Ranking The MCU’s Phase 3 Movies

The MCU's Phase 3 took us on quite a trip. The universe expanded more than ever, we met new characters, and more than anything, we got the almighty final chapter of the Infinity Saga.

With that in mind, let's get to ranking the movies of Phase 3.

11. Captain Marvel

Hitting rock bottom, but we do still have some flowers for this entry.

Captain Marvel gave us the official introduction of Carol Danvers, arguably the strongest hero in the entirely of Marvel's superhero catalogue. The story takes us back to the 1990s, where Carol is suffering memory loss and has been moulded into a warrior for the Kree in their war against the Skrulls.

The story has it's big positives. An intro to a younger, less grouchy Nick Fury. Some killer action sequences courtesy of Brie Larson's Danvers. There's also the fun introduction of the Skrulls. But aside from this, the story is just too predictable. Too predictable and too rinse and repeat from what we had seen many times before.

10. Ant-Man and the Wasp

It's time for Scott Lang to get a partner in crime.

The sequel to 2015's Ant-Man had us picking up where we left off with Paul Rudd's ant-sized hero. Following the events of Captain America: Civil War, Lang is nearing the end of years under house arrest after being arrested in Germany, and he is in Hank and Hope's bad books after using their technology to go and help Cap. This all occurs as he becomes the main hope for Hank to save his wife Janet from the Quantum Realm, and they also have the villainous Ghost hot on their trail.

It's a solid film and it builds on the first movie which is great. It also ties into the previous events of Civil War nicely. Unfortunately it maybe has too many characters running around, and the villain just feels a bit flat. Ghost works much better later on in Thunderbolts, so this film only really works as an introduction to the character.

9. Doctor Strange

Let Stephen Strange take you on a cosmic trip like never before.

The stuck up, narcissistic Dr. Stephen Strange lost the use of his hands in a car accident, and was left doing whatever it took to get those surgeon digits back in working order. That led him to Kamar-Taj, where he began learning the ways of the mystic arts from The Ancient One and Baron Mordo.

If you ask me, this entry was the exact shake-up that the MCU needed at this point. The MCU was still in it's state of exploring different genres, and this became the icing on the cake if you ask me.

Benedict Cumberbatch was perfect casting for the title role. Tilda Swinton, Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mads Mikkelsen and Benedict Wong rounded out the cast just as perfectly. More than anything, the visuals for this movie are off the scale, and it gives you a real thrill ride throughout. Alas, the story isn't as strong as others in this phase. The cast and visuals unfortunately aren't enough to bump it further up the list.

8. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Time for a new soundtrack to enjoy.

The second Guardians of the Galaxy movie saw Star Lord and the rest of the Guardians getting wrapped up in finally learning Star Lord's origins, as he came face to face with his father, Ego The Living Planet.

With James Gunn back at the helm, a lot more music to enjoy, and a brilliant villain twist to keep us on the edge of our seats, this was a very strong sequel. It brought the action. The funniness. It even brought out the emotion as Peter Quill had to bid farewell to his true father figure, Yondu. This is the film that left us longing for a threequel for way too long.

7. Spider-Man: Far From Home

The movie that changed Peter Parker's story forever.

Far From Home picks up after the colossal events of Avengers: Endgame, with Peter Parker mourning the death of Tony Stark, and trying to escape his Spider-Man identity for his Summer vacation. Sadly for Peter, Nick Fury dives into his life and has him teaming up with Quentin Beck/Mysterio to fight the evil "Elementals".

This movie deserves a lot of credit, and to be honest, I wish it was higher on the list than 7th, but there's just too much competition in this phase.

Tom Holland knocked it out of the park once again as the webslinger. He gets closer to Zendaya's MJ who has much more to do in the story. Then there is Jake Gyllenhaal as Mysterio. We all knew Mysterio was a villain in the comics, but this story made it difficult to understand how he was going to turn bad. Then the truth of him being a bitter ex-employee of Tony Stark's made things very interesting, and tied things nicely to technology glossed over in Captain America: Civil War.

You also can't deny that the effects and visuals for Mysterio's illusions are a stand out for the movie. We also can't not mention that post-credit scene that saw Mysterio revealing Peter's identity to the whole world, then sending him on a very unexpected path.

