With Avengers: Endgame and the end of a literal era right around the corner, it seemed appropriate for me to compile a list of every Marvel Cinematic Universe movie and rank them in order of how much I enjoyed them. But fortunately, I enjoyed pretty much all of these movies. Marvel seems to know what they’re doing, and I wouldn’t consider any of these movies “bad” — even the worst among them. I also included the official Rotten Tomatoes score for each movie and was pleasantly surprised to find that most of my tastes seem to align with the general critical consensus for these films.
So here, in my opinion, is every MCU movie ranked from worst to best…
21. The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 67%
Before Mark Ruffalo, there was Edward Norton. If you can remember that far back. I’ve never been a big fan of the character of the Hulk. Bruce Banner is sympathetic and likable, but the Hulk is just destructive and childish. I’ll just say it — I don’t like him when he’s angry. I think it’s difficult to make a solo movie about this comic hero work. They managed to make a decent film with Norton, Liv Tyler, and Tim Roth, but I find it pretty forgettable amidst the other Marvel movies. And since nothing from this film really carried into the rest of the MCU, I think Marvel is okay that you forget it, too.
20. Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 66%
What was this movie about again? I’m still not sure. There’s something about Dark Elves, something about an Aether, and Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster gets to wear some fancy Asgardian robes. Sure, it’s confusing, but at least there’s some good action and humor, and Tom Hiddleston as Loki is always great.
19. Iron Man 2 (2010)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 73%
All I have to say is…after the first Iron Man, we all expected better. I don’t really care for Mickey Rourke’s villain or the car race. But hey, we’re introduced to the MCU’s first female superhero in Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow.
18. Thor (2011)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 77%
The first Thor movie shows us the first glimpse of a world outside of our own, with gods, Frost Giants, a rainbow bridge, and magic. Or is it science? Well, in Asgard, they’re one and the same. But how do you make a prideful, spoiled god relatable? By sticking him on Earth and making him a powerless, hammerless mortal in a humorous fish-out-of-water story. Also, did anyone ever confuse the Frost Giant’s blue casket weapon with the Tesseract? …no? Just me, then?
17. Iron Man 3 (2013)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%
Tony Stark, suffering PTSD after the Battle of New York, gets some time outside of his suits and can even remotely operate them now. This film is usually better than I last remembered it. There’s good laughs, good action, and Robert Downey Jr. proves that he can still carry his own solo movie after The Avengers without help from any other superhero cameos. Also, I didn’t really mind the Mandarin plot twist that upset some fans.
16. Captain Marvel (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 78%
I really wanted to LOVE this movie, but it didn’t quite meet all my expectations. Maybe some of the nonlinear storytelling confused me? Still, it was awesome to see Carol Danvers kicking butt alongside a young Nick Fury. And Goose along with Doctor Strange’s Cloak of Levitation are on my shortlist of best sidekicks. I’m most excited to see the role that Captain Marvel plays in Endgame. Higher, further, faster, baby!
15. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%
I actually loved Chris Evans in the 2005 Fantastic Four. So, seeing him as Steve Rogers/Captain America was very different, yet such a perfect fit. Small and scrawny Steve starts out as the epitome of an underdog but with a heart of gold. Who else could be worthy of the super-soldier serum but the endlessly good-hearted, strong-willed Steve Rogers? There’s a great, old-fashioned feel to this movie, and even when it’s corny, it’s charming.
14. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75%
Joss Whedon at not his best. All of these Marvel movies are connected and often filled with lots of setup for future movies. Some do it effortlessly, but unfortunately, this is one of the ones that feels a bit crowded and chaotic. Nevertheless, I don’t think it quite gets the credit it deserves. It’s still a strong movie with a creepy AF villain in James Spader’s voice, some great character interactions, dialogue, and impressive hero shots. Also, that party scene and everyone trying to pick up Thor’s hammer is gold. And I love how this comes back around later when they realize they can trust Vision because he is able to wield Mjölnir.
13. Ant Man and the Wasp (2018)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%
At this point, Marvel has made so many great movies, that this sequel seems to get lost in the bunch. Do you remember this one? Because it was actually very good. It plays well off the first one and takes it to the next level. The plot revolves around our heroes trying to rescue Janet van Dyne, the original Wasp, from the quantum realm. There’s heartwarming family moments, high stakes with multiple antagonists (my favorite being Randall Park as Scott Lang’s parole officer), and great laughs throughout. Also, we finally get to see Evangeline Lilly don a suit and kick butt as the Wasp.
