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Marvel Cinematic Universe: The Infinity Saga ranked! All 23 films from worst to best
We rank every film in the MCU’s Infinity Saga! From Avengers to Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain Marvel, and more: who got first place, and which movie was the worst?
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When fans think of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, most think of the Infinity Saga. The MCU’s Infinity Saga began in 2008 with Iron Man before ending in 2019 with Spider-Man: Far From Home. Those 23 films, which made up the MCU’s first three Phases, are filled with so many gems (no pun intended), character introductions and mic drop moments. But how do these films rank against one another, and which one is the best? We’ve thought about that. Here's our full ranking of all 23 MCU Infinity Saga movies.
How we came up with our MCU Infinity Saga ranking
These rankings were determined based on a few factors, including writing, directing, and acting quality. However, since film enjoyment is subjective, this list is primarily based on how much I enjoyed each film. Rankings are subjective, and I won’t pretend mine is infallible; if you feel Doctor Strange should be higher or think Thor: The Dark World should’ve gotten the top spot, feel free to drop your own ranking in the comments section.
Additionally, this list only applies to Marvel Studios movies that make up the Infinity Saga. Although Marvel Television projects like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Daredevil were released during this period, they aren’t considered part of the Infinity Saga.
TL;dr - MCU Infinity Saga Ranked
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
- Avengers: Endgame
- Avengers: Infinity War
- Captain America: The First Avenger
- Guardians of the Galaxy
- Captain America: Civil War
- Black Panther
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier
- The Avengers
- Thor
- Avengers: Age of Ultron
- Spider-Man: Homecoming
- Ant-Man
- Thor: Ragnarok
- Iron Man
- Spider-Man: Far From Home
- Iron Man 3
- Captain Marvel
- Doctor Strange
- The Incredible Hulk
- Iron Man 2
- Ant-Man and the Wasp
- Thor: The Dark World
MCU Infinity Saga Ranked - The Full List
23 – Thor: The Dark World
Thor: The Dark World has its enjoyable moments, and Tom Hiddleston’s performance as Loki is a bright spot, but it’s ultimately the weakest film in the MCU Infinity Saga. The villain, Malekith, isn’t memorable, and the pacing is uneven. Despite Jane Foster’s peril, and the death of Thor’s mother Frigga, it doesn’t feel like the film has stakes. Coming off The Avengers, which was released the previous year, this felt like a letdown.
22 – Ant-Man and the Wasp
Ant-Man and the Wasp isn’t a bad movie, but it’s not particularly memorable either. It suffered from being released after Avengers: Infinity War and before Captain Marvel and Avengers: Endgame, which didn’t give it a lot of room for attention. There are some great bits with Paul Rudd as Scott Lang, and some creative uses for the Pym Particles. Otherwise, it’s one of the more forgettable films in the MCU Infinity Saga.
21 – Iron Man 2
Iron Man 2 has a lot of redeeming qualities, but it suffers from pacing issues. The middle act drags, and it feels like the film would’ve been a lot better if it was 15 or 20 minutes shorter. Robert Downey Jr. carries the film as Tony Stark, and the film also gave us the first appearance of Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, and Don Cheadle’s first outing as War Machine. There’s a lot of fun stuff here, but the weak middle act ultimately brings the film down.
20 – The Incredible Hulk
The Incredible Hulk is somewhat of an oddity in the MCU. It’s the only film to feature Edward Norton as the Hulk before Mark Ruffalo took over. The film never got a sequel due to the tangled rights issues with Universal Pictures. It’s also the second MCU film, which means the cinematic universe was still trying to figure itself out. There are still some cool moments here, including the Hulk’s battle against Abomination. It’s interesting to watch this film and ponder the direction the MCU could’ve gone in had Norton remained and Marvel and Universal figured out how to make a sequel.
19 – Doctor Strange
Scott Derrickson understood the assignment when he directed Doctor Strange. Some of the scenes depicting magic are downright psychedelic, honoring Steve Ditko’s early Doctor Strange comics. Benedict Cumberbatch is also expertly cast as Stephen Strange, with his charisma stealing every scene he’s in. The film ultimately could’ve used more Dormammu, but aside from that, it’s a solid origin story.
18 – Captain Marvel
Captain Marvel is the only film in the Infinity Saga to have a solo female lead character, which feels particularly notable considering there are 23 movies in this list. A large part of the movie is set in 1995, which allows us to explore fun concepts like a younger and less experienced version of Nick Fury. Brie Larson is great as Carol Danvers, but the script lacks a lot of the fun and charisma that Phase One era origin films had.
17 – Iron Man 3
Much like its predecessor, Iron Man 3 suffers from a bloated middle act. Robert Downey Jr. is seen without his armor for so much of the movie that you would almost think it should be called Tony Stark 3 instead. Still, there are lots of redeeming moments in this film, including some great action sequences like the plane rescue. The Mandarin fake out isn’t great, but luckily later projects like Shang-Chi and Wonder Man have redeemed this decision.
