Marvel: All 33 MCU movies ranked from worst to best, according to IMDb

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been entertaining audiences for close to two decades now. It's hard to believe, but it's true; as Iron Man launched the franchise way back in 2008, introducing us to a new type of superhero movie - the one that could set up not just his story, but the stories of countless other heroes and villains. The franchise had become the shared universe, and when the vision became reality in 2012's The Avengers, there was no turning back.

The MCU's glory days definitely belong to the Infinity Saga. Fans just couldn't get enough of seeing their favorite heroes like Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and Black Widow battle threats during the build-up to Thanos' arrival, and for darn good reason. There was no bigger - or more must-see - franchise in the world than the MCU, and even though that's still the case now, the Multiverse Saga hasn't been quite as seamless as its predecessor.

When fans feel a certain kind of way about their Marvel movies, they will make their voices known. That's been clearer than ever as the franchise has undergone a series of highs and lows in recent years (with the hopes that Deadpool and Wolverine will reignite those highs). But how have each of the franchise's outings fared with fans?

Let's take a look at each MCU film's IMDb rating, which have been compiled based on fans' votes, in order to find out which ones audiences loved the most, and which ones they struggled with. (A reminder that this is not our ranking, but the viewers' based on each film's rating on IMDb).

33. The Marvels

IMDb rating: 5.5

This one might come as a bit of a surprise, and it should do because The Marvels was nowhere near the worst MCU movie. Heck, it wasn't even the worst of Phase Five. Unfortunately, it has earned the unexpected honor of being the lowest scoring film in the franchise on IMDb, holding a rating of just 5.5.

The Marvels suffered upon its release, becoming the only Marvel Studios movie thus far to outright flop at the box-office. There were a multitude of reasons for that, from the apparent lack of audience interest in what looked like a typical MCU movie during a time when the franchise needed to be producing important outings to prove that the Multiverse Saga wasn't meandering, to the fact that it featured characters who moviegoers may not have been as familiar with (due to the fact that they debuted during Disney Plus shows).

It was still an incredibly fun movie that was deceptively important to the franchise after all, so it certainly doesn't deserve the low rating here. But unfortunately, the film's divisive reputation and the unnecessary bias against female-led superhero movies have landed it at least ten spots too low.

32. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

IMDb rating: 6.1

This one isn't surprising at all. The Ant-Man franchise has always been one of the most fun aspects of the MCU saga. It's also deceptively clever, with the first two movies in the saga offering up well-storylined heists that felt like a cleansing of the palette after some very heavy MCU movies. The third one, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, decided that it wanted to be more of a typical Marvel movie and that unfortunately robbed it of all of the character that its predecessors had.

A movie that was supposed to officially introduce us to new Marvel big bad Kang the Conqueror, fans were ready to love it (they were also ready to love it because it meant that Ant-Man would finally get a main event storyline). But instead, it was full of bland CGI landscapes, over-the-top humor and a relatively lifeless plot that audiences just didn't respond well to. It wanted to be this unmissable serious new chapter for the MCU, but it was also too silly at times, with the back-and-forth tone leaving fans feeling some whiplash.

But hey, Michelle Pfeiffer stood out in her meatier role as Janet van Dyne and there were definitely stakes in Kang's arrival. But alas, fans just didn't take to it all that well.

31. Thor: Love and Thunder

IMDb rating: 6.2

Sometimes you can have too much of a good thing. In the case of the Thor franchise, that good thing is humor. After Taika Waititi struck gold by making the God of Thunder fun in Thor: Ragnarok, he went to the well again for Thor: Love and Thunder and the result was not well-received. This was a movie struggling to find a balance between serious and silly, as it was juggling an emotional storyline about Jane Foster's battle with cancer and the strength she found in becoming Mighty Thor with... screaming goats.

The strange thing with Love and Thunder is that its reputation has seemingly gotten worse in the years since its release. It wasn't acclaimed or anything like that when it first came out, but it felt like audiences who liked Ragnarok knew what they were getting with the sequel; but now it's constantly called out for getting it all far too wrong, particularly in regards to wasting Christian Bale's terrifying villain Gorr the God Butcher.

Its score is probably a little too low (its lower on this list than it should be) but the fans' gripes with the movie are earned.

