Top 10 Must-Watch MCU Sequels Ranked!

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has produced a series of exceptional original films that are fantastic, but some of their sequels surpass them in quality. Starting with characters like Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man/Tony Stark, Chris Evans’ Captain America/Steve Rogers, and Chris Hemsworth’s Thor, this comic book franchise has explored the stories of numerous heroes across multiple films while preserving a solid overarching plotline. From 2012’s The Avengers to 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy to 2018’s Black Panther, the MCU‘s top original films set the stage for engaging sequels that have enriched different aspects of the franchise and the interconnected universe as a whole. These movies are praised for their exceptional acting, captivating storylines, and memorable scenes, which is why fans adore them so much. Currently, 10 out of the 22 sequels within the MCU are considered standout titles.

Arranged from least impressive to most outstanding, these 10 Marvel Cinematic Universe sequels represent the franchise’s finest continuation films.

10) Thor: Ragnarok

2017 saw the release of “Thor: Ragnarok,” marking the third Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film centered around Chris Hemsworth’s character, Thor. This followed 2011’s “Thor” and 2013’s “Thor: The Dark World.” In a new direction for the franchise, director Taika Waititi introduced a humorous tone to the storyline as Thor attempts to free himself from the alien world of Sakaar and prevent Asgard’s impending doom. Familiar faces like Hemsworth’s Thor and Tom Hiddleston’s Loki added fresh energy to the MCU, while newcomers Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie and Cate Blanchett’s Hela enriched “Thor: Ragnarok,” making it a standout film. The film is widely regarded as the best Thor installment due to its witty script and engaging character interactions.

9) The Marvels

2023’s “The Marvels” didn’t quite match the blockbuster earnings of its predecessor, “Captain Marvel” from 2019, but as a die-hard film enthusiast, I can say it’s an engaging continuation of Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel storyline. The movie brings together a team of heroes, including Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel, Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel (played by Iman Vellani), and Monica Rambeau/Photon (Teyonah Parris).

Director Nia DaCosta skillfully weaves a captivating connection between these characters, blending the history of Carol and Monica with Kamala’s long-standing admiration for Captain Marvel, all while maintaining the film’s comedic undertones. The team’s ability to swap places when their powers are activated adds a fresh twist to traditional Marvel superhero dynamics, resulting in some of the most entertaining fight scenes within the MCU.

In my opinion, “The Marvels” is an overlooked gem in the MCU and ranks among the top 10 sequels in the franchise.

8) Spider-Man: No Way Home

2021’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home” served as a sensational finale to the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) Spider-Man trilogy, which encompasses “Spider-Man: Homecoming” from 2017 and “Spider-Man: Far From Home” in 2019. In this thrilling installment, Benedict Cumberbatch’s character, Doctor Strange, accidentally unleashes a spell that reveals Tom Holland’s Peter Parker as Spider-Man to the world, causing a stir in the MCU’s Earth-616 and inviting villains from other universes to create chaos.

The reappearance of iconic characters such as Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin and Alfred Molina’s Doctor Octavius, along with some unexpected cameos like Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s versions of Spider-Man, make “No Way Home” a cinematic marvel. Despite the questionable plot points leading to this unprecedented crossover, the movie manages to honor these cherished heroes and villains without letting fan service overshadow their stories.

One of the most memorable moments in the MCU is undoubtedly the climactic battle between the trio of Spider-Men and their adversaries in “No Way Home.” This collaboration remains a defining moment for the franchise, making it the best Spider-Man project within the MCU.

7) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

2023’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” provides a fitting end to the storyline of the titular team within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The focus is on the past of Bradley Cooper’s Rocket character, as his fellow Guardians work frantically to rescue him from Chukwudi Iwuji’s High Evolutionary. The film beautifully depicts the connection shared by Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord, Dave Bautista’s Drax, Karen Gillan’s Nebula, and their comrades. With the characteristic emotion and humor that filmmaker James Gunn has brought to the Guardians of the Galaxy series in the past, this final installment offers a compelling storyline and an uplifting ending, making it one of the MCU’s most successful sequels.

6) Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

The highly contentious film, 2022’s “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”, serves as a sequel to the 2016 release “Doctor Strange”. Making his Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) debut, director Sam Raimi employs captivating horror elements to unfold a twisted, multidimensional narrative. In “Multiverse of Madness”, Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange grapples with different iterations of himself and navigates the complexities of his strained relationship with Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams). Simultaneously, he endeavors to safeguard America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez), a character capable of traveling across realities, from the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), who employs the Darkhold to locate her missing children in another dimension. Elizabeth Olsen’s portrayal of the Scarlet Witch stands out, as she skillfully portrays both the villainy triggered by the Darkhold and the humanity and pain from her turbulent past. The film’s stylish, horror-infused direction by Raimi adds an extra layer of appeal, making “Multiverse of Madness” a gripping cinematic experience.

