Ranking Marvel Cinematic Universe films

We're in the Endgame now. Next week the big finale is gonna be released and I'm sure we are all going to watch it as soon as possible, so right now let's take a look at MCU so far.

21. The Incredible Hulk (2008)
This is a piece of garbage so bad that not even the worst of DCEU films were this much of a waste time. It's so insanely bland, forgettable and generic it makes you appreciate Ang Lee's mess of a movie more. Ang Lee's movie has Sam Elliott. This has fuck all.

20. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Between completely botched villain subplot, the disgusting handling of Black Widow, Tony's prima nocta joke (we really should have known Whedon is a pig) and such a boring third act, this movie would be entirely unbearable if it wasn't for the lovely cast, especially Downey Jr., Hemsworth and Evans injecting so much charm into this film. Natasha and Banner's romance is the lowest point for both of these characters and some of this movie is just plain weird and creepy.

19. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Yet another Spiderman movie, this time with Tom Holland being perfectly lovely as the newest actor playing the part. Keaton's Vulture makes for a good villain and the high school setting is refreshing, but overall the film is a tonal mess and it's entirely forgettable.

18. Doctor Strange (2016)
Interesting visuals aside, this had no business being so mediocre. All the worst tropes of MCU are present here - wasting great actor on a generic villain part, wasting a charming actress on a thankless love interest part - and delivering insultingly generic movie for that premise. It really shows how weak this movie is, when handled by different writers Benedict Cumberbatch, so boring and lifeless here, shone so bright in Infinity War.

17. Iron Man 3 (2013)
Despite refreshing Christmas setting and Robert Downey Jr. being wonderful again, this is the weakest entry in Iron Man trilogy. There's an annoying kid, nonsensical subplot with glowing people and utterly wasted Rebecca Hall and Guy Pearce. Eh.

16. Thor: The Dark World (2013)
This should probably be lower on the list but somehow it's one of my most rewatched MCU films. There are some gorgeous set pieces here - mainly Frigga's funeral, the supporting characters are, again, a lot of fun and Chris Hemsworth brings so much joy and humor to the film. Unfortunately, the third act and the villain are almost unbearably boring.

15. Iron Man 2 (2010)
While far from one of the best MCU movies, this is a lot of fun and introduces several wonderful actors to the franchise - especially Sam Rockwell who is having so much fun in this movie. There's also Scarlett Johansson in her first performance as Black Widow, back when she still seemed to be interested in playing the part as opposed to sleepwalking through her roles.

14. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
While the film follows a pretty cliched story and Evans was still few movies away from really finding the right way to play the character without coming off bland, the setting distinguishes it from other movies in MCU and the love story between Steve and Peggy is MCU's best.

13. Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
Charming, sweet and lovely, this one is not as heartwarming as the first movie but at least it finally gives Wasp things to do. Also it introduces Michelle Pfeiffer to the franchise and it's such a good natured movie - the villains aren't really villains and really it's just a bunch of good people we see helping each other out in the end. Unfortunately, the mid credits scene is the worst timed one in entire MCU and completely wrecks the happy feel of the movie.

12. Captain Marvel (2019)
MCU's long awaited first female-led movie is a delight, unfortunately it suffers from the usual crutch of those films - weak visual side. They really should improve that aspect because in this day and age visual effects and the look of those movies should be much better. Anyways, the cast is charming, the story is sweet and engaging and Brie Larson is wonderful as the lead character. All hail Goose!

11. Iron Man (2008)
The one which started it all is a perfect origin movie but what it should really be hailed for is that it gave the comeback vehicle for Robert Downey Jr. The man was a total mess for years and now he is the most successful actor out there and without him there would not be an MCU to begin with. He worked hard to come back and I'm so thrilled to see him on the top. And that movie, like no other before it, really harnesses his charm and charisma.

10. The Avengers (2012)
The first big team up movie remains a huge joy to watch, no matter how many times you see it. The dynamic between the heroes is fantastic, the villain is entertaining, there are epic sequences, great humorous moments and overall it's just such a good time.

9. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Marvel took characters not many people knew about and turned them into people's favorites. This movie has so much whimsy and fun and remains one of the best looking films in the franchise. And it always, always blows my mind that this is actually Bradley Cooper's voice.

8. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
One of the very few MCU movies that actually gives Black Widow interesting things to do, this is one of the most original films in the franchise bringing to mind the classic political thrillers from the 70's. It develops the characters of Widow, Fury, Steve and Bucky. The only bad thing here is the forced love interest - Evans and whatshername playing Peggy's niece have the worst chemistry in the entire franchise.

7. Black Panther (2018)
Easily one of the best paced films in the franchise and the one that finally gave us amazing female characters with Danai Gurira's Okoye being a clear standout. The music is fantastic and memorable, the costumes are lovely and the blend of tradition and technology provides for a very cool atmosphere and setting of the movie. And some of the things here - like the moment in the shot above - are just so inspired.

6. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Even better than the first movie. This one has something more adorable than Groot - and that is Baby Groot! It also has the best opening scene/credits in all of MCU and one of the most touching sequences - Yondu's funeral near the end. There's also a terrific subplot exploring the complex relationship between Gomora and Nebula and Pom Klementieff provides a lovely addition in Mantis.

5. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Huge, fun and exciting this is the movie that is always so entertaining to revisit - the team ups between the heroes are so much fun - especially Thor and Rocket - and the Russos manage to vastly improve the characters of Wanda and Doctor Strange. Thanos is a great villain, the film flows very well and the only thing that is missing is the epic component - the blandness of cinematography is still present here and the film lacks the wow factor, no matter how cool Downey Jr., Hemsworth and Evans make their characters heroic efforts look.

4. Ant-Man (2015)
Such a charming, warm movie. The parallel stories of Hank and Hope and Scott and Cassie - the loving fathers who want to protect their daughters - are so lovely and make the film one of the most heartwarming in the entire franchise. Michael Douglas gives my favorite performance in all of MCU here and Paul Rudd finally has a chance to play who he was always meant to play - Disney prince/Superhero.

3. Thor (2011)
Yes, Chris Hemsworth's bleached eyebrows are a disgrace. But I still love that movie. It's so much fun - the supporting characters are a delight, the romance between Thor and Jane is so sweet and Asgard is such a gorgeous place. The film also has some good old fashioned Shakespearean drama thrown in and gives the audience an amazing villain in Loki.

2. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
When I first saw Ragnarok I liked it and found it entertaining but it's only during subsequent rewatches that I found its brilliance. It's really the first Thor movie that unlocks Chris Hemsworth's huge comedy potential completely, it's one of the few MCU movies that at least tries to be more vibrant and colorful and it gives us so much girl power. It also for once gives us Hulk that I can actually enjoy - the character that works for me only as comedic one and  it also gives us more of Ruffalo's Banner, this time almost entirely free of ridiculous romance subplot with Nartasha. It's just pure joy and it's so insanely rewatchable.

1. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Despite not technically beiing an Avengers team up movie this one is the best team up film in the franchise. The climactic fight between Tony, Steve and Bucky remains the best choreographed and astonishing fight in the franchise and the way the movie incorporates the consequences of Avengers' exploits, the introductions of Black Panther and Spiderman and brings Ant-Man back (his reverence for Captain America provides some of the funniest moments in MCU) is truly wonderful.  Both Evans and Downey Jr. bring their A games here, making their characters' conflict so amazing to watch.