30. Eternals

IMDb rating: 6.3

Phase Four allowed Marvel Studios to introduce us to a bunch of new heroes early on, many of whom were expected to become faces of the franchise. But while they struck gold with Shang-Chi, the Eternals struggled to make it out of the box. That might be down to the fact that we hadn't met any of them leading up to the movie, so one film focusing on an ensemble group of ancient heroes (no matter how star-studded the cast is) is a lot for any audience to take in. And considering we're talking about a movie nearly three hours long here, that particularly rings true here.

As the years go on, more people are appreciating Eternals for the hidden gem that it is. It definitely deserves a higher score than the 6.3 it has been given (anything below a 7 is a bit harsh, let's be honest) but it's just great to see this newfound appreciation for it online. Here's hoping that one day we get to see the continuation of these characters' stories.

29. The Incredible Hulk

IMDb rating: 6.6

That brings us to the MCU movie that people often forget is a part of the MCU. I think that's one of the reasons why The Incredible Hulk is often ranked so low among the franchise's movies, because it's so unlike anything else in the saga that it can mostly be skipped. But that doesn't necessarily explain why people don't like it as a movie, because it's not bad at all.

Sure, Edward Norton's Bruce Banner doesn't feel like the same character Mark Ruffalo would end up playing, but he still does a solid job in the role, balancing the duality of Bruce and the Hulk well. The movie's shortcomings, however, are in its handling of The Abomination and its questionable pacing. That aside though, it's fine, and it probably even functions better as a standalone movie than as part of the MCU.

28. Black Widow

IMDb rating: 6.7

Black Widow is an extremely underrated movie so it goes without saying that this lower score on IMDb is rather harsh. It was the first film that was released as part of Phase Four, giving Scarlett Johansson's Natasha Romanoff the spotlight she should have had years ago. Set between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War, it flashed back to her time on the run from the authorities as she used this as an opportunity to stop running from her past.

It was the long-awaited exploration of Black Widow's origins but it was also pivotal for the MCU's future, introducing a number of characters that would be important to future titles; especially Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova. The pair's chemistry and the action made the movie an entertaining thrill-ride, but fans didn't love the idea of giving Natasha her flowers after the character had been killed off in the present. The decision to use the first movie of Phase Four to flash back was also a bit divisive.

27. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

IMDb rating: 6.7

I was shocked to see Black Panther: Wakanda Forever with a rating this low on IMDb. The movie was one of Phase Four's best-received outings from a critical standpoint and it was also considered a fitting send-off for the beloved T'Challa. However, it was a little divisive for multiple reasons.

While Letitia Wright definitely stepped up to the plate, not everyone was on-board with the idea of Shuri becoming the next Black Panther when characters like Nakia and Okoye were far stronger warriors. There was also the treatment of Queen Ramonda, which didn't sit well with everyone after Angela Bassett's stunning Golden Globe-winning performance. And the movie was rather long (which is understandable considering all of the stories it was telling).

Wakanda Forever was a strong movie for the most part, but it just didn't receive the same kind of response as its game-changing predecessor. That said, 6.7 feels unnecessarily low here.

26. Thor: The Dark World

IMDb rating: 6.8

Before Phase Four of the MCU began, Marvel fans often ranked three movies towards the bottom of their lists. We already mentioned The Incredible Hulk but another one is Thor: The Dark World. With that, it's not too surprising to find out that the 2013 sequel has found itself lower end on the franchise's IMDb scores. What is surprising is that it isn't closer to the bottom anymore, which suggests that public opinion towards it has softened, while also highlighting the gripes with more recent MCU movies.

The Dark World sees Chris Hemsworth's God of Thunder battles the Dark Elves in a plot that is just, well, a bit too dark for Thor. The film features a bit of the comedy touch that its predecessor had, sure, but it also lacks the heart that made it such a fun movie. This one is just kind of there, undoing some of the magic that Thor created while also rendering Jane Foster a damsel in distress.

25. Captain Marvel

IMDb rating: 6.8

Captain Marvel is a very good movie that was released at a very great time for the MCU, so it garnered some unnecessary flack because of that. It was likened to a Phase One movie and that's a fair comparison as it launches a brand new hero without the need for any of the context from the movies that came before, but that shouldn't undermine the fact that it's a strong superhero movie nonetheless. Brie Larson also enters the established franchise in very powerful fashion.

