While the Marvel Cinematic Universe has a big year ahead in 2026, it's the perfect time to look back on the franchise's best moments of 2025. This year saw considerable ups and downs for Marvel Studios. The disappointment of Captain America: Brave New World and the ongoing struggles of the DisneyPlus MCU shows have strengthened the narrative that the MCU has passed its prime. However, the summer success of Thunderbolts* and The Fantastic Four: First Steps offered considerable hope for the future.
Many fans are now eagerly awaiting next year's Avengers: Doomsday, but 2025 had some big moments that fans were thrilled by. From the big reveals to the amazing action sequences to the wild teases for what's to come, these moments helped remind fans why they love the MCU so much.
Doctor Doom makes his MCU entrance - The Fantastic Four: First Steps
The Fantastic Four: First Steps wisely focused on Marvel's First Family as they finally received the live-action treatment they deserved. Of course, with Avengers: Doomsday right around the corner, we also expected that the movie would introduce their most famous adversary, Doctor Doom, into the fold.
While there were several teases throughout the movie, Doom finally made his appearance in the post-credit scene of Fantastic Four. While we didn't get a clear look at Robert Downey Jr.'s villainous character, the tease was enough to thrill fans and raise the level of anticipation for Avengers: Doomsday even higher.
The New Avengers are announced - Thunderbolts*
The mysterious asterisk on the Thunderbolts* title led to a lot of speculation about what it might mean. In the end, a lot of people had guessed correctly on this new squad getting a different name by the end of the movie. Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine surprises the unlikely heroes by announcing them as the New Avengers.
While it might have been the most shocking reveal for the overall MCU, the moment points to how effective Thunderbolts was as a movie. It really succeeded in making this ragtag group of misfits into a flawed and fantastic team that the audience cares about. The fact that they get to take up the Avengers mantle is both a lot of fun and also incredibly fitting, as they are currently the MCU's most exciting team.
Matt and Frank reunite - Daredevil: Born Again
Daredevil: Born Again was a thrilling return for the beloved series that once reeled Marvel fans to Netflix. This revival saw Matt Murdock once again going head-to-head with Wilson Fisk for the future of New York City. The series also brought another fan-favorite character into the MCU with Jon Bernthal reprising his role as Frank Castle, aka The Punisher. While the anti-hero had some brutal action scenes as usual, his best moment was his tense reunion with Matt.
After tracking Frank to his safe house, the two vigilantes share a complex and compelling conversation that highlights their uneasy relationship. Charlie Cox and Bernthal are both sensational as they take the conversation through various stages, from the anger over their differing takes on fighting crime to their shared heartbreak to their hidden fears that they are not actually changing anything. It is a rare dialogue scene in the MCU that is as good as the action scenes.
The Silver Surfer chase - The Fantastic Four: First Steps
As much as Galactus made an impressive MCU debut in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Silver Surfer also stood out as a terrific new character. The astounding visual effects that brought her to life and Julia Garner's performance elevated the herald, but she also got the movie's best action sequence in which to shine.
After the Fantastic Four realize that Galactus wants Reed Richards and Sue Storm's baby, the heroes make a speedy getaway through a wormhole, only for the Silver Surfer to pursue. With the MCU often getting criticized for the bland look of its movies, it is a real treat to see such a visually stunning action sequence that is filled with clever and exciting moments while also looking beautiful.
Daredevil vs. Muse - Daredevil: Born Again
There were a lot of questions about what it would look like to bring the world of Netflix's Daredevil series over to the MCU on Disney Plus. Luckily, Daredevil: Born Again was largely seen as a success in incorporating the hero into the larger MCU while also staying true to the darker and more brutal nature of the original show that fans loved.
Of course, one of the things they love the most about the classic show is its incredible fight sequences, which have also been honored in the new series. The best of them all comes when Daredevil finally dons his suit once again to take on the serial killer Muse. It is a vicious and brutal fight that is wonderfully choreographed. It also shows the anger that has been boiling inside Matt Murdock all season as he finds it hard to show mercy to this man.