I decided to rank all twenty-two Marvel Cinematic Universe movies. I had a tough time coming up with a good list. Do I rank them according to movie quality or by how much I like them. It may seem silly, but some of the movies are better movies, but I like others more, does that make sense?
I chose to rank them by my personal liking. If I did it the other way, my list would probably be a good bit different. Maybe that will be a post for another time.
It is funny, reading back through my reviews of each movie, I can say that at the time I definitely enjoyed them all. Even a movie ranked at the bottom does not mean I disliked it or that I thought it was bad. Okay, without further ado…
22. The Incredible Hulk
The second movie in the MCU. It is fairly forgettable and the only major character that needed a complete recasting (Edward Norton, while great, would not have worked in the direction they took the Hulk). I complained about the way they made the Hulk/Banner change from Ang Lee’s movie, but I was wrong about it and it definitely paid off in the end.
21. Thor: The Dark World
I remember really liking this movie when I saw it in the theater. Then I watched it when it came out on DVD and was like “meh, this was not very good.” Honestly, I can barely tell you what was happening, I think Thor’s recap in Endgame was probably better than the actual movie.
20. Captain America: The First Avenger
I feel like this was a movie they made out of necessity. There are a few great scenes though, particularly the ending. And it is cool how Steve’s arc comes full circle to this movie.
19. Iron Man 3
I like this movie as a Shane Black film. However, it does not really fit with the rest of the MCU. I never had a problem with the Mandarin changes. Watching it a few more times though and I really dislike the final battle. It is pretty bad. Especially when you keep thinking about the fact that the President has been kidnapped and no other heroes join in to stop this guy.
18. Iron Man 2
This is probably higher than most people put it. I liked it. The big complaint about the movie is that it feels like an extended teaser for other MCU movies. Whatever…I actually enjoyed all of those little references. I also like Mickey Rourke and Sam Rockwell.
17. Avengers: Age of Ultron
Oddly enough, this one grows on me more and more. I liked it, then after a second viewing I was a little meh, but now after seeing it a bunch, I really like it. Or maybe I keep rooting for Ultron to win.
16. Captain America: Winter Soldier
I know I am in the minority here. Most lists have this in the top ten. I loved the movie as a spy film. The plot was a little flimsy, but the idea of who can you trust and there being tons of betrayals was great. Unfortunately, the last third of the movie became another destroy the city with flying stuff. I think that ending caused me to almost lose interest in MCU films.
15. Dr. Strange
If you read my review, you would probably assume that this movie would be lower on the list. However, after a few more viewings, this movie really grew on me. His method of defeating Dormammu is one of my favorite scenes in the entire MCU.
14. Ant-Man and the Wasp
I love Paul Rudd as Ant-Man. His relationship with Cassie vaults this movie into the top fifteen. I would have it higher, but I cannot get past the inconsistent movie science. Granted, the ending helps get past any of those problems by setting up Endgame so well.
13. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
I love this movie. And it would probably be even higher if not for the fact that all the rest are so damn good.
12. Black Panther
This movie is great. If I do the other list, this will probably be the number one movie because it is honestly the most well made movie. A great villain, an amazing story, and a unique look. It drops a little lower because the final battle was weak. Not the actual end, but just the two panther suits fighting.
11. Captain Marvel
I know, this movie is probably really fresh in my mind and I have not seen it a second time. However, it really excites me that they did a female superhero lead and they did it so well. I think I can watch this one a few more times and keep finding things to love about it.
10. Thor
This movie was so much better than it had any right to be. There are so many funny parts and the whole Thor/Loki relationship was something that was sustainable throughout the entire MCU.
9. Spider-Man: Homecoming
Michael Keaton was a fantastic villain. Tom Holland is perfect as Spider-Man. This movie was able to ditch an origin and it really worked. When you watch this movie a few times, you realize just how well this movie fits into the MCU and makes everything feel connected.
8. Ant-Man
I read my review for the movie and the final part I wondered if this would be a movie I enjoyed after watching it again. Definitely. This movie has everything and really captures the spirit of those first MCU films.
7. Iron Man
The first movie. Robert Downey Jr. is still so great in this movie (he was great in all of the movies). One of the things I liked about Ant-Man is that it reminded me so much of the this movie.
6. The Avengers
One of my other favorite scenes in this entire series is the battle between Iron Man/Thor/Captain America. The entire movie is great though, it has just about everything.
5. Captain America: Civil War
If you read my review, you can tell that I loved the movie. It just did so many things right and managed to take a complex issue and keep it complex.
4. Avengers: Endgame
It was a great ending to this long adventure.
3. Guardians of the Galaxy
This one never gets old to me. Every time it is on television, I end up watching it and I find new things to love about it. The movie does not take itself too seriously (I mean, how many movies can end with the villain being defeated by a dance-off?) and it truly pays off. And it helped pave the way for my favorite MCU movie.
2. Avengers: Infinity War
The best of the Avengers movies. It focuses so much of it’s time on Thanos and develops him as a character. Josh Brolin pulls off the role so well, you can feel it when he has to make the sacrifice for the Soul Stone. Plus, the end fight and the return of Thor…ahhhh, so amazing. Or the dusting…”Mr.Stark, I don’t feel so good.”
1. Thor:Ragnarok
Every time I search for something to watch on Netflix, I almost always decide on this movie. My review is still pretty much how I feel about it, but multiply it by a hundred. This movie is fun and silly, but also still has major points that connect to the MCU.
So there you have it! The definitive ranking of my favorite MCU films. Do you agree? What is your favorite?
Solid ranking. Personally, I’d put Thor way lower and Winter Soldier way higher, but i get it.