The Marvel Cinematic Universe has had its ups and downs in 2025. Whatever hope in the MCU was stoked by the record-breaking release of "Deadpool and Wolverine" has since been tempered by the not-so-successful "Captain America: Brave New World," which itself was followed up by the well-regarded box office hit "Thunderbolts*" and the lauded introduction of the Fantastic Four. Now the pressure is on for future movies scheduled to be released over the next few years. In the meantime, this personal — but authoritative — ranking compares the latest blockbusters to all the other films in the MCU.
15. 'Eternals'
Chloé Zhao's "Eternals" is a sprawling, overstuffed superhero epic that gets bogged down in mythology and exposition while not fleshing out all the characters equally well. It is also not the visual feast fans expected from the "Nomadland" director, and Zhao doesn't earn the long running time.
14. 'Thor: Love and Thunder'
Taika Waititi goes full Taika Waititi in "Thor: Love and Thunder," a step down from "Ragnarok" that overindulges in goofy comedy. It's all too much at a certain point. The (a)tonal contrast between infantile humor and a storyline about Jane Foster suffering from cancer is jarring, to say the least.
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13. 'Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania'
The appeal of the prior "Ant-Man" films was their lower stakes and scenes of Scott Lang growing and shrinking in recognizable environments. By trying to be a high-stakes epic set in a microscopic world, "Quantumania" loses both of those draws, but at least the comedy lands more consistently than in "Love and Thunder."
12. 'Captain America: Brave New World'
Anthony Mackie's charm was insufficient to keep the latest "Captain America" entry afloat. "Captain America: Brave New World" marked the actor's first solo silver screen turn as Sam Wilson since taking over the role of Captain America from Chris Evans' Steve Rogers, and it was by no means a box office flop. However, the film also had a lot riding on it, and simply did not live up to the expectations of many fans; the critical reception reflected that.
The film is evidence that the bigwigs at Marvel Studios are "victims of their own success" that have "somehow turned their vaunted production enterprise into a giant slop machine," Bilge Ebiri said at Vulture.
11. 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness'
It's admirable that Marvel allowed Sam Raimi to put his stamp on "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," which is at its best when leaning into the horror. But more coordination with the "WandaVision" team was needed, as the film betrays Wanda by negating her arc from the show. Her transition from sympathetic protagonist to evil villain is far too abrupt.
10. 'The Marvels'
"The Marvels" is the shortest film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and it feels like it. The plot is rushed, the villain is underdeveloped, and Carol Danvers lacks a strong arc that she sorely needed after having amnesia for much of "Captain Marvel." Spending more time to dig into her state of mind would have been wise given decades of the character's life have been skipped over. But the conceit of the heroes swapping places creates some inventive and lively action, and Larson, Teyonah Parris and Iman Vellani have so much fun together that the movie is a breezy, if messy, good time. Vellani is the MVP as a wide-eyed Ms. Marvel, proving her hiring was Marvel's best casting decision since Robert Downey Jr.
9. 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'
"Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" is a moving tribute to Chadwick Boseman that turned out far better than anyone expected given the tragic circumstances. Its success is largely thanks to the performances of Dominique Thorne and Tenoch Huerta. The film, though, gets sidetracked setting things up for the future, à la "Iron Man 2."
8. 'Black Widow'
The biggest problem with "Black Widow" is that it came out five years too late. The Natasha Romanoff solo film was needed around 2016, when the character was still alive. Putting that aside, this is a propulsive spy thriller with solid action, and the sisterly dynamic between Scarlett Johansson and Florence Pugh is the star of the show.
7. 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings'
If all of "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" was like its spectacular 45-minute opening, it might be one of the best MCU films. As is, it's still a strong origin story with Marvel's most well-choreographed fight sequences, and, refreshingly, it can mostly be enjoyed on its own.
6. 'Thunderbolts*'
Here is one that exceeded all expectations — mainly because "Thunderbolts*" was expected to be another standard tentpole film that didn't move the MCU needle. However, the film, retroactively retitled "The New Avengers," is clearly setting up a team led by Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) to make a big mark in the next phase of Marvel entertainment.
Marvel quiz
5. 'Deadpool & Wolverine'
The anticipation for the return of Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman as two of the most iconic Marvel characters was palpable leading up to the film’s release this past summer. "Deadpool & Wolverine" combines some of the best aspects of the more successful post-'Avengers: Endgame' entries. Chock-full of superhero cameos and hilarious R-rated hijinks, this meta take on the MCU's multiverse era harkens back to the early days of Marvel. Reynolds' irreverent Deadpool and Jackman's stoic Wolverine are a memorable duo, atoning for some of the earlier sins of Marvel's past.
4. 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps'
Marvel took a big swing with the introduction to their first family, with an all-star cast of Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Joseph Quinn making up the quartet of Mr. Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Thing and the Human Torch, respectively. But it was a gamble that paid off, as "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" finally broke the "Fantastic Four" curse, grossing over $400 million worldwide and earning rave reviews for its 1960s aesthetic and the portrayal of its villains, Galactus and the Silver Surfer.
3. 'Spider-Man: No Way Home'
Yes, "Spider-Man: No Way Home" is the ultimate example of fan service. But it's fan service done well. The film finds a smart way to bring Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire into the story to support the arc of Tom Holland's Peter Parker, not simply to make the audience cheer.
2. 'Spider-Man: Far From Home'
"Spider-Man: Far From Home" is an underrated Spidey entry that grapples with the events of "Endgame" but also the fundamental conflict of Spider-Man, as Peter's personal life is repeatedly derailed by his duty to protect others. The film benefits from a more focused story than "No Way Home," and Jake Gyllenhaal's Mysterio is the Tom Holland trilogy's most compelling villain.
1. 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3'
Before he launched the new DC Universe with "Superman," James Gunn played all the right notes in the "Guardians of the Galaxy" finale, an emotional send-off that's as weird-but-heartfelt as we'd want from the director's Marvel swan song. Only he could make an audience weep as a CGI raccoon hugs a CGI otter, and the film handles Gamora's death in a mature, affecting way. The Guardians will surely return. If they don't, Gunn gave this series the cathartic ending it deserved.
What next?
A major part of Marvel's next phase was teased in "The Fantastic Four: First Steps," as a post-credit scene revealed the first look at Marvel's next big bad, Dr. Doom (Robert Downey Jr.). Doom will make his official debut in "Avengers Doomsday," set to be released in December 2026. But before that, Tom Holland will swing back into theaters with "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," set for a July 2026 release.
Marvel recently revealed more of the cast for "Avengers: Doomsday" in a five-hour-long livestream. Alongside some returning MCU vets, a few characters from 20th Century Fox's "X-Men" series were also confirmed to be appearing in the film, which recently went into production. Some confirmed X-Men actors include Patrick Stewart (Prof. X), Ian McKellen (Magneto), James Marsden (Cyclops) and Rebecca Romijn (Mystique). Following "Doomsday," another "Avengers" film, "Avengers: Secret Wars" will hit theaters in 2027.
