This article includes information that reveals key plot points from the finale of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, as well as how the film transitions into Avengers: Doomsday.
In the Marvel’s Fantastic Four movie, the subtitle “First Steps” symbolically represents Franklin Richards. While the film doesn’t depict him taking his literal first steps, Franklin, as the powerful offspring of Reed and Sue Richards, plays a significant role in the events that unfold within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Therefore, the appearance of Doctor Doom during the mid-credits scene in “First Steps” might not show Robert Downey Jr.’s face, but what we witness (Doom’s desire to possess Franklin’s power) is far more crucial than what we don’t see.
In the recently released video titled “Fantastic Four: First Steps“, we delve into the film’s ending credits scene to uncover insights about Victor von Doom’s intentions for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. We’ll also discuss the capabilities of Franklin, his potential actions in these films, and share our insights in the following paragraphs. Stay tuned!
If you enjoyed the video that connects the storylines of “Fantastic Four: First Steps” and “Avengers: Doomsday,” don’t forget to explore our other videos! You might be interested in one summarizing the Marvel Multiverse Saga from “Avengers: Endgame” to “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” another speculating about which Marvel characters could have interacted with Sacha Baron Cohen’s Mephisto, and a third highlighting all the Marvel Easter eggs found in the final three episodes of “Ironheart.” And there’s plenty more videos waiting for you on ScreenCrush’s YouTube channel. Remember to subscribe so you don’t miss any future episodes! Right now, catch “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” in theaters, while “Avengers: Doomsday” is set to premiere on December 18, 2026.
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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 centered on Jack Kirby’s most daring comics would result in one of the least indispensable titles. Regrettably, Eternals failed to coalesce effectively. It generally adheres to Kirby’s fundamental ideas with minor yet significantly vexing alterations – for instance, transforming the malevolent Deviants into faceless monsters without objectives or motivations. The ensemble boasts commendable supporting roles from Kumail Nanjiani and Brian Tyree Henry, but the main characters – Gemma Chan as Sersi and Richard Madden as Ikaris – struggle to convincingly portray their purported passionate relationship (their romance spanning 6,000 years; they seem like they’re on their first awkward date). The script occasionally delves into intriguing concepts about the links between superheroes, mythology, and religion, only to frequently abandon them for a string of uninspired combat sequences against dull monsters. It’s challenging to visualize a more tedious film about immortal alien robots striving to thwart impending apocalypse than this one.
36. The Incredible Hulk
The film feels haphazardly put together, as if Marvel was taken aback when Iron Man became popular and quickly produced this. It’s hard to believe that Loki has ever committed a crime worse than the casting of Tim Roth as the world’s ultimate soldier (who transforms into a large, bony, unappealing creature). (Continue reading here.)
The movie appears rushed and poorly made, like Marvel was caught off guard when Iron Man became successful. It’s hard to imagine that Loki has ever done something as bad as the choice of Tim Roth for the role of the world’s ultimate soldier (who turns into a giant, ugly monster). (Continue reading here.)
35. Thor: The Dark World
Instead of nearly having Patty Jenkins’ version of Thor, we ended up with a film that was more on the dreary side, focusing on a monotonous chase for a mystical artifact with one of the most uninteresting villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, if there is a silver lining, it could be that this movie’s poor performance may have discouraged Marvel from being so hesitant to make significant changes as they did with Thor: Ragnarok. (Continue reading… here.)
34. The Marvels
This Marvel film isn’t the poorest in quality – it surpasses three other movies on this list after all – yet it’s arguably the most disorganized and intense. The trio of captivating Marvel characters, including Brie Larson as Captain Marvel, Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel, and Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau, are thrown into a situation where they must halt a Kree warlord with malicious intentions, for reasons that remain unclear. Despite the actors’ strong performances together, the narrative is chaotic and riddled with peculiar decisions that lack coherence.
33. Captain America: Brave New World
As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but feel let down by recent Marvel productions, such as the underwhelming “The Marvels” and notably, “Captain America: Brave New World.” This film, which should have been a triumph for Anthony Mackie’s captivating portrayal of Sam Wilson, unfortunately, gets bogged down with a lackluster villain and a storyline that feels more like a repetitive tribute to “The Incredible Hulk,” complete with unnecessary callbacks. Frankly, I couldn’t help but wonder about the fate of Betty Ross during those moments – a concern that seemed rather misplaced in the grand scheme of things.
