10 Best MCU Movies Since Endgame, Ranked

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It’s been six years since Avengers: Endgame first hit theaters. Marvel Cinematic Universe followed this up by introducing fans to new characters, new worlds, and new movies. The epic conclusion to “The Infinity Saga” was a high-water mark for the franchise that has yet to be topped.

However, there have been plenty of terrific films since then that serve as both great additions to the MCU and exciting chapters in the unfolding “Multiverse Saga” that followed the culmination of the MCU’s first massive story arc. Since Endgame, films like Spider-Man: No Way Home and Deadpool and Wolverine have rewarded fans while also furthering the multiversal storyline.

10

Black Widow Said Goodbye to an O.G.

While Introducing Fans to New Mainstays

Black Widow serves as a great send-off for Natasha Romanoff and an earned starring role in the MCU for Scarlett Johansson, both of which felt long overdue. It was lovely to see Natasha one more time after her sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame. Fans felt like they needed more time with that character, and thankfully got it in this movie. Audiences were also finally given a peek into her mysterious backstory. That said, the timing of the release made the film feel like it was all too little, too late. Black Widow could have easily had her solo adventures throughout the Infinity Saga, and it would have been better off for it.

One of the best parts about Black Widow is the introduction of great new characters like Yelena Belova and Red Guardian. While their individual performances are worth writing home about, their dynamic with Natasha plays a large role in making those relationships feel worn and weathered. These aren’t two new people off the street; Natasha had a long history with them, and that connection is palpable. They are excellent additions to the MCU, in large part thanks to who they are in relation to the iconic MCU character.

9

Thor: Love and Thunder Continued With the Laughs

To Mask An Identity Crisis

Riding high off the success of Thor: Ragnarok, Thor: Love and Thunder doubled down on all the silly, irreverent, and epic action that fans were so vocal about. This time around, that spirit spreads throughout more of the MCU with the addition of the Guardians of the Galaxy. It was so fun to see a continuation of those relationships after Avengers: Endgame and to have the Guardians play a role in setting Thor on his next adventure to find himself and his purpose.

Thor’s continued goofiness throughout the movie feels like a funny way to explore his identity crisis. Underneath the jokes lies an almost PTSD quality from the harrowing events of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Thor was put through the ringer and, instead of dealing with all of those hard feelings head-on, he distracts himself with missions, violence, and humor. It’s heartbreaking and all the more meaningful, by the end, to see Thor find his purpose, not in a romantic relationship with Jane but with an adoptive daughter.

8

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness Kept Things Weird

And Gave Fans More of the Strange They Were Looking For

After seeing Doctor Strange expand on his weird, very visual, magic in Avengers: Infinity War, fans were eager to see what his next solo adventure would have in store. It felt like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness needed to go big and, thankfully, Sam Raimi stepped in to deliver. His unique touches really set the film apart and made Doctor Strange feel rightfully strange. On top of that, fans got to see all of his wild magic as he fought a giant one-eyed octopus, faced himself in a musical showdown, and processed a dead Strange from another universe.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness also famously included The Illuminati and with it, a cavalcade of cameos. As fun as it was to see some long-awaited fan-casting, these cameos worked to really make the MCU multiverse feel huge. This stunt-casting made it feel like it was possible to get both brand-new interpretations of characters while revisiting classic versions of the characters. At the time, that felt like a massive revelation and one that made fans excited about the future possibilities.

Kamala, Carol, and Monica Shine Together

The Marvels was good old-fashioned MCU fun. Kamala Khan deserves to be on the big screen, and this film gave fans a chance to see her shine alongside heavy hitters like Carol Danvers and Monica Rambeau. Kamala’s fan-girling injects such a sense of joy into the movie. She’s pumped to be in an MCU adventure, and that’s always fun to watch. At the core of The Marvels lies these three great characters and their delightful chemistry. It just works.

The MCU can feel too Earth-centric at times. Especially this late into the game. It was awesome to see another space adventure and to remind fans of how big this universe literally is. Questions about why Carol wasn’t around for this threat or that threat go out the window when audiences see what she has been dealing with out in space. This movie gave fans a chance to see all of that firsthand, and with really creative and imaginative fight sequences.

6

Thunderbolts* Showed Fans Who the Real Losers Were

*The New Avengers Feel Classic

Thunderbolts* at its best, feels like the offbeat team building of Guardians of the Galaxy mixed with a splash of The Avengers. Fans have seen teams assemble before, but the Thunderbolts* navigate those familiar waters in a way that makes the final product feel new and familiar. Unlike similar team-up movies, this group is cleverly made of characters who audiences have seen fail and pick themselves back up, as opposed to just establishing them as “losers” from the jump.

