The 12 Best Marvel Movies Ranked - And Where to Watch Them
When it comes to superhero movies, no one does it quite like Marvel. Between the high stakes, mind-bending tales, epic love stories and unbeatable characters, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has it all, making household names out of characters like Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and the Hulk, among many others that have been presented over the past 16 years.
There have been 33 movies total (so far), out of which we've ranked the 12 best Marvel films here.
12. Black Widow (2021)
Prior to this film, Marvel fans had only seen the assassin known as Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) in supporting roles. This one, however, follows Natasha on her journey to confront her family and old nemesis in The Red Room. It takes place between Avengers: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War and stars Florence Pugh, Rachel Weisz and David Harbour.
You can watch this film on Disney+.
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11. Captain Marvel (2019): Best Marvel movies
In this pivotal film, Brie Larson stars as Carol Danvers (AKA Captain Marvel) as she tries to master her strange powers and end the intergalactic war between the Kree and the Skrulls. This was Marvel's first feature film with a female lead character while at the same time giving fans more insight into Nick Fury's (Samuel L. Jackson) mysterious past.
You can watch this film on Disney+.
10. Black Panther (2018)
Viewers are taken across the globe to the fictional country of Wakanda, Africa, in this 2018 Blockbuster film. T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) is still reeling from his father's death in Captain America: Civil War, when his violent cousin Erik Killminger (Michel. B Jordan) shows up and threatens to take both Wakanda and the power of the Black Panther from him. Letitia Wright, Danai Gurira, Lupita Nyong'o and Angela Bassett also appear.
You can watch this film on Disney+.
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9. Iron Man (2008): Best Marvel movies
It's the film that started it all. Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is a billionaire inventor who makes his living selling weapons overseas. But when a business trip goes bad, Tony ends up kidnapped and must rely on his wits and knowledge to get him out. Enter the Iron Man suit.
You can watch this film on Disney+.
8. The Avengers (2012)
The Avengers marked the end of Phase One in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It follows Iron Man (Downey), Captain America (Chris Evans), the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Black Widow (Johansson), and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) as they all team up for an epic battle against Loki (Tom Hiddleston), who is willing to do anything and everything to conquer, even if it means killing his own brother and destroying New York City in the process.
You can watch this film on Disney+.
7. Doctor Strange (2016): Best Marvel movies
Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Dr. Stephen Strange, who stumbles upon natural medicine after losing use of his hands following a devastating car accident. But his holistic practices are only the tip of the iceberg, because soon Strange begins to learn that reality isn't what it seems. It's the most mind-bending Marvel movie to date and it takes movie watchers through time and around the universe. It is also the first time the Time Stone gets introduced, which becomes very important later in the franchise.
You can watch this film on Disney+.
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6. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
In the third Thor movie, our favorite Asgardian God of Thunder teams up with his brother Loki to try and defeat their secret sister Hela (Cate Blanchett). Tessa Thompson, Jeff Goldblum, Mark Ruffalo and Taika Waititi also appear.
You can watch this film on Disney+.
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5. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017): Best Marvel movies
No one ever expected a group of alien criminals to defend the galaxy, but that is exactly what happened in the first Guardians of the Galaxy installment. And now, the gang is back together again to protect one of their own from a vicious group called the Sovereign. This film stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Kurt Russell, Vin Deisel, Karen Gillan, Dave Bautista and Bradley Cooper.
You can watch this film on Disney+.
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4. Avengers Infinity War (2018)
If only we could snap our fingers and see this film for the first time again. Everything has led up to this moment: Thanos (Josh Brolin) is on a mission to collect six Infinity Stones and erase half of Earth's population, and the Avengers are determined to stop him. But, they can't do it alone — in come The Guardians, the people of Wakanda, Dr. Strange, Spider-Man, some old villains and more. But even that might not be enough, because Thanos is as determined as he is deadly, and for once The Avengers might not save the day. This is the sixth highest-grossing movie of all time.
You can watch this film on Disney+.
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3. Captain America: Civil War (2016): Best Marvel movies
It's Avengers vs. Avengers in this battle for political power. Captain America (Chris Evans) believes that superheroes should be free to save the world using whatever means necessary and without government interference, but Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) disagrees. Tensions soon rise, and all the other Avengers, as well as some shocking allies, are forced to take sides and fight against their friends turned foes.
You can watch this film on Disney+.
2. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
In this epic and life-changing phase three finale, the remaining Avengers team up for one last battle to try and right their wrongs from five years ago, which ended in half the universe simply blipping out of existence due to Thanos. But can they defeat him once and for all? Only time will tell. This is the second-highest-grossing film of all time.
You can watch this film on Disney+.
1. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021): Best Marvel movies
Rounding out the best Marvel movies list is none other than the once-in-a-lifetime multiversal team-up movie Spider-Man: No Way Home. After his identity is revealed to the world, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) turns to Dr. Strange to try and fix it and make everyone forget. In doing so, the two accidentally open a portal between worlds, allowing every villain Spider-Man has ever faced to come through. This entry is filled with heart, laughs and some super fun cameos.
You can watch this film on Amazon Prime Video.
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