32. Doctor Strange
While the stunning imagery is commendable, “Doctor Strange” struggles to shake off the impression that it’s simply an updated version of “Iron Man 2 (with a touch of magic)”. However, kudos for the smartly-crafted ending involving Dormammu. On the flip side, the peculiar cape worn by Strange could use some improvement. (For further reading, please visit the linked article.)
31. Iron Man 2
Despite being better than some may recall, it’s still not exceptional. Sam Rockwell’s dance moves can hide many imperfections, but not all of them. If 15 minutes of the Avengers‘ setup were removed, it could potentially be something quite good. (Read more here.)
30. Ant-Man
The film Ant-Man isn’t terrible, but it’s challenging not to compare it to the grander scale of the Edgar Wright movie we could have had. Despite this, Michael Peña’s character Luis stands out as one of the most compelling non-superpowered characters in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. (Read more
Ant-Man is watchable, but it feels like a scaled-down version of what could have been an Edgar Wright blockbuster. However, Michael Peña’s character Luis shines among the non-superpowered characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. (Read more
29. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
In the upcoming clash between Ant-Man and Kang the Conqueror, even Kang himself (played by a formidable Jonathan Majors) considers Scott Lang as out of his depth. This seemingly lopsided battle mirrors the movie itself, serving as a symbol for the contrast between the Ant-Man series’ Earth-bound, lighthearted humor and relatable characters and the grand, universe-spanning saga of Marvel Phase 5. On the big screen as a Marvel adventure, it delivers satisfactorily. However, as a follow-up to the Ant-Man franchise, it falls just short of expectations. Unfortunately, if you were anticipating Michael Peña’s Luis in this installment, you’ll be disappointed because he doesn’t make an appearance at all.
28. Ant-Man and the Wasp
The movie “Ant-Man and the Wasp” shines brightest when it emphasizes its compactness, showcasing Paul Rudd’s humor with his fellow actors, Michael Peña’s heartfelt monologues, and a heartwarming, intimate family drama about mending broken relationships. (Read more
27. Captain Marvel
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Brie Larson’s character Carol Danvers may hold the title of most powerful hero. However, the film itself could have benefited from a stronger emotional punch. Nevertheless, it remains engaging thanks to two standout performances: Ben Mendelsohn as the cunning Skrull Talos, and Samuel L. Jackson (alongside impressive de-aging visual effects) as a youthful Nick Fury. For more details, check out the article here.
26. Black Widow
2021 marked Scarlett Johansson’s long-awaited solo outing beyond the Avengers, but instead of a standout role, she predominantly served as the straight man for her quick-witted Russian superhero cohort. This included David Harbour as the narcissistic Red Guardian and Florence Pugh’s captivating Yelena. Consequently, Black Widow fell short of the fitting farewell that the character deserved. However, it remains another successful Marvel production, boasting impressive stunt sequences and an intriguing villain in the form of Taskmaster, who possesses the ability to replicate the combat styles of anyone he encounters.
25. Thor: Love and Thunder
Experiencing Taika Waititi’s second Thor movie, “Love and Thunder,” is somewhat akin to witnessing a magician performing the same trick twice in quick succession. The initial performance left you spellbound. However, while the second act retains its charm, it falls short on the element of surprise. Christian Bale delivers a chilling portrayal as Gorr the God-Butcher, but his intense and highly emotional villain role seems to clash with Chris Hemsworth’s Thor character and his constant humor. Essentially, “Love and Thunder” shares many elements with Waititi’s “Thor: Ragnarok,” but they don’t quite harmonize as smoothly as before.
24. Deadpool & Wolverine
In this film, the camaraderie between Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman is simply fantastic, with their cameos being both unexpected and thrilling. However, the plot, while jam-packed with information, can be somewhat confusing and hard to follow. It seems like each character has a tragic past, which might lead one to wonder if they’ve had too many backstories! If you can manage to ignore the onscreen action for a moment, you’ll probably have an enjoyable experience. Jackman and Reynolds certainly deliver as Deadpool and Wolverine, reluctantly teaming up to protect the Fox X-Men universe. It’s just too bad that the writers, including Reynolds himself, didn’t quite live up to their potential in terms of the storyline.
23. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
The main changes made include:
– Changed “Bizarro” to “Alternate Version” for better understanding.
“Come on, man! Wake up and see it!” for better readability.
