Related
TheMarvel Cinematic Universecould be looked at as one massive , unmarried film serial publication , but it ’s easy to forget that five distinct trilogies are nestled within the franchise ’s grand filmography . These admit the Ant - Man trilogy , the Captain America trilogy , the Tom Holland Spider - ManHomecomingtrilogy , James Gunn ’s Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy , and the Iron Man trilogy . It ’s deserving noting that other serial publication within the MCU , such as the Avengers movies andthe Thor quadrilogy , used to outfit into this category , but have since top three photographic film .
The five trilogies of the MCU make for an interesting point of comparison to one another . Not only do they differ in the mediocre quality of their case-by-case entries , but some work better as cohesive stories that fall into one another , whereas others are more like pit stops along the broad catalog ofall MCU films . Interestingly enough , most of these series are n’t typically reckon of as standalone movie franchise , usually getting lost in the dissonance of Marvel Studios ' boastful picture in the public zeitgeist .
AllMarvel Cinematic Universemovies are usable to well out on Disney+ .
A great MCU trilogy should be watchable on its own , without excessive want for the setting that shape their arriver in the full tale . The best of these submarine - franchises also maintain a decided pure tone and influence throughout , usually helped by a curious creative visual modality dissemble as a throughline for all three entry . Even if the MCU ’s solo - moving-picture show serial may increase their numbers over meter , as with the upcomingSpider - Man 4,they would do well to keep on striving to adhere to these goals .
Deadpool and Wolverine could be building a massive multiversal Avengers team in the MCU ’s Phase 5 , and many powerful heroes could join them .
5The Ant-Man Trilogy
Never managed to sell audiences on the pint-sized hero
Movies
Rotten Tomatoes Score
Ant - human beings
83 %
Ant - valet and the Wasp
87 %
Ant - Man and The Wasp : Quantumania
46 %
Ever since the release of Paul Rudd’sAnt - Man , the size - changing antics of the missing original Avengers member struggled to capture both audience and decisive approval . While the echoes ofEdgar Wright ’s influence on the firstAnt - Manmake it an enjoyable , if somewhat underwhelming line of descent story , each sequential entry in Ant - Man ’s story is a harder sell than the last . By no fault of Paul Rudd ’s witching efforts as a direct man , the trilogy has become by far the feeble series of solo films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe .
Custom Image by Debanjana Chowdhury
Ant - Manplays out like a playfulness armed robbery chronicle , setting up the down - on - his - portion underdog Scott Lang with the gruff retire sub Hank Pym in a lower - stake espionage adventure . Ant - Man and the Waspmaintains some element from the first film , such as the hilarious storytelling of Michael Peña ’s Luis , but lack much of the charm of its primogenitor , with more body fluid that falls savourless and the introduction of forgettable raw character reference like Ghost . Ant - Man and the Wasp : Quantumaniawas one of the worst boxful - power bombs of 2023 , of a sudden veer the series into the depth of fantasy sci - fi with unimaginative CGI readiness .
The certain but gradual declivity of each serial Ant - Man motion picture ’s success easily places it as the weakest complete trilogy in the MCU . The sharp turn of the enfranchisement from a serial of gadgetry - fuel legal action - comedy adventures to a universe - affecting fantasy film introduce a major Marvel big bad was far from refined , single failure of each entering notwithstanding . The cast of the Ant - Man films do their good to pack the washy material , but the serial publication ultimately does n’t contain a cd to Marvel ’s more famous successes .
TheAnt - Manfranchise is a key constituent of the Marvel Cinematic Universe , immix heist film elements with superhero action . It rivet around Scott Lang , a former stealer who becomes Ant - Man , using a suit that allow him to shrink or grow in scale leaf while keep his lastingness . The franchise explores the Quantum Realm , inherited bonds , and buyback , with a singular mixing of humor and heart .
4The Iron Man Trilogy
Classic, but flawed
TheIron Manfranchise is a foundation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe ( MCU ) , marking the showtime of the interconnected superhero celluloid that have become a ball-shaped phenomenon . The dealership come after Tony Stark , a billionaire industrialist and genius artificer , who creates a suit of armor to become Iron Man . His journey from a self - focus on man-about-town to a self - sacrifice hero plays a polar part throughout the MCU ’s Infinity Saga .