Its score is a little lower than it should be (again, it shouldn't be below a 7) as there is a lot to love about Captain Marvel. The biggest issue with this score, however, is that it places it below some movies that it was much better than. But hey, the film's record-breaking success at the box office are the only numbers that matter here.

24. Iron Man 2

Score: 6.9

That brings us to the third of the original trilogy of "worst MCU movies": Iron Man 2. The third movie of the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise and the very first direct sequel, fans' biggest gripe with this one was that it paled in comparison to its predecessor. There is no sugar-coating that; while Iron Man was smart, funny, and entertaining, Iron Man 2 was overstuffed, annoying, and silly. It was also a bit pointless, offering nothing of importance to the franchise (outside of Scarlett Johansson's arrival as Black Widow) and wasting Micky Rourke's Whiplash by giving him little of value.

To be fair to Iron Man 2, I recently rewatched it and it is better that I initially remembered. It's not great, but there is enough entertainment in there (largely due to Robert Downey Jr.'s performance) and it does recapture some of the magic of the first movie. It's also a lot more watchable than some of the MCU's murkier recent releases.

I think 6.9 is a fair enough rating. The film was once the worst movie of the franchise, but not so much anymore.

23. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

IMDb rating: 6.9

While Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was one of the better received movies from Phase Four, it still left fans feeling a bit short-changed, so this score isn't too surprising. Stephen Strange fans felt the movie didn't give him enough focus, while Wanda Maximoff fans hated the film's decision to evolve the Scarlet Witch into a fully-blown villain as it completely undid the nuanced storytelling in WandaVision.

Sam Raimi directed this one and you can definitely see his affinity for horror coming through on occasion, but save for a few moments of an absolutely terrifying Wanda, the movie never really got the chance to stand out in that department. I don't know if it would have improved the film when some questionable creative choices had been made, but it may have made Doctor Strange 2 a more immersive movie than it already was.

22. Captain America: The First Avenger

IMDb rating: 6.9

By far the biggest injustice on this list, Captain America: The First Avenger's score of 6.9 is nothing short of preposterous. The Captain America trilogy is often considered one of Marvel's greatest accomplishments and even though the first installment is often overlooked, it's still understandably included in that sentiment. And it should be, because this timeless piece of cinema deserves all the flowers.

While the MCU has become a murky environment of dull CGI landscapes and space battles, Captain America: The First Avenger feels like a classic picture of the '40s or the '50s. Sure, that is largely due to its period setting, but it's also down to the cinematography, the more practical special effects, and the overall triumphant feel of Captain America, which it captured perfectly from the comics.

The Wonder Woman of the MCU, this is a movie that deserves a place in the Top 5. It shouldn't be down here.

21. Ant-Man and the Wasp

IMDb rating: 7

The Ant-Man franchise is at its best when it's a palette-cleanser and that's exactly where 2018 sequel Ant-Man and the Wasp succeeded. Released after Avengers: Infinity War it was a breath of fresh air that reminded us all how much fun the Marvel Cinematic Universe could provide us with when Thanos wasn't snapping his fingers. It was light-hearted and entertaining, but also pivotal in its own way as it explored the Quantum Realm and introduced Michelle Pfeiffer's Janet van Dyne.

Its lower rating is likely down to the fact that audiences weren't thrilled with having a standalone after such a major event like the Blip happened in Infinity War. There were also those that felt the relatively low-stakes adventure didn't nail the heist element as well as its predecessor, but I'm here to argue that it didn't need to because the antagonist at the center of that storyline was far stronger than the previous movie's big bad.

20. Thor

IMDb rating: 7

The God of Thunder took flight in Phase One in a fun adventure that brought him to Earth. Cast out of Asgard by Odin until he was worthy enough to wield his own hammer, Thor crash-landed on the planet and ran into Jane Foster. The two became close as he learned about the value of humanity and ultimately stepped up to protect them from his brother Loki, earning his worthiness back.

Thor gets a bit of a bad rap, but it's honestly one of the MCU's most underrated movies. The plot may share similarities with various superhero tales but its unusual romcom-like approach has allowed it to age a bit better than some of its peers. There's a nostalgia about this one - a "they don't make movies like that anymore" feel, if you will - that sets it apart from some of the other MCU movies, and that's a good thing because it doesn't just look like any old superhero - a constant criticism of some of Marvel's recent fare.

