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Posted April 26, 2018 by Scott Davis in Features
 
 

The 10 Best Films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Ever since Samuel L. Jackson first popped up at the end of Iron Man (2008) ten years ago and revealed to Tony Stark that he was a part of a bigger universe, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has sat on top of the film landscape that every movie studio envies. There are currently 18 MCU films, with this week’s Avengers: Infinity War (2018) marking the nineteenth entry in the series, and the most amazing feat Marvel Studios has pulled off is the fact there isn’t a terrible one in the bunch (though Thor: The Dark World [2013] is close, but it’s mostly just bad). The consistency of quality has been astonishing, with most of the films ranging from good to flat-out amazing. So, before you get ready for Earth’s mightiest heroes to take on Thanos, check out our list of the Ten Best Films of the MCU.

 

10. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

Thor: RagnarokMaybe it was a case of a movie being way too overhyped, but my first viewing of Thor: Ragnarok left me feeling “meh.” While I enjoyed the film, the story felt generic; the villain was forgettable, and it was a little too goofy for my taste. Repeat viewings have left me feeling otherwise, and I have come to love Taika Waititi’s crazy direction, his inspired take on the Marvel universe, and the film’s unique rollicking attitude. It’s not the most refined MCU entry and it gets a little sloppy at parts, but it is never not entertaining.

 

9. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Avengers: Age of UltronOne of the MCU’s most underrated films, the legacy of Avengers: Age of Ultron has certainly been tarnished over the years. Is it as good as The Avengers? Of course not, and that’s okay. This is a mammoth of a movie (maybe too much so) and features some truly epic action sequences. This is the movie that arguably “broke” Joss Whedon for a time, and it’s easy to see why. The film sometimes struggles with the burden of setting up some future MCU installments, but Whedon’s writing and direction is too good for audiences not to ultimately have a good time. It’s immensely re-watchable and a load of fun. But it is imperfect in many of its storytelling mechanics, which is why it isn’t higher on this list.

 

8. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Guardians of the GalaxyThe one that might pop up a little higher on lists compiled by other writer’s and one of the MCU’s truly great magic tricks, Guardians of the Galaxy is arguably the best proof of how strong the MCU brand is. Featuring a talking raccoon, a tree that says three words, a wrestler painted blue, and the lovable loser from Parks and Recreation, Guardians of the Galaxy became one of the most unlikely worldwide phenomenon of the last decade. This is arguably the MCU’s best comedy, while also being one of the most visually pleasing entries of the series. It leaves a little to be desired on the story front, especially when it comes to the villain, but there’s no doubt Guardians of the Galaxy is one of MCU’s most re-watchable and quotable movies.

 

7. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Captain America: The First AvengerThe “Captain America” trilogy is by far the best series within the MCU and it also features the best character arc. The First Avenger perfectly establishes both Steve Rodgers and Captain America as the person and hero everyone should look up to. The film does a great job of establishing Rodgers as a person and shows that his morals and beliefs are worthwhile, even after he becomes the super-powered Captain America. The aesthetic and visual palette of the film stands out from the rest of the MCU, and while the movie does encounter a few bumps along the way, this is a great introductory movie to the Captain America character.

 

6. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

Spider-Man: HomecomingSpeaking of a great introduction to a character, Spider-Man: Homecoming finally nails the true spirt of the Spider-Man character. Free from the chains of telling a traditional origin story, Homecoming doesn’t get bogged down with details, but instead focuses on what it means to be Peter Parker “and” Spider-Man. The character’s introduction in Captain America: Civil War (more on that later) is built upon here as the film does a fantastic job of showing audiences Peter’s teenage earnestness that it makes it feel more like a coming-of-age film than a superhero blockbuster. This approach gives the film a smaller scope, which bumps it down a few pegs on this list, along with the film being a little too twee or cutesy in a few spots. Despite those shortcomings, Tom Holland perfectly embodies the character and Michael Keaton’s Vulture is one of the universe’s best villains, creating a great first film for the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man in the official MCU canon.