12. Ant Man (2015)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 82%
I love Paul Rudd. And I actually think Scott Lang made a more interesting and humorous addition to the MCU and Avengers lineup than Hank Pym, the original Ant Man, probably would have. Ant Man and The Wasp is arguably a better movie, but I think there’s something about the first one that I enjoy slightly better. And people can say what they will about superhero movies all being the same, but this was a fun, exciting, straight-up heist movie, and that’s not something I’d seen before. Does anyone else wish they could get a recap of the entire MCU by Michael Peña’s character Luis?
11. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%
While this sequel is definitely not as seamless as the first, James Gunn still dishes out a lot of the same humor, heart, and music that made me love the original. I like seeing how all the family dynamics have evolved and how they are challenged by the introduction of Ego, Peter Quill’s father. And sorry if this is lame, but I have ovaries and Baby Groot was adorable. Now, if only Yondu had been around in Infinity War to easily whistle an arrow straight through Thanos’s head.
10. Doctor Strange (2016)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%
Sherlock as Dr. Stephen Strange? Even before I saw the hair (and facial hair) I was sold. Doctor Strange introduces yet another new world into the MCU. The world of sorcery, astral planes, mirror dimensions, and whatever kind of being Dormammu is. Strange’s story is similar to Tony Stark’s in that he’s an arrogant, rich, smart guy who learns a humbling lesson. There are some great themes throughout and many thought-provoking quotes by Tilda Swinton’s Ancient One: “Arrogance and fear still keep you from learning the simplest and most significant lesson of all. It’s not about you.” But I think we all know that the real scene-stealer is the Cloak of Levitation, which is just as expressive, funny, and loyal as Aladdin’s magic carpet.
9. Black Panther (2018)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
The first MCU film to get some real acknowledgement from the Academy. This Best Picture nominee has an all-star cast and transports us to the world of Wakanda, a small African country hiding itself and its advanced resources and tech from the rest of the world. This brings up some interesting themes and questions about whether or not Wakanda should be shielding themselves or sharing with others, which is what Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger wants to do…just not in the best way. At times this movie feels like a period piece, other times it feels like a James Bond movie, and sometimes it feels like The Lion King. And I mean that in the best way. Wakanda Forever!
8. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%
I wasn’t a huge fan of Thor until Ragnarok, which feels fresher — just like the thunder god’s new do. I think the character progresses well throughout the solo movies and team-ups to get to this point where he’s looser, funnier, and stronger. Thor’s evil, hammer-destroying sister Hela (Cate Blanchett) makes for a formidable villain and allows us to be further confused and amused about whose side Loki is really on. My only disappointment is that Zachary Levi’s Fandral has about two seconds of screen time and doesn’t even get to put up a fight. Why you gotta do him dirty like that, Marvel? (Oh well. He hopped over to DC and seems to be doing just fine as Shazam.) And are you even a Marvel movie anymore if you don’t have at least five other Avengers in your movie? Luckily, we get a significant amount of Bruce Banner/The Hulk and even a little Doctor Strange. Also, Jeff Goldblum is in this movie.
7. Iron Man (2008)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
The movie that started it all. Robert Downey, Jr. is Iron Man. He brings this character to life in a multi-dimensional way that somehow makes this arrogant, genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist feel likable. As far as superhero origin films go, this one is hard to beat. It’s compromised of pieces we’ve seen before — the egotistical hero in need of an arc (…reactor?), the disapproving sidekick, the mentor-turned-villain — but it does it all very well. Captured Tony building that first Iron Man suit in a cave feels very raw and brings an intensity and realness that sometimes gets lost amongst all the superhero-ness and more fantastical elements in other MCU movies.
6. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%
I’m a fan of campy, and I’m a fan of all the humor in the MCU movies. But this one feels more serious. More intense. I mean, did you see those fight sequences? I appreciate the more subtle, sharp humor in this one. It has great reveals and high stakes — Cap’s dead best friend is now his enemy and Hydra is discovered to be alive and well and living within S.H.I.E.L.D. Who can our heroes trust now? Natasha and Steve make a great duo, but I think we’re all left wanting more Cap and Bucky. Say it with me: “I’m with you till the end of the line.”
