The Marvel Cinematic Universe has a special place in film history, giving rise to a wide-reaching franchise that has entertained audiences since 2008 and seemingly will continue to do so for the indefinite future. While not every Marvel film has received the same level of praise, several are among the best superhero movies of all time.
Luckily for fans of the franchise, Disney+ gives its users access to a large number of the films that the MCU has to offer, allowing viewers to experience them again or for the first time. With many new movies coming out soon, now is a great time to catch up on some of the best films in the MCU.
Black Widow (2021)
The long-awaited Black Widow was recently added to Disney+, so fans of the character can now watch her exciting solo movie. Taking place after the events of Captain America: Civil War and before the events of Avengers: Infinity War, the story offers a fascinating glimpse into the Avenger's past and introduces the franchise to some intriguing new characters.
The entire cast is fantastic and has incredible chemistry, making for some heartfelt, hilarious moments between them. The action is also thrilling, and the story gives the titular character the movie fans have always wanted her to have.
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
When Taika Waititi came on board to direct Thor: Ragnarok, the titular character and those associated with him received a dramatic transformation that many fans appreciated. The usually serious Thor became a much more comedic character, and the movie played into many of the more silly aspects of the superhero genre.
The highly enjoyable romp through various realms is the most well-received of the MCU movies that bear Thor's name, and it made Taika Waititi one of the best directors in comic book movie history.
Iron Man (2008)
Iron Man, the first film in the MCU, is still one of the most highly regarded. Over the years, it has remained a favorite partly because of the phenomenal casting of Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, which set a standard that the franchise continues to reach with many of its actors.
The film excellently sets up many aspects of the future of the franchise, but it also works well entirely on its own, featuring a compelling story, an interesting protagonist, and a villain that, though not as memorable as many others in the franchise, challenges Tony and helps him to become the hero that fans have adored over the years.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Though it is not generally as highly regarded as Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame is nevertheless a worthy finale to the Infinity Saga. It serves as the conclusion of several character arcs, all of which were wrapped up in beautiful and emotional ways. It also gives viewers a glimpse of many fascinating stories to come.
With excellent action scenes, fun plotlines, and great moments between characters that felt earned because of the build-up to this point, Avengers: Endgame deserves its status as one of the best MCU movies.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
While many viewers enjoy Captain America: The First Avenger, others see it as an underwhelming introduction for the beloved character. The second film in the franchise that bears his name, though, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, is much more widely renowned.
The enthralling story embraces elements of political thrillers, features excellent action sequences, and has plenty of twists and turns that grip the audience for the entirety of the movie. The film has major implications for the rest of the franchise, and it excellently introduces these aspects.
Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014)
One of the funniest movies in the MCU, Guardians of the Galaxy, offers viewers a thrilling and enjoyable ride with some lovable characters. When Guardians was first announced, many did not believe that it would succeed because of its lack of characters that were recognizable to the general public.
However, the incredible ensemble of actors, excellent writing, and exciting action sequences make this movie a fan favorite. The characters quickly became some of the most beloved in the franchise and are now instantly recognizable to the general public.
Black Panther (2018)
After the character's MCU introduction in Captain America: Civil War, Black Panther received a fantastic movie that allowed audiences to further connect with him and those around him. Chadwick Boseman portrays the character with excellence, helping to make him one of the most beloved superheroes in the franchise.
Black Panther hits serious notes incredibly well, making audiences even more invested in the events that unfold. The film also makes great use of lighthearted elements, resulting in an MCU movie that fans have continued to adore since its release.
Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings (2021)
Though it is an origin story for the titular character, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is quite different from many similar entries in the MCU, largely because of the incredibly executed family dynamic that exists in the film.
The complexities of the relationships help to create a compelling narrative, which is further bolstered by stellar performances from the entire cast, especially Simu Liu and Awkwafina. The movie is exhilarating and gives an excellent introduction for a character who will surely be a major part of the MCU moving forward.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Avengers: Infinity War was the first part of the highly anticipated conclusion of the Infinity Saga, and many fans consider it to be one of the best movies of 2018. It brought together a multitude of superheroes who had, up until this point, never met on-screen before, giving audiences an exhilarating movie experience.
While many doubted that the film could include so many characters and give them all reasonable screen time, Avengers: Infinity War proved that the MCU could follow through on the incredible anticipation it had been building since the beginning.
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
From their first meeting, Captain America and Iron Man displayed personalities that put them at odds with each other. Because of this setup, the conflict in Captain America: Civil War feels earned and genuine.
While there is a clear villain in the story, the heroes' opposing sides both feel understandable in the reasons for their beliefs, and fans could identify with either camp. This can largely be credited to the incredible writing that went into the film, creating a massive shift in the MCU and leaving fans eager for the next movie that might have a resolution to the conflict.