Every MCU Phase Ranked by Box Office: You Won’t Believe Which One Is Last!

by

The five phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) have each delivered blockbuster movies that broke records and achieved significant financial success. Starting with Iron Man’s introduction in Phase 1, Marvel Studios revolutionized franchise development throughout the 2010s. However, the 2020s have seen a mix of outcomes for Phases 4 and 5, resulting in a rollercoaster ride at the box office.

Marvel Studios has now put out a total of 36 movies in theaters, and these films form five connected story arcs that started with the release of Iron Man in 2008. The fifth phase is currently unfolding, and it’s slated to conclude on Disney+ with the movie Ironheart. This upcoming film has sparked a variety of responses online after early screenings were shown.

Instead, the theatrical finale for Phase 5 is expected to be “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” an eagerly awaited reboot that has potential to significantly increase ticket sales and improve the lackluster average of this phase.

Instead of constantly debating about the major franchises (such as Avengers and Spider-Man) or focusing on hits (Endgame, No Way Home) and flops (The Marvels, Eternals

Phase 3 — $1.24 Billion Average

Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) undeniably reigned supreme at the box office, as an astounding six out of eleven films surpassed the highly desired $1 billion threshold. From the thrilling debut of “Captain America: Civil War” to the heartrending climax of “Avengers: Endgame,” Marvel Studios was unquestionably operating at its zenith.

Endgame” wasn’t just a box office success; it ranked as one of the highest-grossing movies ever made, rivaling 2009’s “Avatar.

The films in Phase 3 were all major cinematic events, making the 11-film period an unparalleled stretch that it would be difficult for even Marvel, let alone any other studio with a shared film universe, to surpass. Here’s the breakdown of each movie during Phase 3:

  • Civil War – $1.15 billion
  • Doctor Strange – $677.7 million
  • Guardians Vol. 2 – $863.8 million
  • Spider-Man: Homecoming – $880.2 million
  • Thor: Ragnarok – $853.9 million
  • Black Panther – $1.35 billion
  • Infinity War – $2.05 billion
  • Ant-Man and the Wasp – $622.7 million
  • Captain Marvel – $1.13 billion
  • Endgame – $2.79 billion
  • Far From Home – $1.13 billion

Average = $1.24 billion.

Phase 2 — $876.9 Million Average

As a dedicated cinema enthusiast, I must say that Phase 2 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe truly impressed me with its impressive box office average, all while only having six films under its belt. Two of these films, “Iron Man 3” and “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” even managed to rake in over two billion dollars each! The excitement surrounding these movies was palpable, and the studio’s ability to sustain momentum following the record-breaking success of “The Avengers” was nothing short of astonishing.

One standout among these is the film “Guardians of the Galaxy“, which astonished many by transforming a less popular set of comic book characters into worldwide sensations. The staggering $772.8 million it earned globally in 2014 demonstrated that Marvel was willing to take risks, tell unconventional stories, and yet still fill theaters, setting the stage for future ventures like “Doctor Strange“, “Eternals“, and “Shang-Chi“.

Although Ant-Man had the smallest earnings among the phase, it nonetheless generated a substantial profit to warrant two subsequent films. Looking back, Phase 2 wasn’t merely a continuation of earlier triumphs; it served as Marvel’s springboard for achieving widespread cultural supremacy.

Here’s how Phase 2 performed at the box office:

  • Iron Man 3 – $1.21 billion
  • Thor: The Dark World – $644.8 million
  • Captain America: The Winter Soldier – $714.4 million
  • Guardians of the Galaxy – $772.8 million
  • Avengers: Age of Ultron – $1.4 billion
  • Ant‑Man – $519.3 million

Average = $876.9 million

Phase 4 — $814.3 Million Average

Although often perceived as a dip in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s quality and popular appeal, Phase 4 managed to maintain a strong average box office performance, which might astonish some fans.

During the timeframe from 2021 to 2022, following the conclusion of Endgame, this period was characterized by a deluge of fresh content, including seven movies released in theaters and numerous Disney+ series all making their debut at once. The Marvel Cinematic Universe never seemed more bewildering or challenging to follow along with, yet audiences continued to flock to cinemas in large numbers.

