Prior to 2008, everything we knew about superhero movies was wrong. Up until then we had NO IDEA just how good (and how bad) a film could be. I mean we had to suffer through X-Men 3 and Spiderman 3... those were dark times. Not to mention a number of flops in the late 80s and early 90s. Then came the dawn of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (aka the MCU) and our superhero movies would never be the same. But exactly WHICH movie is the best? Let's get into the ranking shall we:

1. Iron Man (2008)

The OG Marvel movie. Without Iron Man and its successes... there wouldn't have been any of the others. Had it failed epically, plans for the MCU would've just fallen apart so we salute you Iron Man.

2. Black Panther (2018)

Although recently released Black Panther has already garnered plenty of buzz. Enough so that it earns the second spot on our list. Chadwick Boseman already proved just how amazing he was in Civil War so I can't WAIT to see what he brings to the role in the standalone film.

3. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

After the less than stellar Thor and Thor: The Dark World, I'd pretty much given up on there ever being a REALLY good Thor movie. Enter Taika Waititi and his fresh take on Thor. It's good y'all. Plus the one liners keep coming the entire movie. The trailer includes a RECORD SCRATCH MOMENT for f*ck's sake.

4. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

The trailer for what is being considered the ULTIMATE Avengers film gave me chills. Repeat watchings are absolutely necessary and after the last installment, it can only get better. This will be a culmination of all the films we've seen so far and if the trailer is any indicator, this movie is going to be something special.

5. Marvel's The Avengers (2012)

Seeing all my favorite heroes in one place was absolutely mind blowing when this film came out in 2012. Even now, 6 years later, this film still holds up. An early adopter of the end credit scene, the original Avengers will always have a special place in my heart.

6. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

Although the prior Spider-man movies weren't terrible (okay... except for the Amazing Spider-man 2 and Spider-man 3... those were pretty bad), Spider-man: Homecoming blew the previous incarnations OUT OF THE WATER. Granted, Tobey Maguire will always be MY Spider-man but Tom Holland is making a name for himself as the Spider-man of the 2010s.

7. Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Basically the second Avengers movie (I'd like to forget about Age of Ultron thank you). It was the Avengers vs.... the Avengers and you really can't get any better than that. Granted that's not entirely true as this movie is seventh on the list but the little moments all the Avengers shared with one another (namely any scene with Captain America, Winter Soldier, and Falcon) are A+.

8. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Soundtracks have been a defining factor of movies for ages. After all Seal's Kiss from a Rose was featured on Batman Forever's soundtrack and EVERYONE knows the lyrics to it. What was surprising is just how big a part music had in the setting of the tone for Guardians of the Galaxy. Marvel was able to take an obscure comic and turn it into one of the biggest movie's that has ever been. Beyond that, it's just a fun film and one I have watched over and over again.

9. Doctor Strange (2016)

There was a LOT to process in Doctor Strange. However I am a Benedict Cumberbatch stan and to see him playing a cocky asshole has pretty much always been the dream. This is one of those films that doesn't get old after numerous rewatchings as you pick up on something new every time. Plus him and Rachel McAdams definitely were a good pair (unlike Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman... but more on that later).

10. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Sebastian Stan is bae and this is practically HIS film. One of the few MCU movies to make me cry, the friendship and heartbreak that Sebastian Stan and Chris Evans portray on screen just tugs at the heartstrings. Also, screen legend Robert Redford is in it and that should be reason enough alone that it cracks the top ten.

11. Ant Man and the Wasp (2018)

While it may not be out yet, the trailer has me ready for yet another badass lady of the MCU. Granted, compared to Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War it seems a little weak more Paul Rudd absolutely CANNOT be a bad thing. I'm excited to see what it's like (and maybe rerank it later).

12. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)

Kurt Russell as Chris Pratt's dad is probably about as close as you can get to a "perfect casting". A little messier than the first film, it's still ridiculously fun. PLUS the soundtrack is straight fire and you'll be singing The Chain for ages to come.

13. Ant-Man (2015)

Paul Rudd is literal sunshine. It doesn't matter what he's in, he just makes it better. That being said, I didn't think I'd ever see HIM be a superhero but Ant-Man was such a perfect fit for him. Plus the CGI used to make Michael Douglas younger was INCREDIBLE. Movie magic never ceases to amaze me.

14. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

This was actually Chris Evans's SECOND time taking on the mantle of a superhero (his first go around was as Johnny Storm in 2005's Fantastic Four). It may be low down on the list but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable. I mean, there were 20 films to rank and they couldn't all be number one. The shirtless scene alone makes for a watch.

15. Iron Man 3 (2013)

They could've done SO much with this film but went a... different route. Then again, multiple Iron Mans as well as Piper becoming the badass we all knew she was puts this film much higher up on the list than Iron Man 2. At least I can remember what happened here.

16. Thor (2011)

Oh god.... Chris Hemsworth's eyebrows are a disaster here. Besides that, it was pretty enjoyable. There's a great dynamic between Stellan Skarsgård, Natalie Portman, and Kat Dennings. There's also a great dynamic between Chris Hemsworth and his crew. What I questioned most was why they decided Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman were convincing as a couple in love... The chemistry just wasn't there and only got worse in the next installment.

17. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

James Spader is great as a villain. That's about the nicest thing I can say about Avengers: Age of Ultron. It was rather messy and (spoiler alert) they killed of a character I had become a big fan of. That's probably why I've put it so far down on my list. Am I petty? Yes, yes I am.

18. Iron Man 2 (2010)

Sequels almost never live up to the hype of their predecessors, Iron Man 2 isn't any different. While some could say it was fun, it's hard to even really remember what happened. I'm being serious. Had I not watched the trailer before putting it in this blog, I couldn't tell you a single thing that went on. Except for maybe Mickey Rourke being a Russian version of Iron Man in it.

19. The Incredible Hulk (2008)

To be honest, I really enjoyed Edward Norton as Hulk (way more than Eric Bana at least). It took a lot for me to get on board with Marc Ruffalo as Hulk but after watching The Avengers then rewatching The Incredible Hulk it was easy to see that this was not a good movie. Not a bad one, just not a good one.

20. Thor: The Dark World (2013)

I just... there's not really much to say. It was far too long and didn't really have any of the charm that Thor or Thor: Ragnarok had. Plus watching Natalie Portman and Chris Hemsworth interact was downright painful. All in all... 4/10... don't watch.

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