Marvel has a rich and diverse history in the realm of cinematic adaptations, giving birth to numerous franchises and delivering some of the highest-grossing blockbusters in film history. However, audience expectations and perceptions often fluctuate, especially when various production missteps and tensions arise prior to a film’s release. This can lead many to anticipate a lower quality of Marvel’s offerings. While films like Morbius and The Marvels certainly fell short of expectations, it becomes particularly thrilling when a Marvel film exceeds these low anticipations.

Numerous factors can contribute to low expectations surrounding a Marvel film prior to its release. For instance, the film may be a sequel to an original that was lackluster or underwhelming, or it could feature an adaptation of a character or storyline that audiences are not familiar with. Additionally, if a film follows a series of disappointing releases, skepticism can further grow. However, when Marvel manages to surprise and surpass these low expectations, the result can be one of their most thrilling and enjoyable films to date.

8

‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’ (2021)

Directed by Andy Serkis

While not the most critically acclaimed film in Sony’s Extended Universe of Spider-Man villains, the original Venom was perceived as somewhat disappointing by long-time fans of the beloved antihero. Factors such as its PG-13 rating, uneven pacing, and an underwhelming villain contributed to this sentiment. Although it garnered a following, it ultimately did not meet the high expectations of the fanbase. In contrast, Venom: Let There Be Carnage completely flipped the script by offering more engaging action sequences, enhancing the positive elements from the first film, and giving proper representation to one of Spider-Man’s most infamous adversaries, Carnage.

A significant portion of the film’s appeal and surprise can be attributed to its concise runtime and pacing, with a brisk 97-minute duration that makes it feel refreshingly fast-paced compared to other contemporary superhero films. The film also effectively highlights the comedic and entertaining dynamics between Eddie Brock and Venom as a duo, amplifying the symbolic relationship and blending humor with emotion, resulting in an enjoyable viewing experience. Although the franchise would return to mediocrity with its concluding film, Venom: The Last Dance, this second installment in the trilogy will always be remembered as an unexpected standout in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe.

7

‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ (2022)

Directed by Ryan Coogler

While the original Black Panther stands as an undeniable success and a milestone for the MCU, many viewers were initially doubtful that Ryan Coogler could recreate that magic with the sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The tragic loss of Chadwick Boseman necessitated significant changes in the film’s direction, coupled with a series of earlier disappointments from the MCU, which led many to fear that Wakanda Forever would also fall flat. Nevertheless, the film not only met but exceeded these low expectations, emerging as a high point in the post-Endgame MCU.

Imagining a scenario where the film falters under the immense pressure and sorrow surrounding its production is easy, yet Coogler and his team harnessed this emotional weight to craft a deeply personal and powerful narrative. Although the film encounters issues comparable to other recent MCU releases, standout aspects like the breathtaking action sequences and the compelling portrayal of the villain Namor elevate it as a worthy successor to the groundbreaking original.

6

‘X-Men: First Class’ (2011)

Directed by Matthew Vaughn

The X-Men franchise, under the banner of 20th Century Fox, experienced a rollercoaster of fortunes over more than a decade of filmmaking and storytelling, with X-Men: First Class standing out as a pivotal transformation for the franchise. Heavy expectations were placed on this film, considering it was not only a prequel featuring a completely new cast but also had to follow up on significant low points in the series such as X-Men: The Last Stand and X-Men Origins: Wolverine. While it seemed that the film was poised to continue the downward trend, Matthew Vaughn’s distinctive style and direction remarkably revitalized the entire X-Men franchise.

X-Men: First Class is precisely the kind of innovative and fresh approach to classic characters that the franchise desperately needed to regain its momentum, functioning as both a standalone film and an extension of previous installments. Initially intended to be just a singular prequel that would deepen the backstories of characters from the original trilogy, its overwhelming success meant it would take on the mantle of being the primary representation of these beloved characters going forward.

5

‘Thunderbolts*’ (2025)

Directed by Jake Schreier

As the MCU continues to solidify its status as one of the most significant and influential franchises in modern cinema, it is no secret that they have faced challenges with their recent releases. Following the letdown of films like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Eternals, and Captain America: Brave New World, many have begun to doubt whether Marvel could produce another film that lives up to the standards set prior to Endgame. However, Thunderbolts* has rapidly emerged as one of the most critically acclaimed films the MCU has seen in years, showcasing a classic charm and engaging action that harkens back to the essence of earlier MCU films.

