Ranking of all Marvel Cinematic Universe movies, from worst to best

The Marvel Cinematic Universe may have begun in 2008 with Iron Man, a billionaire playboy genius and philanthropist who fights injustice. But over the course of 17 years and 37 movies, the MCU has not only brought scads of comic book heroes and villains to theaters, it also changed the landscape of Hollywood releases as we know it.

Looking back, it’s dizzying to recall all the details of the adventures and disasters of Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Black Panther, the Hulk, Doctor Strange, Ant-Man, Spider-Man, the Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain Marvel, Deadpool, the Fantastic Four, and their ever-expanding ensemble. But whenever you want to delve into a rewatch, we’ve got your back with this guide to the good, great, and the ugly.

With The Fantastic Four: First Steps now in theaters, we’ve updated our ranking of the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, factoring in epic action, crackling comedy, wowing star power, and harrowing disappointments.

Here are the MCU movies ranked worst to best.

37. Iron Man 2 (2010)

A tepid followup to the sleek brilliance of Iron Man, the sequel gives us a sinister yet funny Mickey Rourke but does the franchise no favors with its creative decisions. We meet Black Widow, but not without some classic 2010 misogyny, which is the root problem with Iron Man 2. The first film was all about Tony’s growth as a person, and the second doesn’t let him mature nearly as much. There’s still a long road before this is the Tony we see in Endgame, but it’s too slow on that path. — Proma Khosla, Entertainment Reporter

36. The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Sure, it’s part of the MCU canon, but The Incredible Hulk was so aggressively meh that its title character got recast and was only made palatable by The Avengers. Since it’s not an origin story, we don’t get to watch Edward Norton as Bruce Banner becoming the Hulk; he already is. We don’t watch him fall in love with Betty (Liv Tyler), because he already is. What we do get is a lot of the big green guy getting angry, which may have been cool in 2008 but pales compared to the visual effects that followed. — P.K.

35. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Ultron has a lot of good moments but is not overall a good movie. It’s sloppy and it drags, even with ambitious action sequences in Sokovia, and it struggles to build Ultron’s disdain for humanity. The main Avengers have a fun dynamic — look no further than the party scene at Stark Tower — but the new characters don’t fit in (especially since X-Men: Days of Future Past basically owns Quicksilver). Black Widow, at the time robbed of a solo movie, gets a disproportionate consolation prize of becoming Hulk’s girlfriend and a woman defined by her biology. — P.K.

After the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) finally takes on the role of Captain America in the movie. However, this political thriller was built on forgotten characters and plot details from Marvel Studios’ less popular movies such as The Incredible Hulk and Eternals. The film seemed disjointed and lacked a clear message. — K.P.

30. Doctor Strange (2016)

This movie took five years for Marvel to make Doctor Strange interesting. Benedict Cumberbatch delivers a great performance, but the film received criticism for whitewashing Asian characters and sidelining Rachel McAdams. Visually appealing but lacking in other aspects. — P.K.

29. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)

Writer/director James Gunn returns to the Guardians of the Galaxy series with a less fun tone post-Snap. The movie sees Star-Lord in a sad state, Rocket incapacitated, and the crew embarking on a series of heists. The film introduces a vivacious villain but is weighed down by dark elements, making it a major disappointment. — K.P.

Thor

may not be one of the top Marvel movies, but it offers a classic fish-out-of-water story that hints at the fun potential of the character over time. The film introduces us to Loki, one of Marvel’s enduring villains, portrayed with magnetism and subtlety by Hiddleston. In Thor, Loki’s character arc shines as he navigates being the sensitive sibling overshadowed by Thor and grapples with his past.

Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

In many aspects, Ant-Man and the Wasp surpasses its predecessor with a balanced and engaging storyline. The movie delivers energetic action sequences, humorous moments, and a charming cast of characters. The sweetness of the film is evident in various relationships portrayed, making it a delightful watch. Additionally, Hope emerges as the first true leading lady in the MCU.

Iron Man 3 (2013)
Iron Man 3 delves into Tony Stark’s vulnerability as he deals with PTSD following the events of The Avengers. The film introduces guest stars and maintains a focus on Tony’s internal struggles while incorporating CGI battles. Despite a lackluster antagonist in Killian, the Mandarin’s revelation adds an enjoyable twist to the story.
Directed by Shawn Levy (Free Guy), this sequel saw the worlds of Deadpool 2 and Logan collide, bringing in familiar faces and new additions, like the vicious Mr. Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen) and the diabolical Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin). But best of all was the reunion of Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman as the titular twosome. While the movie wasn’t as daring as we hoped for a Deadpool movie, this threequel was still undeniably a deranged blast, packed with bonkers action, wild jokes, and jaw-dropping surprises. — K.P.

18. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

For years, it all led up to this: Almost every Marvel hero you can think of joining forces against the biggest threat this universe has ever faced. Infinity War is enormous in scope and spirit, with the budget to match its astronomical ambitions. And in its final moments, it packs a punch worthy of Thanos’ golden-gloved fist. If we have one complaint, it’s that this feels like half a movie — and many of us had to wait a year until Endgame. — A.H.

17. Ant-Man (2015)

Kudos to this film for bringing us Paul Rudd in the MCU, the thing you didn’t know you needed. Rudd lends dimension and heart to his performance as Scott Lang, a reformed criminal and father to an adorable little girl. His chemistry with Evangeline Lilly crackles (even if they saved her good stuff for the sequel), and Scott’s everyman persona makes him an irresistible addition to the hero roster. Michael Peña shines as Scott’s best friend, and Corey Stoll seems born to be a villain, even though it’s Michael Douglas as Hank Pym who steals the show with his embittered quest for revenge. — P.K.

In an alternate timeline with a retro-futuristic aesthetic, The Fantastic Four: First Steps breaks away from the trauma doldrums that have plagued the MCU since Thanos snapped out half of existence. This is a story of a family uniting to save the day and involving the world in their efforts. Featuring a charming robot butler, a scene-stealing Mole Man (Paul Walter Hauser), and plenty of family antics, this superhero movie brings more to the screen than just CGI, action, and Big Bad mayhem. While the film may be tonally inconsistent and arguably too earnest, this departure from the serious tone of predecessors like Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts*, offers a refreshing and enjoyable experience. – K.P.

12. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

Prior to the debut of Iron Man, Sam Raimi was already influencing the superhero genre with his eccentric Spider-Man trilogy. It was fitting that this groundbreaking director returned to explore new universes with Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch). This sequel embraced the bizarre, offering grotesque monsters, a peculiar buddy-cop dynamic, eccentric cameos, a satirical nod to fan service, a dark villain turn, and a magical cloak crafted from accursed spirits worn by an undead Doctor. Critics had mixed reactions, with some praising Raimi for injecting his eccentricity into the MCU, while others were concerned that the franchise had tempered the director’s unique style. Nonetheless, fans were excited about the sinister delights of Raimi’s horror and chaos, such as the impactful character transformations and the long-awaited evolution of Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch character. Despite the chaos, there is a sense of whimsical fun amidst all the madness. – K.P.

11. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

Marvel’s first exclusive theater release in over two years, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, exceeded expectations. Introducing new characters, a rich mythology, and an unfamiliar lead, this film broke box office records and emerged as one of the best standalone MCU movies in recent years. With high stakes, compelling characters, and captivating family drama, the movie delivers jaw-dropping action sequences showcasing some of the finest fight choreography in the MCU and Hollywood. Simu Liu makes a strong impact in the MCU, and audiences eagerly anticipate seeing more of him in future phases. Can we also hope for more of Tony Leung’s presence in upcoming projects? – P.K.

It’s crazy to think that early trailers of Guardians looked silly when its rock ‘n’ roll comedy thrill ride model is now the template for action movie promos. We didn’t expect much from Guardians in any capacity; we had our avengers, our non-MCU Spider-Man reboot, yet here was this group of ragtag space trash in a movie that was so much better than it had any right to be. Chris Pratt may have debuted his six-pack, but more importantly, he and the cast set a new standard for comedy and chemistry in the MCU and all superhero movies. — P.K.

Iron Man (2008)

As both the dawn of the MCU and the second coming of Robert Downey Jr., Iron Man shocked audiences who forgot superhero movies could be good (this was a year after Spider-Man 3). Downey is the perfect hubristic Tony Stark, an arrogant billionaire sobered by becoming a prisoner of war. It was a fun version of 2005’s Batman Begins, with sex and expensive gadgetry to supplant the mask and the brooding, and it holds up. — P.K.

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

The Star-Spangled man with a plan was once a scrappy kid from Brooklyn, until a biological experiment made him swole extremely strong. With the help of Peggy Carter, Abraham Erskine, Howard Stark, and his day-one pal Bucky Barnes, Steve becomes the kind of hero people remember for decades, even while he’s off literally cooling his heels in the Arctic. From Red Skull to the Howling Commandos to Bucky’s heartbreaking fall and that adrenaline-fueled first kiss, The First Avenger hits all the right marks. — P.K.

1. Black Panther (2018)

Even the worst MCU movies are kind of good, which means that the best ones are truly exceptional — none more than Black Panther.

Ryan Coogler, along with his talented cast and crew, crafted a film that has something to say, that feels distinctive in its style and point of view – while also delivering on the usual superhero movie goods, like lovable heroes, exciting action, and a compelling villain. Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa feels fittingly regal, surrounded by admirable supporting players like Michael B. Jordan, Letitia Wright, Angela Bassett, and Danai Gurira. Though it took far too long for Marvel to bet on a Black superhero at the box office, it paved the way for the kind of representation we want and need in future phases. — P.K.