The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been around for almost 15 years, starting with Jon Favreau’s Iron Man, which changed the game for comic book superhero movies. The MCU’s vast film landscape spans many different franchises, some with multiple sequels. Some sequels were considered even better than others, and some surpassed the franchise’s original film in terms of quality, story, and execution. Here’s our ranking for the nine best MCU sequels.
9/9 Iron Man 2
At number nine comes the sequel to the film that started it all. Iron Man 2, while it doesn’t quite live up to its predecessor, it still provides fans with a fun story with an interesting arc for Tony Stark as he struggles with the government trying to take his tech. Tony also has to deal with the side effects of the arc reactor in his chest, which is slowly killing him.
Iron Man 2 introduces two key characters who play pivotal roles in the rest of The Infinity Saga: Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, and Nick Fury. The villain of this film is the somewhat forgettable Ivan Vanko, who wants to destroy Tony Stark’s legacy. Iron Man 2 There’s no shortage of action, and we’re also introduced to War Machine, formerly played by Terrence Howard, who was replaced by Don Cheadle. Building on its predecessor and leading to an ensemble film that changed the direction of superhero movies forever, the success of this film cannot be overstated.
8/9 Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is the sequel to the wildly popular 2016 Doctor Strange solo movie. The film boldly presents The Scarlet Witch as the main antagonist. Wanda has been corrupted by the Darkhold in an unyielding quest to find her children, becoming the full villain in this film. She slaughters Kamar Taj. She’s holding Wong captive. Her goal is to kidnap a young girl so she can use her ability to travel across the Multiverse (knowing that the girl will die in the process). Some say the MCU went a bit overboard with Wanda’s 180-degree turn from tragic hero to irredeemable villain. Some fans claim this was more of a Scarlet Witch movie than Doctor Strange. That said, Strange gets some much-needed character growth towards the end of the movie.
This was the MCU’s first attempt at making horror movies, and they picked the right director in Sam Raimi, who has experience directing both horror and superhero movies. Multiverse of madness gives MCU fans their first look at different universes, currently one of the first pieces of MCU content that could be integral to the build-up to the multiverse war we suspect is coming Secret Wars.
7/9 Thor: Ragnarok
Thor: Ragnarok was a groundbreaking sequel to the Thor franchisee. Director Taika Watiti brought a level of humor that transformed Thor’s character. As outlined by screen frenzy, Ragnarok dismisses the stigma that Thor is “too serious all the time”, and the results speak for themselves. Ragnarok performed incredibly well at the box office and with critics. We see the transformation – and no, not just the haircut – of Thor realizing that his hammer was never the source of his power, it was just a tool to focus his power. Thor realizes where his true strength lies and understands that Asgard is lost. In an effort to ensure the survival of the Asgardian race, Thor sacrifices the beautiful golden city to rid the universe of his sister Hela, brilliantly played by Cate Blanchett. As Thor is remembered throughout the film, Asgard is not a place. It’s a people.
6/9 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
James Gunn was the first MCU director to introduce true comedy into the mix with Guardians of the Universe and the sequel Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. But it’s not all comedy: Gunn delivers a powerful sequel full of, yes, laughter, but a lot of heart, some very tender moments and some fantastic action sequences. Kurt Russell plays the Villain/Planet/Celestial Ego, who is also Peter Quill’s father. Quill finally has the father he’s always wanted, and his relationship with Gamora is blossoming. What could go wrong?
5/9 Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Captain America: The Winter Soldier is one of the best MCU movies to date, having stood the test of time and just lagging behind the sequel on our list. The winter Soldier introduces a brainwashed Bucky Barnes as the titular villain. After being injected with Super Soldier Serum, when he was captured by Hydra in The first avengerBucky is now a match for Steve in battle, even with an advantage as one of his arms is metal. He is also a brilliant military strategist, proving repeatedly that he is on the level of Cap in almost every way.
