Marvel Movies Ranked: The Good, The Bad, and The Superheroic

Ranking Every Marvel Cinematic Universe Film, From Worst to Best

MCU Movies, Ranked Worst to Best

Marvel has taken over our screens faster than you can say “superhero.” From movies to TV shows, they’re everywhere! But nothing quite beats the thrill of seeing the iconic “MARVEL” logo flash across the big screen. We’ve had 33 movies so far in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and let’s be honest, some were epic and some… not so much. So, join us as we rank every Marvel film to ever grace the cinema.

33) Thor: The Dark World (2013)

When even Chris Hemsworth’s biceps can’t save a movie, you know it’s a disaster. The Dark World was a swing and a miss, and it’s best left in the shadows.

32) The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Remember when Edward Norton was the Hulk, and then he wasn’t? Yeah, we’re still scratching our heads over that one. Can someone fill us in, please?

31) Iron Man 2 (2010)

Mickey Rourke as a trashy Russian hacker attacking a car race? Not the finest moment in the MCU. It’s like watching a slow car crash.

30) Iron Man 3 (2013)

Iron Man 3 was an improvement over its predecessor, but that’s not saying much. It’s like a lukewarm cup of coffee—you drink it because you have to, not because you want to.

• Abortion, Marijuana, and the Wild World of Politics
• Patrick Dempsey: From Bridesmaid to Sexiest Man Alive
• Hailey Bieber’s “Minuscule Mules”: A Fashion Misstep or Stealth Wea...

29) Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Ultron, who? This movie was a mixed bag of superheroes battling each other, and it left us spinning like we’d just come off a particularly dizzying theme park ride.

28) The Eternals (2021)

Chloé Zhao dared to break the Marvel formula, and while it’s commendable, the end result felt a bit unwieldy. There are too many characters and too much superhero space jargon to truly fall in love with the story.

27) Thor (2011)

Thor, the cheap Lord of the Rings knockoff. The final battle was like watching a bunch of LARPERs fighting an empty CGI suit of armor. Yawn.

26) Doctor Strange (2016)

Doctor Strange had us scratching our heads, but at least it looked good. Sometimes, mesmerizing visuals can distract us from an indecipherable plot.

25) Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)

Ant-Man may be small, but this trilogy-ender lacked a big punch. It breezed through the action like a race towards the finish line, leaving us wanting more quality time with the ant family.

24) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)

What started as the best entry quickly fell victim to superhero sequel syndrome. Sometimes, bigger isn’t always better, but Marvel just can’t resist the urge to go overboard.

23) Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

The Marvel Singularity has arrived! Brace yourself for an overwhelming amount of callbacks, cameos, and interconnected superheroing. While the third act is a blast, the majority of the film feels like action figures bickering in an empty CGI landscape.

22) Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

Prepare for a quantum overload! Ant-Man’s second outing is full of nonsensical techno-babble that even surpasses Star Trek. It may be a refreshing comedic detour, but it’s inconsequential in the grand scheme of the MCU.

21) Captain Marvel (2019)

Captain Marvel deserved better. While it corrected years of comic book history and introduced us to Brie Larson’s fierce hero, it struggled to find its place in the sprawling MCU universe.

20) Black Widow (2021)

The pandemic may have stolen some of its thunder, but Black Widow still delivered as an espionage thriller. Scarlett Johansson’s sendoff was a fitting farewell, and Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova stole our hearts.

19) Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Before punching Nazis became controversial, Captain America defended justice and took on evil. It’s a nostalgic trip back to a simpler time when heroes wore spandex and fought for truth.

18) The Marvels (2023)

The Marvels brings us an all-female superhero team-up that’s bursting with action and chemistry. It’s a shame we can’t just walk into a Marvel movie without prior knowledge, but hey, the fun is worth the homework!

17) Ant-Man (2015)

Ant-Man may be small, but he packs a big punch. This heist film is a refreshing and comedic detour from the typical superhero fare. Just close your eyes during the science talk.

16) Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

Taika Waititi knows how to bring the fun to superhero movies. Love and Thunder is an explosive summer blockbuster that balances zingers, hammers, and unexpected emotional blows. Brace yourself for the ride of a god’s grasp.

15) Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

Shang-Chi is the ultimate movie-theater experience. With heart-pounding action and breakout performances from Simu Liu and Awkwafina, it’s a true cinematic adventure. Tony Leung’s Wenwu stands tall among the greatest villains in comic-book films.

14) Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

Spider-Man swings into action as a worthy successor to Tony Stark. Tom Holland and Zendaya’s on-screen chemistry is electric, securing Spider-Man’s place in the MCU.

Phew! We’ve covered the first half of our Marvel movie ranking. Stay tuned for the thrilling conclusion, where we’ll reveal the top 13 films that have made us laugh, cry, and cheer for superheroes. Which movie will take the number one spot? Join us next time to find out!

Artwork by Matt Miller<>: A Brooklyn-based culture/lifestyle writer and music critic.

Written by Josh Rosenberg<>: Assistant Editor at HotSamples and a true movie aficionado.

• best marvel movies
• every marvel movie ranked
• marvel movies
• marvel movies ranked