In the last six years, Marvel has produced an impressive 30 unique storytelling pieces, including movies and television seasons. That’s quite a substantial amount, making it hard to imagine keeping up with everything they’ve released without missing a beat.
First Steps. If you’ve been out of the loop with shows like What If…? , Moon Knight, or Eternals from the past few years in the Marvel universe, we’ll fill you in on the intricacies of the multiverse to ensure you’re up-to-speed before diving into First Steps. We’ll also delve into the historic significance of the Fantastic Four in Marvel Comics and why their arrival in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is such a momentous occasion.
Watch our full pre-First Steps recap video below:
If you found the video summarizing the Marvel Multiverse Saga from Avengers: Endgame to The Fantastic Four: First Steps enjoyable, don’t miss out on more videos we have in store! You might be interested in one speculating about which Marvel characters could have intersected with Sacha Baron Cohen’s Mephisto, another highlighting all the Marvel Easter eggs found in the last three episodes of Ironheart, and a third exploring the possible link between Ironheart, Tony Stark, and Doctor Doom. We’ve got plenty more videos waiting for you at ScreenCrush’s YouTube channel. Make sure to subscribe so you won’t miss our upcoming episodes. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is now playing in theaters this weekend!
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Every Marvel Cinematic Universe Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best
37. Eternals
Initially, I wouldn’t have anticipated that a Marvel film directed by an Academy Award winner and inspired by some of Jack Kirby’s most daring comics would result in one of the least indispensable titles. Regrettably, “Eternals” fails to coalesce effectively. It maintains a largely accurate portrayal of Kirby’s fundamental ideas with minor but significantly problematic alterations – for instance, transforming the antagonistic Deviants into generic monsters lacking clear goals or motivations. The expansive cast boasts commendable supporting performances from Kumail Nanjiani and Brian Tyree Henry, yet the main characters, Gemma Chan as Sersi and Richard Madden as Ikaris, grapple to convincingly depict their purported passionate relationship (a romance that spans 6,000 years; they seem like they’re on their first awkward date). The script occasionally delves into thought-provoking concepts regarding the links between superheroes, mythology, and religion, only to consistently abandon them for a string of routine combat sequences against monotonous adversaries. It’s challenging to imagine a more tedious film about immortal alien robots attempting to thwart imminent apocalypse than this one.
36. The Incredible Hulk
35. Thor: The Dark World
Instead of nearly having Patty Jenkins’ Thor, we ended up with a film that felt gloomy and followed a tedious pursuit for a mystical MacGruffin. This movie also featured one of the most uninteresting villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. On a positive note, if this film hadn’t performed so poorly, it might not have encouraged Marvel to take the bold steps they did with Thor: Ragnarok (for more details, see here).
34. The Marvels
This Marvel film isn’t the most disappointing one – it surpasses three others in the series, after all – but it can be quite muddled and intense. An ensemble of three captivating Marvel characters (Brie Larson as Captain Marvel, Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel, and Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau) are haphazardly thrown together to prevent a Kree warlord from causing havoc, all for reasons that remain unclear. Despite the actors’ strong chemistry, the narrative, although concise, is chaotic and filled with puzzling decisions that make little sense.
33. Captain America: Brave New World
In a different script, the correct casting – that’s what one might say about many recent Marvel films, such as The Marvels, but it particularly applies to Captain America: Brave New World. This movie finally gives Anthony Mackie’s charming Sam Wilson his own film, only to burden him with a monotonous villain and a story littered with unnecessary references to The Incredible Hulk – like the curiosity surrounding Betty Ross’ fate, for instance.
32. Doctor Strange
Visually stunning scenes are a plus, but “Doctor Strange” seems to be more like an upgraded version of “Iron Man,” with the addition of magic. The film’s climax where Dormammu is defeated certainly deserves a thumbs up. However, the wacky cape worn by Strange leaves something to be desired. (Read more [here].)
31. Iron Man 2
Despite being better than you may recall, it’s still not exceptional. Sam Rockwell’s dancing skills can conceal many flaws, but they can’t hide them all. If approximately 15 minutes of Avengers scene-setting were trimmed, it could potentially be quite impressive. (You can read more here.)
