With so manyMarvel Cinematic Universemovies released since the franchise started, there are a few that I wish I could forget to watch again for the first time, and they were all very important for the shared universe. From its start with 2008’sIron Man, it was clear thatthe MCU was destined to become special. 17 years later and dozens of movies in, my excitement fornew MCU releasesremains the same, even though issues emerged along the way.
The Marvel formula has become a point of debate. I believe that Marvel has cracked the code for making successful superhero films, and some of its recent misfires were due to smaller characters being focused on or films being released without a longer development pipeline first. However, the magic of when an MCU movie connects with an audience remains, as seen byMarvel Studios' best films, some of which were released duringthe Multiverse Saga. With major cameos, groundbreaking CGI, emotional stories, and more, I wish I could watch a few MCU movies for the first time again.
10Iron Man
Released In 2008 - Infinity Saga
First up has to beIron Man. After all, this is the film that kickstarted the MCU.Robert Downey Jr.’s career was in need of a shake-up, and Tony Stark was the role that allowed him to do just that. A magnetic performance was displayed.
Iron Manwas a great, action-heavy origin story for a hero not many knew about outside the comics. I lovedStark’s sarcastic humor, the awe of seeing Iron Man’s armors in action, and the chemistry between Tony and Gwyneth Paltrow’s Pepper Potts.Iron Manwas an all-around hit.
It still amazes me that the first MCU movie isthe best Iron Man has ever looked onscreen. Despite having a smaller budget than many MCU releases, the mix of practical effects and CGI led to Iron Man’s most realistic armors. The MCU started on the right foot.
9The Avengers
Released In 2012 - Infinity Saga
The MCU would not be what it is if it was not forThe Avengers. While I enjoyed most of the projects inthe MCU’s Phase 1, it was not until the franchise’s first major crossover that I was in it for life.The Avengerschanged everything.
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Avengers: Secret Wars
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It was one of the most ambitious movies of all time. Marvel Studios dictated what a cinematic shared universe should look like, bringing heroes from different movies together as a team. I loved seeingthe Avengers interact for the first time, with their dynamics for the franchise’s future slowly forming.
I would love to watchThe Avengersagain for the first time simply due tothe unprecedented nature of the film. The fights were amazing, all anchored by well-developed characters and emotional beats. They truly felt like a team by the end, and the MCU benefited.
8Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Released In 2014 - Infinity Saga
Chris Evans' Captain America is responsible formy favorite MCU trilogy so far.Captain America: The Winter Soldierundoubtedly stands as the MCU movie I have rewatched the most. As such, I would love to be able to forget it and watch it again for the first time.
It is a Marvel masterpiece.
Captain America: The Winter Soldierdefined what a grounded MCU thriller should be like. That is why, more than a decade later, projects likeSecret Invasionand Anthony Mackie’sCaptain America: Brave New Worldstill look at it as a blueprint. The movie is one of the MCU’s best.
Steve Rogers had a solid arc, exposing HYDRA even though it ended SHIELD.Captain America’s chemistry with Scarlet Johansson’s Black Widow was through the roof. With a more mature tone, emotional moments with Bucky Barnes' MCU return, and great action, it is a Marvel masterpiece.
7Guardians Of The Galaxy
James Gunn has proven himself to be one of the best storytellers in superhero adaptations. It is no surprise hehas become the creative head of DC Studios, as he excelled at Marvel from the start. Gunn does the found family trope like few can.
The MCU’s early days were mostly focused on major comic book characters and heroes with crossover potential. The Guardians of the Galaxy were the reallyfirst obscure characters to be spotlighted by the franchise. I remember not knowing what to expect when I watched the film for the first time.
Despite little fanfare before release,Guardians of the Galaxybecame one of the MCU’s funniest movies. Gunn excelled with a nicebalance between hilarious comedy and incredibly heartfelt moments. The movie was many fans' first exposure to the team, and it tells a poignant story of finding your family and life goals where you least expect.
6Captain America: Civil War
Released In 2016 - Infinity Saga
There is no bad entry among Chris Evans' Captain America movies. The hero’s trilogy finale ended up being one of the biggest events in the franchise.Captain America: Civil Warwasan Avengers movie with Steve Rogers as the lead and Tony Stark as the antagonist.
That decision worked wonders for the film and the MCU as a whole. I loved the character debuts we got in the film, and seeingSpider-Man finally come to the MCUfor the first time is one of the franchise’s best moments so far. That easily warrants it being included on this list.