22. Avengers: Infinity War
While this film undeniably delivers in terms of grand scale and an unforgettable finale, it seems to lack a certain depth. If you’re primarily interested in high-octane action sequences and humorous one-liners, then it might meet your expectations. However, if you appreciate the characters, their relationships, and the peaceful moments amidst the battles, this movie may not resonate as much with you. (For more insights, check out the full review here.)
21. Iron Man 3
The film was generally enjoyable, but its connection to the Marvel Cinematic Universe somewhat diminished its impact. The movie’s plot culminates in Tony Stark deciding to retire as Iron Man and departing into the sunset. However, he went on to star in several more films after that. Despite Guy Pearce’s underwhelming performance as Killian, Robert Downey Jr.’s exchanges with a clever child were top-notch. (Continue reading here.)
20. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
To begin with: The climactic scene, featuring dragons and monsters clashing amidst a thick gray fog, is a disorganized CGI spectacle. Prior to this point, Shang-Chi might be Marvel’s finest action film, boasting numerous thrilling and intricately choreographed fight sequences. (The bus fight is particularly enjoyable.) Simu Liu heads up one of Marvel’s more nuanced casts, with Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh delivering captivating supporting performances, and Ben Kingsley and Awkwafina providing consistent doses of humor. (Kingsley as the former Mandarin Trevor Slattery, may not have been the most beloved Marvel villain initially, but Marvel has managed to transform him into a delightful secondary character.)
19. Thor
In my perspective, I’ve come across an extraordinary, universe-encompassing tale that predominantly unfolds in the tiniest town of New Mexico – a place where “Thor” takes place. Now, “Thor” has its flaws, but it marks a significant milestone as the first Marvel film where exceptional acting and captivating performances managed to surpass structural and script issues, which later became a distinctive trait of Marvel productions. (You can read more about it here.)
18. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
In the task of directing “Wakanda Forever,” Ryan Coogler encountered an incredibly tough predicament. He wasn’t just required to produce a sequel that matched the greatness of the original “Black Panther,” but he had to achieve this without Chadwick Boseman, our captivating lead actor, who tragically passed away during the summer of 2020, right as filming was set to commence. The movie truly shines when it weaves Coogler and the cast’s grief for Boseman into the narrative of Wakanda grappling with its fallen king. Unfortunately, the remainder of the film is somewhat disorganized; a blend of intriguing concepts, an excess of characters, and a somewhat unclear adversary, Namor, the underwater ruler.
17. The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)
The Marvel’s Fantastic Four film, titled “First Steps,” represents a significant enhancement over the four preceding attempts by Roger Corman and 20th Century Fox to establish a successful big-screen FF franchise. Given the subpar quality of those earlier films, this was almost inevitable. With superior production values and an intriguing villain (the ominous Galactus, who craves Earth as a solitary space deity might crave a grand feast), “First Steps” surpasses its predecessors.
However, the film falls short of being a truly enjoyable experience overall. Despite the well-chosen cast for the lead roles by director Matt Shakman, the characters themselves appear somewhat uninteresting and underdeveloped. It’s possible that the actors are yet to fully embody these roles, or perhaps the script has flattened the Fantastic Four so extensively that they lack depth to explore. To put it another way, “First Steps” is a promising beginning, but there’s still room for improvement.
16. Captain America: Civil War
The narrative falls apart under the slightest examination, and the entire film seems to be structured towards the epic showdown between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers at the airport. However, let me tell you: Oh my goodness, that airport battle is incredibly thrilling! (Read more here.)
15. Spider-Man: No Way Home
In Jon Watts’ third Spider-Man movie, the quality is comparable to Sam Raimi’s third Spider-Man film. Both share the issue of being packed with numerous villains. However, this film does a commendable job of portraying Peter Parker as a character – a person who frequently falters but never gives up on making things right next time. Furthermore, it introduces the multiverse to MCU films in a significant and substantial manner, marking an important step in the series’ narrative.
14. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
15 years later, director Sam Raimi re-entered the Marvel universe to bring us a thrilling, unconventional tale of a struggle for the survival of the multiverse. Similar to his previous Spider-Man films, Raimi blended his unique style and visuals – such as witty humor, chaotic zombies, and jump scares – into the conventional Marvel mold. (Read more here.)