Yeah, I'm gonna say it: 7 is too low for this one.

19. Iron Man 3

IMDb rating: 7.1

Iron Man 3 is one of those movies that isn't all that beloved when it first comes out and yet becomes something of a cult-classic in the years after. "Cult-classic" is probably the wrong term for a movie that made over $1 billion at the box office, but the commitment and passion from the fans of this underrated classic is there, and it's great to see that it has developed such a devoted fanbase over the past decade.

I was always a fan of this movie because it develops Tony Stark in a way that the other Iron Man movies did not, personifying that fear of loss that ultimately drives his MCU story forward. If you go back and rewatch this movie after completing the Infinity Saga, you'll see that it has aged remarkably well. Seeing Tony bond with Harley was also an incredibly endearing aspect of the film.

The score of 7.1 is fair considering the ratings that some of the other MCU movies have gotten, but in my eyes it will never be below an 8.

18. Ant-Man

IMDb rating: 7.2

There was a bit of uncertainty before Ant-Man premiered because the character is always a bit of a divisive one. He wasn't mainstream enough to be that divisive among general audiences but comic book fans either loved him or hated him. He was a bit like DC's Aquaman, there for a fun time but not taken all that seriously. The MCU wisely leaned into that, offering up a seemingly unserious movie; the irony is that it this was actually a cover for a very clever well put-together heist movie.

This one is the antithesis to what Quantumania is; a straightforward but secretly quite complex adventure that offered something a bit different to the world of the MCU. It kept things simple and yet fully-functional in its own area, making for a welcome break from the larger-than-life alien adventures the MCU was churning out regularly at this point.

There are some weak points, particularly its one-dimensional villain, but Ant-Man was strong enough to earn its respectable IMDb rating from audiences. If anything, it's probably aged better than some of the other movies on this list.

17. Avengers: Age of Ultron

IMDb score: 7.3

Like Iron Man 3, the reception towards Avengers: Age of Ultron has softened over the years. It wasn't necessarily poorly received when it came out, but there was some criticism due to its handling of the Ultron character, and how overcrowded it was. It's also the weakest of the four Avengers movies by quite the margin and its IMDb rating reflects that.

In fairness, though, Age of Ultron is still an incredibly entertaining movie that holds up (or even improves, perhaps) on rewatch. Yes, it is the least pivotal of the Avengers movies, but it ended up giving more long-term storytelling opportunities to the MCU than we knew at the time - such as the introduction of Wanda Maximoff, Hawkeye's family, and Tony's long-gestating fear that everyone he loves could die.

The Black Widow and Hulk romance, on the other hand? Yeah, let's forget that one ever happened.

16. Black Panther

IMDb rating: 7.3

Black Panther is one of the MCU's greatest accomplishments. A visual masterpiece led by a remarkable performance from Chadwick Boseman with an equally remarkable supporting cast that includes the incomparable Angela Bassett, it was critically-acclaimed for its powerful storytelling, those performances, and for being a major step forward for representation. The world of Wakanda is one of the best aspects of the MCU and the fact that the film managed to introduce such a fully-realized group of characters in just one film is nothing short of incredible.

With all of that in mind, the movie deserves to be much, much higher on this list than where it is currently placed. The audience response to this one was strong, too, so the fact that it has only scored 7.3 is a bit disappointing. So let's ignore that when talking about Black Panther's achievements and let's instead remind ourselves of its cultural importance, and that it made history by becoming the first MCU film to snag a Best Picture nomination at the Academy Awards and the first to win multiple Oscars at the event, too. It also broke some box office records, grossing an incredible $1.3 billion during its theatrical run.

The legacy of Black Panther will live forever.

15. Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings

IMDb rating: 7.4

Wow was Shang-Chi And the Legend of the Ten Rings an absolutely incredible movie. Truly it was. One of the first outings of Phase Four, it was an important one due to its focus on a new character that had yet to make his MCU debut, and to say it succeeded on all fronts would be a major understatement. Simu Liu is so good as the title character and his larger-than-life adventure was a visual thrill-ride from start through finish. And what is there to say about the action other than the fact that the fight choreography is quite possibly the best the MCU has ever seen.

