The Marvel Cinematic Universe has dominated the charts in the film industry over the past decade. From Black Panther becoming the first MCU movie to receive an Academy Award to Avengers: Endgame surpassing Avatar as the highest-grossing film of all time, Marvel has a bright future in the movie business. As a tribute to the movies that have influenced so many people recently, I wanted to take a minute to list my favorite Marvel moments over the past (almost) 12 years and why they’re so impressive.
10. Abraham Erskine Uses the Super Soldier Serum on Steve Rogers (Captain America: The First Avenger 2011)
Scrawny, sickly Steve Rogers signs on to a military experiment called the “super soldier” program in the midst of World War 2 in a desperate attempt to serve his country. Captain America’s story is one of bravery and morality, and this scene marks the beginning of the epic journey.
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9. “I’m Still Worthy” (Avengers: Endgame 2019)
The surprise that Thor feels when Mjolnir responds to him is something we can all relate to. This scene teaches us that even in the darkest times of our lives, we’re no less capable or competent in our abilities and our actions—we’re imperfectly perfect and we’re doing the best we can.
8. Natasha Romanoff’s Sacrifice (Avengers: Endgame 2019)
Natasha Romanoff, former enemy spy-turned-Avenger, deserves the most respect for her character arc. As the solo female on the original team, one of the few humans without powers or high-tech flying suits, she stuck it out with the team of gods and super soldiers because she believed in them and their mission. Natasha fought for her friends and family and the entire universe until her dying breath, and the world will miss her dearly.
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7. The Ladies of Marvel (Avengers: Endgame 2019)
After almost three hours of primarily seeing the leading fellas of the cinematic universe, the women showed up and showed OUT in this scene when they all came to the defense of each other, the gauntlet, and a beaten and bruised Peter Parker. Women of different races, beliefs, and cultures team up out of respect for one another and what they’re fighting for, and isn’t that the whole point of the MCU? To be able to believe in hope and heroes and human beings again?
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6. T’Challa Returns (Black Panther 2018)
As one of the most hyped up movies in my lifetime, Black Panther did not disappoint. The cinematography, the culture, and the message were inspiring, and no scene represents the movie so perfectly as when T’Challa, the Black Panther and rightful king of Wakanda, returns to stop Killmonger and his followers.
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5. “I have nothing to prove to you.” (Captain Marvel 2019)
Captain Marvel, another long-overdue movie, uses humor and action to pack a hard punch about identity, feminism, and the oppression of women. When Carol Danvers finally discovers and accepts who she is, she realizes she doesn’t owe anyone anything, especially not her lying and manipulative mentor, Yon-Rogg.
4. The Avengers Assemble for the First Time (The Avengers 2012)
The original six, teaming up for the first time, like, ever. It’s a big deal.
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3. “I am Iron Man.” (Iron Man 2008 / Avengers: Endgame 2019)
Endgame does a beautiful job of tying up loose ends and highlighting major moments of previous movies, like in this quote, throwing it back all the way to the beginning. Without this quote in Iron Man, there is no cinematic universe, no Thanos, no big build up, and ultimately, no Avengers. This quote alone started the Avengers’ journey, and brought that journey to a close.
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2. Captain America Lifts Mjolnir (Avengers: Endgame 2019)
Continuing the trend of tying up loose ends, remember way back in Avengers: Age of Ultron when the team decided to take turns trying to lift Mjolnir? Yeah, me too. Without the precursor of Steve slightly moving the hammer back then, this scene might have been a little out of the blue, but the conversation of whether Steve was always worthy or not is a dispute for another day.
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1.“Avengers Assemble” (Avengers: Endgame 2019)
The last loose end. The iconic line. The WHOLE team (give or take a few). The Avengers theme song blasting. Thanos is terrified. The team is unstoppable. Avengers Assemble.
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