Though improved from memory, it’s still not fantastic. Sam Rockwell’s dance moves can cover up several issues, but they can’t mask them all. Remove about 15 minutes of the Avengers‘ introductory scenes and it could be truly remarkable. (More details are available here.)
30. Ant-Man
The Ant-Man movie isn’t terrible, but it feels like a smaller version of what we might have expected from director Edgar Wright. Despite this, Michael Peña’s character Luis stands out as one of the best non-superpowered characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. (For more details, check out the link provided.)
29. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
In the epic clash between Ant-Man and Kang the Conqueror, even the formidable Kang (portrayed by Jonathan Majors) acknowledges that Scott Lang is biting off more than he can chew. This seemingly lopsided battle might symbolize the movie itself: The charmingly modest, lighthearted universe of the Ant-Man series, known for its sharp wit and lovable characters, struggles to compete with the grandiose multiversal saga unfolding in Marvel Phase 5.
As a standalone Marvel cinematic experience, it’s decent. However, considering it as a progression within the Ant-Man narrative, it leaves something to be desired. Unfortunately, if you were anticipating the return of Michael Peña’s Luis, you will be disappointed as he doesn’t make an appearance in this film.
28. Ant-Man and the Wasp
The movie “Ant-Man and the Wasp” shines brightest when it emphasizes its compactness, with Paul Rudd bantering with his fellow actors, Michael Peña’s soliloquies, and a heartwarming, intimate storyline revolving around a fractured family striving to mend their bonds. (For further details, click here.)
27. Captain Marvel
As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I’ve got to say that Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers, with her immense power in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is truly unmatched. However, the movie itself could have benefited from a tad more emotional depth. Nevertheless, it manages to keep things exciting thanks to two standout performances: Ben Mendelsohn as the cunning Skrull Talos, and Samuel L. Jackson (and the mind-blowing de-aging effects) portraying the youthful Nick Fury. (Read more here.)
26. Black Widow
In 2021, Scarlett Johansson’s long-awaited solo film, “Black Widow,” was released. Instead of showcasing her character as a standout, she primarily acted as a straight woman to the comedic ensemble of Russian superheroes, with David Harbour portraying the narcissistic Red Guardian and Florence Pugh stealing the spotlight as Yelena. Regrettably, this film didn’t fully deliver on giving Black Widow the fitting farewell she deserved. However, it still offers another top-notch Marvel production, complete with stunning stunt sequences, and a captivating villain in Taskmaster, who has the ability to copy the fighting styles of any adversary he encounters.
25. Thor: Love and Thunder
Experiencing Taika Waititi’s second “Thor” movie is somewhat like witnessing a magician performing the same trick twice in quick succession. Initially, it was mesmerizing. However, on the second viewing, while it remains impressive, the element of surprise has dwindled. Christian Bale portrays an eerie Gorr the God-Butcher, yet his intense and highly emotional villain persona does not quite harmonize with Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and his relentless humor. “Love and Thunder” shares many similarities with Taiki Waititi’s “Thor: Ragnarok,” but the components do not blend together as smoothly this time around.
24. Deadpool & Wolverine
In Deadpool 2, the camaraderie between Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine is just what you’d expect. Their cameos are mind-blowing, almost unbelievable. However, the story pushes the limits of how much background information a movie can provide without becoming confusing. It seems like each character has a heartrending past, at least two in this film! If you don’t analyze anything on screen for even a moment, you’ll have an okay experience. Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman definitely deliver the teamwork of Deadpool and Wolverine that we were waiting for, even though you might wish the writers (including Reynolds) had provided a slightly clearer plot.
23. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
22. Avengers: Infinity War
While this film certainly delivers on a grand scale and its conclusion is remarkable, there’s an intangible element that seems lacking. If your preference for Marvel movies leans towards high-octane action and witty quips, then it might meet your expectations. However, if you appreciate the characters, camaraderie, and heartfelt moments amidst the battles, this movie may not resonate as deeply with you. (For further discussion, please read more here.)
21. Iron Man 3
The movie was generally good, but its connection to the Marvel Cinematic Universe detracted somewhat from the overall experience. The film’s plot culminates in Tony Stark retiring as Iron Man and departing, only for him to appear in several subsequent films afterwards. Guy Pearce’s performance as Killian was underwhelming, but his scenes with the clever child, portrayed by Robert Downey Jr., were top-notch. (You can read more about it here.)
20. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Initially: The climactic scene featuring dragons and monsters clashing within a dense fog of poor CGI quality is less than appealing. However, prior to this point, Shang-Chi could very well be Marvel’s finest action film, boasting numerous intense and intricate fight sequences. (The bus fight in San Francisco is particularly enjoyable.) Simu Liu heads a cast that delves deeper into character development, with Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh delivering powerful supporting roles, and Ben Kingsley and Awkwafina consistently providing comic relief. (Kingsley’s portrayal of former Mandarin Trevor Slattery, though not as popular a villain initially, has been transformed by Marvel into an endearing secondary character.)
19. Thor
An epic adventure taking place primarily in the tiniest town of New Mexico – sounds unusual, doesn’t it? Despite some flaws, Thor stands out among Marvel movies. The stellar cast and captivating performances managed to surmount script and structural challenges, a trait that would later become synonymous with the Marvel series.”
(Read more here.)
18. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Ryan Coogler encountered an incredibly tough task with “Wakanda Forever”: Not only did he need to create a sequel that matched the greatness of the initial “Black Panther”, he had to do it without Chadwick Boseman, our charismatic lead who sadly passed away during the summer of 2020, just as filming was about to commence. Coogler’s masterpiece shines when it seamlessly incorporates the cast and his own grief for Boseman into the narrative of a grieving Wakanda. However, the rest of the movie can be a bit disjointed; it combines intriguing concepts, numerous characters, and an antagonist, King Namor, whose motives become somewhat unclear at times.
17. The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)
The Marvel’s Fantastic Four film, titled “First Steps,” is an unquestionable enhancement over the four past attempts by Roger Corman and 20th Century Fox to establish a blockbuster FF franchise on screen. Given that the earlier movies ranged from mediocre to terrible, it’s no wonder why this one outshines them with its impressive visual design and an intriguing villain. (The menacing Galactus, who craves Earth because even space gods can sometimes feel lonely and consuming a massive meal can bring comfort.) However, the Fantastic Four themselves seem somewhat uninteresting and underdeveloped in this film.
Overall, “First Steps” is enjoyable, although not as entertaining as I expected. On paper, director Matt Shakman selected the four leads perfectly. In practice, though, it appears that none of his actors have truly grasped their characters just yet. Alternatively, the script might have diminished the Fantastic Four to such an extent that they had no room to grow. To put it another way, it’s a promising debut with potential for further refinement.
16. Captain America: Civil War
The plot of the movie is questionable and lacks credibility, but it was clearly constructed to culminate in an epic showdown between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers at the airport. However, I must say: The battle at the airport is absolutely thrilling! (Read more here.)
Note that I’ve removed the internet slang “ZOMFG” to make it more formal and easy to read for a wider audience.
15. Spider-Man: No Way Home
Jon Watts’ third Spider-Man movie holds a similar ground to Sam Raimi’s third Spider-Man film. Both films are packed with numerous villains as a drawback, but on the bright side, this film effectively portrays Peter Parker as a character who persists despite his frequent failures and continuous efforts to rectify his mistakes. The movie also significantly introduces the concept of the multiverse into MCU films, making it a significant step forward in the ongoing storyline.
Jon Watts’ third Spider-Man film is similar to Sam Raimi’s third one, both having many villains. However, it does well in showing Peter Parker as a character who tries again after failures. Additionally, this movie brings the multiverse concept into MCU movies in a significant way, marking an important development in the storyline.
14. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
After a 15-year absence, director Sam Raimi re-entered the Marvel universe with this thrilling, unconventional tale of a struggle for the survival of multiple dimensions. Much like his previous Spider-Man films, Raimi skillfully incorporated his unique style and motifs – such as slapstick humor, deranged zombies, and sudden jumps – into the conventional Marvel framework. (For further details, see here.)
13. Thunderbolts (2025)
Many Marvel productions after “Endgame” seem like they’re made from leftover parts of different comics, movies, and lore, but “Thunderbolts*” stands out as a genuine movie with an engaging plot and intriguing characters, especially Florence Pugh portraying the new Black Widow. She’s disenchanted with her life and finds no satisfaction in her job, until she joins a group of similarly disillusioned mercenaries, including Wyatt Russell as the arrogant U.S. Agent and Hannah John-Kamen as the mystical Ghost. The action is enjoyable, and the story carries a powerful message about overcoming despair and apathy through action and camaraderie. “Thunderbolts*” serves as a reminder of Marvel’s potential when everything is running smoothly.