Robert Redford stars as Alexander Pierce, head of SHIELD, but secretly Hydra, as this sequel sees SHIELD fall, who has been controlled by Hydra from the shadows all along. Nick Fury and Black Widow also star in this action-espionage thriller that appeals to more than just MCU fans, as described by Pop Matterswith fewer superhero antics and more grounded, realistic action.
4/9 Captain America: Civil War
When you come in at number four, Captain America: Civil war introduces Spider-Man and Black Panther from the late Chadwick Boseman to the MCU, adding to the combat and culminating in one of the best action sequences in MCU history: the airport battle. This movie is high on our list for several reasons. As mentioned, it introduced two of Marvel Comics’ most famous characters to the silver screen. Baron Zemo is a fantastic villain, a luminary when it comes to MCU villains. Many have been one-dimensional or have had no real motive at all, other than wanting to be bad in order to be bad. Zemo’s motivations are more complex.
The film has the emotional weight to really live up to its name as the Avengers are broken up at the end of the film, leaving them separated and unprepared when Thanos inevitably enters. Infinite war. What’s most impressive about this sequel is the familiarity and empathy you feel for Tony, Cap, and Bucky in the film’s final fight. Everyone’s motives make sense: Stark wants revenge for his late mother; Cap wants Tony to understand that it wasn’t Bucky’s fault; and Bucky is just trying to survive, and he obviously feels immensely guilty for the sins he committed as The Winter Soldier. We, as an audience, can understand each person’s motivation to continue fighting, and the emotional weight is genuine.
3/9 Avengers: Infinity War
The third installment in the avengers franchise, which finally gives us Thanos as the main villain of the Infinity Saga, comes in at number three on our list of the best MCU sequels. lnfinity war was more Thanos’ movie than the Avengers’. And at the end of the movie, Thanos wins. Our heroes, because of the events of Civil war, are scattered, leaving the Infinity Stones vulnerable. Thanos collects all six stones and destroys half of all life in the universe. This film is gripping, about two and a half hours, but it flies by, with each scene beautifully crafted from both a written and visual perspective. The Russo Brothers created a cinematic masterpiece. Even for the ever-thriving MCU, it raised the bar for cinematic excellence.
2/9 Spider-Man: No Way Home
The last episode at Jon Watt’s Homecoming Trilogy comes in at number two. Spider-Man: No Way Home brought back iconic villains from the Raimi trilogy and the Marc Webb movies. And the big reveal was that Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield returned as their iterations of the Web-Slinger.
No way home is the best episode of Phase Four of the MCU, which we now know is the first phase of The Multiverse Saga. This film gives fans our first look at the Multiverse and shows us that anything is possible in a multiverse cinematic universe. The film features Doctor Strange, who tries to help Peter with a spell that goes all wrong, causing villains from other universes to pour into the MCU. No way home blew away critics and audiences alike, making a lot of money at the box office, and providing arguably the best fan service the MCU has ever given.
1/9 Avengers: Endgame
The fourth episode in the avengers franchise takes a fitting bow to the incredible story of 11 years and 22 films. The number one spot on our list of MCU sequels is the movie that booked the Infinity Saga – Avengers: Endgame. Endgame picks up where Infinite War stopped, and the movie features some time travel shenanigans. Time travel is often a problematic tool to use effectively in a story – the rules have to make sense – but Endgame simplifies time travel enough for the layman to understand without too many complications.
Avengers: Endgame returns to past MCU events and gives fans a great dose of nostalgia. The film harks back to previous MCU films,giving fans new perspectives on these beloved MCU milestones from the past. Ultimately, Thanos (returning as the main villain) uses time travel to move forward in time and try to find the avengers and destroy their universe. This culminates in the greatest battle in MCU history, as nearly every Avenger, from Howard the Duck to the dusted Doctor Strange and Black Panther, returns just in time for Cap to say the famous line written in Age of Ultron, “Avengers, gather!” The good ones win the day, not without sacrifice, as Tony Stark makes the sacrifice to drive Thanos and his army away for good.