nick Fury. (For further details, check out this article.)

25. Black Widow

2021 saw Scarlett Johansson’s long-awaited solo outing from the Avengers, but instead of a standalone adventure, she found herself largely serving as a straight character opposite her witty Russian superhero cohorts like David Harbour’s self-centered Red Guardian and Florence Pugh’s attention-grabbing Yelena. Consequently, Black Widow might not have been the fitting farewell for the character that was expected. However, it remains another strong Marvel production, boasting impressive stunts and an intriguing antagonist in the shape of Taskmaster, who has the ability to replicate the fighting styles of any adversary he encounters.

24. Thor: Love and Thunder

Experiencing Taika Waititi’s second Thor movie, “Thor: Love and Thunder,” can be akin to observing a magician performing the same trick for a second time. Initially, it was mind-blowing. However, while the repetition remains entertaining, it lacks the initial shock value. Christian Bale delivers an eerie portrayal of Gorr the God-Butcher, but his intense and deeply emotional villain character seems to clash slightly with Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and his constant humor. Essentially, “Thor: Love and Thunder” retains all the elements found in Waititi’s “Thor: Ragnarok,” but they don’t quite harmonize as smoothly this time around.

23. Deadpool & Wolverine

In this film, the extraordinary camaraderie between Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman is exactly what you’d expect. The unexpected appearances are astonishing, even shocking at times. However, the narrative seems to push the limits of how much backstory a movie can have without becoming confusing. It feels like each character carries an unnecessary amount of tragedy (at least two in this case!). If you can ignore everything happening on screen for a moment, you’ll have an enjoyable experience. Jackman and Reynolds certainly deliver the expected dynamics between Deadpool and Wolverine, reluctantly teaming up to protect the Fox X-Men universe. You might find yourself wishing that the writers, including Reynolds himself, had managed the storyline a bit more effectively.

22. Captain America: The Winter Soldier

The Unusual Version of Iron Man 2: Less enjoyable than you might recall, but it holds up decently. The advertising emphasized the conspiracy thriller aspect too heavily, yet Anthony Mackie’s Falcon is an excellent newcomer to the series, and Chris Evans remains as reliable as Captain America. However, it bothers me that Nick Fury, renowned as the world’s greatest spy, was clueless about his SHIELD colleagues being entirely corrupt except for him and a couple of friends. Come on, man. Wake up and see! (Read further here.)

21. Avengers: Infinity War

From my perspective, while the grandeur and aspirations displayed in this film are unmatched, and its finale is truly memorable, I can’t help but feel a sense of incompleteness. If you’re primarily seeking a high-octane action movie with a dash of wit, then it might just live up to your expectations. However, if you’re drawn more towards the characters, their relationships, and those quieter moments amidst the battles, this film may not quite hit the mark for you. (Read more here.)

20. Iron Man 3

The film was generally enjoyable, but its connection to the Marvel Cinematic Universe somewhat detracted from it. The plot culminates in Tony Stark deciding to give up his Iron Man persona and ride off, only for more movies to follow. Despite Guy Pearce’s underwhelming performance as Killian, Robert Downey Jr.’s exchanges with a clever child were exceptional. (Read more here.)

19. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Initially, let me clarify: The climax, featuring dragons and monsters clashing amidst a thick gray fog, is a chaotic CGI disaster. However, prior to that, Shang-Chi could be Marvel’s finest pure action film, boasting numerous intense and intricate fight sequences. (The one on the San Francisco bus is particularly enjoyable.) Simu Liu delivers a strong lead performance, joined by Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh who offer rich supporting roles. Ben Kingsley and Awkwafina consistently provide comedic relief, with Kingsley’s portrayal of former Mandarin Trevor Slattery, initially less popular as a Marvel villain, now transformed into a delightful secondary character.

