Marvel Studios has made the superhero genre a box office behemoth over the years. Beginning with a group of unlikely heroes, it has become a multiverse filled with gods, spies, aliens, raccoons that talk, and far, far too many multiverses. With more than 30 films under its belt, the MCU has treated us to some unforgettable highs and some cringeworthy lows. Whether you’ve been there since Tony Stark built his first suit in a cave or just dropped in for the Spider-Man crossover chaos, here’s a rundown of Marvel’s best and worst movie moments (yes, we’re still recovering from Thor’s bleach-blond eyebrows, too).
15. Eternals
Chloé Zhao’s starry-eyed epic tried to be grand but ended up either confusing or disappointing. With so many new characters and infinite backstory packed in, it was more like a space history lesson. There were glimmers of beauty and richer themes, but the film never achieved its stride. It was more “Eternals: Wait, who’s that again?” and less “Avengers in the stars.”
14. Thor: Love and Thunder
Taika Waititi swung hard for the fences, but this fourth Thor film did not quite stick the landing. It jumbled slapstick humor with some really heavy emotional stuff—such as Jane Foster’s illness—and the combination often rang hollow. Though there were enjoyable moments and Christian Bale delivered a creepy performance as Gorr, the film couldn’t balance heart and humor.
13. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
The appeal of the initial two Ant-Man movies was in their lower stakes and more everyday characters. This third entry took everything into the Quantum Realm with huge CGI action and grand universe consequences, but sacrificed some of that earthy feel. Paul Rudd is still lovely, but the film was more of a sci-fi side trip than the next iteration of Scott Lang’s earthbound escapades.
12. Captain America: Brave New World
Anthony Mackie’s turn as the new Cap was overdue, but his solo film debut didn’t pack the punch that fans were hoping for. Though it had great moments and a clear intention to push the character forward, the film itself wasn’t as gritty or as sharply focused as previous Cap entries. It seemed like Marvel on autopilot—tight, yes, but lacking the sting.
11. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Sam Raimi’s horror-tinged direction brought a fresh flavor to the MCU, complete with creepy visuals and weird, wild detours. But the story struggled to keep pace. Wanda’s sharp turn from grieving mother to multiverse menace felt rushed, and while the film had style, its emotional logic didn’t always track. A fun ride, but not without its bumps.
10. The Marvels
Short, snappy, and packed with energy, this team-up flick had a lot going for it, especially in the chemistry between its three leads. The plot moved fast (maybe too fast), and the villain didn’t leave much of a mark. But what stood out was the infectious vibe, helped along by Iman Vellani’s scene-stealing Ms. Marvel. It wasn’t perfect, but it was fun.
9. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
This follow-up inquiry carried a tremendous emotional weight and generally did a good job of respecting Chadwick Boseman’s legacy. Although at times it felt like it was being pulled thin by the necessity of introducing new characters and storylines, its intentions were good. The acting was strong, the emotion was real, and the cultural richness continued to distinguish this corner of the MCU.
8. Black Widow
Scarlett Johansson finally received her highly anticipated solo movie… after her character’s storyline had concluded. A period piece, Black Widow provided a good spy thriller with crisp action and an engaging family saga, particularly between Natasha and Florence Pugh’s Yelena. It wasn’t revolutionary, but it placed Black Widow in the spotlight she deserved, just past the time when she should have gotten it.
7. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
With some of the most effective fight choreography in the whole MCU, Shang-Chi introduced new vitality and a well-told origin tale. The film’s first half is particularly robust, character-driven, and filled with hand-to-hand fighting that does feel authentic. It devolves into CGI anarchy by the close, but Simu Liu’s endearing lead performance and the movie’s distinct cultural voice provided a firm identity.
6. Guardians of the Galaxy
When Guardians hit theaters, no one was expecting much from a film about a tree, a raccoon, and a mixtape. But James Gunn gave us a surprise blockbuster packed with offbeat humor, emotion, and old-school tunes. It introduced us to a team of misfit heroes and had us loving them in an instant. It was the MCU at its most pleasantly surprising.
5. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Gunn wrapped up his trilogy with a heavy dose of emotion, providing perhaps the most emotional movie throughout the entire franchise. It provided every character space to shine, particularly Rocket, whose history could reduce even the most hardened watchers to tears. If this truly is the end of the Guardians, they went out on a memorable note.
4. Spider-Man: No Way Home
Let’s be real—this one could’ve been a total fan-service mess. But by some kind of magic, it pulled it off. Casting Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield was not only nostalgic—it lent gravity to the journey of Tom Holland. The movie struck the balance between huge crowd-pleasing scenes and actual repercussions, giving Spidey one of the most rewarding arcs he’s had so far.
3. Spider-Man: Far From Home
Underappreciated, this sequel to Homecoming featured Peter Parker dealing with post-Endgame bereavement and coming into his own as a superhero. Jake Gyllenhaal’s Mysterio was a well-played villain, and the movie did an excellent job balancing high school angst and saving-the-world ramifications. It’s not the most flashy MCU movie, but it’s one of the strongest.
2. Iron Man
The catalyst for it all. Iron Man didn’t merely introduce Tony Stark—it redesigned the superhero blockbuster. Robert Downey Jr.’s charm established the tone for the entire MCU, mixing humor and emotional resonance. Even with all the sequels and spinoffs, there’s still something to the origin story that works.
1. Avengers: Endgame
If there’s one movie that sums up the MCU experience, it’s Endgame. It’s the culmination of more than a decade of storytelling, full of iconic moments that sent fans into collective cheers (and sobs). From Cap picking up Mjolnir to Tony’s ultimate sacrifice, it was the kind of cinematic payoff few franchises even get close to achieving.
The MCU is evolving. New players are taking the lead, narratives are becoming more experimental, and the universe just keeps growing. If you’re in it for the laughs, the action, the feels, or the fan theories, one thing’s for sure: the Marvel ride is far from over. Grab your popcorn—and perhaps a vibranium shield—the next chapter is always on the horizon.