12. Avengers: Age of Ultron
Despite its perceived decline compared to the initial Avengers film, and the complications surrounding Wanda and Pietro’s storyline, the climactic sequence where the Avengers unite to rescue every single soul in Sokovia encapsulates the essence of Marvel perfection. (Continue reading
11. Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2
10. Thor: Ragnarok
9. Spider-Man: Far From Home
The second Spidey movie from Marvel, starring Tom Holland as the incredible web-slinger, is only slightly below the first one in quality. It offers romance, action, humor, and emotion. Although no one utters “with great power comes great responsibility,” the film still emphasizes this concept just as much as any other Spider-Man movie. Peter Parker, portrayed by Holland, is torn between his feelings for MJ (Zendaya, who brings a touch of dry wit to her role) and his duties from Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson, who delivers an amusingly irritated performance) to stop a group of elemental villains.
In this version, I’ve attempted to maintain the same tone and meaning while making the text more natural and easy to read for a wider audience.
8. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
James Gunn skillfully concludes his Guardians trilogy with a movie that delivers the perfect Marvel blend: Exciting action sequences, quirky sci-fi visuals, and compelling characters we deeply connect with. By the finale of Volume 3, Rocket Raccoon transforms from a secondary Marvel character to one of the company’s most captivating and heartbreaking heroes. Following a series of average films, Gunn effortlessly makes it seem simple. It’s unfortunate that he’s moving on to manage DC instead.
7. Avengers: Endgame
Significantly surpassing “Infinity War” and arguably the second greatest Marvel film yet, this epic production is packed with massive action sequences, plenty of humor, and potentially more Easter eggs than any movie across all cinematic universes. (Continue reading
6. Spider-Man: Homecoming
Among the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most enjoyable films, it boasts captivating characters, thrilling Spider-Man sequences, and an unexpected street vendor requesting a flip from Spider-Man, which he performs. Aren’t you hooked? (Continue reading here.)
5. Guardians of the Galaxy
At the halfway mark of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the original Guardians film played a crucial role in making Marvel more relaxed and showed that their brand was powerful enough to draw audiences to previously unrecognized properties. Before James Gunn came along, the Guardians were merely a small mention, but he turned them into a massive surprise hit. It’s indisputable that Rocket is the best Guardian; this is an undeniable truth, so there’s no need to debate – simply acknowledge it as fact (For more details, see [here].)
4. Captain America: The First Avenger
As a die-hard film enthusiast, I’d say that despite some wobbles in its narrative structure (compressing an entire war into a swift montage), the portrayal of Captain America by Chris Evans in this film is nothing short of remarkable – arguably the most convincing character adaptation within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This movie took a character often criticized for being too plain or outdated, and transformed him into a dynamic, endearing, multi-layered figure embodying timeless human values. When I need a cinematic boost, this is the MCU film I reach for. (You can read more about it here.)
3. Black Panther
In contrast to many Marvel films that strive for profound connections across the cosmos, “Black Panther” demonstrates the benefits of a more insular approach. At the film’s conclusion, when Black Panther decides to share Wakanda with the world and allow its characters to appear elsewhere, it is intended as a joyous resolution. However, if this decision leads to a future sequel that becomes more scattered with numerous guest appearances, it might not be ideal after all. (Source: [Read more here.])
2. The Avengers
Despite the events in “Infinity War”, the original “Avengers” movie remains an extraordinary feat. Each character is meticulously balanced, the dialogue is concise, and the climactic Battle of New York stands as one of the exceptional action sequences of the 21st century. (Read more here.)
1. Iron Man
The original movie remains unsurpassed in quality. Reflecting on it now, we can see that being independent from a larger universe enhanced its appeal as a film. The scenes where Robert Downey Jr.’s character, Tony Stark, tests his armor and takes flight for the first time convey the excitement of superpowers more effectively than any other movie in the Marvel or any other cinematic universe to date. (Read more here.)
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