10 best Marvel movies to watch on Disney+ during the Fourth of July weekend
Is there a better way to spend a little time off than by making a Marvel binge-watch on Disney+? Not in the slightest! That's why this Fourth of July weekend is the perfect time to grab some popcorn, turn off all the lights, and execute that plan until it's way past midnight. After all, we all love a good superhero movie filled with action, comedy, and memorable characters. Fortunately, there is no shortage of options for audiences to choose from.
There have been over 30 Marvel Cinematic Universe movies to date. As if it wasn't, that number only increases if we take into account those released in the pre-Iron Man era under the general Marvel seal. That's why it can become a little difficult to know exactly which one to watch. But in order to make that task a little less daunting, we've greatly reduced that list by picking only the best of the best. So without further ado, here are the ten greatest Marvel movies to watch during the Fourth of July weekend.
Captain America trilogy
Steve Rogers may have gone from being a true all-American symbol to a fugitive in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But even then, is there any Marvel character more patriotic than him? Of course not! That's why we had to kick the list off with Captain America himself. To say Cap has one of the best trilogies in all superhero cinema isn't an exaggeration. While other big-name heroes such as Thor and Iron Man have their ups and downs, that isn't the case here.
Captain America: The First Avenger isn't only a love letter to the character, but one of the best MCU projects as a whole. It lets us get a glimpse into Steve's origin and understand that his true strength comes from his rock-solid values. Besides, the movie's setting, special effects, and (surprisingly enough) villain are all top-notch elements that elevate it to a whole new level. Fortunately, the quality doesn't drop from there.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier puts its titular character in a complicated spot where he has to go against everything he once believed. However, with a couple of allies in the form of Black Widow and Falcon, Steve Rogers is able to fight against a Government Agency that doubled-crossed its country. Action sequences in this movie are some of the best the MCU has to offer, and stakes rarely get any higher than here.
Last but not least, Captain America: Civil War pitches the Avengers against each other in what may be one of the most heart-breaking superhero films ever. While both Tony Stark and Steve Rogers want to do what's right, they can't agree on the same way to achieve it. So what once was a solid friendship turns into a rivalry that forever changes the MCU.
Without a doubt, Cap's fantastic trilogy can't be missed this Fourth of July weekend.
Avengers: Infinity War & Endgame
Fresh out of Captain America: Civil War, the next two films that should be on your watch list are Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
Arguably, the two most ambitious projects Marvel has ever made, they serve as the culmination of everything that came before them. Giving a proper closure to the MCU's Infinity Saga must have been a daunting task, but the Russo brothers managed to deliver big time. While Infinity War is grim, dark, and emits a great feeling of despair, Endgame is all about hope and heroism. The two movies combined make up one of the most ambitious arcs ever brought to life in all the history of cinema.
Earth's Mightiest Heroes fight to bring back that which was taken away from them is nothing short of admirable. Both Infinity War and Endgame have jaw-dropping action sequences, but also a lot of personal and heart-touching moments. The perfect examples of that are Thor's entrance to Wakanda and Iron Man's farewell after saving the world (respectively). There's no shortage of iconic movies scattered across these two projects. which makes them all the more enjoyable.
You'll laugh, cheer, cry, and be on the edge of your seat at all times. Could there be a more perfect combination than that?
Deadpool 1 & 2
The Fourth of July weekend isn't the only big event that July has in store for us. On the 26th, the MCU will release its only movie of the year. However, if it had to be just the one, we're pretty glad it's Deadpool & Wolverine. Not only will it mark the long-awaited return of Hugh Jackman as Logan on the big screen, but it seems like audiences will be in for a fun, thrilling, and very violent ride.
But before that day comes, now it's the perfect chance to re-watch Deadpool's previous stand-alone adventures. While neither of them belongs to the MCU (and, instead, they were a part of the Fox universe), they are still a must-watch for any superhero fan. While nobody expected Deadpool 1 to have the style of a rom-com movie (with lots of blood), it took the whole world by storm and positioned Wade Wilson as an incredibly beloved hero.
Deadpool 2 took things a step further and introduced new X-Men characters, gave us even more action set pieces, and delivered as many ridiculous jokes as we could've imagined. While some may prefer its predecessor, there's no denying that both movies are worth re-watching before the third one eventually makes its way to theaters.
Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy
Tom Holland may be the MCU's version of Spider-Man. Unfortunately, his complete trilogy isn't all available to watch on Disney+ (with the - arguably - best movie being the one that's missing). So, instead, let's take it back to basics and highlight the original wall-crawler trilogy. Sam Raimi's Spider-Man movies are one of the reasons superhero cinema is so popular nowadays. They redefined what audiences expect from these beloved characters by giving us amazing plots, immaculate VFX shots, and some of the best villains we've seen in any Marvel movie to date.
Spider-Man 1 goes over the protocolary origin story we've come to expect from the first installments in the franchise. However, it does a better job at it than The Amazing Spider-Man saga by a long shot. Willem Dafoe's performance as Norman Osborn is one for the history books, as he made the character as menacing as in comic book pages. Tobey Maguire steals the spotlight as the nerdiest and most good-hearted version of Peter Paker we've gotten on the big screen. Finally, the confrontation between Spidey and the Green Goblin is as epic, raw, and violent as anyone could've wished for.
Spider-Man 2 builds upon its predecessor to create one of the best superhero movies ever. While bringing to life a villain as memorable as The Green Goblin was a tough task, Doctor Octopus did just that and more. Alfred Molina brought a lot of charm to the character, but he could also be as dark as the plot demanded. Additionally, Peter's struggles are taken to a whole new level, giving the phrase "Parker luck" a brand new meaning. Finally, the "Spider-Man: No More" storyline highlights the big price the hero has to pay to save the day, but also why New York needs him so badly.
While Spider-Man 3 isn't the best of the bunch, it isn't as bad as people make it out to be. Sure, it had way too many villains and it can make you roll your eyes more often than not. But there have also been way worse (or boring) Spidey movies over the years. Besides, this is the only live-action adaptation where Peter gets to wear the black suit, which - that alone - makes the experience worth it. And let's not forget that Sadman's special effects are still impressive for being a seventeen-year-old movie.
All things considered, Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy is as great as superhero movies get, making it worth a rewatch this Fourth of July weekend.