16 – Spider-Man: Far From Home
Spider-Man: Far From Home does a good job of building the post-Endgame MCU, showing how the world has adjusted to half the population disappearing and returning. Mysterio works incredibly well on the big screen, with his illusions giving the film some of its most memorable visuals. At times it doesn’t quite feel like a Spider-Man film due to how divorced it is from Spidey’s traditional world, but it has a lot of heart, and the action sequences work great. Plus, it had one of the most exciting cliffhangers an MCU film has ever had.
15 – Iron Man
This is the film that started it all. Without Robert Downey Jr., this film wouldn’t have worked, and we would have no MCU. Luckily Downey’s casting as Tony Stark is one of the best comic book film castings of all time, so much so that it’s changed the world’s perception of the character. The chemistry between Gwenyth Paltrow’s Pepper Potts and Downey’s Stark also gives the movie heart, raising the emotional stakes. Comic book films have evolved so much since Iron Man was released in 2008, but the movie still holds up surprisingly well.
14 – Thor: Ragnarok
After the forgettable slog of Thor: The Dark World, Thor: Ragnarok breathed some much-needed life into the franchise. Director Taika Waititi adds a bit of levity and irreverence to the character, giving the film a sense of fun the previous entry lacked. Jeff Goldblum is fun as the Grandmaster, and having the Hulk onscreen is always great. Beyond that, the movie did the unthinkable by destroying Asgard, telling audiences that anything could happen and nothing was safe.
13 – Ant-Man
One of the fun things about Ant-Man is that it’s a superhero origin film fused with a heist film, making the film unique amongst other MCU movies. Scott Lang is a former white-collar criminal, but Paul Rudd’s heartfelt performance and the script make the audience instantly root for the character. Ant-Man’s powers translate well in live-action, and all the shrinking scenes are fun to watch. Using Hank Pym, as played by Michael Douglas, as a grizzled mentor was an inspired choice. While the film could’ve used a better villain, it remains fun with each rewatch.
12 – Spider-Man: Homecoming
Spider-Man: Homecoming gives Tom Holland’s Peter Parker a turn in the spotlight after his extended introduction in Captain America: Civil War. Sometimes it feels like it’s trying too hard not to emulate previous Spider-Man films by not referencing Uncle Ben, skipping over the origin, and not using the Daily Bugle. However, Tom Holland perfectly embodies Spider-Man, with all his angst, the struggles to balance his public and private lives, and his sense of responsibility. The scene between Tom Holland and Michael Keaton’s Adrian Toomes in the car still has me on the edge of my seat nearly a decade later. No punches are thrown, but it’s still one of the most gripping scenes in the MCU.
11 – Avengers: Age of Ultron
Age of Ultron often gets lost in the conversation, but it’s certainly one of the most consequential films of the Infinity Saga. It introduces Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff, AKA the Scarlet Witch, Paul Bettany as Vision, and has lots of fun and exciting moments with James Spader as Ultron and Aaron-Taylor Johnson as Quicksilver. The film doesn’t have to spend the first act putting the team together like the previous movie did, so we get to see the Avengers gelling as a unit, and it’s fun. The final battle on Novi Grad is paced well, visually exciting, and remains one of the best action sequences the MCU has ever filmed.
10 – Thor
Thor introduces us to the title character by making the film a fish-out-of-water story, putting the Asgardian god on Earth. This makes the film feel grounded and fantastical at the same time, as we learn about Asgard through the eyes of Jane Foster and her colleagues. Chris Hemsworth’s performance is full of pathos, as we see Thor fall from grace, learn humility, and become a better person by the end of the film. Tom Hiddleston is great as Loki, giving us one of the best villain castings of the entire MCU.
9 – The Avengers
It’s easy to take for granted what The Avengers pulled off. Pulling together multiple characters from multiple films, each with their own tone, and seamlessly blending them together. When Chris Hemsworth was cast as Thor, there was no guarantee that he would have chemistry with Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark, but everything clicked, giving us a great movie. The Chitauri are forgettable as villains, but luckily Tom Hiddleston is back as Loki to give the film menace and personality. The Avengers have assembled onscreen multiple times, but it’s never quite recaptured the same sense of wonder we got from the 2012 film.
8 – Captain America: The Winter Soldier
The best MCU films are the ones that feel like they belong in another genre, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier is no exception. At times the film feels more like a political thriller than a superhero movie, and that’s what makes it so special. Sebastian Stan’s performance as the Winter Soldier will make your heart stop, and every scene he shares with Chris Evans is emotionally heavy. The movie also features the introduction of Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson, one of the more positive additions to the MCU.
