The Films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe Ranked, Simon’s Edition

Marvel Studios' BLACK WIDOW

Matt loves a list way more than I do, not through any sense of my own hatred of them, but more than I find it hard to find the time or energy to rate art against itself. But Matt’s ranking of the Marvel movies was too interesting to resist texting him my own (very different list), which he then encouraged me to put up as a companion post. So here it is!

Please remember that A) lists aren’t facts, art is subjective and B) my value starts and stops at “is it creative/fun?” these days, so feel free to disagree. We’re both right.

Anyway, here’s my list of Marvels.

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The Films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe Ranked, Black Widow Edition

Marvel Studios' BLACK WIDOW

Well, here’s a thing that I haven’t done in quite a while. The last time I wrote out a full ranking of the films in the MCU there were only 14 entries in the franchise. Only. Now, there are 24, plus the three limited series on Disney+, and if that doesn’t sound like a lot? There are ten movies and ten series on deck in the next two years.

If you had any doubts about the Marvel money train slowing down? Think again!

For the purposes of this list I am only looking at the films, and thinking back on how they all work (or not). This list is obviously my opinion, but feel free to agree or disagree with me here or on the social medias.

Without any further ado, here are all the Marvel films ranked from worst to first, according to Matthew.

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Review: Thor Ragnarok

I really miss the sci-fi movies of my childhood. Big, colourful, often funny, always exhilarating; so much fuel for imaginary spaceship battles around my bedroom. I’m sure much of this comes from older eyes and wearier brains, but I find sci-fi these days to be too bland, too unwilling to risk shapes and ideas. The resurgence of *Star Wars* has taken big steps back to the fantasy side of sci-fi, and *Guardians Of The Galaxy* got close with its amazing ship design and snappy script, but I often felt myself seeking more of the *fun*.

Well, not any more. We’ve known for a while that *Thor Ragnarok* would be colourful and funny – director Taika Waititi’s *What We Do In The Shadows* is one of my all-time favourite comedies – but what I was not prepared for was *Ragnarok* having *so* much more. Far from being all-out comedy, it’s a meaty, gorgeous slice of sci-fi bliss.

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The Films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ranked, 2016 Catch Up Edition

We’re continuing to shake off the dust around here at Awesome Friday HQ, and one easy way to do that is to update the Marvel Fanboy Marvel Cinematic Universe Rankings. Last year there were two additions to the canon of films, _Captain America: Civil War_ and _Doctor Strange_. Each were good, but where do they fit? Let’s take a look.

Last time I did this I grouped the films into three categories, this time I’m doing a straight up ranking. Feel free to agree or disagree with me. In fact, I encourage it.

Now let’s get to it.

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The Films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ranked, Ant-Man Edition

Marvel

It’s been a while since I made one of these lists! There have been two new Marvel films since [last time](https://awesomefriday.ca/2014/08/the-films-of-the-marvel-cinematic-universe-ranked-guardians-of-the-galaxy-edition/) so it’s time to see where they fit into the mix. I rewatched all the Marvel films in the lead up to _Avengers: Age of Ultron_ so the films are still pretty fresh in the mind.

While the movies here are ranked from worst to best, I’m also grouping them into three categories: The ok ones, the good ones, and the great ones. If you’re wondering why there’s no “bad” category it’s both because I still enjoy the “ok” ones and because I can still appreciate the bad ones for the development of characters, story, and themes that run through the entire MCU (even if they’re pretty thin at times). Also also, it’s an exercise in being less negative.

Anyway, let’s get on with this.

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The Films Of The Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ranked, Guardians of the Galaxy Edition

Marvel

_Guardians of the Galaxy_ finally hit theaters this week and absolutely no one should be surprised that [it’s really good](https://awesomefriday.ca/2014/08/review-guardians-of-the-galaxy/). The first question I was asked this morning was “how does it stack up compared to the other Marvel Cinematic Universe films?” So here’s my shiny new updated list which not only adds _Guardians_ but also mixes things up bit from [last time](https://awesomefriday.ca/2014/04/the-films-of-the-marvel-cinematic-universe-ranked/) after a recent re-watch of all the movies.

Fair warning: minor spoilers for all the Marvel movies, including _Guardians of the Galaxy_, to follow.

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The Films Of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ranked

Marvel

So you read my [breakdown of the Marvel Cinematic Universe](https://awesomefriday.ca/2014/04/the-state-of-the-universe-the-current-state-of-and-speculation-on-whats-to-come-in-the-marvel-cinematic-universe/) and are now wondering how I think the films stack up so far? Well, I thought you’d never ask!

No, seriously, what took you so long to ask?

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The State of the Universe: The Current State of, and Speculation on What’s To Come In, The Marvel Cinematic Universe **Updated**

Marvel

I’ve been thinking a lot about the Marvel Cinematic Universe lately. There has been nine feature films to date as well as five short films and sixteen episodes (out of twenty-two) of the television series _Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D._. That’s a lot of storytelling right there so as much for my own benefit as for yours I’m going to run down the current state of the universe as it stands right now, immediately post _Captain America: The Winter Soldier_ and after episode 16 of _Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D._, as I see it and offer some speculation as to where things are going.

This is obviously going to contain spoilers for, well, _everything_ in the MCU so far so my recommendation is to get caught up before you read this. Either that or no complaining. I’m also making predictions about what I think is going to happen moving forward so if I’m right, and I all but know that I am about one thing in particular, then consider this your spoiler warning.

Also go get yourself a cup of coffee or something because this is going to take a while.

Ok? Ok. Let’s do this.

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Review – Thor 2: The Dark World

Thor2

The latest edition of Marvel’s assault on cinemas everywhere is a charming little beast. Thor was always going to be one of the more difficult characters to make the transition from inky page to silver screen, (certainly when compared to his Avengers brethren) but given most of the legwork was done in *Thor* and *The Avengers*, very little time is wasted getting on with the plot, such as it is. Rather than *The Dark World*, they should have called it *The Wibbly Wobbly Time/Space Shifting Shenanigans*. Anthony Hopkins knocks out a bit of exposition (primarily to let you know who to boo – it’s evil elves this time, led by Malekith, played by a virtually indistinguishable Christopher Eccleston) and on with the show we go.

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New Thor: The Dark World Malekith The Accursed Character Poster

Thor: The Dark World, Malekith

Try saying that five times fast.

So far we’ve had character posters for [Thor and Loki](https://awesomefriday.ca/2013/08/thor-and-loki-character-posters-from-thor-the-dark-world/) which were kind of bland. Now Marvel has released one for Malekith, _The Dark World’s_ big bad. It is, in a word, way better.

Oh wait that’s two words.

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