As the critically - acclaimed very first film to breathe life into the Marvel Cinematic Universe project , one might anticipate the trilogy spawned from 2008’sIron Manto easily be the strongest trilogy neatly slot into the overall dealership . But despite Robert Downey Jr. ’s alone success as a lead man , Iron Man ’s solo films strangely occupy out his weaker appearances in the MCU , his carrying out really excelling when balanced against his fellow heroes in the dealership ’s many ill-tempered - over photographic film . However unattackable a start it may have had , the Iron Man trilogy is far from the best the MCU has to offer .
Iron Manquickly sold audience on the Marvel Universe , a substantial , gamy tale with one foot in world and one foot in the realm of amusing - Holy Writ escape . Iron Man 2falls off quickly , presenting a fun , but asinine action movie with bombastic impersonation and blatant pro - military propaganda that feel more like one ofMichael Bay ’s movies . Iron Man 3is an underrated precious stone , telling a headier tale of overwhelm PTSD with a Tony Stark stripped of his resources , but the rug - pull of the Mandarin ’s identity operator and forgettable Extremis plotline make it a hushed place to stop Iron Man ’s solo film .
TheAnt-Manfranchise is a key component of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, blending heist film elements with superhero action. It centers around Scott Lang, a former thief who becomes Ant-Man, using a suit that allows him to shrink or grow in scale while maintaining his strength. The franchise explores the Quantum Realm, familial bonds, and redemption, with a unique mix of humor and heart.
Overall , Iron Man ’s trilogy of solo films feels incredibly confused . Even ifIron Man ’s voiceless careen soundtrack runs rightful through all three , the movies ca n’t maintain a single tone to pull through their lives , and Iron Man ’s arc is better distinguish in the Avengers films , where he basically acts as the main fictional character anyway . Still , the toothed average quality of the film has some true spike , and deserves credit for laying the institution of the Marvel Cinematic Universe so early on on . Even if recent trilogy work well as cohesive stories , Iron Man ’s initial chronicle made the MCU work .
Iron Man
94 %
TheIron Manfranchise is a cornerstone of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), marking the beginning of the interconnected superhero films that have become a global phenomenon. The franchise follows Tony Stark, a billionaire industrialist and genius inventor, who creates a suit of armor to become Iron Man. His journey from a self-centered playboy to a self-sacrificing hero plays a pivotal role throughout the MCU’s Infinity Saga.
Iron Man 2
72 %
Iron Man 3
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a multimedia superhero franchise that began in 2008 with Paramount’s Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr. The franchise quickly grew in popularity, with Disney eventually buying out Marvel Entertainment in 2009. The MCU consists of dozens of movies and TV shows, most notably Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision, and Loki.
79 %
3The Spider-Man Homecoming Trilogy
A great set of films that over-relies on the rest of the MCU
Tom Holland quickly pull ahead over audience as a devotee favoritelive - military action Spider - Man , sell a spunky , high schoolhouse Peter Parker that just need to make a positive difference of opinion in his biotic community . Needing to fill Sam Raimi ’s big shoes , Marvel proceed forward with their own Spider - Man trilogy with remarkable achiever , belike helped by the then - recent failures of Sony’sThe Amazing Spider - Manduology . With each entry have the give-and-take " home " somewhere in its deed , Spider - Man ’s MCU solo films keep a absolved identity through and through .
Spider - Man : Homecomingstarted affair off powerful , represent a street - level story of Peter Parker juggle his high schoolhouse desire with his weighty expansive responsibility without waste sentence retelling an origin audiences are already well - familiar with . Spider - Man : Far From Homewas perhaps a fleck weak , but changed things up with a fish - out - of - water story that ends with drastic consequences for Peter Parker . at last , Spider - Man : No Way Homeacted as a arresting finis for not only Tom Holland ’s Spider - Man , but late webslinging continuities as well .
The Spider - Man Homecoming trilogy is very tonally uniform , each entry being a arrive - of - years narration that picks up precisely where the last left off irrespective of the amount of in - universe time that passed . Admittedly , the films fight with the sniffy presence of other heroes like Iron Man and Doctor Strange , Spider - Man ’s authority in his own level reduced by his mentors ' actions . Even if Tom Holland ’s Spider - Man is sabotage by his support from other Avengers , the Homecoming trilogy is an equally substantial viewing for the character , with every fan sustain their own pet entry .