In the later part of 2021, during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Spider-Man: No Way Home stood out as a remarkable movie, grossing an astounding $1.91 billion globally. However, it’s essential to mention that the majority of these box office revenues went into Sony’s coffers, not Disney’s.

As a dedicated cinephile, I can’t help but reflect on Marvel Studios’ Phase 4, a period that saw both triumphs and tribulations. The release of “Black Widow” coincided with a simultaneous debut on Disney+, an unusual move that seemed to impact its box office performance significantly. This decision even led to a lawsuit from the talented Scarlett Johansson.

However, it’s important to note that while “Black Widow” may not have met financial expectations, it was followed by blockbusters like “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” and “Thor: Love and Thunder.” Despite receiving mixed reviews, these films were massive hits, demonstrating the robust strength of Marvel’s theatrical brand.

In retrospect, Phase 4 might not have been a financial disaster, but it could be argued that it laid a somewhat shaky foundation for the rest of the Multiverse Saga. The future is uncertain, but one thing remains clear: Marvel continues to captivate audiences worldwide with its epic storytelling and unforgettable characters.

Phase 4 breakdown:

  • Black Widow – $379.8 million
  • Shang‑Chi – $432.2 million
  • Eternals – $402.1 million
  • Spider‑Man: No Way Home – $1.91 billion
  • Doctor Strange 2 – $955.8 million
  • Thor: Love and Thunder – $760.9 million
  • Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – $859.2 million

Average: $814.3 million

Phase 1 — $635.7 Million Average

This marked the commencement of an extraordinary journey. When the movie “Iron Man” premiered in 2008 and grossed almost $600 million, it wasn’t just a fluke; it ignited a flame that set the entire cinematic universe ablaze. As each subsequent film was released, Marvel Studios created something unprecedented: a collection of self-contained tales that culminated in something grander.

The entity referred to as “The Avengers” made its debut in 2012 and raked in over $1.5 billion. This blockbuster didn’t just conclude Phase 1; it reshaped Hollywood entirely. With its arrival, every significant studio began yearning for a cinematic universe, yet few were able to replicate the careful planning or deliver the same level of success.

During Phase 1, some movies that didn’t bring in as much money were released, but their impact should not be underestimated. The foundations laid during this period, such as the intriguing post-credit scenes and growing sense of shared universe, served as a blueprint for blockbuster filmmaking throughout the 2010s.

Here’s the full Phase 1 breakdown:

  • Iron Man – $585.4 million
  • The Incredible Hulk – $264.8 million
  • Iron Man 2 – $623.9 million
  • Thor – $449.3 million
  • Captain America: The First Avenger – $370.6 million
  • The Avengers – $1.52 billion

Average = $635.7 million

Phase 5* — $610.7 Million Average

Currently, Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is the one that’s earned the least on average, and it’s understandable why this is the case. With only one significant title left to be released – “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” set for July 25 – the six films released so far have shown a wide range in financial success, to put it mildly.

The team-up between Deadpool and Wolverine was an incredible hit, easily surpassing $1.3 billion and offering fans a glimpse of Marvel’s magic at its peak. In much the same way, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 served as a beloved farewell that significantly boosted the theatrical experience in 2023.

As a movie enthusiast, I must admit that my initial excitement for Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been tinged with some disappointment. The grand opening of Quantumania was a bit of a letdown, falling flat both critically and financially. This was followed by an even more disheartening experience with The Marvels, which didn’t merely underperform, it set a new record as the biggest box office flop in the MCU, managing to earn only a meager sum of over $200 million.

This year, both “Captain America: Bold New Horizon” and “Thunderbolts” didn’t quite meet expectations; surprisingly, even though “Thunderbolts” received rave initial reviews, it struggled to resonate with a wider cinema audience. Here’s an analysis of Phase 5 in its entirety:

*Note: The titles have been slightly altered for clarity and readability.

  • Quantumania – $476.1 million
  • Guardians Vol. 3 – $845.6 million
  • The Marvels – $206.1 million
  • Deadpool & Wolverine – $1.34 billion
  • Captain America: Brave New World – $415.1 million
  • Thunderbolts* – $381.3 million

Average: $610.7 million

Read More

2025-07-10 06:06