18. Thor

In my opinion, I’m drawn to this cosmic saga, primarily set in the tiniest corner of New Mexico, as it is remarkably unique among Marvel productions. While “Thor” does have its challenges, it was a groundbreaking film that showcased outstanding acting talent and captivating performances. These stellar performances managed to surpass the structural and script issues, setting a precedent for what would later become a distinctive trait of Marvel films. (You can read more about it here.)

17. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

In his task to create “Wakanda Forever,” director Ryan Coogler encountered an exceptionally tough predicament. Apart from crafting a sequel that could match the success of the initial “Black Panther,” he had to do so without Chadwick Boseman, our charismatic lead, who tragically passed away during the summer of 2020 as filming was set to begin. The film excels in incorporating Coogler and the cast’s grief for Boseman into the narrative of Wakanda grappling with its deceased king’s death. Unfortunately, the remainder of the movie can be a bit disorganized, filled with intriguing concepts, numerous characters, and an antagonist – King Namor – whose motivations are somewhat unclear.

16. Captain America: Civil War

The narrative of the film falls apart within seconds, and it’s clear that the entire movie is leading up to the epic showdown between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers at the airport. But let me tell you, that battle at the airport is absolutely mind-blowing! (You can read more about it here.)

15. Spider-Man: No Way Home

In Jon Watts’ third Spider-Man movie, we find a level of quality comparable to Sam Raimi’s third Spider-Man film. Both share an overabundance of villains as well. However, this film excels at portraying the essence of Peter Parker, a character who persistently strives for rectification despite frequent failures. Moreover, it introduces the multiverse into the Marvel Cinematic Universe on a grand scale, making a significant mark in the ongoing storyline.

Jon Watts’ third Spider-Man film is as good as Sam Raimi’s third Spider-Man movie, and they both have too many villains. However, this movie does an excellent job of capturing the spirit of Peter Parker, a character who tries to correct his mistakes even after repeated failures. Additionally, it significantly contributes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe by introducing the multiverse in a major way, which is an important milestone for the storyline.

14. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Following a 15-year absence, director Sam Raimi re-entered the Marvel universe with this thrilling, off-the-wall tale of a struggle for the survival of the multiverse. Similar to his previous Spider-Man films, Raimi managed to incorporate his unique flavor and visuals – including slapstick humor, maniacal zombies, and jumpscares – into the conventional Marvel template. (For further details, check out this article here.)

13. Thunderbolts (2025)

In a nutshell, numerous Marvel productions following “Endgame” seem like they’ve been pieced together haphazardly from leftovers of various comics, movies, and histories. However, the series “Thunderbolts* ” truly stands out as a cohesive film with a gripping narrative and intriguing characters, particularly Florence Pugh’s portrayal of the new Black Widow. She, like many viewers, finds her life unsatisfying and her job unfulfilling until she’s placed among a group of disenchanted mercenaries. This includes Wyatt Russell as the arrogant U.S. Agent and Hannah John-Kamen as the mystical Ghost. Offering both engaging action sequences and a powerful metaphor about overcoming despair and indifference in favor of activity and camaraderie, “Thunderbolts* ” serves as a delightful reminder of Marvel’s potential when it’s operating at its best.

12. Avengers: Age of Ultron

Despite some criticisms, such as its drop in quality compared to the initial Avengers film and the confusing storyline involving Wanda and Pietro, I remain captivated by the climactic sequence where the Avengers unite to rescue every single soul in Sokovia. This final scene encapsulates the essence of Marvel at its finest. (Continue reading .)

11. Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2

As a passionate cinephile, I must confess that the latest Marvel installment left me in awe, but not entirely for the right reasons. The film seemed to have an overabundance of post-credit scenes, at least four of them! Yet, what’s truly remarkable is the audacity to transform their jokiest franchise into a sequel that concludes on such a somber note – a unique feat in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This movie is the only one that has moved me to tears and still managed to sneak in jokes about cosmic deity phallic symbols. In my opinion, that’s a formula for success like no other. (Read more here.)