6. Thor: Ragnarok

The movie that changed the game for the God of Thunder.

Thor: Ragnarok had our prince of Asgard forming an alliance with Hulk, Valkyrie and Loki to try and take down his evil older sister, Hela the Goddess of Death.

The movie was a welcomed change-up to what the previous two Thor movies gave us. The first worked as an introduction for an almost Shakespearian character. The second just fell flat. So Taika Waititi's new vision for Thor that had a more comedic vibe was great.

We also got a new take on Hulk, and got to see him tussle with the title character which was a big win for fans. We also got to see Loki as less of a villain and more of an anti-hero, which would be a big thing for him in the future.

5. Spider-Man: Homecoming

The most comic accurate we've ever gotten for Spidey.

Following his interaction in Captain America: Civil War, Homecoming catches up with Peter Parker six months later, trying to juggle high school with crime fighting. It is then him trying to prove himself to Iron Man that brings him into contact with the nasty Adrian Toomes/The Vulture.

This is the perfect debut movie for Spider-Man in the MCU. We see him truly living in high school life and diving into low-level street crime. It's the real feel for the "friendly neighbourhood" vibe that makes the movie land so well. It's actually even better seeing Peter mess up like every teenager, but on a super-powered level. This is all wrapped up with an amazing supporting cast. Robert Downey Jr. Michael Keaton. Marisa Tomei. Jacob Batalon. Zendaya.

It's the perfect Spider-Man movie for the MCU.

4. Black Panther

WAKANDA FOREVER!

Black Panther picks up from Captain America: Civil War, with Prince T'Challa returning to his home of Wakanda to take up the throne. But that is quickly put into question with the arrival of his long lost cousin Killmonger who wishes to rip the throne from him.

The movie was a real step forward for Marvel for sure. A mainly black cast. A story steeped in African culture. Some brilliant actors who help to elevate Ryan Coogler's script tenfold.

To be honest, if not for the Avengers-level stories in this phase, this movie would have easily been at the top of the list.

3. Captain America: Civil War

It's time for Team Cap vs Team Iron Man.

Faithfully adapting the comic book storyline of the same name, The Avengers are finally being held accountable for the messes they leave during their battles. It is the conflicting opinions of Steve Rogers and Tony Stark that has them dividing the Avengers into two teams, mainly thanks to Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier being framed for a terrorist attack.

What can we say about this movie? It is pretty much Avengers 2.5. We get to see a lot going on here. A lot of characters introduced and a lot of story to unpack. On paper, the movie should be a car crash, but it makes sure every character gets their moment and somehow it doesn't feel overstuffed.

It helps to lay the groundwork for the next two Avengers movies and also puts Iron Man and Captain America on a collision course like never before. Amazing action sequences. Amazing character introductions. Amazing hype for the future of the MCU. Well done, Civil War!

2. Avengers: Infinity War

The beginning of the end of the Infinity Saga.

This third Avengers movie saw the evil Thanos finally taking centre stage as he goes on his mission to collect the fabled Infinity Stones in order to erase half of the universe. His mission causes our Avengers to spread across the universe to try and cut him off at every turn, but he manages to give each of them a run for their money.

It isn't every day that you see the villain of the superhero movie pretty much acting as the main character, especially when surrounded by 15+ heroes. Josh Brolin's Mad Titan really does steal the show here, and the plot twists from start to finish really do have you wanting to watch this movie from start to finish.

And we can't forget that cliffhanger ending that us gasping for a whole year. What a master stroke from Kevin Feige and the Russo Brothers.

1. Avengers: Endgame

It all led to this. Of course this was going to steal the top spot.

Avengers: Endgame saw what was left of our heroes dealing with life after Thanos' snap, before they finally discover that chancing some time travel shenanigans could be the answer to bringing half of the universe back to life.

This movie was shrouded in total secrecy up until it's opening day in cinemas, and that was for good reason. The story. The cameos. The deaths. The almighty, goosebump-giving portals scene. This was a perfect movie for tying up the Infinity Saga, and you can't deny it!

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What do you think? Think I've ranked the MCU's Phase 3 correctly? Let me know what you think in the comments!