After viewing Doctor Strange, the 14th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and seeing how it contributed to the quality of the Marvel Universe films, let’s rank them from worst to best.
# 14: Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Without a doubt, this film serves as the weakest of an otherwise strong chain of MCU films. The biggest problem, first and foremost, is the narrative itself. This film serves as a filler to Avengers 2 and it certaintly felt like that watching the movie. It feels deliberately slow, the action isn’t as exciting as the first film, and the chemistry between Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and Natalie Portman’s Jane is nonexistent. The biggest strength in this film is Tom Hiddleston’s Loki, who’s cunning and evil character arc shows why he’s still the best Marvel Villain in this film’s universe to date. MORE LOKI!
# 13: The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Remember when Edward Norton was the Hulk? Neither do we. The Incredible Hulk was the second film in the MCU and was a huge step down from the smash hit that was Iron Man (2008) which was released two months prior. The film also had pacing issues, going from high adrenaline action sequences to scenes depicting romance and depression, all of which weren’t done very well or convincingly enough for us to care. Not to mention, there’s a certain graininess and lighting to the film that sort of downgrades the action sequences, making everything so dark to where we can’t really see what’s going on. Mix that with shaky camera and we have a murky film.
# 12: Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Chris Evans was fantastic in his debut as Steve Rogers. However, the rest of the film I can’t describe as that. Although the performances are good and the few action sequences we get are good, this film felt like another filler movie. It became lost in its own goal of what it was trying to do and it sort of felt like it was trying to make itself up as it went along. There were no real stakes in the film since we know what’s going to happen, especially at the very end.
# 11: Iron Man 2 (2010)
One of the most disappointing sequels ever made for such a great superhero film. This film literally screamed Avengers foreshadowing and was made for jokes and weird gags instead of telling a great story of an arrogant but redeeming superhero. You don’t learn anything from Iron Man 2 about Tony or who he is. We only see a film that was clearly made to sell movie tickets and get fans hyped up for The Avengers. One thing I will say that this movie had going for it are the fantastic visuals and Robert Downey Jr. kills it as Tony Stark once again.
# 10: Iron Man 3 (2013)
While being a much better film than Iron Man 2, Iron Man 3 still has plenty of flaws. For starters, the film once again tries to focus too much on jokes and gags then focusing on what makes Iron Man such an amazing character. While Downey Jr. is still fantastic in the titular role, he is surrounded by underdeveloped and annoying secondary characters who serve no real lineage or purpose to the story. However, the few things that stand out in the film is the final sequence involving the army of different Iron Man suits kicking ass. Not to mention, Ben Kingsley was pretty damn great as The Mandarin. And I for one, did enjoy the twist of the film. I was one of very few who actually did.
# 9: Thor (2011)
Thor was a surprise hit in that we’ve gotten a solid debut of the God with a mighty hammer. Chris Hemsworth was convincing and fun as the titular character and Tom Hiddleston gave a memorbale performance as Loki, a tragic and shakespearean like villain. The direction is solid, the set pieces and visuals are beautiful, and the film is pure entertainment throughout.
# 8: Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Age of Ultron, while not being on the same level of its previous chapter, was still a fun and enjoyable time. This one was packed with way too many jokes and once again, the villain was lackluster. But the film raises the stakes and we see that there are at least some room for us to see our characters go through consistent struggles and set up an exciting future for the MCU.
# 7: The Avengers (2012)
Seeing our heroes come together for the first time was truly something to behold. The Avengers was a fun, epic time at the theater and Joss Whedon’s eccentric dialogue and direction made this such a hyped and fun watch. Although it doesn’t hold up as much on repeat viewings, the excitement it built up and the success it has created for the MCU is profound and important to the superhero genre.
# 6: Ant-Man (2015)
The biggest surprise of the MCU so far, and for good reason. Paul Rudd proves his worth as a leading man in the titular role, bringing humor and life to his character. Michael Douglas’s first superhero-film appearance is fantastic and the film packs a different, humorous and fun direction that works. It doesn’t overstay its welcome and has enough punches to pack that we come out wanting a next installment.
# 5: Doctor Strange (2016)
Doctor Strange was unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. The psychadelic action sequences and the introduction of magic and spirit in the Marvel Universe is daring and bold and holds so much more possibility in the future. Benedict Cumberbatch is fantastic as Stephen Strange and the entire cast gives strong performances. Can’t wait to see more of this character in the future.
# 4: Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Serving as the 2nd best sequel on this list, the Winter Soldier provides a much needed storyline and political thriller element to the film that elevates itself above just a superhero movie. It plays out like a conspiracy film shrouded in fantastic direction and action choreography, while also being given a realistic look and texture. Every punch, crunch, and other sound effect is piercing and sounds genuine, and it sets up a fantastic conflict introduced further into the realm of the Marvel Universe.
# 3: Guardians of the Galaxy
Marvel took a huge chance with this unknown marvel property, and boy did it deliver. The film has a stellar, talented, funny vast, a surprisingly plausible and flawless look and execution and it remains the funniest marvel film to date. Not only that, but we start to care for each member of the guardians and we want to see more their shenanigans and improvised ways of kicking ass and saving the day, becoming the very heroes they thought they’d never could be. It’s a concept we have seen before yes, but it’s a bold move to make a film like that this enjoyable and balls to the wall non-stop adrenaline-fueled. Chris Pratt shows that he can also be a leading star, while also performing what he does best comedically. Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel steal the show as Rocket Raccoon and the three-worded Groot, respectively. Add in a killer and awesome soundtrack into the mix, and we have ourselves Marvel’s best surprise hit ever.
# 2: Civil War (2016)
A film that raises the stakes higher than ever, pulling off an emotional arc and providing the best action sequences to date, Civil War is a triumph. The Russo Brothers deserve all the credit for juggling so many characters and finding ways to fit them all into a two and half hour epic. The film has depth, emotion, consequences,and sets up an unpredictable future. The film also succeeds in having a completed narrative and a villain that is more than just someone who wants to destroy Earth. The film is so good, it doesn’t even need a villain. Add in two of the newest and best additions to the MCU in Spider-Man and Black Panther and we have ourselves the most complete and compelling Marvel film to date.
#1: Iron Man (2008)
Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man/Tony Stark stands to prove that anything is possible and quite literally defined what a Hollywood comeback truly looks like. Downey seemed born to play the titular character, whose charisma helped bring this film to another level. Add that with an intriguing origin story and fantastic visuals, and we have ourselves a timeless superhero film that explores more than just what the hero can do in the suit, but who that hero is outside the suit and how and why he becomes what he feels he needs to be for mankind. Iron Man set off the beginning of a string of a succesful cinematic universe, and Robert Downey Jr. is still the best thing to ever happen for the MCU.