It turns out that Madame Web didn’t quite hit the mark with audiences. (It wasn’t exactly a crowd pleaser.) However, it’s important to remember that nobody intends to create a subpar movie. Initially, plans for Madame Web were far more expansive and intriguing. Originally, Madame Web was slated to be a Spider-Man spinoff, offering a comprehensive backstory for Peter Parker.
Initially, Sony produced Madame Web with a storyline closely linked to Tom Holland’s Spider-Man character from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, due to their agreement with Marvel regarding shared rights for Spider-Man, they were barred from using Peter Parker or Spider-Man in spinoff movies. Consequently, after creating this version of Madame Web, they had to make quick changes to eliminate all obvious references to Spidey.
In our most recent analysis video about Marvel, we’ll delve into the peculiar agreement between Marvel and Sony, its impact on the movie “Madame Web”, and why the original vision for “Madame Web” is so compelling, it feels almost tragic that things didn’t pan out as planned. You can check it out below:
If you enjoyed our take on the initial Madame Web concept and why it surpassed Sony’s version, don’t forget to explore more of our videos below. You might find our analysis on Wanda’s link with Doctor Doom intriguing, or perhaps learn about the abandoned X-Men vs. Fantastic Four film. We also have an exciting preview of the VisionQuest series, which could become Marvel’s standout Disney+ show. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel, ScreenCrush, for more engaging episodes. By the way, mark your calendars – Avengers: Doomsday is set to hit theaters on December 18, 2026.
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Every Marvel Cinematic Universe Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best
36. Eternals
As a die-hard Marvel fan, I must confess that before its release, I never imagined an Oscar-winning director would helm a Marvel film based on Jack Kirby’s most daring comics, and it might not be the most essential title. Regrettably, Eternals fails to coalesce effectively. It remains largely faithful to Kirby’s original concepts, but introduces minor, yet bothersome alterations – for instance, transforming the malevolent Deviants into faceless creatures with no discernible objectives or motivations. The ensemble boasts commendable supporting acts from Kumail Nanjiani and Brian Tyree Henry, but the leads, Gemma Chan as Sersi and Richard Madden as Ikaris, struggle to convincingly portray their long-standing romance, which spans over 6,000 years and appears awkwardly fresh. (Despite their extensive history, they come across like they’re on their first date and it’s a disaster.) The script occasionally delves into intriguing themes about the bonds between superheroes, mythology, and faith, only to forsake them repeatedly in favor of repetitive battle sequences against uninspiring monsters. It’s challenging to conceive a more tedious film about immortal alien robots attempting to thwart impending doomsday than this one.
35. The Incredible Hulk
In such a disorganized, unpolished, and unsightly manner, it appears as though Marvel was taken aback when Iron Man turned out to be a hit, leading them to hastily produce this. The choice of Tim Roth for the role of the world’s supreme soldier (who transforms into a large, bony, monstrous pile) in the character of Loki is hardly criminal, to put it mildly. (For further reading, see here.)
The way this production looks – disjointed, awkward, and unattractive – makes it seem like Marvel was taken off guard by Iron Man’s success and quickly churned out this film. The decision to cast Tim Roth as the world’s greatest soldier (who morphs into a big, bony, monstrous mess) in the role of Loki is questionable, to say the least. (For more information, visit here.)
34. Thor: The Dark World
Almost had a Thor film directed by Patty Jenkins, but instead, we received a rather gloomy pursuit of a mundane MacGruffin with one of the most unexciting villains in all of Marvel Cinematic Universe. If there’s any silver lining here, it could be that this movie’s poor performance might have dissuaded Marvel from being less inclined to make significant changes, leading to the creation of Thor: Ragnarok as we know it (Read more
33. The Marvels
32. Captain America: Brave New World
Incorrect setting, appropriate character: This phrase could apply to several recent underwhelming Marvel films, such as “The Marvels” and notably “Captain America: Brave New World“. While this production finally offers Anthony Mackie’s captivating Sam Wilson his own movie, it unfortunately pairs him with a dull villain and a story riddled with unnecessary references to “The Incredible Hulk.” (Admit it, we were all on the edge of our seats about Betty Ross’ fate, weren’t we?).
31. Doctor Strange
In a nutshell, the stunning imagery in Doctor Strange is impressive, but it still feels like an updated version of Iron Man, with a dash of magic. The film’s climax, where Strange outsmarts Dormammu, deserves a thumbs up. On the other hand, his eccentric cape leaves something to be desired. For more details, check out the article here.
Surreal visuals are great, but Doctor Strange struggles to shake off the feeling that it’s essentially Iron Man 2.0 with magic added in. The smart ending involving Dormammu earns a thumbs up, while the strange cape gets a thumbs down. More details can be found here.)