However,Captain America: Civil Warwas about so much more than a single hero. The movie presented many new character dynamics, as heroes met for the first time and allowed fans to see how fights between them would play out. It was also crucial to the franchise,dividing the Avengers over a strong moral dilemma.
5Thor: Ragnarok
Released In 2017 - Infinity Saga
I remember dying to know what Thor and the Hulk had been up to since they were the heroes missing fromCaptain America: Civil War. The answer did not disappoint, as it was explained byThor’s best MCU movie to date.Thor: Ragnarokwas a blast to watch.
Loki and Thor’s chemistry was in top formin the movie. With the loss of Odin and their villain sister, Hela, emerging, the brothers put aside their differences and finally became friends. Hulk’s time in Sakaar also led to a fun friendship with Chris Hemworth’s Thor.
The movie featuredHemsworth and director Taika Waititi at the top of their game. The dialogue was breezy and hilarious. The movie looked gorgeous with colors that popped. Thor was funny and underwent massive loss, becoming a better hero by the end. It is truly a great hero’s journey.
4Avengers: Infinity War
Released In 2018 - Infinity Saga
The final two movies of the Infinity Saga are the MCU’s most ambitious so far.Avengers: Infinity Warwas essentially Thanos' movie, focusing on the villain that had been lurking in the shadows for years. I would love to watch Thanos' impactful debut again for the first time.
Josh Brolin delivered one of the most nuanced performances in the MCU. Sure, Thanos wanted to end half of all life in the universe. However, he was doing so out of thinking it was how he could save the universe. The villain’s journey was gripping from top to bottom.
As for the heroes,Avengers: Infinity Warwas one of the MCU’s most exciting movies. It features non-stop action, going across varied locations andputting characters who had never interacted before together. It made the franchise feel larger than ever.
3Avengers: Endgame
Released In 2019 - Infinity Saga
If there is one movie that trulyfeels like a living comic book, it isAvengers: Endgame. Marvel Studios managed to capture lightning in a bottle with the film. It had the daunting task of paying off all the MCU’s Infinity Saga setup, and did so beautifully.
Heartbreaking Avengers: Doomsday Theory Pits The MCU’s Heroes Against Themselves In A Perfect Marvel Comic Story Adaptation
A shocking Avengers: Doomsday theory pits the original Avengers against the MCU heroes, but none of them are evil versions of themselves.
The original Avengers were the main focus of the film, which gave poignant endings to half of the team. I loved howAvengers: Endgamefelt like a victory lap around the MCU. The time travel plot device allowed Marvel to play its biggest hits again, going back to beloved past movies, events, and characters.
The film’s ending felt like several comic book splash pages put together.Pretty much every MCU hero was onscreen fighting Thanos alongside the Avengers. If there is only one MCU movie that I could forget and watch again for the first time, it would beAvengers: Endgame.
2Spider-Man: No Way Home
Released In 2021 - Multiverse Saga
Spider-Man: No Way Homewas a once-in-a-lifetime event. Ever since Marvel announced it was using the multiverse, I hoped we would get the three live-action cinematic Spider-Men together. Tom Holland’s third Spider-Man film did not disappoint, making their chemistry pop.
The three Spider-Men truly felt like brothers in the film. While I’m a fan of Holland’s Peter Parker, I grew up with Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s versions of Spider-Men. Checking up on them after many years felt like a dream come true.Spider-Man: No Way Homewas an incredibly emotional thrill ride.
Despite the multiverse heroes and villains, the focus still remained on Holland’s Spider-Man. The film added the most trauma to Peter Parker, leaving him in a dark place that could serve asa new status quo for the MCU’s version of Spider-Man. If I were able to see the three Spider-Men interacting for the first time again, I wouldn’t think twice.
1Deadpool & Wolverine
Released In 2024 - Multiverse Saga
Finally,the MCU’s only movie of 2024also makes the cut. Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool joining the MCU was already good enough. However, when adding Hugh Jackman’s return as Wolverine and all the comebacks from Fox’s X-Men films and more,Deadpool & Wolverineis truly a gem.
Many of the returning characters play a real role in the film, not coming back only for quick cameos. While all the multiverse fun was very exciting, there are someincredibly emotional threads that keep the movie grounded. Deadpool’s love for his friends is one of them.
Jackman’s Wolverine variant becoming a herois another. The MCU movie pays reverence to what came before while building an earnest friendship between its two leads along the way. I loved the bloody spectacle, the surprises, and the quieter moments. And so,Deadpool & Wolverinejust has to be one of thoseMCUmovies a Marvel fan would choose to watch again for the first time if possible.