13. Thunderbolts (2025)
In a departure from Marvel’s recent output that seems like a hodgepodge of leftovers from various comics, films, and lore, the upcoming film titled *Thunderbolts* feels more like a standalone movie. It offers an engaging plot with several intriguing characters, particularly Florence Pugh’s portrayal of the new Black Widow. She embodies a relatable character who finds her purpose in life through her work alongside a group of similarly disillusioned mercenaries, including Wyatt Russell as the arrogant U.S. Agent and Hannah John-Kamen as the mystical Ghost. With its blend of entertaining action sequences and a powerful message about overcoming despair and apathy to embrace action and camaraderie, *Thunderbolts* serves as a refreshing reminder of Marvel Studios’ potential when they’re operating at their best.
12. Avengers: Age of Ultron
Despite some criticisms such as it not measuring up to the initial Avengers movie and issues with Wanda and Pietro’s storyline, I find the climactic sequence in which the Avengers unite to save every life in Sokovia truly encapsulates the essence of Marvel at its finest. (You can read more about it here.)
11. Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2
10. Thor: Ragnarok
9. Spider-Man: Far From Home
In the sequel to Marvel’s first Spidey movie, starring Tom Holland as the incredible web-slinger, “Far From Home” slightly falls behind its predecessor but offers a mix of romance, action, humor, and emotion. Although the phrase “with great power comes great responsibility” is not explicitly mentioned, this film delves deeply into that concept as much as any Spider-Man movie has before. Peter Parker, portrayed by Holland, struggles between his feelings for MJ (a humorous and witty Zendaya) and his obligations from Nick Fury (an irritated Samuel L. Jackson) to combat a group of elemental threats.
8. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
James Gunn skillfully concludes his Guardians trilogy with a movie that perfectly blends the Marvel essence: Thrilling action sequences, quirky space-themed visuals, and compelling characters we deeply care about. (By the end of Vol. 3, Rocket Raccoon, initially a C-list Marvel character, transforms into one of the company’s most intriguing and sorrowful heroes.) Following a series of ordinary films, Gunn effortlessly makes it seem simple. It’s unfortunate that he is now moving on to DC.
7. Avengers: Endgame
A significant leap forward from “Infinity War” and arguably the second-best Avengers film, boasting massive action sequences, abundant humor, and potentially more Easter eggs than any movie in the entirety of any cinematic universe. (Continue reading
6. Spider-Man: Homecoming
Among the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s movies that are hard to resist watching again, there are outstanding characters, thrilling Spiderman scenes, and an unexpected street vendor urging Spider-Man to perform a flip (which he does). Aren’t you captivated?!? (For further details, click here.)
5. Guardians of the Galaxy
At halfway through the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the initial Guardians movie marked a turning point for Marvel, demonstrating that their brand was robust enough to captivate audiences for properties with minimal mainstream recognition. Prior to James Gunn’s direction, the Guardians were mere side notes; however, he transformed them into an unexpected hit. It is indisputable and self-evident that Rocket is the best among the Guardians – just acknowledge this truth without debate. (Continue reading here.)
4. Captain America: The First Avenger
Although the narrative structure could use some refinement (as it seems an entire war is briefly summarized), the portrayal of Chris Evans’ Captain America in this film stands out as a remarkable adaptation within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This movie breathes life into a character that was often criticized for being dull or outdated, transforming him into a charismatic, complex individual embodying timeless human values. Perfect for those seeking motivation, this MCU production showcases Captain America at his finest. (Source: [Read more here.])
3. Black Panther
As a movie connoisseur, I’ve noticed that many Marvel films strive for profound connections within the cosmos, but “Black Panther” proves the merit of a more insular perspective. In the film’s conclusion, when Black Panther decides to expose Wakanda to the world and its characters to future appearances, it’s meant to be a joyful resolution. However, if this move means that the subsequent sequel will become more scattered with numerous guest stars, perhaps it’s not such a cheerful ending after all. [Read more here.]
2. The Avengers
Despite the events in “Infinity War”, the original “Avengers” movie remains a remarkable feat that seems almost unbelievable. The characters are evenly distributed and well-balanced, the script is concise, and the climactic Battle of New York is undoubtedly one of the most impressive action sequences of this century. (Read more here.)
1. Iron Man
The original movie remains unmatched in its greatness. Looking back, not being bound by a larger universe’s constraints made it an exceptional film. The scenes featuring Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark testing his suit and subsequently flying for the first time conveyed the excitement of superpowers more effectively than any other film, even those produced by Marvel or anyone else. (Read more here.)
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