5. The Avengers (2012)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%
Joss Whedon at his best. He knows how to write a strong, ensemble cast while still giving everyone their shining moments, and he knows how to kill off a beloved character in a heart-wrenching, impactful way. Our heroes are finally brought together for the first time to fight off Loki and his Chitauri army. But more often than not, they end up fighting each other. It’s a comic book lover’s dream filled with epic hero shots, versus mode, fusion powers (my favorite), and great one-liners.
4. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%
Spider-Man is my first superhero love. I don’t care about all the remakes, I’ll always be happy to see Peter Parker on the screen. And Tom Holland did me so proud. For the first time, Peter Parker really feels like a kid in this world of adult heroes and villains. Michael Keaton as the Vulture is uncomfortably menacing. When he threatens Peter in that car, our usual quippy hero recoils into a child getting reprimanded. This feels genuinely like a high school movie, full of bullies, crushes, trying to figure out your place, trying to make your elders proud, and you know, trying to deal with your secret identity as a web-slinging superhero. The other Avengers have started to feel very big, with cosmic, world-saving stuff. So it’s refreshing to see our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, a hero of the city, just trying to help someone find their lost bike or help a lady with directions. That’s my boo, through and through.
3. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
Speaking of Spider-Man, I may have screamed in the theater when Tom Holland first showed up in Civil War. Yes, I know he was already shown in the trailer. It was so satisfying to finally see Spidey introduced into the MCU and interacting with the other heroes. This movie is jam-packed with heroes for not being an actual Avengers film, but it never feels cluttered. It’s sharp and quick-witted yet allows for intimate moments like T’Challa with his father, and Wanda and Vision’s cooking night. That airport fight scene is probably one of my favorites of any MCU film. With so many leading characters, there is still a good focus on the titular Captain America and some closure for his trilogy in Peggy Carter’s funeral and his reuniting with Bucky. Civil War is a popular storyline in the comics, and I think they handled it very well with the Sokovia Accords and adding an extra emotional tie for Iron Man. It definitely has a great impact in the MCU by separating our heroes when their greatest threat is upon them.
2. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%
I think this movie deserves way higher than an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes. As the culmination of nearly 20 previous Marvel movies and filled with too many A-list heroes to count, this film should not work as well as it did. It perfectly melds together the tones of every Marvel movie before it and manages to be cohesive and not chaotic. Everyone shines and has their moments — Loki dying trying to do the right thing, Cap’s epic silhouetted entrance, Groot using his arm to be the handle for Stormbreaker, Bucky getting a new arm and then Rocket wanting to buy it, Scarlett Witch/Black Widow/Okoye teaming up against Proxima Midnight. I could literally go on and on because this film is just filled with gems. And after years of teasing Thanos, he proved to be an intimidating, intriguing, worthy villain. From beginning to end, this film is compelling, hilarious, emotional, exciting, fun, and downright heart-wrenching. I was ugly-crying in the theater more than once, no thanks to Alan Silvestri’s impressive score. I can’t imagine what Avengers: Endgame will do to me next.
1. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
I love so many movies in the MCU that it’s hard to choose a favorite. But none of these movies are as much “me” as Guardians of the Galaxy. So, here it sits at number one. What James Gunn was able to do with this random team of barely heard-of Marvel characters was nothing short of amazing. This film is more than just a silly space opera — it has interesting, complex characters and arcs, obstacles at every corner, a perfect balance of humor and heart, it’s visually stunning, and of course, has a killer soundtrack that I’ve listened to over and over. The recurring themes of friendship and family, culminating in “We are Groot” and the guardians all holding hands is so powerful to me every time I watch.
And that’s my list of every MCU movie ranked from worst to best, although my faves tend to change over time. Marvel has delivered us some pretty incredible movies over the years. And honestly, when I hear criticism, I think it’s just because we’ve been so spoiled with such consistently good movies. In about a week, I’ll be watching Avengers: Endgame, and I’m pretty sure I’ll simultaneously be on the edge of my seat and on the floor curled up in the fetal position the whole time.
XOXO, Melissa
