From its humble beginnings in 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has changed a lot over the years, with several movies contributing to these definitive changes. Today, the MCU stands tall as one of the most successful franchises ever made. Across a total of 36 theatrically released тιтles, the MCU has racked up an astonishing nearly $32 billion.

But beyond financial success, the MCU has become a cultural touchstone for pop culture, redefining the superhero genre, bringing characters out of obscurity and finding an audience across a wide range of demographics. From the start of these incredible and imaginative movies down to the present day, the MCU stands out as one of the greatest success stories of all time. But it would be nothing without the incredible movies that paved the way.

10

Iron Man Set The Tone For The MCU And Established A Strong Foundation

And of course, starting at the beginning, the MCU had to start somewhere, and Iron Man set the tone for the wider universe. Iron Man helped to define what the MCU would be, with humor, and action, heroics, and super-advanced technology. While Jon Favreau was a great director, it wasn’t until he released this movie that his career took off in an even more significant way.

But additionally, the star of the movie, Robert Downey Jr. was a contentious pick to play the lead. The actor had a challenging history that made him appear unattractive to studios, but Favreau was confident that he was the man to play Tony Stark. Evidently, he was correct, and Iron Man led the way for the MCU to become the enormous franchise it is today.

9

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 Proved Lesser-Known Characters Could Be Successful

After several years of further proving that the MCU was able to take a range of A and B-List heroes and bring them together into a team, creating something that audiences could get behind, the MCU took another big swing risk with Guardians of the Galaxy. While there was at least some awareness of characters like Iron Man and Captain America before the MCU, the Guardians were largely unknown. But despite this, and their unique position in the depths of space in the MCU, the movie went ahead.

James Gunn helmed the film, and thanks to his incredible writing, direction, and pᴀssion, this new branch of the MCU became a staple that would launch more cosmic stories, and tie in with the conclusion of the Infinity Saga in a big way. Guardians of the Galaxy continues to be one of the best success stories from the early MCU, and a shining example of the potential the franchise has to bring these heroes into the spotlight.

8

Captain America: The Winter Soldier Set A New Standard For MCU Movies

While the MCU had clearly managed to own the market on the superhero genre, after releasing eight films in the span of five years, it was time to shake things up. With that in mind, when Captain America: The Winter Soldier came out, it was a revelation for the MCU. Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, who would go on to shape the MCU again and again, this film took on a spy espionage subgenre that completely redefined what the franchise was capable of.

No longer was the MCU just a superhero franchise with out of this world heroes, but it became a much broader, more engaging series of films that changed according to the needs and cast. The Winter Soldier was thrilling, dark, gritty, and the narrative exploring Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes reconnecting was thrilling. Not to mention the focus on SHIELD and the hostile takeover by undercover HYDRA agents.

7

Thor: Ragnarok Redefined Two Original Avengers In The Best Way

Speaking of tonal shifts, one character who was in desperate need of a revamp was Thor. After a decent first film, Thor began to feel like the odd one out in the Avengers lineup. However, when the character returns in Thor: Ragnarok alongside his so-called “friend from work,” Hulk, the chemistry and fun is electric. Add to that the colorful and epic settings across Asgard and Sakaar, and this movie took two undervalued characters from the MCU and made them some of the best.

It introduced humor to characters that usually seemed all-together too serious and void of feeling, and it gave them an emotional kick. This ultimately paved the way for these heroes stories to expand much further throughout the MCU, and it also delivered somewhat of a redemption arc for Loki before his untimely demise in Avengers: Infinity War. Also, Jeff Goldblum in the MCU was a moment all of its own.

6

Black Panther Proved The MCU Could Be Compeтιтive In The Awards Space

While the MCU was raking it in at the box office, there continued to be a stigma towards the superhero genre. This still remains to some extent today, with most MCU releases being snubbed at major Award ceremonies, but Black Panther proved that superhero movies were worth celebrating even in the highest circles in Hollywood.

Director Ryan Coogler is an outstanding talent who is able to clearly envision his projects, and then bring it to life. In addition, Coogler’s eye for talent ensures that he works with the best teams and the best actors in the business. All of this culminated in releasing an MCU movie that won three separate Oscars categories, in addition to dozens of other awards. The stigma still remains, but Black Panther proved the MCU deserves attention and accolades for its achievements.

5

Avengers: Infinity War Proved The Heroes Don’t Always Succeed

Avengers: Infinity War was a defining moment in the MCU for several reasons. It marked the beginning of the end for the Infinity Saga, and it introduced Thanos as a central character. However, the most enduring aspect of this movie is the ending. After putting up a good fight to save the universe, the heroes ultimately lose the Infinity Stones to Thanos, and he enacts his plan.

After a simple snap of his fingers, Thanos retreats, safe in the knowledge that he has succeeded, and one by one, people begin to disappear to dust. The heroes, families of the heroes, and civilians, all begin turning to dust. It’s emotional and intense, and it leaves the audience to sit with that loss, waiting for the resolution to come in the sequel.

4

Avengers: Endgame Briefly Became The Highest-Earning Movie Ever Made

As much as Infinity War was a moment that shaped the entire MCU, Avengers: Endgame took the story to its conclusion. With the iconic reveal that the events take place five years later, and peoples’ lives have been forever altered, Endgame was the most H๏τly anticipated film potentially of all time. And I feel confident in saying that, because the box office clearly reflects that truth.

Avengers: Endgame became the quickest movie to ever cross $1 billion, and then soon after became the quickest movie to ever cross the $2 billion at the box office. And ultimately, when all was said and done, it was the highest-earning film ever made, before Avatar was re-released and reclaimed its top spot.

3

Spider-Man: No Way Home Made The Multiverse Real In The MCU

While the Multiverse Saga technically begins with Black Widow, and Shang-Chi and Eternals were both released before Spider-Man: No Way Home, this was the movie that made the Multiverse real. Peter Parker calls on Doctor Strange to cast a spell to make everyone forget his idenтιтy, but things go wrong, and villains begin appearing from various alternate realities.

In addition, a couple of familiar Spider-Men appear in the form of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, immediately establishing the concept of the Multiverse as a reality, and tying former Marvel properties in with the MCU. On top of that, it provided redemption arcs for these other versions of Spider-Man whose stories were never finished.

2

ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine Resolved The MCU With Several Former Marvel Franchises

Talking about tying together franchises and delivering redemption arcs, ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine literally serves as a film that brings ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool from the Fox X-Men universe into the MCU. And once the Merc with the Mouth reaches the Void, he finds himself mixed up with several other characters who have been taken from their realities and dropped into this liminal prison.

Along with having Wade Wilson help coach a defunct Wolverine back into top hero shape, this movie connects the MCU with a wide range of former Marvel franchises, like Blade, The Fantastic Four, the Fox X-Men, Jennifer Garner’s Elektra, and Channing Tatum as Gambit from the unrealized film that was announced back in 2014.

1

Thunderbolts* Unexpectedly Sets Up The Future Of The MCU

Finally, Thunderbolts* was largely seen by MCU fans as a filler movie that wouldn’t be consequential to the rest of the MCU. In comics, this group of B-list villains gets together, and they form a team, but their story feels pretty distant from the heroes. So, it made sense that the MCU’s Thunderbolts would be similarly small.

But the MCU pulled a mᴀssive bait-and-switch by revealing that this movie was actually The New Avengers, and the team would go on to become one of the premiere superhero teams in the MCU. The fallout of these events remains to be seen, but considering the links to other characters, such as Sam Wilson’s Captain America, and The Fantastic Four, The New Avengers will be an important group going into the final chapters of the Multiverse Saga in the MCU.