 

5. The Avengers (2012)

The AvengersA landmark film in not only blockbuster cinema, but across cinema in general, The Avengers blasted the MCU from a fun geek fantasy to the everyday zeitgeist and is arguably the universe’s most important film. Featuring something that was never done before, The Avengers took characters from five previous movies and blended them perfectly together to make for one of the most entertaining blockbusters of all time. Joss Whedon’s writing and direction elevates what could have been an over-convoluted mess of a plot, to a zippy, funny, and straight-up entertaining epic. The film pays off things established in previous films while also laying the ground work for what’s to come in an almost too easy fashion. Justice League (2017), which was also partially directed by Whedon, shows that it’s not always easy to pull that off. The Avengers could have used more depth, but when you’re having this much fun, you don’t really notice.

 

4. Black Panther (2018)

Black PantherShowing that Marvel can elevate what it means to be a blockbuster ten years into the existence of the MCU, Black Panther is by far the studio’s most ambitious film to date. Featuring terrific direction from Ryan Coogler, Black Panther rings relevant in both its plot and themes in ways that has never been achieved before in a Marvel film. The futuristic world and technology of Wakanda feel real because the characters and situations in the film are so well-developed. The female characters here stand out in a genre that normally doesn’t allow that to happen, while Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger is the universe’s best villain because of his three-dimensional depth and motivations. The only major flaw of the movie is that T’Challa/Black Panther himself sort of gets lost in the narrative shuffle, but it never takes away from the overall impressiveness of Black Panther.

 

3. Iron Man (2008)

Iron ManThe film that started it all is still one of the universe’s best as Iron Man has truly stood the test of time. Establishing the tone and visual aesthetic for the MCU, director Jon Favreau created arguably the best superhero origin movie ever from a C-list character. His direction, married with Robert Downey Jr.’s performance, creates a simultaneously entertaining and engrossing blockbuster experience. The film established precisely how to introduce audiences to characters and laid the groundwork for previously mentioned films like Captain America: The First Avenger and Spider-Man: Homecoming. It is one hell of a ride and a great character study that is entertaining on its surface level, but secretly deep on other levels as well. It’s a movie that rewards repeat viewings.

 

2. Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Captain America: Civil WarThis is the best “Avengers” movie to date, Captain America: Civil War blends blockbuster thrills with real-world debates to near perfect effect. The film establishes the two sides of the conflict where the audience can sympathize with both, something that Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) failed to do. The Russo Brothers also made sure that the movie felt like a Captain America movie and the film works great as a closing chapter to the character’s trilogy. It’s an impressive balancing act by the two directors—even more impressive when you consider they had to introduce both Black Panther and Spider-Man to the MCU. This what a blockbuster should be—full of twists and turns, real stakes, and thrilling action set pieces (the airport scene is an all-time classic).

 

1. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Captain America: The Winter SoldierCaptain America: The Winter Solider is not only a great Marvel movie, it’s a great movie. The Russo Brothers’ MCU debut could not have been stronger as they take the character of Captain America to new heights and take remarkable chances with the MCU formula. Moving a superhero from another era and pitting him against his morals and beliefs with a plot that mirrors an extreme version of our own world is very risky, but it pays off here. The film is more paranoid thriller than blockbuster, which is a complete left turn from other MCU entries. The plot reveals have major ramifications for not only the movie, but for the entire universe as it also shook up ABC’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. for the better. It also continues Captain America’s growth as he struggles to find his place in a new world and establishes his relationship with Bucky Barnes that is ultimately paid off in Civil War. This is the MCU at its finest, and with the Russo Brothers at the helm for Avengers: Infinity War and subsequent Avengers film, we’re hoping they continue to deliver us the same thrills on a bigger scale.

Scott Davis

Scott Davis

Scott Davis is a recent graduate of Oakland University where he earned a degree in journalism. He worked for the student newspaper on campus, The Oakland Post, where he became the paper's managing editor. He also earned a minor in Cinema Studies at OU. Scott enjoys all things film and TV related, especially the blockbuster kind. He might be the biggest Christopher Nolan fan you know.