Come on—the Marvel Cinematic Universe is not just a movie franchise; it’s a massive entity in pop culture. With nearly 40 films, numerous TV shows on apps, and a great deal of capes, big bangs, and heavy punches that we can’t even list, the MCU is like the grand narrative of our era. It has given us heroes we will never forget, gigantic scenes, and moments that hit harder than we might admit.
But with all that garbage, it’s hard to narrow down the best. To select the best of the MCU is like selecting your favorite Avenger—can’t be done, but it’s fun. We tested it. We start with 10, and here is our list of the best MCU movies and shows. These are some of the critics’ top picks, fan favorites, and some of those gems that make us want to watch over and over.
10. Guardians of the Galaxy
When this film initially appeared, nobody believed that a group of strange space people, a tree, and a wisecracking raccoon could succeed. But Guardians defied all expectations with its retro tunes, quick humor, and profound heart. It was an odd, new phenomenon in the MCU. It was new and bold—and it made Peter Quill and his crew household names.
9. Spider-Man: Homecoming
Tom Holland’s solo debut film provided us with the most genuine, likable Peter Parker to date. Homecoming artfully dodges the old tale to present a coming-of-age story in the middle of battle scenes. Holland depicts all the awkward charm you’d expect from a teenage hero, and Michael Keaton’s Vulture introduces genuine peril and some real-life motivations behind it. It’s enjoyable, it’s hilarious, and it’s just the right size.
8. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Marvel has strained its action muscle hard with Shang-Chi, with some of the sharpest fight choreography in the franchise. But apart from the martial arts display, the film works well for its charming lead, Simu Liu, and a plot that digs deep into family, loss, and inheritance. The subtly couched Tony Leung villain adds depth to the story, and the mythology broadens the MCU in exciting, mystical ways.
7. WandaVision
It established what TV can do first as an MCU Disney+ show. It begins as a strange TV comedy gag and becomes a profound exploration of loss and who we are. Elizabeth Olsen is great in both parts, transitioning Wanda from supporting to leading. It was strange, risky, and hit us with intense emotions—a big shift.
6. Black Panther
A huge production in superhero films, Black Panther was a hit, but more than that, more significant. With breathtakingly beautiful future-African aesthetics and an old habits and new tricks tale, the film broke new ground. It gave us epic battles and individuals we will never forget. Chadwick Boseman’s dignified T’Challa and Michael B. Jordan’s formidable Killmonger engaged in one of the greatest good-bad guy battles ever in the MCU.
5. Loki
Let’s be real: Loki didn’t have to go this hard—but it did. This reality-bending, time-hopping series made the God of Mischief one of the MCU’s most lovable and complex characters. Tom Hiddleston is still a revelation, and the chemistry with Owen Wilson’s Mobius? Chef’s kiss. Throw in some rich existential themes and mind-blowing multiverse lore, and you’ve got a show that’s as stylish as it is substantial.
4. Avengers: Infinity War
This is likely the film that demonstrated Marvel could actually handle a crazy number of characters and still have a working narrative. From action to fight, world-hopping, to the most heartbreaking conclusion in superhero history, Infinity War is all grandiose: high-stakes warfare, and Thanos does not merely appear-he takes over. The actual viewing of the heroes frantically fighting against their inevitable snap was exhilarating and heartbreaking at once.
3. Avengers: End
The culmination of over a decade of setup, Endgame is an emotional rollercoaster that ties up loose ends with bombast, nostalgia, and more than a few tears. The battle royale third act is every fanboy’s fantasy, and the characters? Heartbreak in the best sense. It’s fan service at its best—and a masterclass in building cinematic payoff.
2. Iron Man
Iron Man paved the way for all that followed, influencing the way the MCU would feel and look and emphasizing solid characters. Robert Downey Jr. made Tony Stark look cool, but honest and intelligent. He established a difficult benchmark to live up to from the beginning. In retrospect, it’s great to notice how well this film holds up today—it’s slick, intelligent, and just bursts into life.
1. The Avengers
It was magic, pure magic, when the giant heroes first assembled on the screen. The Avengers was the initial giant hero mashup on a movie, and accomplished it with confident competence, pleasure, and giant action. It was a dream realized. Not just a movie, it fulfilled a promise—and revolutionized giant films.
And that’s it: the 10 MCU films that, to us, are most memorable. If they speak to us on a personal level or impress us with big set pieces, these films illustrate why we come back again and again—because when Marvel gets it right, it is a major hit.