This week, I’ve got a fascinating guest post for you from the fantastic dinmicheals. As a huge Marvel fan myself I ask dinmicheals to list her favourite MCU movies. They don’t correlate exactly with my own choices, but it’s not far off. Enjoy!
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been one of the best things to happen to this planet in the last 10 years. There are 4 MCU movies in the top 10 highest grossing films of all time (The Avengers Trilogy and Black Panther). That is no small feat, by any standards. The MCU has spawned 18 movies to date, with many more still in the works.
Indeed, from the very first movie (Iron Man) to the latest (Ant-Man & The Wasp), Marvel has tried to raise the bar every single time. They have been treating us to fictional worlds after fictional worlds. This is my top 10 list of MCU movies. As a fan of fictional worlds and immersive fantasy myself, I understand that you may have disagreements with my list. However, I hope you enjoy it nonetheless. Here we go:
· Ant-Man and The Wasp (Peyton Reed)
‘Ant-Man and The Wasp’ has the benefit of being the latest release. However, this does not take away from the fact that the movie was a thrilling ride from start to finish. Peyton Reed takes the comedy in the MCU to a whole new level. Ant-Man and The Wasp is a comedy first, action second movie.
Ant-Man and The Wasp delivers on the quantum realm after the slight tease from the first Ant-Man movie. Furthermore, this movie shows us just how perfect Paul Rudd (Ant-Man) and Evangeline Lily (The Wasp) are together on-screen. They fit seamlessly together from start to finish — also, a special mention to ‘Luis and the Crew’ for their part in making the movie an absolute laugh-fest.
‘Ant-Man and The Wasp’ has grossed over $622m and was the eighth highest grossing movie of 2018. Not bad at all.
· Thor: Ragnarok (Taika Waititi)
At number 9 is another beautiful comedy movie and by far the best Thor movie of them all. Taika Waititi is his first Marvel movie absolutely nails it from start to finish. Thor: Ragnarok gives us a better look into the fictional worlds of the nine realms. Also, we see Thor’s emotional journey to save his home from his evil, previously unknown elder sister.
Thor: Ragnarok shows Loki at his very best, scheming and plotting his way through the movie. Also, Tessa Thompson is an absolute delight, bringing a different element and feel to this immersive fantasy movie. Last but certainly not the least, the fight scene between Thor and Hulk is worth the admission fee by itself. Stunning!!!
· Spider-Man: Homecoming (Jon Watts)
I honestly don’t think that if Marvel tried, that they could cast a better Spiderman than Tom Holland. He is absolutely perfect for the role. You almost forget that he is British. This was the second reboot of the Spiderman fantasy world, but it is well worth it.
The presence of Robert Downey Jr. and Jon Favreau gives the film a delightful authenticity. We also see the effort and growth of ‘Peter Parker’ as he tries to navigate his way through high school. Spider-Man: Homecoming is a sublime introduction into the MCU fantasy world of Spiderman. I am confident that there will be sequels to come.
· Iron Man (Jon Favreau)
The number 7 spot belongs to the movie where it all started, Iron Man. Who would have thought that we would be here today, 17 movies later, reminiscing over the very first? Jon Favreau delivers a masterpiece into the fictional world of the MCU.
The casting of Robert Downey Jr. is one of the best decisions the MCU has ever made. It all started in this movie. He has made the Iron Man character his own. It is difficult to imagine that there might come a time when someone else would pick up that mantle. Until then, we cannot help but enjoy the awesomeness that is Robert Downey Jr.
· Black Panther (Ryan Coogler)
The MCU struck gold with this movie. Black Panther has been an absolute sensation. IT even made more money that Infinity War in North America. It grossed a total of $1.35bn, earning a spot in the top 10 grossing movies of all time (No. 9). Furthermore, Black Panther is the highest grossing solo superhero film.
This movie took the world by storm. It is by far, one of the most impactful superhero movies ever made. It touches on subjects of slavery and racism in unique ways, showing us a different side. Let us not even get into the beautiful city of Wakanda, just wonderful. An immersive fantasy of the highest quality. “Wakanda Forever!!!”.
· The Avengers (Joss Whedon)
Into the top 5, we go. It pains me to put The Avengers so low on this list just because of how awesome the movie is. I literally cannot count the number of times I have watched this fantastic movie. It wasn’t until this movie that we all started to see the phenom that the MCU had started to become. It was an ensemble superhero movie, the likes we had never seen before.
The Avengers was just the perfect way to end Marvel Phase One. The superhero ensemble grossed a not-too-shabby $1.52bn during its theatrical run. The only Marvel movie to date with a higher gross is Infinity War. The Avengers took the world by storm in 2012. It represented a significant turning point for the MCU.
· Captain America: The Winter Soldier (Joe & Anthony Russo)
At number 4 is the second Captain America movie by MCU darlings, Joe & Anthony Russo. This was the first partnership between Joe & Anthony Russo and the writing team of Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. Likewise, this partnership is responsible for four MCU movies (Captain America 2 & 3, Avengers 3 & 4).
We never started to fully understand the depths of the power of Captain America until this movie. The Winter Soldier showed us Captain America at his best — a seasoned soldier at the height of his powers. Furthermore, the fight choreography in this movie is just off the charts. That fight sequence under the bridge between Bucky and Steve Rodgers; Goosebumps!
· Guardians of the Galaxy (James Gunn)
We can debate for eternity whether Disney should have fired James Gunn or not. However, one thing is clear: the man sure can make movies. The first Guardians of the Galaxy was a breath of fresh air into the MCU. It was a wonderful movie that opened the avenue of space into the MCU. Likewise, this immersive fantasy movie was a laugh fest from start to finish.
The stars of this movie are the teams themselves. Each character as captivating as the other. All I can say is, I am Groot!
· Avengers: Infinity War (Joe & Anthony Russo)
I don’t have to say a lot about ‘Infinity War as it’s still very fresh in our memories. The ending of the movie leaves you on the edge of your seat and wanting more. Even till today, I am still in shock over the sheer number of characters that were lost to the snap. If fan theories are anything to go by, we might get to see our favorite characters again.
The anticipation leading up to this movie was simply astounding. This movie raises the stakes more than any MCU movie before it. Avengers: Infinity War is the highest grossing MCU movie, grossing an astronomical $2.05bn. Fingers crossed on if Avengers: Endgame would claim that spot. Likewise, it is the 4th highest grossing movie of all time. Amazing!
· Captain America: Civil War (Joe & Anthony Russo)
I am sure you must have guessed it already. If this movie was not already on this list, then it must be on top. That is where I’ve placed it in my top 10 MCU movies list. I do not even know why they bothered to name it Captain America: Civil War. Avengers 2.5 would’ve been a better title. The only major Avengers members missing in the movie were Thor and Hulk. It was star-studded from start to finish.
This immersive fantasy was a masterpiece served up by the partnership of the Russo Brothers and the team of Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. It is an absolute delight from start to finish. That Berlin Airport sequence – Whew! Jaw dropping!
The margins between the top 5 movies are minimal. Putting one above the other is tough. However, if I had to choose, I would say that Captain America: Civil War totally deserves its place at the top of this list. I am more than confident that the MCU would give us more amazing movies in the years to come. Thank you for reading.
Immersive fantasy fiction 