If you look up superhero exhaustion, Marvel will most likely be the first culprit to pop up.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), known for its incredible lineup of superheroes, emotionally gripping storylines, and eye-popping visual effects, blessed viewers with a plethora of releases in 2023. This year, Marvel brought a mix of big-screen blockbusters and binge-worthy series, showcasing their knack for mixing action with heart and humor - and, sometimes, a lot of sadness.
Speaking of sadness, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 was a movie you needed to watch while sitting next to a giant box of tissues. The movie signaled the end of the Guardians as we've come to know them, with changes within the group's formation and leadership and the really heart breaking origin story of Rocket Raccoon. I don't think I've forgiven James Gunn for how many tears I shed in that movie yet.
One of the most anticipated releases of 2023 was The Marvels. Building on the success of Captain Marvel and Ms. Marvel, this movie promised to take audiences on another exhilarating ride through the MCU - and it did. With its blend of familiar faces and new characters, it expanded the Marvel universe even further, offering a fresh perspective while maintaining the magic that has captivated audiences worldwide and being the most fun Marvel movie in quite a while.
Then there was Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, a movie that promised to dive deeper into the quantum realm, a concept that has fascinated fans and theorists alike. This installment pushed the boundaries of what we've seen in the MCU, offering not just action-packed scenes but also a deeper exploration of its characters and their relationships and an introduction to the MCU's newest big baddie - Kang the Conqueror.
On the series front, Secret Invasion and the second season of Loki were the talk of the town. Secret Invasion went deep into the world of espionage and conspiracy within the MCU, attempting to bring a darker, more intense flavor to the universe. Meanwhile, Loki continued to explore the time-bending antics of its beloved anti-hero, with more twists, turns and even more variants for us to meet.
Each of these releases, with their unique flavors and contributions to the MCU, demonstrated Marvel's commitment to evolving its universe while keeping the core essence that fans love, even if some did think they've been pumping out too much content left and right. Whether it's through the introduction of new characters, the exploration of uncharted storylines and character backstories, or the deepening of existing storylines, Marvel was all about pushing boundaries and exploring new horizons in 2023.
And as always, it wasn't just about the heroes and villains but the stories that connect us all, resonating with themes of hope, resilience, and the enduring power of good over evil.
With all that being said, let's take rank the 2023 installments to the MCU from worst to best. But first, let's take a moment to honor one guy who often gets forgotten about.