At its best, Marvel movies can be filled with heart, soul, comedy, drama, action, and adventure. These films can be an emotional rollercoaster from beginning to end. They understand the relationships, stakes, and characters while balancing the tone perfectly from the script to the actor's portrayals. Marvel movies can develop an origin story into a franchise, perfectly execute a longtime coming battle, or introduce a beloved team. Given the emotional stakes behind Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, each of their places as a top 10 Marvel movie is to be expected. These films were years in the making, introducing characters preparing for the ultimate battle.
The Rotten Tomatoes ranking also connects with who fans had picked as beloved characters and films. The audience's love of Peter Parker comes through as he is featured in many of the highly ranked films. But, there would be no franchise without the initial success of Iron Man, which was the start of the proof that a superhero movie could be the start of a much bigger franchise if it is given the time, structure, and love it needs to flourish. Unsurprisingly, other films that were major blockbuster hits, such as Black Panther, also make the list.
10 Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) - 90%
One of the most complex superhero films ever made, Peter Parker deals with the aftermath of Tony Stark's death while attempting to figure out the right time and place to confess his feelings for MJ. Spider-Man: Far From Home forces Peter to confront the question of real versus fantasy, as Mysterio creates a variety of false realities for Peter to deal with. But, for as central as the action and adventure are, it is also a very much alive romantic comedy as MJ unravels Peter's identity as Spider-Man while he desperately tries to keep himself together long enough to try and save the day.
9 Shang-Chi and The Legend Of The Ten Rings (2021) - 91%
As the first origin story in the aftermath of Avengers: Endgame, there was a lot riding on Shang-Chi and The Legend Of The Ten Rings to lead the MCU into its next phase of story and characters. Although Phase Four as a whole has been known to be the worst of them all, Shang-Chi and The Legend Of The Ten Rings still delivers a solid story, background, and selection of characters. While it may not be as fast-paced or information-heavy as other MCU films that were coming out around the same time, it should not have been, as this is Shang-Chi's introduction to the MCU, so his story acting more similar to a Phase One film allows the movie to flourish.
8 The Avengers (2012) - 91%
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
As the first team-up movie, The Avengers needed to get it right. Plenty of the following elements of the franchise relied on The Avengers being an integral movie, as it introduces the main heroes to each other. In the end, The Avengers was one of the MCU's most successful projects. Using Loki as the villain worked in its favor, since the antagonist was a known connection to Thor. The rising tensions between Steve and Tony, as they work their way to a balance between disagreement and teamwork, is part of the foundation needed to set up the growing animosity but underlying sense of solidarity they share in future installments. The post-credits scene introducing Thanos also helps give the audience a glimpse into showing where the story is going, even if they did not recognize the true significance yet.
7 Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) - 92%
Disney
Guardians of the Galaxy is a team origin story, showing each of the members coming together to escape prison, only to have to rely on each other for a bigger journey. It is the start of a found family that remains strong in the following installments. Peter Quill catching an Infinity Stone teases his true ancestry, while Groot's sacrifice makes room for introducing Baby Groot later on. This is also the first time Thanos is shown as a real villain, rather than only showing him in a post-credits scene.
Gamora and Nebula's complicated relationship as sisters and rivals also helps the movie ground itself in familial strife in addition to the space and fantasy elements.
6 Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) - 92%
Peter Parker's first solo movie kept the identity of a Marvel movie but moved it into a high school setting. However, while Spider-Man: Homecoming features many teenage moments, this movie is best remembered for the relationship between Tony Stark and Peter Parker. Their father-son or mentor-mentee relationship is a fan-favorite that relies on Peter's wish to prove himself to Tony, and how Tony's treatment of Peter can be comically like a small child at certain points.
While Spider-Man: Homecoming addresses the fallout of Captain America: Civil War, this movie never lets itself get too serious until the moment calls for Peter to understand how going against Tony could have cost people their lives.
5 Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) - 93%
The most tragic film in the trilogy finds Peter reeling after his identity is revealed to the world. It is a heavily emotional film, but also one that perfectly prepares the audience for the Multiverse Saga. Taking advantage of previous Spider-Man movies, No Way Home calls in familiar villains to invade Peter's home universe and even brings the two other Peter Parkers along for the ride. It is a movie of redemption, emotional closure, and tragedy for all three Peter Parker counterparts. While the movie features plenty of comedy, the ending results in a harsh new world for Peter, who must embrace one of the biggest sacrifices by any MCU character.
4 Thor: Ragnarok (2017) - 93%
Easily the best of the Thor films, Thor: Ragnarok drops the Shakespearean language, replacing it with more current-day speech and tones. Thor is not the brooding God of Thunder but instead an upbeat and comical protagonist. Thor: Ragnarok allows Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Tessa Thompson, and Mark Ruffalo to play with their comedic timing and embrace the funnier side of the MCU. It leans into the seriousness of losing Asgard with the light-hearted jokes of the Hulk beating up Thor, much to Loki's excitement.
3 Iron Man (2008) - 94%
The first Marvel movie needed to make a splash. If it failed, there may not have been a Marvel Cinematic Universe. Luckily, Tony Stark's first outing as Iron Man was a success, and the franchise continued to build from it. Before the MCU could become the sensation it is known as, audiences needed to love Tony Stark, a rich, selfish playboy whose traumatic experience leads him to recognize that he needs to undergo a massive shift in his professional life. Tony Stark is one of the anchors of the franchise, and this movie is one of the reasons why.
2 Avengers: Endgame (2019) - 94%
One of the most anticipated movies ever made, Avengers: Endgame, needed to address the Thanos Snap that killed half the universe's population. The movie's decision to lean into itself by using a time travel scheme is one of the highlights of the movie, as the Avengers go back in time to some of the franchise's biggest moments, such as the attack in New York during The Avengers, Star Lord's rendition of "Come and Get Your Love" in Guardians of the Galaxy, or Jane's visit to Asgard in Thor: The Dark World. The final war, when everyone reunites on the battlefield, is one of the most significant moments in the franchise.
1 Black Panther (2018) - 96%
T'Challa takes on the role of Black Panther in the movie that fully introduces Wakanda. Black Panther asks important questions of its heroes and villains, as Killmonger has one significant point he wants to make. Wakanda has a large amount of vibranium and advanced technology. Why has the country never shared this with the rest of the world?
Black Panther's setting allows it to feel separate from the rest of the MCU in terms of the film being about who will lead Wakanda rather than a worldwide conflict or threat. Everything from the costumes to the sets has an entirely different aesthetic and appeal, which only adds to the growing world and the emotions behind T'Challa's struggle to take on the role of King following his father's death.