And these characters really form the backbone of this movie. The character-driven story really helps to set this apart. It’s not a movie about overcoming a world-threatening threat. It’s about overcoming your own failures and shortcomings and finding solace in community. It’s a powerful and important message. The movie also felt so refreshing, thanks to a climax that doubles down on that message instead of resorting to a bigger fight sequence.

5

Deadpool & Wolverine & All The Hype

The True Celebration Was the Friends We Made along the Way

Deadpool & Wolverine really managed to feel like a worthy revival of an iconic character like Wolverine while also introducing Deadpool into the MCU. It also felt oddly perfect to conclude Deadpool’s trilogy this way. All of these factors really provided the film with plenty of material for Deadpool to break the fourth wall with. It was an ambitious task with a lot riding on it. Thankfully, it was a lot of fun, and it featured a dynamic that was worth waiting for, and worth reviving Wolverine for.

What really puts this movie over the top, though, is the fact that it was secretly more of a celebration of Marvel-movies-past as opposed to just an introduction to the MCU. It was lovely to see old characters return, give them one last time to shine, and send them off with a meaningful “thank you.” It was surprising in the best way and a smart way to address the crying elephant in the room in a way that only Deadpool could.

4

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Honored a Hero

Ryan Coogler Masterfully Crafted This Follow-Up

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was obviously burdened with heavy grief after the loss of Chadwick Boseman. Ryan Coogler and his team were thankfully able to craft a film that truly honored both T’Challa and Chadwick. It was masterfully done, and it gave fans an opportunity and an outlet to grieve, say their thanks, and say goodbye.

In this wake, Shuri steps up to become a hero. While mourning and not feeling ready, she stepped up anyway. This endeared her to audiences. They were finally given a chance to get to know her much better and root for her. It was powerful to see a character choose to be heroic even when they didn’t feel it. It reminded fans that the choice in and of itself requires heroism and courage.

3

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Turned Up the Volume

Rocket Raccoon Earned His Moment

The Guardians of the Galaxy have become a beloved group of characters in the MCU. They proved that good characterization and story are more important than name recognition. In a world of endless sequels and IP-driven adaptations, they also proved that there’s power and meaning in actually saying goodbye and letting characters ride off into the sunset. It was refreshing, it was moving, and it felt right to have the Guardians go out the same way they came in: showing fans the way.

While it might have felt reasonable to assume that this film would give each character their moment, it rightfully focused on Rocket. Instead of an overstuffed superhero movie, fans were given a moving backstory that had time to breathe, develop, and move them. Rocket has certainly earned his chance to shine, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 certainly delivered.

2

Spider-Man: No Way Home Expanded The Multiverse

But Never Lost Sight of What Was Really Important

Seeing Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield reprise their roles was so much fun and provided an electric movie theater experience, but there was a surprising amount of unresolved emotional baggage from Tobey and Andrew’s films that finally got their resolution. And all without pulling focus from Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. It was a really impressive juggling act in this movie. It pulled off being a conclusion for Holland’s Spider-Man while feeling like a celebration of Spider-Man himself.

It’s also worth noting that Spider-Man: Far From Home, which was also released post-Endgame, is a great movie as well. Tom Holland’s trilogy is anchored by great performances and great on-screen relationships. Peter’s dynamic with Tony is terrific and challenging in Spider-Man: Homecoming, and Peter 1’s dynamic with Peter 2 and Peter 3 makes those cameos feel special and meaningful. Spider-Man: Far From Home is no different. The complicated and dangerous relationship that Peter forms with Quentin Beck is so engaging to watch. It really makes Mysterio feel like a formidable villain, and it makes Peter Parker feel out of his depth, especially after losing Tony Stark.

1

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Was The Best

Shang-Chi is the MCU’s Long-Lost Avenger

In terms of introducing new characters into a familiar world, the wider MCU, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings felt fresh and classic all at once. It reminded fans of all the great origin movies in Phase 1, in the best ways, while also clearly giving audiences representation that they hadn’t seen before. Fans come to these movies with an expectation of seeing cool action set-pieces, and this film delivered on that promise while doing so in a way that was new to the MCU.

It was exciting and fun and left fans wanting more. A lot of the MCU movies since Endgame have felt like watching iconic characters pass the torch to the next generation. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was an introduction to an exciting, brand-new character, who has already managed to fit into the MCU perfectly.

“}]] The MCU train hasn’t stopped in the six years since Avengers: Endgame. A lot of films have been released, but these are the best.  Read More