Marvel Cinematic Universe - Infinity Saga Rated

Avengers: Endgame was right around the corner at the time of this article and was not able to write full reviews of every single installment. However, I did have more than enough time to leave my quick thoughts on each of the movies in this opinion piece. No, this is NOT one of those ranking posts! I will only offer my humble opinion on each film, in order of release, and give them a rating.

From the very first Iron Man to the latest Spider-Man movie, passing through all of the Avengers films and their respective superheroes origin stories … Some films have a spoiler-free review available, so be sure to check those as well.

If you’re on mobile, please turn your phone into landscape (horizontal) mode, so you can read my thoughts on each film. Thank you!

Iron Man (2008)

The movie that started it all. Robert Downey Jr. establishes himself as the face of the MCU by delivering a later-to-be-iconic performance as Iron Man. It’s still to this day one of the best superhero origin films to be released.

Rating: A

The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Not only The Incredible Hulk suffers from cringe-worthy CGI and narrative issues, Edward Norton also ends up leaving his role as the green monster. The most forgettable installment of this universe.

Rating: C-

Iron Man 2 (2010)

What better way to get back on track by producing a sequel to the superhero everyone wanted to see again? Iron Man 2 doesn’t pack the consistency of its predecessor, but it stills delivers on entertainment.

Rating: B+

Thor (2011)

Three years after its beginning, the MCU casts Chris Hemsworth as Thor in the film that I believe started to generate the formula to a successful origin movie. Not bad, not amazing, but entertaining enough with an extremely likable superhero at its center.

Rating: B

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Following the success of Thor, Chris Evans takes the role of Captain America and he couldn’t be a better fit. It’s the less superhero-ish origin film in the MCU and it’s precisely that realism and war drama that makes this a great movie.

Rating: B+

The Avengers (2012)

There’s no denying it. The Avengers is the dream that fans always wished it would come true. A terrific milestone in universe-building history and a massive step towards something that we now know it’s pretty unbelievable. One of the best superhero movies of all-time.

Rating: A+

Iron Man 3 (2013)

The film that kicked off Phase Two is somewhat of a disappointment, but it’s still a few levels better than the worst movie of Phase One. RDJ couldn’t save the logical problems of the screenplay.

Rating: C+

Thor: The Dark World (2013)

However, the sequel to Thor is anything but great. Even if it doesn’t carry the VFX issues of The Incredible Hulk, its story is not only incredibly cliche, but it’s convoluted as hell and even boring.

Rating: C-

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Marvel did it again. Winter Soldier surpasses The Avengers and it becomes the movie to beat, in my opinion. Its mind-blowing action and unique story elevate what it’s still to this day put against The Dark Knight as the best comic-book film ever. Chris Evans also becomes one of my favorite actors and Captain America one of my favorite superheroes.

Rating: A+

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Who would have thought that a movie that no one was remotely interested in, became one of Marvel most successful and entertaining films to grace the big screen? The best (and certainly funnier) origin movie of the MCU, right up there with Iron Man. Also, this is the film that proved that Marvel couldn’t fail at casting its main heroes.

Rating: A

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

The Avengers team-up once again and even if Age of Ultron isn’t another massive hit, it still carries a pretty decent story. The narrative issues are there, but I still enjoyed it quite a lot. One of the most underrated installments of the universe.

Rating: B+

Ant-Man (2015)

Another entertaining yet formulaic origin story, this time starring Paul Rudd. I believe Marvel‘s comedy became a trademark with Ant-Man, even if it had always been present in previous films. Funny and with a great cast once again, but still an “okay” movie.

Rating: B

Captain America: Civil War (2016)

The often called Avengers 2.5 has, by far, the best action since the start of the MCU and a story focused on a political drama, putting our heroes against each other. The airport battle sequence is one of the best and biggest action set pieces to this date, but it’s only incredible because it’s filled with characters we love and care about.

Rating: A+

Doctor Strange (2016)

Another major casting choice that’s perfect. Benedict Cumberbatch embodies Dr. Strange seamlessly, delivering a brilliant performance in the most mystical origin film of the MCU. Great addition to the franchise.

Rating: B+

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 (2017)

The sequel to one of the best MCU movies falls short precisely by using too much of what was successful the first time around. The comedy bits feels forced and excessive while GOTG 1 had a perfect balance.

Rating: B

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

Finally, Spider-Man returns to Marvel as a standalone film after a shiny first appearance in Civil War. Tom Holland nails his role as the web-slinger and Michael Keaton started what was going to be a series of great MCU villains.

Rating: B+

Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

The hero with the worst films so far got “reborned” with Ragnarok. Taika Waititi‘s humor elevates what already is an amazingly entertaining movie, with fantastic new additions like Valkyrie to the vast team of super-powered people.

Rating: A-

Black Panther (2018)

The first comic-book movie to ever be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. Is it really the best superhero film of all-time? No. But it’s one of the best, it carries a compelling and culturally significant story, and it nails the casting of its main hero once again.

Rating: A-

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

The moment that everyone was waiting for since 2012. Thanos is undoubtedly the best MCU villain, the entertainment levels were never as high, as well as the stakes. It’s THE movie. Even if the ending didn’t create an emotional impact on me due to my knowledge (and everyone’s really) of how the franchise would carry on after this, it’s still a highly exciting film with tremendous replay value.

Rating: A-

Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

Being released after the most shocking and dark film of the universe, Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly incredible chemistry isn’t enough to save an otherwise convoluted, illogical at times and unfunny sequel.

Rating: C+

Captain Marvel (2019)

Introducing a new superhero, especially one as important and powerful as Carol Danvers, so late in the Infinity Saga, it’s a huge risk. Not only the controversy surrounding Brie Larson damaged the actress and consequently the movie’s image, but Marvel went back to the safe and “okay” origin films. It’s still carries a good enough story and Larson proves that she is, indeed, a great actress, even if I expect more from her in the future.

Rating: B-

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

The last hour is f*cking insane. Endgame surpasses all expectations. It's everything I wished for and so much more. I could easily spend a whole day at the movie theater and watch three sessions in a row. It's that good. One of the best comic-book films of all-time, without a single doubt.

Rating: A+

Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

I prefer Far From Home to Homecoming since the former deals with a much more complex and emotionally compelling story than the origin flick. The cast is brilliant, especially Tom Holland who cements his spot as the best on-screen web-slinger ever. It’s the movie the MCU needed after the tragic events of Endgame.

Rating: B+