7 – Black Panther
There are so many good things to say about this film that it’s hard to articulate them all in such a small space. With Black Panther, Ryan Coogler let his imagination run wild, creating a version of Wakanda that is one of the most visually imaginative locales in all of cinema. There is nothing I can say about Chadwick Boseman’s performance that would do it justice, but suffice to say, he did an amazing job, and it’s a shame we lost him in 2020. Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger is also one of the best villains the MCU has ever had, both in menace and in pathos. His waterfall battle against T’Challa is one of the best (and most emotional) fight scenes in the MCU.
6 – Captain America: Civil War
Captain America: Civil War is so big, it almost feels like an Avengers film rather than a Captain America sequel. The film advances the MCU’s story in many ways, breaking up the Avengers, introducing Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, and Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther. The airport battle between both sides of the Avengers remains one of the most memorable (and visually pleasing) action scenes the MCU has ever filmed. With all these big things going on, it would be easy for Captain America’s storyline to get lost in the shuffle, but the third act brings it all home, reminding us that at the end of the day, this is a personal story about Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes, and Tony Stark.
5 – Guardians of the Galaxy
Set millions of light years away from Earth, Guardians of the Galaxy gave director James Gunn a chance to build his own corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film borrows some of the sci-fi elements of Star Wars, while delivering its own unique Marvel flavor. The result is a sci-fi action comedy that has influenced almost every Marvel film that has come since. Characters like Rocket Raccoon, Groot, and Star Lord became household names, thanks in large part to the film’s sharp script and actors like Chris Pratt (not to mention the nostalgic baby boomer soundtrack). Guardians had some of the best comedy the MCU had ever seen, plenty of heart, and gave us a new flavor of space opera.
4 – Captain America: The First Avenger
Captain America: The First Avenger is probably the best origin film in the MCU. At times it’s a superhero story, and other times it’s a World War II period piece. It would be very easy for Steve Rogers’s earnest sense of heroism to come off as parody, but Chris Evans makes the character feel genuine without feeling corny. Hayley Atwell’s performance as Peggy Carter was so strong that Marvel Studios keeps finding excuses to bring the character back. And then there’s that ending – wow.
3 – Avengers: Infinity War
Avengers: Infinity War is long and it’s crammed with characters, but against all odds, the movie works. It’s fun seeing all our favorite Marvel heroes together, but that novelty would get old if there wasn’t something more to offer, and Infinity War gives you a lot to offer. Every character is utilized well, and seeing the Guardians finally have a chance to play off against the Earth-based heroes is fun. There are plenty of shocking moments, like the deaths of Loki and Gamora (who both get better in other projects), and even though we know the heroes will ultimately prevail, Thanos’s snap at the end remains one of the biggest moments ever seen in a superhero film. This is what everything has been building towards since Iron Man, which makes the journey all the more satisfying.
2 – Avengers: Endgame
Some people criticize Avengers: Endgame for being the film equivalent of dangling keys in front of a baby, but what’s wrong with that? The last time I checked, we go to movies to be entertained, and Avengers: Endgame gave us tons of entertaining moments. The emotional high of moments like the portal scene and Captain America wielding Thor’s hammer haven’t been reached since. When people talk about ‘before and after’ with the MCU, they usually use Endgame as the branching point, which goes to show just how impactful it was. In many ways, both the studio and the audience have been chasing that Endgame high ever since, which is probably why the Russo Brothers and most of the cast are returning for Avengers: Doomsday.
1 – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
This may seem like an unexpected choice, but in many ways Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is the MCU film I’ve enjoyed the most. From the Mr. Blue Sky opening, to the final climactic battle against Ego, the film is a ride that never stops. There are so many fun touches like the Sovereign using arcade machines to pilot their drones, Yondu using his arrow to slaughter the mutineers, and every moment with Mantis. The film also does a good job at bringing the drama, as we see with Peter Quill’s father issues. We get all this, plus Baby Groot and a killer soundtrack. The script may not have as much pathos as other Marvel Studios films, but GOTG Vol. 2 is the movie I enjoy the most, and that’s been consistent every time I rewatch it.
Has the Infinity Saga ended?
Yes, the Infinity Saga ended with Spider-Man: Far From Home, which serves as somewhat of an epilogue to the story. The Infinity Saga makes up Phases One, Two, and Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Phase Four kicks off the Multiverse Saga, which begins with the television show WandaVision and the Black Widow film. For more on the different Phases of the MCU, and how to watch them, check out Popverse’s MCU watch order guide.
What is the biggest flop of the MCU?
Depending on the metric you use, The Incredible Hulk is the Infinity Saga’s biggest flop. However, sometimes a flop is a matter of perspective. Some films make their money back in licensing, streaming, home video, and tax credits. The point is, unless you’re a studio accountant, don’t worry about the numbers.
How many hours is the MCU Infinity Saga?
The Infinity Saga is 49 hours and 56 minutes. This means if you watched all 23 films uninterrupted without sleep or bathroom breaks, it would take over two days. But don’t worry, you could always go to the bathroom or take naps during Thor: The Dark World (I said what I said).
Consider this a meta post-credits scene for Marvel fans - the four key articles you need to read next to continue the thrills:
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