The 10 Best MCU Movies, According To Screen Rant | ScreenRant
There's no question that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is among the best film franchises in history. Even if you're not a fan of the series, it has been an undeniable box office success and more often than not, the movies (and now Disney+ shows) have been met with acclaim from critics and audiences.
Screen Rant has been part of that group, offering up reviews of every film entry into the franchise since its inception back in 2008. On a five-star scale, every movie has scored at least three stars, showcasing just how consistent the MCU is. Which one ranked the highest based on those Screen Rant ratings?
10 Doctor Strange (4 Stars)
There are actually multiple MCU films tied with a four-star rating out of a possible five. First up on the list is 2016's Doctor Strange, which took the franchise into the realm of magic as it focused on Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) becoming the Sorcerer Supreme.
The Screen Rant review praised the film for how it could stand on its own but also had MCU connections. Scott Derrickson's visual style was also seen as a highlight, as was the performance of Tilda Swinton as The Ancient One. Though Mads Mikkelsen was praised, he was considered underutilized.
9 Captain Marvel (4 Stars)
Getting Captain Marvel right was hugely important for the MCU. Arriving in early 2019, it had the tall task of introducing Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) late into the Infinity Saga as she would play a big part in the upcoming Avengers: Endgame. Thankfully, they mostly got it right.
For starters, Oscar winner Larson was lauded for her efforts in leading this story. The work of the directors was criticized for how the action scenes were handled but they got praise for the dramatic moments. Captain Marvel was said to feel like something truly special.
8 Guardians Of The Galaxy (4 Stars)
This was the Marvel movie that really proved they could hit a home run with any concept. This was a film based on a team that was considered "D-level" comic characters at best. Despite that, 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy proved to be a monumental success.
The combination of the mind of writer/director James Gunn and the talented ensemble cast helped make this movie work so well. The SR review praised it for being so different from the rest of the MCU but criticized some of the visuals whenever out in space.
7 Black Panther (4 Stars)
There's no denying that Black Panther was a cultural phenomenon. Grossing over $1 billion in early 2018, it was a great showcase of a Black superhero in a positive light. The way that it depicted African culture while telling a big-budget superhero story was excellent.
When Screen Rant covered the film upon release, it was considered great. Michael B. Jordan was hailed as the show stealer, while the way the film built the world of Wakanda was also a highlight. It did have some third act issues, including disappointing CGI.
6 Captain America: Civil War (4 Stars)
Most audience members agree that the Captain America trilogy is the best within the MCU. In fact, all three entries scored at least four stars on Screen Rant. The third installment, 2016's Captain America: Civil War, was basically another Avengers movie considering how many heroes were involved.
It was said to arguably be better than the first two Avengers movies for how well it balanced so many characters. It tells a Steve Rogers/Bucky Barnes story while giving Tony Stark ample screen time and introducing Black Panther and Spider-Man into the mix, among other things.
5 Spider-Man: Homecoming (4 Stars)
Following his debut in Civil War, Peter Parker was given his first solo entry into the MCU with 2017's Spider-Man: Homecoming. Since fans had already seen his origins on screen enough, this film picked up with Peter already as a hero under the watchful eye of Tony Stark.
This instantly stood out for being both a great superhero blockbuster and a hilarious high school comedy. Tom Holland is incredibly likable, while Michael Keaton's Adrian Toomes/Vulture was said to be one of the most fleshed-out antagonists in the MCU ever.
4 Captain America: The Winter Soldier (4 Stars)
Many fans still consider 2014's Captain America: The Winter Soldier to be the best standalone movie in the MCU. While Screen Rant didn't quite rank it that high, it's still a tremendous film that worked as a superhero story and as a political thriller.
This marked the MCU directorial debut of the Russo Brothers, who would helm three more movies for them. The SR review called this a high-quality Marvel film and found that it expertly tied in the greater MCU. It was also praised for how Chris Evans grew into the role and the way that Cap proved to be as smart as he is powerful.
3 Iron Man (4.5 Stars)
It's the one that started it all. Released in 2008, most didn't expect that Iron Man would be the first entry into an incredibly profitable movie franchise. However, the Screen Rant review actually called it the launch of the next big superhero franchise.
This still remains the best solo film in the entire MCU based on SR ratings, scoring a 4.5 out of 5. The action sequences were praised, as were the comedic elements. Of course, the true thing that brought this all together was the rockstar performance of Robert Downey Jr.
2 The Avengers (4.5 Stars)
This is the one that really changed the game. Never before had so many superheroes shared the big screen in a movie of this magnitude. 2012's The Avengers really established a style for Marvel that would continue on. The interplay between the characters was magnificent.
For as good as the action was, the Screen Rant review notes that the slower, character-driven scenes are the best parts. The balancing act among the heroes, the way the villain was highlighted, and the humor were all also praised, though the story was said to be a bit predictable.
1 Avengers: Endgame (4.5 Stars)
It's fitting that the highest-rated MCU film in Screen Rant history is also the one that ended the Infinity Saga, which spanned just over a decade. 2019's Avengers: Endgame had to wrap things up in a satisfying conclusion while delivering on both action and emotional moments.
The review suggests that it's as if each character gets their own solo film arc within this well-balanced tale. The slew of unimportant henchmen villains and some questionable CGI were the only things that didn't get met with praise. Everything else was said to be epic.