Spider - Man : Homecoming
91 %
Spider - Man : Far From base
Spider - Man : No Way Home
93 %
2The Captain America Trilogy
Three very different movies that nevertheless feel cohesive
Steve Rogers ' Captain America boast some of the strongest solo films in each of the MCU ’s phase angle , thanks in no small part to Chris Evans ' unrivaled charisma as the classically - grand fictional character . Spanning the ages of time periods , genres , and Steve ’s own personal journeying , Captain America ’s films are n’t just about him . Each one also develops the star - spangle superhero ’s relationship with Bucky , Peggy Carter , and the U.S. Government itself alongside his own role arc , making for a fascinating series of very different films about the same thing .
A baseball field - in - the - rough of Phase 1,Captain America : The First Adventureis a fun period - piece natural process - dangerous undertaking romp that tells a straightforward floor with all the heart it can muster . Meanwhile , Captain America : The Winter Soldieris a venturous espionage film that stacks the betting odds against a solo Marvel hero like never before , forcing Cap to re - assess his billet in the modern world . Obviously , Captain America : Civil Warfeels more like an Avengers movie , bringing in legion of returning stars alongside the entry of two major new character , but never stray from pore on the remnant of Rogers ' arc .
Even if Captain America ’s MCU films could n’t be more different from one another in term of plot and setting , all three maintain the same heart and themes thanks to the stabile anchor ofChris Evans ' calling - determine performance . The Avengers motion-picture show may give Captain America a skilful send - off than the third ingress of his own trilogy , but his continuous battle to do the right thing and put up by his friends in open rebelliousness of the earthly concern around him never change . Whether battling HYDRA , The Winter Soldier , or his own booster , Captain America ’s trilogy is the strongest of the solo Heron .
Captain America : The First Avenger
80 %
Captain America : The Winter Soldier
90 %
Captain America : Civil War
1The Guardians Of The Galaxy Trilogy
An unrivaled success almost separate from the MCU
While Jon Watts may have direct every entry in the Spider - Man Homecoming trilogy , no single originative sight comes through potent in any MCU trilogy than the voice James Gunn render to the Guardians of the Galaxy . Taking a comparatively unknown Marvel property and propelling its graphic symbol into superhero stardom , the 70s soundtrack , wickedly funny talks and oculus - popping colorful visuals all culminate in a distinctly unique series . The trilogy survive almost in a vacuum apart from the MCU , block Gamora ’s decease in the Infinity Saga , which Gunn basically openly mocks by manner of Star - Lord ’s mouthpiece in the third entrance .
Guardians of the Galaxysets things off to a roaring start , bring together the eclectic oddball cast of spacefaring rogues into a chaotic company that happens to save the beetleweed itself . Guardians of the Galaxy Vol . 2dives further into Star - Lord ’s backstory while introducing one ofthe MCU ’s strongest villains , keeping up the blend of comedy , style , and echt excited beats . InGuardians of the Galaxy Vol . 3 , fan - favorite Rocket Raccoon takes the spotlight , definitively closing out the story of the team in a bittersweet finale .
It ’s not just that the Guardians of the Galaxy series maintains the most consistent tone , quality , and singular creative guidance of any MCU belongings . The serial also balances its cast remarkably well , give each member clear fiber scrutiny and meter to shine , while taking place in outer space far off from the obligations of cameos from Marvel earthlings . The spectacle of the gorgeous CGI , tremendous combat shot , and creative alien worlds is the cherry on top of easily the strong , most cohesive trilogy theMCUhas to offer .
Guardians of the Galaxy
92 %
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol . 2
85 %
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol . 3
82 %
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a multimedia superhero franchise that began in 2008 with Paramount ’s Iron Man asterisk Robert Downey Jr. The franchise quickly grew in popularity , with Disney eventually buying out Marvel Entertainment in 2009 . The MCU consists of dozens of pic and TV show , most notably Avengers : Endgame , WandaVision , and Loki .
