Let’s get real—ranking the Marvel flicks is like debating the greatest pizza topping: completely subjective, very emotional, and likely unresolvable. With 36 films (and counting), the Marvel Cinematic Universe has grown into a global juggernaut, serving up everything from record-shattering blockbusters to head-scratching bombs. For every electrifying team-up or tear-jerking payoff, there’s a movie that leaves even die-hard fans thinking, “Wait, what was that one about again?”
So, whether you’re a life-long Marvel geek or just a person who enjoys a good superhero brawl, here’s a top 10 countdown of the most memorable Marvel highs and lows—beginning with the flops and culminating in the all-time classics.
10. Thor: The Dark World
We’re starting at the bottom of the barrel. Thor: The Dark World is the MCU’s most forgettable film, and it’s not just because Malekith is a villain you’ll forget the moment the credits roll. As Screen Rant puts it, the issue isn’t that it’s terrible—it’s that it’s bland. Even Chris Hemsworth can’t inject enough charm into this murky mix of forgettable action and recycled plot points.
9. Iron Man 2
The strain of creating a shared universe really came through in Tony Stark’s second venture. Iron Man 2 spends more time setting up The Avengers than it does telling its own story. The result? A messy, unbalanced sequel that even Robert Downey Jr. can’t seem to power through. As Screen Rant points out, this one shouts “studio interference.”
8. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Size does not matter. Quantumania attempted to raise the stakes with a multiverse-spanning, CGI-fest narrative—but along the way, it lost the heart and humor that made the first two Ant-Man movies fun. As Screen Rant notes, the visual stimulation made it difficult to care about what exactly was happening.
7. Eternals
Ambition does not necessarily mean delivery. Under the stewardship of Academy Award-winning director Chloé Zhao, Eternals had everything that could make something revolutionary—but became a think-piece art film stuck in a Marvel mold. According to Screen Rant, the film was “bogged down by the MCU’s formulaic routine,” and it reflects.
6. Black Widow
Natasha Romanoff finally received her solo movie… years too soon. Following her in-comic death, Black Widow had the feel of a prequel that arrived after the fans had already moved on. Although the cast tries its best, the uneven pace and absence of narrative momentum bring it down. As Screen Rant put it, the years-long wait didn’t pay off the way it should have.
Now let’s turn the tables. These are the Marvel movies that get everything right, whether it’s by reshaping the genre, testing emotional limits, or simply being a fun time at the cinema.
5. Guardians of the Galaxy
Who would have thought that a talking raccoon and a tree would shape the MCU all over again? Guardians brought in color, irreverence, and an amazing mixtape and made it work. James Gunn’s offbeat direction and the cast’s chemistry took nobodies to fan-favorite status. It is proof that Marvel doesn’t always have to play it safe.
4. Avengers: Infinity War
This was the film that made all of it feel real. With its huge ensemble cast and galaxy-spanning stakes, Infinity War could have been a disaster. But instead, it’s a slick, emotional rollercoaster that concludes with one of the most shocking cliffhangers in blockbuster history. As BuzzFeed described it, it’s spectacle and heartbreak in harmony.
3. Black Panther
More than a superhero film, Black Panther was a cultural touchstone. Ryan Coogler gave us a movie full of substance, world-building, and aesthetics, driven by Chadwick Boseman’s incredible performance and an exceptional villain in Killmonger. BuzzFeed pronounces it a game-changer—and they’re correct. Wakanda forever, indeed.
2. Iron Man
This is where it started. Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark redefined what a superhero could be: human, funny, brilliant, and flawed. Iron Man wasn’t merely a success—it was the groundwork upon which the whole MCU would be constructed. As BuzzFeed explained it, this was the initial spark.
1. Avengers: Endgame
The MCU’s crown jewel. Endgame is as great a finale as it should be: epic, emotional, and full of unforgettable moments. The payoff for more than a decade’s worth of work hits hard, from the final sacrifice of Tony to Cap’s rightful moment with the hammer. BuzzFeed has called it Marvel’s crowning achievement, and for once, everyone appears to concur.
Yes, not all Marvel movies land. The franchise has been criticized for relying on formula, using too much CGI, and stretching itself too thin. Even die-hard fans have confessed to some “Marvel fatigue.” As LA Film Review noted, audiences might be getting tired—but when Marvel does get it right, it gets it right. Whether you’re in it for the high-stakes action, the emotional arcs, or just the popcorn, the MCU isn’t slowing down anytime soon. And love it or hate it, the debate over the best (and worst) Marvel movies will keep raging—as long as there are heroes left to assemble.