We understand this list may be controversial to some, we get it. We have sat down and discussed which movie belongs where and why we believe it does. Please note, we’re not saying this list is accurate, what this is, is just our opinion.
We will start with the worst all the way to the number 1 spot, and give a brief explanation as to our thoughts on the movie.
30. The Incredible Hulk
I think The Incredible Hulk is universally disliked by literally everyone. It is a movie that is always in the conversation of negative stuff, whether that is the actor, story, design, CGI, or just not being as great as the Mark Ruffalo version. I think this is a fair reason as to why it should be dead last.
29. Iron Man 3
Iron Man 3 for me is the least memorable movie in the Iron Man trilogy of movies. It’s a movie that I always tend to fall asleep while watching and whenever I do a Marvel Cinematic Universe movie run, I always hate getting to this movie.
28. Black Widow
This might be seen as controversial among Marvel fans but Black Widow for me was forgettable. The story was weak, the design of Taskmaster and the direction that the filmmakers took with that character was bad, simply put. Let us not forget that horrid CGI and VFX in the third act. After years of asking for a movie for her, I was severely let down.
27. Thor: The Dark World
Similar to Iron Man 3, Thor the Dark World is a movie that I tend to hate coming to in the Marvel Cinematic Universe run. It feels so different mainly because of the villain. I’m not a huge fan of them. I did enjoy some parts of the movie but ultimately a lot of scenes were boring.
26. Thor: Love and Thunder
For me personally, I didn’t hate Love and Thunder. I honestly believed the movie was fun in a sense. I completely understand why people never liked it and it got as much hate as it did, especially when it’s coming off a hugely successful Ragnarok. I wouldn’t say it’s the worst film of all time but when you look at the movies above it from this list, it’s obvious it was going to be behind them.
25. Ant-Man and the Wasp
I will admit that I did enjoy Ghost as a villain. I think her powers and abilities as well as her overall design were unique, different, and visually great. Scott Lang played by Paul Rudd was also great. The story, however, was bland, plain, and often at times boring.
24. Eternals
This is another movie I actually did enjoy. I understand it wasn’t the best MCU movie out there but it was a fun film nonetheless. I enjoyed what they tried to build with all of the Eternals and the steps moving forward, especially with Arishem. I hope this somehow, someway leads to potentially Galactus.
23. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
The first Guardians was far superior to the sequel, but again, this was a fun movie. At the time of release, I remember everything being centered around Baby Groot. It made sense and it had fun elements, the final fight scene was super entertaining but overall, it isn’t up there when it comes to solid MCU movies.
22. Thor
While I did enjoy the first Thor movie, seeing the introduction to many characters that would go on to become some of my favorite characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe like Thor, Loki, Hawkeye, and Lady Sif, I couldn’t get away with most of the movie simply being about Thor as a human. It didn’t feel like an “origin” movie for Thor.
21. Spider-Man: Homecoming
This was Tom Holland’s first solo movie in the MCU as Peter Parker. Now, Homecoming is a good film. It does well in a lot of aspects for Spider-Man but the over-reliance on Tony’s tech didn’t make it great. Although yes, he did defeat Vulture with the homemade suit, it still felt like he was doing everything he could to get Tony’s approval. It’s a good movie but out of the 3 Spider-Man movies, it’s definitely the weakest. Liz felt like an absolute waste of time and should have just gone in with the MJ stuff off the rip.
20. Captain Marvel
I won’t lie, this will be controversial but I enjoyed Captain Marvel whereas the masses would simply put it towards the end of the ranked list. I enjoyed the concept of seeing this pilot from the 90s be transported lightyears away and having to learn to use powers. I enjoyed seeing a young Nick Fury and a young Phil Coulson. I thoroughly enjoyed the introduction to the Skrulls too.
19. Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange was absolutely mindblowing for me when I first originally watched it. The way the magic and the mystical elements played into the movie was fantastic, the acting was great, and Benedict Cumberbatch is a perfect casting. The visuals in this movie were some of the best in the entire MCU.
18. Guardians of the Galaxy
Guardians of the Galaxy will always be a standout Marvel Cinematic Universe movie for me, no matter how great future stories told about the Guardians will be. I loved this movie from the moment I watched it. James Gunn did perfectly with this movie and the best thing that stood out for me was the music. It literally made the movie.
17. Iron Man 2
When we discussed this list, it took us over a week. Iron Man 2 is a personal favorite of mine, simply because this was actually the movie that got me bang into the MCU, not the first one. I do agree with the general consensus that Whiplash wasn’t done particularly well and we should have got a better showdown fight between him and Iron Man. This movie did however catapult into the Avengers movie as well with the suits so there is that.
16. Captain America: The First Avenger
While I did enjoy this movie, I loved the World War 2 era movie and storytelling. I just think this movie could have and should have been better. I get they didn’t have rights for certain characters but imagine how much of a badass, money-making movie would be if we got a World War 2 movie with Captain America, Namor, and Wolverine?