10. Thor: Ragnarok

I just really like when Jeff Goldblum plays a space god who DJs his own parties. (Read more here.)

9. Spider-Man: Far From Home

The second installment of Marvel’s Spidey series, starring Tom Holland as the incredible web-slinger, takes a slight dip compared to the first, offering a blend of romance, action, humor, and emotion. While no one utters “with great power comes great responsibility,” the movie Far From Home delves deeply into this theme, just like any other Spider-Man film. In this adventure, Peter Parker (Holland) grapples with his feelings for MJ (Zendaya, who brings a delightful wit to her role), and at the same time, he’s tasked by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson, portraying a mix of humor and annoyance) to thwart a group of destructive elemental beings.

8. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

As a seasoned movie critic, let me express that James Gunn has masterfully concluded his Guardians trilogy with a film that encapsulates the perfect Marvel recipe: Awe-inspiring action sequences, quirky cosmic visuals, and character developments so profound they leave you deeply invested. By the culmination of Vol. 3, Rocket Raccoon has evolved from a Marvel B-lister to one of the most captivating and heartbreaking heroes in their roster. After a series of underwhelming films, Gunn effortlessly showcases his prowess. It’s truly unfortunate that he’s departing to helm DC productions instead.

7. Avengers: Endgame

A significant leap forward from “Infinity War” and arguably the second-best Avengers film yet, boasting massive action sequences, numerous laughs, and potentially a record-breaking number of Easter eggs across any cinematic universe. (Read more .)

6. Spider-Man: Homecoming

Among the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s movies that are hard to resist watching again, this one boasts captivating characters, thrilling Spider-Man sequences, and an unexpected street vendor requesting a flip from Spider-Man, which he graciously performs. Aren’t you hooked?! (Continue reading here.)

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, one movie that stands out as highly rewatchable offers compelling characters, exhilarating Spider-Man scenes, and a street vendor requesting a flip from Spider-Man, which he performs. Aren’t you intrigued?! (Find more details here.)

5. Guardians of the Galaxy

Halfway through the Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline, the initial Guardians movie played a pivotal role in showing that Marvel’s style was versatile enough to draw audiences towards lesser-known properties. Before James Gunn came along, the Guardians were barely mentioned. However, under his direction, they became an unexpected blockbuster hit. It’s also important to note that the best among the Guardians is undeniably and indisputably Rocket. So, if you disagree, please remember that this is a matter of fact. (For further details, check out the article here.)

4. Captain America: The First Avenger

Despite some structural issues, such as condensing an entire war into a montage, Chris Evans’ portrayal of Captain America in this film is arguably the most convincing character adaptation within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This film transformed a hero often criticized for being bland or outdated into a captivating, charismatic individual embodying human virtues. It serves as an inspiring watch within the MCU. [Read more here.]

3. Black Panther

In contrast to many Marvel films that strive for expansive connections with the cosmos, “Black Panther” demonstrates the merit of a more secluded approach. Instead of concluding with Black Panther keeping Wakanda isolated, as one might expect, the movie ends with Wakanda being revealed to the world and characters becoming available for future appearances elsewhere. While this could be seen as a joyous ending, it may also lead to a less focused sequel filled with numerous cameos, which could potentially diminish its quality.

(Read more here.)

2. The Avengers

Despite the events of “Infinity War”, the original “Avengers” movie remains an extraordinary feat of balance and craftsmanship. Each character shines in their own right, the narrative flows seamlessly, and the climactic Battle of New York is undeniably one of the most memorable action sequences of recent times. (Read more here.)

1. Iron Man

The original film remains unsurpassed to this day. Reflecting on it now, we can see that not being tied to a larger universe allowed for a stronger cinematic experience. Scenes featuring Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark testing his armor and taking flight for the first time more effectively convey the excitement of superpowers than any film ever made by Marvel or another studio. (Read more here.)

2025-05-16 17:57