30. Iron Man 2
Despite being better than you might recall, it’s still not exceptional. Sam Rockwell’s dancing skillfully conceals some flaws, but not all of them. By trimming 15 minutes of the setup from Avengers, it could potentially be quite impressive. (Read more here.)
29. Ant-Man
Ant-Man isn’t bad per se, but it often feels like a scaled-down version of what could have been a more grandiose Edgar Wright film. Regardless, Michael Peña’s character Luis stands out as one of the most compelling non-superpowered characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. (Read more
Ant-Man isn’t terrible, but it leaves you wanting a bigger, Edgar Wright-directed movie. Despite this, Michael Peña’s character Luis is one of the most captivating non-superpowered characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. (Read more
28. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
In the battle between Ant-Man and Kang the Conqueror, even Kang himself (portrayed by the intimidating Jonathan Majors) acknowledges that Scott Lang is in over his head. This seemingly insurmountable conflict can be seen as a metaphor for the movie itself: The relatable, low-stakes universe of the Ant-Man series, characterized by its witty humor and lovable characters, struggles to keep pace with the grandiose multiverse drama of Marvel Phase 5.
As a standalone Marvel film on the big screen, it’s adequate. However, when viewed as a sequel within the Ant-Man franchise, it falls short of expectations. Unfortunately, if you were anticipating the return of Michael Peña’s beloved character Luis, you will be disappointed, as he does not appear in this installment.
27. Ant-Man and the Wasp
The movie “Ant-Man and the Wasp” shines brightest when it emphasizes its compactness. This is evident in Paul Rudd’s humorous banter with his fellow actors, Michael Peña’s heartfelt soliloquies, and a family drama played out on a modest scale, as they strive to heal their fractured bonds. (Read more
26. Captain Marvel
As a devoted Marvel fan, I’d say that Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe might just be our most powerful superhero, yet her movie seemed to miss some emotional depth. However, it remained engaging thanks to two standout performances: Ben Mendelsohn as the cunning Skrull Talos and Samuel L. Jackson (and the mind-blowing de-aging effects) as a youthful Nick Fury. (Read more here.)
25. Black Widow
In 2021, Scarlett Johansson’s long-awaited standalone film, “Black Widow,” was released. However, instead of a solo adventure, she mostly served as a supportive character among her quippy Russian superhero team, which included David Harbour’s self-absorbed Red Guardian and Florence Pugh’s attention-grabbing Yelena. Consequently, “Black Widow” didn’t quite live up to the grand farewell the character might have deserved. Nevertheless, it remains a strong addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, boasting some spectacular action scenes and an intriguing villain in the form of Taskmaster, who can copy the fighting styles of any adversary he encounters.
24. Thor: Love and Thunder
Experiencing Taika Waititi’s second Thor movie, “Love and Thunder,” is somewhat like witnessing a magician performing the same spellbinding trick twice in quick succession. The first time was astonishing. The second time, it remains impressive, but the element of surprise is significantly diminished. Christian Bale portrays an eerie Gorr the God-Butcher, yet his intense and highly emotional villain doesn’t quite harmonize with Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and his constant joking. In essence, “Love and Thunder” shares many aspects with Waititi’s “Thor: Ragnarok,” but they don’t quite blend together as smoothly this time around.
23. Deadpool & Wolverine
In this movie, the fantastic camaraderie between Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman is exactly what you’d expect. The surprise appearances are mind-blowing, borderline startling. The plot, however, pushes the limits of how much backstory a film can have without becoming confusing. (Why does one character need so many sad pasts? This movie has at least two!) If you manage not to think about anything happening on screen for even a moment, you’ll have an enjoyable experience. And Jackman and Reynolds truly embody the team-up of Deadpool and Wolverine, despite their reluctance to work together. You might find yourself wishing the writers (including Reynolds himself) had provided a slightly clearer storyline.
22. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
The Bizarro Version of “Iron Man 2”: More disappointing than you recall, yet still acceptable. The advertising exaggerated the mystery-thriller aspect excessively, but Anthony Mackie’s Falcon significantly boosted the franchise and Chris Evans remained as reliable as Captain America. However, it’s hard to believe that Nick Fury, the world’s most skilled spy, was unaware of the fact that everyone in SHIELD except for him and his two companions were completely corrupt. Come on, man! Wake up! (For more details, check out this article.)
