With the arrival of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special’ Marvel Cinematic Universe’s phase four has finally come to an end. In this phase the superhero franchise has released 7 films on the big screen. Most of the movies have fared well at the box office. Yet, majority of the movies have failed to live up to expectations and hype. As we have reached the end of the fourth phase let’s evaluate this phase’s films. Here is a list of Marvel Cinematic Universe phase 4 movies ranked from best to worst.
Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 4 Movies Ranked
1. Spider-Man: No Way Home
Arguably it is the best film on the list. ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ can be easily considered the best movie in MCU’s phase four. The movie was released in 2021, it was one of the most anticipated and awaited movies of its time. Spider-Man: No Way Home was directed by Jon Watts. The movie stars Tom Holland, Zendaya and Benedict Cumberbatch in the main leads. Spider-Man barely fails at the box office, this movie too was super successful at the box office. Spider-Man: No Way Home made more than 1.9 Billion dollars at the office. The film was the biggest Blockbuster of 2021 and is also one the most successful movies of all time. The film was also garnered by positive feedback and good reviews by the critics & the masses.
2. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ is one of the most talked about ventures of 2022. It is the sequel of the 2018 film ‘Black Panther’. The movie gives a perfect tribute to Chadwick Boseman. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever showcases the storyline and struggles of Wakanda post T’Challa’s death. The movie has stunning visuals and great music which adds on to the overall theatrical experience of the emotional movie. This movie is also important for the MCU’s storyline as it introduces some of the prominent characters of the marvel Comics like Namor the Sub-Mariner and Ironheart on the big screen. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has also shattered many records at the box office.
3. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Next on the list is another 2021 film ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’. This movie was an underdog for MCU as it was discarded by many even before its release. The movie was directed by the American Filmmaker & writer Destin Daniel Cretton. The superhero film had actors like Simu Liu, Awkwafina and Tony Chiu-Wai Leung in important roles. In general Shang-Chi had decent reviews and many found its action set pieces very refreshing & unique. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings made more than 430 Million dollars globally and was one of the performers at the Box Office post covid.
4. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Sam Raimi’s ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ wasn’t a bad film nor was a homerun. The movie had very polarizing reviews. A segment believed that the film was too experimental and lacked any core. While the other half believed that the movie was a stepping stone for MCU and found its storyline refreshing & unique. The film heavily relied on the strong shoulders of Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen. And the duo did deliver great performances on screen. The reviews of the movie might be polarizing or mixed but the Box Office numbers weren’t. In the first week the Benedict & Elizabeth starrer Marvel movie had an extraordinary run at the box office. According to sources the movie made more than 950 Million dollars globally.
5. Black Widow
Cate Shortland’s ‘Black Widow’ was an action packed thriller which gives us a glimpse of the life of Black Widow aka Natasha Romanoff. Where she is depicted confronting the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises. The movie was celebrated by Black Widow and Scarlett Johansson’s fans. As the Avengers team member was finally getting her standalone superhero flick. However, Johansson’s standalone superhero film wasn’t as successful as her counterparts like Captain Marvel and Wonder Woman. Apart from Scarlett Johansson the movie had actors like Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Rachel Weisz and Ray Winstone.
6. Eternals
Marvel Cinematic Universe’s 2021 release ‘Eternals’ finds itself on the sixth spot. The movie was directed by the Chinese film director ‘Chloé Zhao’. This film showcased the saga of the Eternals (a race of immortal beings) who lived on Earth and have shaped the history and civilizations. The film had a long list of stars who were portraying the roles of some of the most popular humanoid & superhero characters of marvel comics. It had actors like Angelina Jolie, Kit Harington, Salma Hayek, Gemma Chan and Richard Madden in the primary roles. Despite being an under-welling film, Eternals made more than 400 Million dollars at the box office.
7. Thor: Love and Thunder
‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ isn’t the worst movie on the list but it’s mediocrity even after great marketing and hype makes it the last name on our list. Taika Waititi’s directed ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ was one of the most talked about and hyped projects of 2022. All thanks to Chris Hemsworth and Thor’s mass appeal, the film had unmatched hype and buzz. However, the highly anticipated movie failed to please both the critics and the audiences. Despite poor reviews and negative word-of-mouth the film managed to make more than 750 Million dollars at the box office.
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