In the latest trailer for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” take a close look at the scene where Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s character, The Thing, lifts a car over his head. Notice the piles of comic books in the foreground – this is an intricate Easter egg, as the original Fantastic Four, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby during the Silver Age, were often depicted as celebrities and even subjects of their own comics within their “Fantastic Four” series. Sometimes, the characters themselves would criticize how they were portrayed in these comics. This was quite meta and forward-thinking for its time.
The first full trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps is packed with Marvel references, intricate details, and hidden Easter eggs that you might not have noticed. In our latest FF video, we’ll highlight all of these, including the nods to The Ed Sullivan Show, Timely Comics, and the fascinating shot that offers clues about Celestials, the multiverse, and the plot of Avengers: Doomsday.
Watch our full Fantastic Four trailer breakdown video below:
If you enjoyed dissecting the Easter eggs in the first complete trailer for Fantastic Four: First Steps, take a look at more of our videos below! You’ll find one about the Fantastic Four: First Steps CinemaCon footage, another on the reasons behind the misstep in the Muse storyline of Daredevil: Born Again Episode 7, and one discussing why Spider-Man is missing from the announced cast of Avengers: Doomsday. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel, ScreenCrush, for more exciting episodes! The movie is set to hit theaters on July 25.
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Every Marvel Cinematic Universe Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best
35. Eternals
Prior to its release, I wouldn’t have anticipated that a Marvel film helmed by an Academy Award winner and centered around some of Jack Kirby’s most daring comics would result in one of the company’s least vital productions. Regrettably, Eternals fell short of cohesion. It largely adheres to Kirby’s fundamental ideas with a few minor yet irritating modifications, such as transforming the malevolent Deviants into faceless creatures lacking purpose or motivation. The ensemble boasts commendable supporting roles from Kumail Nanjiani and Brian Tyree Henry, but the principal characters – Gemma Chan as Sersi and Richard Madden as Ikaris – struggle to convincingly portray their purported passionate relationship (a romance spanning 6,000 years; they appear as if they’re on their first awkward date). The script occasionally delves into intriguing concepts concerning the links between superheroes, mythology, and religion, only to discard them repeatedly in favor of routine fight sequences involving dull monsters. It is challenging to imagine a more tedious film about immortal alien robots striving to avert universal annihilation than this one.
34. The Incredible Hulk
33. Thor: The Dark World
As a movie reviewer, let me share my thoughts on this latest Marvel installment. Rather than delivering a fresh and captivating take on Thor, akin to Patty Jenkins’ version, we were served a gloomy pursuit of a mundane MacGuffin, accompanied by one of the most uninteresting villains the MCU has ever seen.
However, if there is a silver lining, it could be that this film’s underperformance may have prompted Marvel to take more risks and shake things up dramatically, as they did with Thor: Ragnarok.
32. The Marvels
As a dedicated Marvel fan, I must confess that this latest film isn’t the absolute worst in the franchise, yet it certainly stands out as the most disorganized and intense. Three captivating Marvel characters, Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel, Iman Vellani’s Ms. Marvel, and Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeau, find themselves entangled in a web of chaos to thwart a Kree warlord with a penchant for mischief. Despite the stellar performances from the stars, the narrative is a whirlwind of confusion, with odd decisions that leave more questions than answers.
31. Captain America: Brave New World
In an alternate take, one might say that the correct characters were used, but the narrative fell short. This sentiment resonates with several recent Marvel productions, such as The Marvels, yet it’s particularly applicable to Captain America: Brave New World. Despite Anthony Mackie’s captivating portrayal of Sam Wilson earning his own movie, the storyline unfortunately suffered from a dull antagonist and an excess of unnecessary references to The Incredible Hulk, including our shared curiosity about Betty Ross’ fate.
