With 37 films released in the MCU, we’ve been taken to planets and across timelines, watched our favorite heroes take on their greatest foes, and observed how an entire cinematic universe can change movies forever. As Marvel fans debate their favorite films, there are some that stand out as perfect across the board. Are they flawless? To us, they are.
For this list, we will explore ten films that are exceptional for their entertainment value, thrills and action, and overall story. Of course, that’s all up to interpretation, but these ten satisfy those requirements with the greatest of ease. Certain characters may be absent from this list, but they’re still beloved. The heroes and villains mentioned here are featured in brilliant action flicks that changed the future of the franchise.
10
‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ (2021)
We are kicking things off with a hot take. An extremely hot take. Of all the MCU films that could have snagged this spot, it had to go with the biggest underdog film in the MCU, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Another lesser-known IP, the film follows Shang-Chi (Simu Liu), a skilled martial artist forced to confront his past and his powerful father, Wenwu (Tony Leung), the leader of the notorious Ten Rings terrorist organization, leading him on a journey of self-discovery, identity, and family legacy, blending epic fight scenes with Chinese mythology and themes of balance and acceptance. A brand-new origin story to champion, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was a celebration of the representation of Asian performers and stories.
Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings felt like an entirely different MCU film. And at the time of release, that wasn’t necessarily a negative. With exceptional martial arts choreography paired with the superpowers inherent to the MCU, Shang-Chi opened up a realm of possibilities. Of course, having a more than capable actor in the lead who wasn’t a household name was refreshing. Liu was able to ease into the role and create it freshly without any preconceived notions. To be frank, the action sequences in the film don’t get discussed nearly enough. While we all await a sequel, we will get to see Shang-Chi back in action in Avengers: Doomsday.
9
‘Captain America: The First Avenger’ (2011)
Perhaps the most renowned character prior to the start of Phase One, introducing Captain America into the MCU had to be done properly. It’s safe to say, Captain America: The First Avenger did just that. The origin story of the titular character, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), a frail but determined young man in the 1940s who’s repeatedly rejected for military service in WWII until he’s chosen for an experimental Super-Soldier program that transforms him into a peak human hero, Captain America, to fight against the Nazi-backed HYDRA organization and its leader, Red Skull (Hugo Weaving), using the powerful Tesseract. A story of bravery and sacrifice, Captain America: The First Avenger set the MCU in the right direction.
Up until this point, it was all about Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark. Then Chris Evans arrived and became an instant rival for the top spot in the MCU. After having already played a superhero, casting Evans was ultimately a wise decision. Already proven as a worthy action star, Evans brought all-American charm to Captain America that made many want to emulate him.A genuine hero’s journey elevated this comic book movie brilliantly into an old-fashioned blockbuster. The period piece was filled with nostalgic comic action that honored Captain America’s history while advancing our desire for more. Between Evans, Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter, and Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, we had new heroes to champion. You always have a soft spot for your first hero experience, and our first time with Steve Rogers was wonderful.
8
‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ (2017)
After James Gunn proved that audiences loved the quirky Guardians team, he returned for another exciting adventure. The film follows our favorite space team as they are hired by a powerful alien race, the Sovereign, to protect their precious batteries from invaders. When they find themselves in trouble, they are saved by Peter Quill’s (Chris Pratt) mysterious father, Ego (Kurt Russell), leading Quill, Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), and Drax (Dave Bautista) to visit Ego’s planet only to uncover his plan to consume the universe. A film that screams daddy issues,the colorful sequel brings action to the forefront while humor continues to play a crucial part in Guardians’ success.
A whirlwind of dazzling visuals and wit,Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2brought even more popularity than its predecessor due to its beloved character Baby Groot (Vin Diesel). The novelty of this new iteration is likely why there is so much reverence for this film. It’s also why actions fromAvengers: Infinity Warsunk so deep emotionally for fans.This sequel may not be as flawless as its predecessor but it is still an exhilarating ride.
7
‘The Avengers’ (2012)
The Avengers is where it all began. The culmination of Phase One brought together heroes who had their solo films along with their allies for a supersized team-up that brought comic book pages alive on screen. Earth’s mightiest heroes—Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson)—assemble under Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) for their first mission against Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and his Chitauri army aiming to conquer Earth using Tesseract’s power. Culminating in an epic battle on New York streets,The Avengers officially launched MCU into new cinematic realms.
The momentThe Avengerswas released it was hard to imagine anything ever topping it.The sweeping circular shot directed by Joss Whedon created an iconic cinematic moment.Watching our favorite heroes team up showcased teamwork’s power while opening up endless universe possibilities.The film is an extraordinary good time now feels nostalgic reflecting how grand MCU has grown since then.
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‘‘Avengers : Endgame'(2019)
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Listen , there was absolutely no way we could discuss flawless MCU films without addressing Infinity Saga’s conclusion.Perhaps most emotional film from first three phases ,Avengers : Endgame watches surviving members attempt reversing Thanos’ blip actions erasing half life universe.Heroes embark on epic time heist collecting Infinity Stonesleading one greatest sacrifices ever made.Directed by Anthony Joe Russo ,Avengers : Endgame gave hope part twos can actually be more satisfying than first part.’
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We knew our blipped heroes would return.< We knew reunions would be heartfelt.< We knew action would be extraordinary.We didn’t know Robert Downey Jr would force us need entire box tissues.Avengers : Endgame proved you could compile star-studded ensemble still provide fully realized story where everyone has moment.< Is it greatest superhero movie ever made? Debate can certainly be made! It’s phenomenal masterpiece terms action movies will forever be reference point epic team-ups following behind.'
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‘‘Guardians Of The Galaxy'(2014)‘
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