The lack of enthusiasm surrounding Thunderbolts* was not only due to the MCU’s recent downturn but also stemmed from the team of mercenaries featured in the film, as many viewers found it challenging to connect with the characters. The initial reactions to the ensemble cast were lukewarm, particularly as several members originated from previous films that failed to impress, such as Black Widow and Ant-Man and the Wasp. Only time will reveal if the film can forge its legacy, but it has already generated a sense of excitement among audiences for a non-sequel MCU film that has been hard to come by in recent years.

4

‘Thor: Ragnarok’ (2017)

Directed by Taika Waititi

Among the various franchises that contributed to the early stages of the MCU leading up to The Avengers, the Thor series was often viewed as the weakest link, with both Thor and Thor: The Dark World being significantly less impressive compared to other major MCU franchises. Consequently, expectations were not particularly high for the third installment in the series to surpass the average quality of its predecessors. However, Thor: Ragnarok astonished viewers and emerged as one of the best entries in the MCU, largely crediting its success to the unique vision of director Taika Waititi and a focus on exploring the creativity of Thor as a character.

The film transformed into a crowd-pleaser by prioritizing humor and captivating action sequences over the more traditional fantasy elements and royal themes that characterized earlier installments. This strategic shift helped amplify the franchise’s best features while simultaneously reinforcing the core aspects of Thor’s character, resulting in a thrilling cinematic experience that retains its appeal even years later.

3

‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ (2018)

Directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman

Despite the immense acclaim and popularity of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse as one of the most celebrated animated films in recent history, it is difficult to believe that there was ever a time when the film faced skepticism regarding its potential success. Prior to audiences witnessing the stunning visuals and compelling narrative of Miles Morales, many were doubtful about the film’s viability, especially considering the reputation of the studio behind it. At that time, the negative perception of Sony Pictures Animation was at a peak, following the release of The Emoji Movie and Peter Rabbit.

The producer duo of Christopher Miller and Phil Lord played a crucial role in ensuring that Spider-Verse excelled despite the notorious meddling of Sony, crafting an animated feature that embodies passion and a deep appreciation for comic book artistry. Even those who recognized the talents of Lord and Miller could not have anticipated that Into the Spider-Verse would evolve into a landmark achievement in animation during the 2010s, whose influence continues to resonate strongly today.

2

‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ (2014)

Directed by James Gunn

Although the MCU had certainly found success during its earlier phases, it had yet to reach the cultural phenomenon status it would later achieve in Phase 3. Guardians of the Galaxy emerged as a significant test case for the MCU, being a blockbuster centered around a group of characters that were largely unknown to mainstream audiences. Many entered the film with cautious expectations, yet the film quickly captivated audiences worldwide, becoming one of the most beloved entries in the entire MCU.

Now, over a decade since its initial release, the Guardians have become integral to the Marvel universe, symbolizing creativity and charm across the entire Marvel multiverse. The unexpected tale of a motley crew of misfits becoming one of the greatest Marvel movies of all time demonstrates how well the film executed character development and storytelling. The surprise element of the film propelled the MCU into becoming a must-watch phenomenon for the entire decade, as audiences realized that missing any entry could mean missing the next blockbuster masterpiece.

1

‘Iron Man’ (2008)

Directed by Jon Favreau

Marvel’s cinematic journey can largely be divided into two distinct eras, before and after the release of Iron Man, which marked the inception of the MCU and remains the most unexpected highlight of Marvel’s extensive filmography. Although the character of Tony Stark is now a beloved and recognized icon, he previously lingered in the shadows of more prominent Marvel heroes such as Spider-Man and the X-Men, raising questions about the rationale for producing an Iron Man film in the first place.

However, the remarkable direction by Jon Favreau, coupled with an unforgettable performance from Robert Downey Jr., quickly established the character as a leading cinematic icon and sparked the creation of an entire cinematic universe. The very idea of a cohesive cinematic universe was seen as overly ambitious and chaotic before the arrival of Iron Man, yet the film demonstrated the profitable potential of a meticulously interconnected universe in cinematic storytelling. Almost every superhero film released since, whether produced by Marvel or not, can trace some influence back to Iron Man, which shocked audiences and irrevocably changed the landscape of cinema.

NEXT: 10 Most Underrated Marvel Movies, Ranked