Marvel studios has come out with its fair share of superhero films over the years. From “Iron Man,” starring Robert Downey Jr. as the brilliant billionaire, Tony Stark, to the brand new “Deadpool Vs. Wolverine,” starring Ryan Reynolds as the comedic relief antihero, Wade Wilson, and Hugh Jackman as the gruff and rugged, Logan. Marvel has made some amazing movies, some that probably impacted people on a deeper level. While they tend to be more comedic than your typical DC superhero movie, they also touch on subjects that make you feel for the characters and might make you get emotional. So, today I will be listing my top 10 Marvel movies, and hope to hear what yours are, too.
10.”Doctor Strange” (2016)- In 2016, the first “Doctor Strange” film hit theaters, and critics say it was a success. I didn’t watch this movie until I was at least 10 or 11 years old, and when I turned it on, boy was I amazed. The imagery of this film was crazy. It really made you feel like you were being thrown all over the place. To be honest, if I had seen this movie in the theaters, I probably would have gotten sick because of how much movement there is. But the imagery of this movie is not the only thing that makes it great. There is great character development in this story. Stephen Strange first starts out as an arrogant, know-it-all surgeon, until he gets into a car wreck. That car wreck changed who he was, and threw him down into a deep pit of depression. In desperation to find healing, he travels to Kamar-Taj where he does find it, but not in the way he expected. He does not find healing over his body, but healing over his mind. He comes to realize that the mind is really what gives us strength and learns to use it to save the world.
9.”The Avengers” (2012)- In 2012, Marvel’s most well-known group of heroes were brought to the big screen and were given a whopping 91% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. I was a bit younger when I first watched the movie, but it really opened my mind to the MCU. This is the group that started it all. The original six, Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye. These were the heroes that fans of the comics were most excited to see together in a film. Though this is not my favorite “Avengers” movie, it is definitely the one that got me interested in all of the amazing characters. I found Loki to be an incredible villain. He was cunning and humorous, and I loved how he was a villain with a connection to one of the heroes, Thor. Overall, the movie was very entertaining and just made me love Marvel movies even more.
8. “Ant Man” (2015)- When I watched “Ant Man” for the first time, I loved it. I typically prefer the more comedic Marvel movies, and this one hit the spot for me. I really enjoyed the story overall and thought Paul Rudd was perfect for the part. Honestly, I probably wouldn’t have liked it as much if he wasn’t in it. Another thing about this film that I really loved was the father-daughter relationship. It was heartwarming to get a superdad, just trying to be there for his daughter and doing whatever it takes to protect her. I love how Scott tries to put his criminal history behind him, and tries to be there for his daughter as much as he possibly can.
7. “The Avengers: Endgame” (2019) – When I first saw “The Avengers: Infinity War”, I was left emotionally scarred. It was such an amazing movie and I just couldn’t wait to see what happened next. When I heard that “Endgame” was coming out, I was so excited. I saw this movie in the theaters, and it was great. Did it surpass “Infinity War”? No, no it did not, however I thought it did very well. I enjoyed how in the end, all the heroes came together to defeat Thanos, and was teary-eyed when the movie was over. So, overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the film, and can’t wait for another “Avengers” movie to release.
6. “Captain America: Civil War” (2016) – “Civil War” is by far my favorite “Captain America” movie. I enjoyed how it was almost like an “Avengers” movie in a way, but you could also tell that it was different. I enjoy the superhero vs superhero conflict in this film and loved how I could see both sides of the story. I was definitely all for Cap and his protection of Bucky, and the protection of superhero rights. I also sympathize with Tony, who couldn’t help but feel guilty for the lives he couldn’t save during the fight with Ultron, as well as his anger toward Bucky and the death of his parents. It’s honestly so hard to pick a side in this movie because you just want them both to win, and in the end, you feel kind of disheartened by the split in the group. Overall, this movie was great and I just loved the action and emotion put into it.
5.”Spider-Man: No Way Home” (2021) – I have seen all of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man films, and I love them. I just love how Holland really gives the teenager feel to Peter Parker, unlike Andrew Garfield and Toby Maguire who feel a lot older than your average high schooler. However, “No Way Home” has got to be my favorite out of the three movies. What made this movie so great for me was the return of previous villains from the Toby Maguire and Andrew Garfield movies. I remember being so excited when I saw Green Goblin for the first time. It just made me so happy to see Tom’s Peter Parker, taking care of these villains and trying to help them all. But, the one thing that made this movie perfect, was the crossover between Maquire’s Spider-Man, Garfield’s Spider-Man, and Holland’s Spider-Man. When I saw Andrew Garfield appear on screen, I was all smiles, and smiled even bigger when I saw Toby Maquire. I loved seeing all three of them working together to stop the villains and returning them to their correct dimensions. It was hilarious, but was also very serious at times, and was just a great film overall.
4.”Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume. 3″ (2023) – Over the last few years, Marvel has hit a few dark patches in their movie making. I won’t say which movies, but I will say that recently, their ideas just seem to be plain/bland. However, when I turned on “Guardians of the Galaxy 3”, I fell back in love with Marvel. If anyone knows me personally, they should know that I am a huge “Guardians of the Galaxy” guru, and LOVED the first movie. I had high expectations for the third film and I think it met all of those expectations. I loved how it went deeper into Rocket’s past, which no one really knew much about until now. Of course, I loved the comedy, but I also may have spilled a few tears in the flashbacks of Rocket and his friends. My heart broke for Rocket, as well as for Peter (Star Lord), who really showed how much his friends meant to him, especially Rocket. I really enjoyed watching this movie and cannot wait to see the Guardians again.
3. “Thor: Ragnarok” (2017) – Thor has always been one of my favorite Marvel heroes. He’s hilarious, but he also can be serious when it comes to protecting those he loves. In this movie, we find out that Loki is still alive, and the interactions between him and Thor are amazing. They are just like two young brothers, arguing with one another over a toy. I cannot forget the amazing villain in this movie, either. Hella. Oh my word, I love this girl. She is such a cool villain, and I liked how yet again, Thor has to face another sibling in combat. This film was so fun, and I really enjoyed how it all played out. Hopefully, Marvel will make another “Thor” movie, like this one!
2.”The Avengers: Infinity Wars” (2018) – I’m pretty sure that this was the first Marvel movie I ever watched the whole way through and…wow… This movie is so good, it’s just amazing. I loved how all the different heroes that weren’t even considered to be Avengers were included in the story (especially the Guardians of the Galaxy!!!) I liked how it left off with a loss for the heroes, and I loved Thanos as the villain. This movie was so action-packed and the stakes were so high that I was on the edge of my seat for the entire film. I thought everyone did such a great job, and I thought acting was amazing. It was just perfect, and I definitely would not consider any other “Avengers” movie over this one. “The Avengers: Doomsday” and “The Avengers: Secret Wars” better be pretty good in order to top this one.
1. “Guardians of the Galaxy” (2014) – This was probably expected from those who have read this list the whole way through, as I have already mentioned how big of a “Guardians” fan I am. This movie is just amazing. I love Chris Pratt as Star Lord, and I just think the cast was amazing. Rocket and Groot are the best dynamic duo, and Gamora is so cool. Of course, you can’t forget Drax who is hilarious. This group is just fantastic, and I love the comedy, but I also love how there are some serious moments in this movie, too. I won’t spoil the end, but I will say that it is so gut-wrenching and I just love it. The story is great and I just really felt a connection with the characters. These are all the things that puts this movie at the top of my list, and I don’t think I’d want it to change in any way.