5) Captain America: The Winter Soldier

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), some of the most thrilling action scenes can be found in the 2014 film “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” This film, directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, follows the events of “Captain America: The First Avenger,” and it marks the first MCU movie for these directors. Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers/Captain America collaborates with Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow and Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson in this film to thwart S.H.I.E.L.D’s hidden malicious agenda, save Bucky Barnes (played by Sebastian Stan) from becoming the Winter Soldier under brainwashing, and prevent him from wreaking havoc. The elevator fight sequence featuring Steve and the highway battle involving the film’s principal characters are still highly regarded as exceptional combat scenes. Moreover, the storyline of “The Winter Soldier” remains engaging and never falters in its pace. With an outstanding supporting cast, this movie easily ranks among the top five MCU sequels due to its seamless integration into the series.

4) Avengers: Endgame

2019’s “Avengers: Endgame” is a memorable finale to the Infinity Saga in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and it’s tough to shake off its impact. The movie finds our surviving Avengers undertaking an unthinkable time-voyage mission, aiming to restore those vanished by Thanos’ snap. From beginning to end, this story is filled with pulse-racing excitement, deep emotions, and a sense of triumph. The release of “Avengers: Endgame” in the MCU was as exhilarating as it gets, but even after the buzz has faded, the film continues to impress as a worthy successor to “Avengers: Infinity War”. Although there were some missteps, like the limited use of Captain Marvel and the uncertain portrayal of Black Widow’s demise, “Endgame” stands tall among the top sequels in the MCU.

3) Captain America: Civil War

2016’s “Captain America: Civil War” has a unique charm that makes it feel more like an extended chapter of “The Avengers” rather than a standalone Captain America film, yet this is what makes it so engaging. The movie boasts an impressive roster of heroes standing by Steve Rogers, including Tony Stark (Iron Man) and Wanda Maximoff. After the catastrophic Battle of Sokovia, the Avengers find themselves divided into factions, leading to intense confrontations among them. “Civil War” masterfully portrays their conflicting beliefs, making it a truly captivating watch. The movie is brimming with breathtaking action sequences and some of the finest character development seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). As such, “Civil War” stands as one of the near-flawless superhero films, placing it among the top three best MCU sequels.

2) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Overcoming the challenge of maintaining the prestigious reputation established by Black Panther following Chadwick Boseman’s passing, director Ryan Coogler succeeded brilliantly with the 2022 sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. This film portrays Wakanda’s struggle to safeguard itself against the emerging peril posed by Namor (Tenoch Huerta) and his underwater civilization, Talokan. Despite their profound sorrow over the loss of their king and guardian, T’Challa (Boseman), Shuri (Letitia Wright) impressively assumes the role of the Black Panther. Brimming with emotion, suspenseful action, and genuine heart, Wakanda Forever masterfully expands upon its established characters while introducing intriguing new figures such as Namor and Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne). Outstanding acting by Wright as Shuri, Angela Bassett as Queen Ramonda, and Danai Gurira as Okoye further elevates the film. Undeniably among the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s finest movies of the past five years, Wakanda Forever stands almost peerless in comparison to other sequels.

1) Avengers: Infinity War

While Avengers: Endgame might have more memorable moments within the MCU, the near-perfect execution of 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War is hard to fault. This film marks the initial confrontation between the Avengers and Thanos, keeping viewers captivated due to its fast-paced narrative. The climax of Infinity War is particularly haunting as Thanos eliminates half of the universe, leaving a lasting impact on all MCU fans when they witnessed the movie’s chilling ending for the first time. Boasting an impressive ensemble cast of heroes, Infinity War truly embodies the grandeur it was intended to convey. Directed by the Russo brothers, this film stands as a masterpiece in their third MCU project. Despite the Avengers suffering defeat in Avengers: Infinity War, the movie maintains its dominance among MCU sequels.

In the cinematic universe we know as the MCU, the action-packed movie “Thunderbolts” makes its way back to screens starting May 2nd. On the other hand, each Tuesday, brand new episodes of “Daredevil: Born Again” are available for streaming on Disney+.

2025-04-08 05:12