Marvel Studios has never done well on subtlety, but Phase 5 was a rollercoaster ride rather than any previous chapter. We had billion-dollar films along with cringe-worthy flops, critical darlings followed by experiences fans would rather erase from their memory. With Phase 5 complete and Phase 6 getting underway in style, it’s time to take a step back and reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and which moments defined this chapter. Here are the ten largest lows and highs of Marvel’s Phase 5—beginning with the missteps before reaching the peaks.
10. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania – A Small Disappointment
Phase 5 got underway with Quantumania, which was meant to be the Multiverse Saga’s grand launch. Instead, it proved to be one of Marvel’s poorest openers, grossing just $476 million worldwide and landing a pathetic 46% on Rotten Tomatoes. From shaky CGI (sorry, MODOK), over-stuffed comedy, to anemic stakes, it left many fans questioning whether the MCU had lost its magic.
9. Captain America: Brave New World – New Hero, Old Issues
Sam Wilson formally succeeded Captain America as the Star-Spangled Man with a Plan, but his initial solo adventure wasn’t the victory Marvel was hoping for. The movie posted a robust $100 million domestic start, but lackluster responses (48% Tomatometer, “B-” CinemaScore) kept it from flying. Critics cited zippy pacing, awkward callbacks, and excessive plot stuffed into inadequate time. Though diverse crowds came and premium screens added to the box office, the film lacked endurance.
8. The Marvels – The MCU Hits Rock Bottom
Though having fun chemistry between its stars, The Marvels became one of Marvel’s largest box office flops in history, earning a paltry $206 million globally. With a mediocre 62% on Rotten Tomatoes, fans and critics pointed to an underwhelming villain, sloppy tone, and another lackluster round of VFX. For a film that had the potential to be daring, it turned out to be one of the MCU’s most flat attempts.
7. Secret Invasion – A Skrull-Sized Misfire
Secret Invasion hyped high stakes and intrigue, but delivered one of Marvel’s most forgettable Disney+ ventures. With a53% critics’ score and a still lower 43% audience score, it was mocked for predictable plots, jarring pacing, and disappointing payoffs. The twist that Rhodey had been a secret Skrull since Civil War only infuriated fans more.
6. Echo – Bold, Grounded, but Uneven
Echo was also notable for its portrayal and darker tone, with Alaqua Cox standing out as Maya Lopez. The show had a decent 70% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics lauding it for its representation of Native American culture and unfiltered action. However, inconsistent storytelling and technical issues prevented it from living up to its potential. Its unconventional binge-watch release also polarized audiences—some adored it, while others complained that the five episodes were shortened.
5. Ironheart – Unfinished but Heartfelt
Wrapping up Phase 5 on Disney+, Ironheart featured Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) and explored grief, resilience, and identity. It received good reviews from critics (86%) but was less well-received by audiences, who only gave it 55% approval. Good performances couldn’t quite make up for pacing issues or the feeling that the show existed to lay the groundwork for upcoming MCU entries rather than to present a finished product.
4. Daredevil: Born Again – The Devil Returns
Charlie Cox’s complete return as Daredevil lived up to years of fan expectation. Darker, bloodier, and even dropping the MCU’s first F-bomb, the show went all-in on its mature rating. Though it was uneven in spots due to behind-the-scenes creative upheavals, it found success with critics (87%) and audiences (80%). With Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin once again in the fold, the show also cemented the Netflix Defenders saga as part of the MCU canon.
3. Thunderbolts – Critical Favorite, Box Office Flop
Thunderbolts made it to one of the most acclaimed Marvel movies of all time, with an 88% critics rating and a record 93% audience score. Florence Pugh, David Harbour, and Lewis Pullman gave warm performances, and the film took everyone by surprise by exploring mental health issues hardly ever addressed in superhero movies. Sadly, its low $382 million box office revenue showed that critical success isn’t always synonymous with profits.
2. Deadpool & Wolverine – R-Rated Gold
If Marvel needed proof that it still had the box office in its sights, Deadpool & Wolverine delivered it in spades. With Reynolds and Jackman back to their best, the MCU’s first R-rated outing broke records—$1.3 billion at the international box office, the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time. Viewers loved its crazy blend of meta jokes and multiverse chaos, as seen by their 94% rating. The critics (78%) weren’t as consistent in their love, but fans celebrated it as one.
1. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – Gunn’s Emotional Finale
James Gunn’s goodbye to the Guardians proved to be the icing on the cake for Phase 5. 82% on Metacritic and 94% from fans, the movie was able to reach the viewer’s heart in total while still providing the intended spectacle and humor. The blending of family, sacrifice, and even the question of animal cruelty allowed the movie to transcend the standard Marvel fare and yet still fare well with an $845 million global take. It wasn’t just a good Marvel film—it was a bittersweet farewell to a fan-favorite team.
Honorable Mentions – Animation Steals the Spotlight
While the live-action franchise stole the headlines, Marvel Animation snuck in and out unnoticed with the best of the entire period. X-Men ’97 shocked with near across-the-board praise (99% critics, 91% audience), and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man re-imagined Peter Parker’s origin for younger viewers to an excellent 97%. In the distance on the horizon, The Fantastic Four: First Steps has already set the bar as Phase 6’s opening act, recording-breaking previews and a promising early reaction.
Phase 5 could have had some of the lows Marvel has ever experienced, but it also demonstrated that the studio is willing to take a risk—be it going R-rated, reconnecting fans with familiar favorites, or taking animated productions to greater heights. If anything, it also demonstrated that the MCU still has a very sufficient amount of surprises left in the tank.