5 MCU Movies That Got Better With Age (& 1 Was Already Almost Perfect)

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Not all 37 movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe have held up equally well over time. From its start in 2008, the MCU has consistently delivered exciting superhero action and emotionally resonant stories. Films like *The Avengers* (2012), *Captain America: Civil War* (2016), and *Black Panther* (2018) were instant hits with audiences and remain incredibly popular. Interestingly, some MCU movies actually *improve* with repeat viewings, regardless of how they were initially received. Whether they were praised or met with mixed reactions upon release, the strongest MCU films continue to be enjoyable years later.

The following 5 MCU movies are even better when watching them now, compared to when they came out.

5) Thor: The Dark World

While ‘Thor: The Dark World’ (2013) wasn’t initially a fan favorite, it’s aged better over time. The film delivers plenty of exciting action and a standout performance from Tom Hiddleston as Loki. However, a weak villain in Malekith and underdeveloped characters hold it back from being a truly great Marvel movie. Interestingly, the more comedic tone the ‘Thor’ films took afterward suggests that ‘The Dark World’ wasn’t as flawed as people once thought.

After the events of *Avengers: Endgame* and while facing a new threat in Gorr the God Butcher (*Thor: Love and Thunder*), Thor struggles with grief and feels like a shadow of his former self. Looking back, *The Dark World*, despite its flaws, feels surprisingly refreshing. While not a great movie, *The Dark World* offers a more grounded experience and doesn’t rely as heavily on constant jokes, making it a welcome change of pace.

4) Avengers: Age of Ultron

While *Avengers: Age of Ultron* wasn’t as successful as the first *Avengers* movie or the subsequent ones, it remains a really interesting film to watch now, ten years later. The movie features Earth’s heroes battling Ultron (voiced by James Spader), an artificial intelligence that feels particularly relevant today given how much AI is now part of our lives. It’s both a thrilling superhero adventure and a film that makes you think about the possible dangers of AI, making it worth another watch even if you weren’t a huge fan when it first came out.

While the movie still has some noticeable flaws, like the somewhat forced romance between Bruce Banner/Hulk and Black Widow, its strengths are even more apparent now. Seeing Wanda Maximoff’s introduction is enjoyable, especially knowing how much her character has grown since her first appearance in *Age of Ultron*. Plus, the film’s focus on Earth feels refreshing after the Avengers’ fight with Thanos and the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s later exploration of the multiverse.

3) Black Widow

The release of *Black Widow* (2021) felt a bit unfortunate because Marvel delayed a solo movie for Natasha Romanoff for eleven years, only deciding to make it after her character died in *Avengers: Endgame*. While the film goes back in time to explore Natasha’s family, taking place after *Captain America: Civil War* and before *Avengers: Infinity War*, it would have been better to release *Black Widow* in between those two movies.

Despite initial reactions, *Black Widow* has become increasingly important for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The introduction of Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Natasha Romanoff’s adoptive sister, was a huge success, and her appearances in *Hawkeye* and *Thunderbolts* have successfully carried on Black Widow’s story. The film itself is still enjoyable, with a lot of heart and humor. Importantly, the MCU has given Yelena a more developed character arc than Natasha ever had, making it exciting to see her take a leading role as one of the franchise’s key faces.

2) Guardians of the Galaxy

I still think James Gunn’s first *Guardians of the Galaxy* movie from 2014 holds up incredibly well, even now. It launched this amazing trilogy – with *Vol. 2* in 2017 and *Vol. 3* in 2023 – and I genuinely believe it’s one of the best trilogies Marvel has ever done. The first movie is just so effortlessly funny and surprisingly touching; seeing this group of total misfits come together and care for each other out in space is a joy. Honestly, I think you appreciate it even more *after* you’ve seen how their story unfolds in the later films – watching their evolution really adds to the experience.

The Guardians of the Galaxy also have a significant part in *Avengers: Infinity War* and *Endgame*, which makes their original movie even more enjoyable to revisit. Few people predicted how successful the *Guardians of the Galaxy* movies would be, so it’s wonderful to be able to experience the beginning of their story again and again.

1) Avengers: Infinity War

When Avengers: Infinity War came out in 2018, it was almost flawless, but now it’s clear how important it is to the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. The movie took huge risks with its shocking ending – Thanos actually won and wiped out half of all life! – and it created a truly memorable cinematic experience that has only gotten better with time. Many wondered if the Avengers’ devastating loss in Infinity War would be worth it, but the huge success of Endgame shows that it was a brilliant decision.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to build on the impact of Thanos’ Snap and the Blip, making the events of *Infinity War* feel even more important over time. Seven years later, the MCU has skillfully used what made *Infinity War* great, cementing the third *Avengers* film as a key reason for the MCU’s success. *Infinity War* was a huge hit in 2018, and it has become a classic film in 2025.

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2025-09-25 17:18