This is my full ranking of all 23 initial MCU movies, Phases 1-3; or put another way: The Infinity Saga
I wrote a ranking of all the MCU movies right before Infinity War was released but with 5 movies between my initial ranking and now, it’s time for an update. Also I had way to many ties in my initial ranking, which I totally got slammed for. But my criteria below.
- Did I like it?
- Not taking into account that it was the first to do something (example: Avengers, just because it was the first time they were all together doesn’t dictate it’s ranking)
- What is my rewatch-ability of it.
Without further ado, let’s get this going!
23) The Incredible Hulk
It’s not like this is the worst movie ever; but compared to the standard that the MCU has cultivated over the past eleven years, this is definitely at the bottom of the barrel.
22) Thor: The Dark World
At first I liked this movie I thought it was better then the first Thor outing; then I rewatched it. The movie is too long and too slow a burn. You could make a case that this is worse then The Incredible Hulk, but when I was watching the whole MCU it felt like it had just a little more entertainment/rewatch value. But just a little more.
21) Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange was a fine movie, just didn’t hit home with me. Flashy and bright visuals, but overall nothing else that excited me. Also, I think some MCU Fatigue was setting in at this point. It was just another origin story; fine but basic.
20) Iron Man 2
I actually like this movie. I know I am in the minority here, but I liked it. Justin Hammer was entertaining and Rhodey finally becoming War Machine was a treat. Though compared to other MCU movies, I had to give it a low ranking. Also it is super long, like way too long. But if it was on TV I would totally stay on the channel to watch it.
19) Thor
Just another standard origin move. Entertaining enough to justify finishing the movie, but not enough to want to watch it again right away. Loki was definitely the shining spot of the movie and the character that kept things interesting. Also I totally don’t buy Thor and Jane, some superhero stories don’t need a love interest shoehorned in.
18) Iron Man 3
On my first watch I hated Iron Man 3; but when re-watching it during the marathon I realized it wasn’t as bad as I remembered. I would have gotten a way higher ranking if it wasn’t FOR THE IDIOTIC MANDARIN TWIST. That twist ruined the whole movie for me. Should have kept Jon Favreau on the project.
17) Avengers: Age of Ultron
Age of Ultron was good just wasn’t as good as the first Avengers. Too much world building when it came at the cost of focusing on the actual Ultron of it all. Example: why did we need the side story of Thor in a cosmic hot tub? Probably just to have an excuse to have him shirtless. Ultron is a good movie, just doesn’t have what it takes to go higher in the rankings.
16) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2
It was fun. It was entertaining. ‘Nuff said.
15) Captain America: The First Avenger
Captain America’s first solo outing was interesting, emotional (the last airplane scene got me in my feels), had some good action, but not the best origin film that the MCU created.
14) Captain Marvel
Another good (not great) origin film. Carol seemed very one note in the film. Like the only interesting characteristic that the writers gave her was that she is powerful and strong willed. DO NOT READ that I don’t like strong women in film, I just like human characters not robotic ones (which is how they wrote her). All that said, Brie is a good actress and does the best she can with what she was given. I am excited where they go next with her character now that they got all the exposition out of the way.
13) Spider Man: Homecoming
Peter Parker was actually young and witty. Totally bought that he was in high school. Plus it featured one of the better villains in the MCU. It was a good action comedy. But I had a feeling like I’ve seen this five times already.
12) Ant-Man and the Wasp
Fun film. Good action better laughs. Kept me happily entertained. Please give Michael Pena his own Disney+ show!
11) Ant-Man
Great movie! Michael Pena steals every scene he is in. If he wasn’t in it I doubt the movie would be this high in my ranking. Pretty standard origin movie, but a great and really fun ride!
10) Iron Man
This is the movie that kicked it all off. And it did an amazing job. Just a great popcorn summer blockbuster movie. Pop it in the blue ray if you want to see things go BOOM for a couple of hours.
9) Thor: Ragnarok
The movie that finally made a Thor solo outing worth it. And a movie where Thor was better than Loki! Who said the third movie couldn’t be the best. A few flaws but it was just so much fun that you can easily forgive it.
8) Avengers
Thor, Captain America, Hulk and Iron Man all in one movie. This is why you go to the theater. This is what childhood dreams are made of. So why is it only 8 on my list, because with anything that has twenty three entries they keep topping themselves.
7) Guardians of the Galaxy
This is peak Guardians for me. The movie is fun, the characters all have different personalities, and it has a lot of heart.
6) Spider-Man: Far From Home
A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. When I was watching it, if felt like an actual, unabashed comic book film. SPOILERS: The Mystero illusions when Spider-Man was trapped looked amazing and had me geeking out. The cast was great, Tom Holland still knocks it out of the park as Peter/Spider-Man. Very intense but very satisfying.
5) Avengers: Infinity War
This movie is so good! Every character together, fighting against Thanos. This what I dreamed of since the first Avengers movie. Action packed and with great character beats. The Russos continue to deliver.
4) Black Panther
Thought provoking, fun, great action, good world building. Chad Boseman shines in his second outing as the Black Panther. I felt his character is similar to Captain America in the sense that the both have a strict moral code that guides them and they both strife to be noble. Michael B. Jordan makes a very compelling villain (a top 5 (if not top 3) villain in the MCU). Can’t wait for the sequel.
3) Captain America: The Winter Soldier
This movie cemented Captain America as my favorite hero and the Russo Brothers as directors that I would watch anything that they made. They made Captain America inspiring when he could easily be so cheesy, he is a hero I can route for no matter what. The Winter Soldier was a cool looking villain that brought some real stakes. Solid from beginning to end, no complaints here.
2) Captain America: Civil War
AIRPORT SCENE. AIRPORT SCENE. AIRPORT SCENE. I like the other parts of the movie (intro of Black Panther and Spider-Man, Captain American being noble). But that AIRPORT SCENE though!
1) Avengers: Endgame
A movie has no business being this completely satisfying. Yes you could point out flaws in the movie, but why? This movie brings it all, emotion, laughs, action, and the best kind of fan service. The deaths are shocking but handled nicely (and yes that includes the Black Widow). This movie is what the MCU has been building up to and they pulled it off. I left the movie theater like I leave Thanksgiving dinner, stuffed and totally satisfied.
What is your ranking? Do we match, or are we totally different? What would you put at the top spot? Leave your thoughts below.
J.E.Rowland 
This is almost spot on for how I would rank them. 23-8 are dead on for me, my top 7 looks just a little different:
7. Civil War (Cap, though staying true to himself, almost came across as bull-headed and Zemo was lacking just enough to make me believe him as a villain)
6. Far From Home (Spectacular, but just not quite as good as the top 5)
5. Infinity War (I mean, they lose 🤯)
4. GotG (This is ranked this high solely for the risk factor. When determining characters to adapt for a movie, this is a group not many would have pegged for success. Plus Drax is the second funniest character in the whole MCU, in my opinion).
3. Black Panther (For all the reasons you mentioned)
2. Winter Soldier (This movie really knocked it out of the park for me. It had depth, it had great storytelling and development, it felt realistic, and it really elevated the way I saw Cap. That elevator scene…)
1. Endgame (Because good gravy 😱)
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I think our biggest difference (ranking wise) is Civil War. Your right, Zemo is a very lackluster villain, I forget he is the main bad guy in that movie half the time, and his plan to break them apart is very convoluted. But I’m just a Cap guy so I naturally ranked it higher haha.
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