It's great to see that Shang-Chi scored an impressive 7.4 on IMDb. While this is one I would personally rank higher, to see the movie land the same rating from fans as two Spider-Man movies (we'll get to those shortly) is just so awesome. Not onlyis it a huge vote of confidence for a lesser-known hero, it's an indicator of how good this movie actually is. The more Shang-Chi, the better.

14. Spider-Man: Homecoming

IMDb rating: 7.4

Spider-Man swung onto the scene in Captain America: Civil War but he was given his own chance to shine in 2017's Spider-Man: Homecoming. Tom Holland was a force as the young Peter Parker, while Michael Keaton was a scene-stealer as villain Adrian Toomes, a.k.a. the Vulture, in a movie that very quickly established Spidey as a primary hero of the MCU.

While some fans took issue with the fact that Spider-Man was being envisioned as a "mini-Iron Man" (due to his reliance on mentor Tony Stark and his Iron Man-like Spider-Man suits), Homecoming pulled it off as it was designed to showcase Peter as his own hero - which is what he became in the end. Its greatest strength, however, came from its John Hughes influence, as much of the movie felt like an '80s teen romcom. It was a different look for the MCU, but one that it wore very well (even if its central romance was a little underdeveloped).

13. Spider-Man: Far From Home

IMDb rating: 7.4

Spidey returned for his sophomore solo outing in 2019 and a lot had changed since the previous movie. With the events of Avengers: Endgame still looming over it, Spider-Man: Far From Home had a more mature tone to it, as Peter struggled with the loss of Tony Stark and the relocation of his life to five years in the future after he vanished in The Blip. Somehow, it was also a funnier movie, with some of the wittiest dialogue and hilarious moments that the MCU had seen in some time - a welcome comeback during a dark time for the shared universe of superheroes.

Far From Home was bigger than its predecessor, too, taking its characters to Europe and introducing Mysterio as its central villain. Jake Gyllenhaal had a strong screen presence and established a great rapport with Tom Holland's hero, while Holland himself also had great chemistry with Zendaya as the movie began to explore the iconic Peter/MJ relationship.

As the years have gone by, some have seemingly forgotten how good Far From Home is, but I can tell you that after rewatching it, it holds up really well (both as a standalone movie and as an epilogue to The Infinity Saga).

12. Doctor Strange

IMDb rating: 7.5

MCU fans got a taste of the supernatural and the mystical when Doctor Strange arrived in movie theaters in 2016. I remember watching the trailer for this one and getting goosebumps every single time. It promised a magical adventure of epic proportions and it delivered on that front, convincingly introducing Benedict Cumberbatch's Sorcerer Supreme and showcasing why Doctor Strange is such a revered presence in Marvel Comics.

This one is something of a hidden gem within the MCU. It's still thought of fondly but it is often overlooked in favor of the franchise's louder, more game-changing installments (even more-so now after its more horrifying sequel was released), so it's refreshing to see it score so highly on IMDb. Fans were positive towards it in 2016 and it's good to know that the warm response has persisted - increased, even - over the years.

11. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

IMDb rating: 7.6

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 was a consistent movie, capturing most of what made its predecessor so beloved while also exploring the origins of Chris Pratt's Peter Quill. However, it does pale in comparison to the other movies in the franchise, and while this score certainly reflects that (as the two other Guardians movies scored higher), it's also rated higher than a lot of better MCU movies - and now that's just a little bit questionable.

Sure, the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy is arguably the MCU's most consistent trilogy, so it's not to surprising to see all three score highly, but it would be fair to say that Vol. 2 is considerably higher than it should be on this list. The rating of 7.6 is fine, but not when you compare it to better movies that scored lower.

We're not taking anything away from Guardians 2 but it is safe to say that a lot of Marvel fans would be shocked to see it place just outside of the Top 10, especially since it comes just below this next excellent movie.

10. Captain America: The Winter Soldier

IMDb rating: 7.7

Captain America: The Winter Soldier is quite possibly the best standalone movie the Marvel Cinematic Universe has ever produced. It's a thrilling masterclass in tension, action, and adventure, offering up some of the best fight choreography of the past decade and one of the biggest reveals in movie history. Seriously, even if you read the source material and knew what was coming, the reveal was still worth it.

