Ranking the MCU

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has grown into one of the biggest movie and TV franchises over the last 11 years and there is no stopping them now.

The latest film in the franchise has broken numerous box office records as it proud an end to a saga that consists of 22 films. Avengers: Endgame is currently on track to be the biggest movie the world has ever seen and is currently the second highest grossing film of all time.

After the releases of Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War and Captain Marvel, the franchise proved they still had so much more to offer their fans.

Black Panther made not only made history because of its mostly black cast or box office success, but also because it gave the MCU more depth. It proved that there are many corners of the MCU that can still be explored and I am certainly looking forward to it.

Infinity War pushed things to the next level and it proved that although these characters are super powered, but they are not all invulnerable.

Here is how Avengers: Endgame rank among the other films in the franchise:

22. The Incredible Hulk

The Hulk is well-loved character. The CGI in this film was really realistic, but that is the memorable part of the movie. It just does not hold up with the other MCU films. Edward Norton was great as the Bruce Banner, but Mark Ruffalo has been the best recast ever.

21. Thor: The Dark World

This is another movie that broke records or it was more like a broken record. It is like a repeat of other fantasy films, it had no real substance. The greatest part of the film was Tom Hiddleston as Loki, definitely a scene stealer.

20. Iron Man 2

Robert Downey Jr is hands down the best casting choice Marvel Studios has ever made. Unfortunately Iron Man 2 falls flat on its face. The only memorable part of the movie Tony having a drinking problem and the Scarlett Johansson making her debut as Black Widow .

19. Thor

This is an origin movie that is memorable, but not particularly great. Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston were still unknown actors when the movie came out, but they did an amazing job translating the movie onto the big screen..

18. Captain Marvel

The MCU’s first female solo movie is a fun addition to the bigger interconnected universe, but it simply does not live up to most of its predecessors. Some fans were not happy about the overall story and changes made to their favourite comic book characters. But the film was a hit for others and it was awesome to see a powerful heroine join the ranks of Thor, Iron Man, Hulk and Black Panther.

17. Iron Man 3

The only reason this movie is so low is because of the Mandarin let down. People were looking forward to seeing Ben Kingsley as one of the best Iron Man villains from the comics, but Marvel let them down. The overall story was enjoyable, but the actual villain was forgettable.

16. Captain America: The First Avenger

Captain America and everything he stands for served as a great way to introduce the fans to World War 2. Chris Evans completely embodies the character. The film was a great origin story and an awesome war story. The biggest let-down of the movie was not giving Red Skull more, character development, but luckily Infinity War kind of fixed that.

15. Ant-Man and The Wasp

The Ant-Man sequel gives us our first look at The Wasp and it gives the MCU another badass heroine for little girls to look up to. It also gives us a better look at the Quantum Realm, which will hopefully play a bigger role in future in future MCU movies.

14. The Avengers: Age of Ultron

Fans of the franchise were excited to see Ultron make his way to the silver screen and James Spader’s voice certainly did him justice. The movie looked great on paper; unfortunately it did not come out that great on screen. It was still awesome to see all the Avengers assemble again.

13. Ant-Man

One of the most obscure film’s Marvel Studios has ever made and it was definitely a success in my opinion. Paul Rudd brought different kind of comedy to the MCU and it turned out to be one of the movies we never knew we needed.

12. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

James Gunn took his weird space opera to another part of the universe and it was hilarious. Seeing a planet take the role of a villain was just something spectacular, unfortunately it was not as good as the original.

11. Doctor Strange

Fans wishes came true and we finally saw Benedict Cumberbatch as the Sorceror Supreme. The film was a typical superhero story, but it was executed perfectly. The film was the perfect mix of action, psychedelic sequences and humour.

10. Iron Man

The film that started it all, the origin of all the Avengers Initiative and it is a true story of redemption. This is a hard film to place, because it is hands down one of the greatest, and it ended up paving the way for even greater movies.

9. Spider-Man: Homecoming

Spidey finally met up with the other guys and now he got to take in his place in the MCU. This is the best Spidey film since Spider-Man 2 and Tom Holland embodies both the titular character and his alter-ego.

8. Guardians of the Galaxy

This is the space opera movie the superhero genre needed. It proved that aliens and humans interacting can be quite funny. James Gunn most probably inspired a new generation of filmmakers with this movie. It was ground-breaking and really funny.

7. Avengers: Infinity War

The movie that brought together the Avengers, the Guardians and all the other MCU characters is really something spectacular. It proved how interconnected these films really are, but not all characters got their chance to shine. The films ending was also a big shocker, but it is nonetheless one of the best in the MCU. The movie has been ten years in the making and it was worth the wait.

6. Avengers

This is the movie that got most people hooked to the MCU. It proved that an interconnected movie universe was possible and it can be awesome at the same time. Seeing our favourite childhood characters join forces was just awesome!

5. Captain America: Winter Soldier

This movie redefined the superhero genre and it proved that it can be more than just heroes and villains fighting. The story and each character fit perfectly into the setting and this is one movie that can be watched over and over again.

4. Black Panther

Black Panther gave fans the opportunity to experience Africa in a way they never did before. Us who grew up in the Motherland love how the continent was represented in the movie, especially after that Namibian easter egg. Black Panther started a superhero revolution and I cannot wait to see what is next.

3. Thor: Ragnarok

Thor was always the serious Avengers, but things changed a little in 2017. Ragnarok gave Chris Hemsworth a reason to shine and in a funny way. Teaming up with Hulk was the best way forward and Taika Waititi is one of the best directors ever.

2. Captain America: Civil War

This movie changed the way we see our heroes and it proved they are just humans after all. Pitting the heroes against each other was the perfect way to make sure the MCU will be changed forever. This movie was the perfect push the genre needed to make sure it lasts for years.

1. Avengers: Endgame

Endgame changes everything we have known about the MCU and makes it better. The movie shows all characters at their lowest point and proves why they are heroes. This story wraps up everything that the studio has been building, but it leaves fans with one more question: “Where will the heroes go next?”