21. Avengers: Infinity War
While this film undeniably showcases an impressive scale and a memorable conclusion, it seems to lack something essential. If your preference for Marvel movies leans towards thrilling action sequences and witty remarks, then perhaps it satisfies your expectations. However, if you enjoy the characters, their interactions, and the quieter scenes amidst the battles, this movie might not resonate with you as much. (For a more detailed review, check out [this link](here).)
20. Iron Man 3
In my opinion, the film was quite captivating, yet it seemed to lose some luster due to its connection to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The plot beautifully culminated in Tony Stark deciding to leave his Iron Man life behind and ride off into the sunset. However, this narrative twist was somewhat undermined by the subsequent production of several more movies featuring him. Despite Guy Pearce’s character, Killian, falling short of expectations, Robert Downey Jr.’s exasperated interplay with a clever child was nothing short of brilliant. (You can read more about it here.)
19. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Initially: The climactic scene, featuring dragons and monsters clashing amidst a thick gray fog, is a chaotic mess of CGI. Prior to this, however, Shang-Chi could arguably be Marvel’s finest action film, boasting numerous intense and complex fight sequences. (The one on the San Francisco bus is particularly enjoyable.) Simu Liu heads up one of Marvel’s most nuanced casts, with Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh delivering standout supporting performances, while Ben Kingsley and Awkwafina consistently provide comedic relief. (Kingsley, reprising his role as the former Mandarin Trevor Slattery, might not have been a popular Marvel villain initially, but Marvel has successfully transformed him into a delightful side character.)
18. Thor
In an unexpected twist, the grand, cosmic saga that largely unfolds in the tiniest corner of New Mexico – yes, you read it right – showcases a unique blend of strengths and weaknesses similar to Thor. Despite its flaws, it marked the beginning of Marvel’s signature pattern where exceptional acting and captivating performances managed to overshadow structural and script issues, a trait that has since become synonymous with Marvel productions. (Continue reading here.)
17. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
In the task of directing “Wakanda Forever”, Ryan Coogler encountered an enormously tough predicament. Not only did he need to create a sequel that matched the excellence of the initial “Black Panther”, he had to accomplish this without Chadwick Boseman, our captivating lead actor who tragically passed away during the summer of 2020, at a time when production on the film was set to begin. The movie shines brightest when it seamlessly weaves Coogler and the cast’s grief over Boseman into the narrative of Wakanda grappling with the loss of its monarch. Unfortunately, the remainder of the film can be a bit confusing; it presents a collection of intriguing concepts, an abundance of characters, and a villain, King Namor, whose motivations are somewhat unclear.
16. Captain America: Civil War
The plot of this movie is questionable and it seems to primarily focus on the epic showdown between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers, which takes place at an airport. To put it another way: Wow, that airport battle between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers is incredibly intense! (Read more here.)
15. Spider-Man: No Way Home
In Jon Watts’ third Spider-Man movie, we find similarities with Sam Raimi’s third Spider-Man film. Both are packed to the brim with numerous villains. However, this film does a commendable job of portraying Peter Parker as a character – a man who may stumble but is relentless in his quest to set things right next time. Additionally, it introduces the multiverse into MCU films on a grand scale, making an impactful mark in the series’ narrative.
Jon Watts’ third Spider-Man film bears resemblance to Sam Raimi’s third Spider-Man movie, as both are filled with multiple villains. On the upside, this production effectively conveys the charm of Peter Parker as a character – a man who may falter but never gives up on trying to do better next time. It also significantly introduces the multiverse concept in MCU films, leaving an impressive imprint on the series’ storyline.
14. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
After a 15-year absence, director Sam Raimi re-entered the Marvel universe, delivering an exhilaratingly eccentric tale that revolves around a struggle for the survival of multiple realities. Similar to his previous Spider-Man films, Raimi skillfully incorporated his unique elements – such as slapstick humor, maniacal zombies, and sudden jumps – into the conventional Marvel framework. (For further details, please refer to here.)
13. Thunderbolts (2025)
As a passionate cinephile, I must confess that the post-“Endgame” Marvel productions often seem like Frankenstein’s monster, pieced together from leftover elements of different comics, films, and lore. However, “Thunderbolts*” feels distinctly like a movie – a gripping narrative with an intriguing cast, particularly Florence Pugh’s portrayal of the new Black Widow. Much like many of us, her character grapples with a life she despises and finds her job utterly unfulfilling. But when thrown together with a motley crew of similarly disillusioned mercenaries, including Wyatt Russell’s arrogant U.S. Agent and Hannah John-Kamen’s mysterious Ghost, she discovers her purpose. Filled with exciting action and an impactful message about overcoming despair and embracing camaraderie, “Thunderbolts*” serves as a welcome reminder of Marvel Studios’ potential when they’re operating at their peak.