This one is an emotional rollercoaster that has only gotten better with age. It is beloved by fans to such an extent that many consider it the best movie in the MCU. With that in mind, its IMDb rating is actually quite disappointing, because even though it's high enough to enter the Top 10 MCU movies, it's still far too low.

The Winter Soldier is easily one of the most coherent movies in the franchise (and strongest action thrillers of our time), so anything below an 8 on IMDb (or a 9 in any other metric) is wrong.

9. Captain America: Civil War

IMDb rating: 7.8

Steve Rogers' trilogy of movies came to a close with a movie that earned itself Avengers-level hype; and that's largely due to the fact that most of the Avengers appeared in it. The thing that separates it from the Avengers movies, however, is that it maintains focus on its title character, giving Steve Rogers and his strong moral complex the spotlight as it poses the rest of its heroes with the important question as to whether or not they should be controlled by a government.

The film had the world abuzz in a way that few of the MCU movies had before. Whether it was the "Team Cap vs. Team Iron Man" argument or the long-awaited first appearance of Spider-Man, everyone was talking about Captain America: Civil War in the lead-up to its premiere. And it still succeeded under the pressure of that hype, providing audiences with a thrilling showdown that was every bit as intellectual as it was action-packed.

It's not quite as strong as its predecessor (even though its IMDb score would suggest otherwise) but it definitely deserves its place in the Top 10 of this list.

8. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

IMDb rating: 7.9

The Guardians of the Galaxy went out strong. There was hope, excitement, fear, and anxiety about how the James Gunn franchise would come to a close. The second movie was solid, but it wasn't as strong as the first; and then there was the fallout of Gamora's death in Avengers: Infinity War and the fact that this was the final movie in the saga to deal with. Yeah, a lot was happening.

But the movie exceeded expectations, giving Marvel Studios a much-needed hit at a time when there were question marks surrounding the franchise, and the Guardians of the Galaxy a heartfelt, emotional, and fulfilling send-off. It would have been right at home during the MCU's peak years too, as it was one of the strongest outings the studio had produced in years.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 resonated with fans like the Infinity Saga did, and it's no surprise to see it among the franchise's highest-scoring movies on IMDb.

7. Thor: Ragnarok

IMDb rating: 7.9

The turning point for the Thor franchise, Thor: Ragnarok completely reinvented the saga by leaning into the space side of our Space God, taking him on a colorful adventure through the galaxy and landing him in some very silly situations. Taika Waititi's wit made for an immersive adventure that struck the balance the franchise had been looking for prior to this one, and it ensured that Chris Hemsworth's hero could produce heavyweight films like fellow Avengers Iron Man and Captain America. Yes, it was stronger than the previous Thor movie, but it also gave the character the life he didn't know he needed.

Its sequel Love and Thunder took the silly too far, proving that Ragnarok truly was a lightning in a bottle situation. It can be a little too much at times, but only for the viewer unaware of what kind of movie they are watching. It's not your typical Thor movie, but it is a hilarious work of genius that audiences responded incredibly well to.

Look no further than its placement on this list and the strong 7.9 rating it received on IMDb.

6. Iron Man

IMDb rating: 7.9

The one that started it all, Iron Man introduced us to the one and only Tony Stark; and the MCU hasn't looked back since. Robert Downey Jr.'s charisma carries this one as it only takes a few short moments of screentime for him to prove to us all that he is the personification of Tony Stark. And proving it is exactly what he does; because for the next two hours, you are drawn into his world without resistance. He's captivating and infuriating all at the same time, capturing all of Tony's whims and eccentricities to perfection, and it makes Iron Man an exhilarating experience.

It's no surprise to see Iron Man ranked so highly. The movie has earned the respect of a multitude of fans for kickstarting the biggest franchise in box office history and it often evokes memories of a simpler time for the MCU; before crossovers and Infinity Stones. That allows the 2008 movie to do the one thing it set out to do: Entertain. Setting up a whole shared universe was just a bonus!

5. Guardians of the Galaxy

IMDb rating: 8

Before 2014, very few mainstream fans had ever heard of the Guardians of the Galaxy. After the first movie was released, however, even non-MCU fans knew who they were, with many preferring their adventures over the rest of the Marvel fare. That's a testament to the collaboration between director James Gunn and Marvel Studios, because Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 was a game-changer that bucked the trend, allowing these "virtual unknowns" to become global sensations.