15. Captain America: Civil War
Civil War tends to be a movie a lot of people dislike but I absolutely loved every minute of this. I do agree in the sections that it’s unfair Captain America’s (solo) movie was basically Avengers 2.5. I couldn’t get enough of it. It featured Spider-Man’s first introduction into the MCU alongside Black Panther. I could write all day about what Civil War got right but ultimately, this is a list a few of us comprised so it lands at number 14. If it was up to me alone, this would be top 7.
14. Avengers: Age of Ultron
Honestly, when Age of Ultron was first released, I wasn’t a huge fan of it. I disliked Ultron, I hated the direction that the story went with certain characters such as Black Widow but ultimately after many rewatch I’ve slowly begun to appreciate the movie for what it is. I loved that this movie gave us another version of Quicksilver too.
13. Ant-Man
Ant-Man was a fantastic movie and is often undervalued and underappreciated for what it is. It was different in the sense of you get this convict, who can not hold down a job and is always breaking and entering. You take this misfit of a man and throw him into the world of superheroes and it’s just amazing to witness him navigating around.
12. Spider-Man: Far From Home
Honestly, Far From Home was fantastic from start to finish. Similar to Multiverse of Madness, this movie literally took your head for a spin because of Mysterio. The scene where Mysterio played by the incredible Jake Gyllenhaal took Spider-Man into a weird mind mess and made him see a zombie Iron Man was incredible.
11. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
This movie was fantastic and will forever be a standout because of one scene. Wanda killing the Illuminati. This scene was so brutal, so unexpected that it caught me off guard. It literally made the movie. The rest of the story was a fantastic and visually stunning movie.
10. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
If it wasn’t for number 2 on this list, Shang-Chi would be the only movie in our top 10 from Phase 4. It deserves it. This was an absolute masterpiece in every way. The story, the fighting, the characters, the showdown, it had it all. This wasn’t a film I particularly cared for prior to release, but I just remember walking out of the theatres feeling completely blown away.
9. The Avengers
I’ve got to admit, in 2012 I never thought we’d get what we’ve had over the years. This all stemmed from the very first Avengers movie which was fantastic. It’s still surprising to me that Joss Whedon did so well with this in comparison to DC’s Justice League. The Avengers is a film that will live down in memory and it’s always one I look forward to on an MCU run.
8. Thor: Ragnarok
Thor’s now had 4 movies, the only hero within the MCU to receive this. However, out of those 4 only Ragnarok deserves to be talked about above all others. This was just so much fun from the first minute. For me as well, besides Loki in his series, this was the best performance from him. When we discussed 7th to 5th, this was in contention for the top 5.
7. Iron Man
While I may be on the side of not calling this the birth and origin of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I can not help but admit this was the fuel the Marvel Cinematic Universe needed. This movie was fantastic and made even better because of how incredibly well Robert Downey Jr played Tony Stark.
6. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
This is purely based on my viewing of the movie but for me, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a beautiful, emotional, spiritual, and fantastic movie from start to finish. It didn’t ruin the legacy that Chadwick brought to the role, it enhanced it. Shuri played by Letitia Wright was simply great. The villain was insanely good too. It could go either way on this list but for me personally, this is where it belongs.
5. Black Panther
I think Black Panther hits differently now, more so with the late Chadwick Boseman. I honestly watched this during my last MCU run back in the summer, and I struggled to hold back tears. It’s purely because it makes you realize how short life is. I am grateful I got to witness this in theatres on release and be part of a very small minority that paid to support this. I love the film, I loved it then as well.
4. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
I love The Winter Soldier movie for many reasons. One main reason is the fallout of the movie. While we typically do feel the effects of movies in over movies, with The Winter Soldier, you got the movie, and then the fallout happened in Agents of Shield. You got to witness just how well Hydra is as a faction, how well they organized the faction, and just how dominant they were.
3. Avengers: Infinity War
I have a 3-year-old son, and I am beyond tempted to make him watch this film and wait a year to watch Endgame. That type of suffering that we had to endure was horrible. Until the next 2 movies came out, Infinity War was easily my favorite film without a doubt. I could watch this and Endgame over and over again and never get bored.
2. Spider-Man: No Way Home
Some may say this is the best Marvel Cinematic Universe, and some may put it second or third but for me, this is a very close second. Everything about this movie was special. From the story to the action. The cameos and how they brought together three Spider-Men universes as well as bringing in the Netflix series Daredevil were perfect.
1. Avengers: Endgame
Let’s be honest, I don’t believe there are many that wouldn’t put this at the top of their list. It has everything and on top of that, the portal scene still remains in our opinion to be one of the best moments in movie history. It was stack packed from beginning to end and it’s no surprise it’s number 2 on the all-time box office. It does deserve number 1, the movie is so good that I don’t believe it will ever be topped.