30. Doctor Strange
In a nutshell, while the dreamlike images are impressive, “Doctor Strange” struggles to shake off the sensation that it’s merely an extension of “Iron Man 2” with some magic thrown in. On the plus side, the smart conclusion featuring Dormammu was well-executed. However, on the downside, the eccentric cape worn by Strange didn’t quite hit the mark. (You can read more about it here.)
In simpler terms, the movie is like “Iron Man 2” with magic, but the ending where Dormammu was involved was great, while the strange cape wasn’t so appealing. (More details can be found here.)
29. Iron Man 2
Despite being better than you may recall, it’s still not exceptional. Sam Rockwell’s dancing skills can mask many imperfections, but not all of them. By trimming 15 minutes of setup from the Avengers, you might create something truly impressive. (Continue reading here.)
28. Ant-Man
While Ant-Man isn’t awful, it’s challenging not to perceive it as a smaller-scale version of the grander Edgar Wright film we could have had. However, Michael Peña’s character Luis stands out as one of the most remarkable non-superpowered figures in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. (Read more here.)
27. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
In the epic battle between Ant-Man and Kang the Conqueror, even the formidable Jonathan Majors as Kang acknowledges that Scott Lang is biting off more than he can chew. This seemingly insurmountable contrast mirrors the essence of the film itself: The quaint, lighthearted universe of the Ant-Man series with its delightful humor and relatable characters seems to pale in comparison to the grandiose multiversal saga of Marvel Phase 5.
As a cinematic journey within the Marvel Universe, it manages to deliver. However, as a progression for the Ant-Man franchise, it falls short of expectations. Sadly, if you were anticipating the return of Michael Peña’s beloved character Luis, you might be disappointed because he is not present in this installment at all.
26. Ant-Man and the Wasp
The film “Ant-Man and the Wasp” shines brightest when it emphasizes its compactness, featuring Paul Rudd’s humorous interactions with his fellow actors, Michael Peña’s heartfelt monologues, and a modest family drama about repairing a fractured family bond. (You can read more about it here.)
25. Captain Marvel
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers could be the strongest character, yet her movie seemed to fall short on emotional impact. However, it remains engaging thanks to two standout performers: Ben Mendelsohn as the cunning Skrull Talos, and Samuel L. Jackson, along with his exceptional de-aging visual effects, portraying a youthful Nick Fury. (Continue reading here.)
24. Black Widow
2021 marked Scarlett Johansson’s long-awaited solo outing from the Avengers, but instead of leading her own adventure, she primarily served as the straight man to the humorous Russian superhero team, featuring David Harbour’s self-centered Red Guardian and Florence Pugh’s scene-stealing Yelena. Consequently, Black Widow didn’t fully meet expectations as a fitting farewell for the character. Nevertheless, it remains another high-quality Marvel blockbuster with impressive action sequences, and an intriguing villain in Taskmaster, who possesses the ability to replicate the combat skills of any adversary he encounters.
23. Thor: Love and Thunder
Watching Taika Waititi’s second Thor film, “Thor: Love and Thunder,” can feel like seeing a magician perform the same trick twice. The initial performance was astounding. However, the second time around, while it’s still entertaining, the surprise factor is significantly reduced. Christian Bale delivers a chilling portrayal of Gorr the God-Butcher, yet his intense and deeply emotional villain seems somewhat incongruous with Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and his constant humor. Essentially, “Thor: Love and Thunder” shares many elements with Waititi’s “Thor: Ragnarok,” but they don’t quite blend together as harmoniously as before.
22. Deadpool & Wolverine
In this film, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman share an outstanding camaraderie that is simply delightful. Their cameos are unexpected, sometimes even startling. However, the story pushes the limits on how much backstory a movie can have without becoming confusing. (One might wonder if a single character requires so many tragic pasts! In this film, there are at least two!) If you manage to not think about anything happening on screen for even a moment, you’ll find yourself having an adequate time. Jackman and Reynolds effectively embody the dynamic duo of Deadpool and Wolverine reluctantly teaming up to safeguard the Fox X-Men universe. You might wish that the writers, including Reynolds himself, had provided a slightly more coherent narrative.
21. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
20. Avengers: Infinity War
This film’s grand scale and epic conclusion are truly impressive, but it seems there’s a certain depth lacking. If you’re primarily after high-octane action and witty dialogue, then it should satisfy. However, if you prefer character development, camaraderie, and heartfelt moments amidst the battles, this movie might not hit the spot for you. (For further discussion, check out the link.)
19. Iron Man 3
The film was generally enjoyable, but its quality was slightly diminished by the extensive Marvel Cinematic Universe context. The movie’s plot culminates in Tony Stark deciding to leave his Iron Man life behind and ride off into the sunset. However, after this film, there were an additional five more movies featuring him. Despite Guy Pearce’s underwhelming portrayal of Killian, Robert Downey Jr.’s exchanges with a clever child were top-notch. (You can read more about it here.)
18. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Initially: The climax, featuring dragons and monsters clashing amidst thick gray fog, is a chaotic CGI disaster. Apart from that, Shang-Chi could be Marvel’s finest action film, boasting numerous intense and intricate fight sequences. (The one on the San Francisco bus is particularly enjoyable.) Simu Liu heads a compelling Marvel ensemble, with Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh delivering nuanced supporting roles, while Ben Kingsley and Awkwafina consistently provide comic relief. (Kingsley as the reformed Mandarin Trevor Slattery, may not have been the most beloved Marvel villain initially, but Marvel has managed to make him a delightful secondary character.)
17. Thor
Instead of a grand, cosmos-spanning epic primarily taking place in the smallest town in New Mexico, consider “Thor” as an extraordinary tale, with most events unfolding in the tiniest corner of New Mexico. Despite its flaws, Thor stands out as the first Marvel film where exceptional acting and captivating performances managed to surpass structural and script problems, a trait that later became synonymous with the Marvel brand. (Continue reading
16. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
In the task at hand, Ryan Coogler encountered an exceptionally tough predicament while working on “Wakanda Forever.” Apart from creating a sequel that matched the greatness of the initial “Black Panther,” he had to accomplish this without the captivating lead actor, Chadwick Boseman, who tragically passed away during the summer of 2020, as the movie was on the brink of production. The film shines brightest when it interweaves Coogler and the cast’s feelings of grief for Boseman into the narrative of Wakanda grappling with their deceased king. Unfortunately, the remainder of the movie can be a bit confusing; it’s a blend of intriguing concepts, numerous characters, and an antagonist, King Namor, whose motivations are somewhat unclear.
15. Captain America: Civil War
In this tale, it barely withstands a moment’s examination, and the entire film is structured around the grand confrontation between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers, which takes place at the airport. However, let me tell you: Oh my goodness, that epic battle at the airport is absolutely fantastic! (Read more here.)
14. Spider-Man: No Way Home
As a die-hard Spidey fan, I’d say that Jon Watts’ third Spider-Man movie shares similarities with Sam Raimi’s third installment. Both films are jam-packed with numerous villains, but on the bright side, this film nails Peter Parker as a character – a persistent guy who may stumble but never gives up on making things right next time. Furthermore, it introduces the multiverse to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a truly monumental fashion, making a significant mark in the ongoing saga.
13. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Following a 15-year absence, director Sam Raimi re-entered the Marvel universe, delivering an exhilaratingly eccentric tale centered around a struggle for the survival of the multiverse. Similar to his earlier “Spider-Man” films, Raimi skillfully blended his unique style and motifs – including comedic elements, maniacal zombies, and shocking surprises – into the conventional Marvel template. (For more details, please see here.)
12. Avengers: Age of Ultron
Despite some criticisms like its decline from the original Avengers and confusing Wanda and Pietro storyline, the climactic scene where the Avengers unite to rescue everyone in Sokovia encapsulates all that is great about Marvel cinema. (You can read more about it [here].)
11. Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2
The sequel to Marvel’s lighthearted franchise is overly lengthy and features an excessive number of post-credit scenes (at least four!). Yet, it’s hard to ignore the audacity of turning a movie known for its humor into one with a somber ending. It’s the only Marvel film that manages to make me cry, and it even includes jokes about alien deity phallic symbols. In my opinion, this combination makes it a fantastic film. (You can read more about it here.)
10. Thor: Ragnarok
9. Spider-Man: Far From Home
In the second Spidey movie from Marvel, starring Tom Holland as the incredible web-slinger, the film is merely a slight dip compared to the first one. It offers an abundance of romance, action, humor, and emotion. Although no character utters “with great power comes great responsibility”, the movie, titled Far From Home, delves deeply into this concept as much as any Spider-Man film has before – with Peter Parker, portrayed by Holland, grappling between his longing for MJ (Zendaya’s humorous and witty portrayal) and the instructions from Nick Fury (a grumbly Samuel L. Jackson) to thwart a group of elemental villains.
8. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
James Gunn masterfully concludes his Guardians trilogy with a movie that offers the perfect Marvel blend: Thrilling action, quirky science fiction visuals, and deeply emotional characters we grow deeply attached to. By the end of Volume 3, Rocket Raccoon transforms from a minor Marvel character into one of the company’s most compelling and tragic heroes. After a series of average films, Gunn effortlessly makes it seem simple. It’s unfortunate that he is moving on to handle DC productions instead.
7. Avengers: Endgame
Significantly surpassing “Infinity War” and arguably the second finest Marvel’s Avengers film, it boasts grand action sequences, numerous humor-filled moments, and an impressive number of Easter eggs that could potentially outnumber any movie across all cinematic universes. (For more details, click here.)
6. Spider-Man: Homecoming
Among the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s films that keep audiences hooked, there are outstanding characters, thrilling web-slinging sequences, and an unexpected street vendor requesting Spider-Man to perform a flip (which he does). Aren’t you captivated? (For further information, click here.)
5. Guardians of the Galaxy
At halfway through the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the initial “Guardians” movie served as a turning point for Marvel, demonstrating that their brand was robust enough to draw in viewers to previously unrecognized properties. The Guardians were virtually unknown before James Gunn transformed them into an unexpected blockbuster hit. It’s undeniable and universally accepted that Rocket is the superior Guardian. (Continue reading here.)
4. Captain America: The First Avenger
Despite some minor flaws in its narrative structure – such as condensing an entire war into a montage – Captain America, portrayed brilliantly by Chris Evans, stands out as a remarkable adaptation within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This film breathed life into a character that was often criticized for being dull or outdated, transforming him into a charismatic, complex individual embodying timeless human values. A must-watch when seeking inspiration. (Source: [Read more here.])
3. Black Panther
In contrast to many Marvel films that strive for deep ties with the cosmic realm, “Black Panther” demonstrates the merit of a more secluded strategy. Towards the end of the film, when Black Panther decides to reveal Wakanda to the global community (and its characters to future appearances), it’s intended as a joyful finale. However, if this means that the upcoming sequel will be spread thin with numerous guest appearances, perhaps it isn’t so cheerful after all. (Source: [Read more here.])
2. The Avengers
Despite the events in “Infinity War”, the original “Avengers” movie remains a stunning feat that seems almost impossible. Each character is masterfully balanced, the dialogue is concise, and the climactic Battle of New York stands as one of the greatest action sequences of this century. (Read more here.)
1. Iron Man
Previously released films have yet to surpass its greatness. Reflecting on it now, the freedom from being tied to a broader universe significantly enhanced the quality of the movie. The scenes where Robert Downey Jr.’s character, Tony Stark, tests his armor and subsequently takes flight for the first time, more effectively conveyed the exhilaration of superpowers compared to any other film, not just those produced by Marvel Studios. (Read more here.)
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2025-04-18 17:26