I remember the overwhelmingly positive response from audiences back when this movie was released, so it's good to see that it still holds up with fans today. The fact that it is still among the Top 5 MCU movies (based on IMDb scores) goes to show you how much of a fan-favorite it remains, and it's a reminder that, with the right creative team, marketing, and timing, you can turn lesser-known superheroes into rockstars. And that's definitely what Guardians did, because this ragtag crew of outcasts are among the most lovable heroes on the silver screen in the past decade.

4. The Avengers

IMDb rating: 8

The original "endgame" of the MCU, The Avengers was the perfect culmination of a four-year-long story that united some of Marvel's biggest heroes for the first time. Though seeing Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and Hulk all in their own movies was larger-than-life in and of itself, seeing them together - and teaming with Black Widow and Hawkeye - was just out of this world. And the way in which the movie managed to use the loose threads from Thor to build its own story was just a work of genius.

The Avengers was the moment we were all waiting for as Marvel fans; the perfect conclusion to one story and the beginning of another, kickstarting a chapter for the MCU that would only see it ascend to greater heights. To say it deserves its place in the Top 4 of this list would be an understatement; to say it deserves a higher score would also be one. Nevertheless, it's wonderful to see such love for this epic showdown after all these years. In many ways, this was when the MCU as we know it was born.

3. Spider-Man: No Way Home

IMDb rating: 8.2

There aren't really any words to describe the levels of hype surrounding Spider-Man: No Way Home in the build-up to its premiere. The rumor mill was working overtime, with a who's who of names attached to the project and a multitude of possibilities for where the plot could go. Somehow, the finished product managed to exceed expectations, bringing in Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield's classic Spider-Men. Seeing them share the screen with Tom Holland's webslinger as the trio battled a multiverse of Spider-Man villains was a sight almost too epic to behold.

The internet might try to gaslight you into believing that this movie has no rewatch value, but all you need to do is look at its IMDb rating to know that this is false. Heck, no, watch it again and you'll know; because Spider-Man: No Way Home is an Avengers-level movie and, just like those larger-than-life productions, it holds up incredibly well when you rewatch it knowing what's going to happen.

It's a once-in-a-lifetime movie, for sure, but if you watch it more than once, you'll fall in love with it again and again.

2. Avengers: Infinity War

IMDb score: 8.4

The endgame of the Marvel Cinematic Universe started to come to fruition in Avengers: Infinity War. Thanos' long-standing mission to unite the Infinity Stones saw him make his way to Earth and from that Earth's Mightiest Heroes reformed to stop him, fighting him all across the galaxy. But it wasn't the triumphant comeback they were hoping for as The Mad Titan accomplished his devastating mission, wiping out half of the universe with a snap of his fingers.

Words could never describe the emotion that the closing moments of Avengers: Infinity War evoked from audiences. Fans were heartbroken before the credits rolled and yet they couldn't look away, hoping that the hopelessness would end. It was a truly remarkable way to crush your audience and know that they would come back again to see how it all pans out; the odd genius of the MCU in its prime. And as a result, it's no surprise to see the incredible rating that Infinity War has received from viewers, making it the joint-highest-scoring film from the MCU franchise on IMDb.

The Avengers may not have triumphed as a team in this particular outing, but Infinity War was all the triumph we needed at this point in time. Thankfully, there would be light at the end of the darkest tunnel for the MCU's heroes.

1. Avengers: Endgame

IMDb score: 8.4

Are you surprised? Of course you're not, right? Avengers: Endgame was culmination of an 11-year story, bringing all of the carefully-storylined arcs together in a cinematic smackdown unlike anything we had ever seen. And considering Avengers: Infinity War had already done that a year prior, that's really saying something.

Endgame spoiled us with time-travel into the past and a jump forward into the future, allowing for the past and present of the MCU to collide, all while setting up its future. It was a game-changer, exploring elements of the shared universe that we thought it might never show us and capping off its 22-film saga with an epic brawl between the good guys and bad guys that managed to pack the biggest emotional gut-punch the franchise had ever seen.

The MCU's success as a single shared universe was riding on the success of Endgame as its culmination. It not only landed the plane, it did so incredibly smoothly, wrapping up the arcs of so many of our favorite characters in satisfying ways. Clearly, the fans felt the same way as it is the highest-rated MCU film on IMDb.