12. Avengers: Age of Ultron
As a die-hard fan, I’m still puzzled by the intense dislike towards this movie. Granted, it may not reach the heights of the initial Avengers film, and the subplot involving Wanda and Pietro leaves much to be desired. However, the climactic sequence where the Avengers unite to rescue every single soul in Sokovia is nothing short of pure Marvel magic at its finest. (Read more…)
11. Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2
The sequel of Marvel’s lighthearted franchise is excessively lengthy, featuring at least four post-credit scenes. It showcases an impressive amount of audacity to craft a follow-up that ends on a somber note. This is the only Marvel film that manages to make me shed tears, while also incorporating jokes about extraterrestrial deity genitalia. In my opinion, this unique blend makes for a highly entertaining experience. (Read more
10. Thor: Ragnarok
9. Spider-Man: Far From Home
The second Spiderman film by Marvel, starring Tom Holland as the remarkable Spider-Man, is only slightly less impressive than the first. It offers a mix of romance, action, humor, and emotion. Although no one explicitly says “with great power comes great responsibility,” the movie, titled Far From Home, carries this theme just as strongly as any other Spiderman film. In this installment, Peter Parker, portrayed by Holland, finds himself caught between his romantic feelings towards MJ (played by a witty Zendaya) and his mission given by Nick Fury (portrayed by an annoyed Samuel L. Jackson), who instructs him to stop a group of destructive elemental beings.
8. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
In a remarkable fashion, James Gunn delivers a satisfying conclusion to his Guardians trilogy, blending the perfect Marvel recipe: thrilling action sequences, quirky space-age visuals, and compelling characters that tug at our heartstrings. By the end of Volume 3, Rocket Raccoon, initially a minor character in Marvel comics, transforms into one of the most intriguing and tragic heroes the company has to offer. Following a series of less-than-stellar films, Gunn effortlessly showcases his skill. It’s unfortunate that he’s moving on to work with DC instead.
7. Avengers: Endgame
A significant leap forward from “Infinity War” and arguably the second-best Avengers film yet, boasting massive action sequences, hearty humor, and potentially more Easter eggs than any movie across all cinematic universes. (For further details, check out this article.)
6. Spider-Man: Homecoming
Among the most enjoyable Marvel Cinematic Universe films features captivating characters, thrilling Web-slinger action, and an unexpected street vendor requesting a stunt from Spider-Man (which he delivers). Aren’t you hooked? (Continue reading [here](…))
The MCU movie that keeps audiences coming back boasts compelling characters, exhilarating Spiderman sequences, and an unanticipated street vendor demanding a trick from Spider-Man, which he performs. Aren’t you intrigued? (Read further [here](…)))
5. Guardians of the Galaxy
As we reach the halfway mark of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the initial introduction of the Guardians marked a turning point for Marvel Studios. They demonstrated that their brand had enough clout to pull in audiences for properties with minimal mainstream popularity. Before James Gunn came along, the Guardians were hardly more than a side note, but he transformed them into an unexpected hit. It’s indisputable and self-evident that Rocket is the best Guardian – so don’t even try to argue, just acknowledge this as truth. (Read more
4. Captain America: The First Avenger
Despite some structural issues, like condensing an entire war into a montage, Chris Evans’ portrayal of Captain America stands out as one of the most impressive character adaptations within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This film breathed life into a hero who was often criticized for being uninteresting or outdated, transforming him into a dynamic, endearing, multidimensional figure embodying basic human values. It’s the MCU movie to watch when you need a boost of inspiration. [Read more here.]
3. Black Panther
In contrast to many Marvel films that strive for profound connections across the cosmos, “Black Panther” demonstrates the merit of a more secluded narrative. Towards the end of the movie, when Black Panther decides to reveal Wakanda to the outside world (and allows characters to appear in future movies), it’s meant to be a joyous conclusion. However, if this move leads to a sequel with a broader scope and numerous guest appearances, it might not be as satisfying. (Additional context can be found here.)
2. The Avengers
Despite the events in “Infinity War”, the original “Avengers” movie remains an extraordinary feat that seems almost unattainable. Each character shines with balance, the dialogue flows smoothly, and the climactic Battle of New York is undeniably one of the most impressive action sequences of recent times. (Read more here.)
1. Iron Man
To this day, no other production has surpassed its initial brilliance. Looking back, it’s clear that the freedom from a broader universe enriched the movie’s quality. The scenes where Robert Downey Jr.’s character, Tony Stark, tests his armor and subsequently takes flight for the first time, evoke the excitement of superpowers more effectively than any film in the history of Marvel Studios or beyond. (Read more here.)
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2025-06-11 17:05