Even the weakest Marvel Cinematic Universe movies manage to deliver some standout moments. Whether it’s a surprising emotional beat or a jaw-dropping action sequence, these scenes demonstrate why audiences still care about the MCU timeline, even when the film falls flat. While not enough to fully save the movies, these scenes hint at what could’ve been.

From early entries like The Incredible Hulk to recent divisive тιтles like Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania and Eternals, these scenes either reframe characters, elevate the stakes, or just deliver pure superhero spectacle. So, even if these less favorable Marvel movies disappointed overall, these must-see scenes deserve to be revisited.

10

Hulk Vs Abomination

The Incredible Hulk

For all its pacing and tonal issues, The Incredible Hulk delivers one of the MCU’s most brutal fights in its climax. The showdown between Hulk and Abomination is loud, destructive, and raw. It’s the kind of monster brawl audiences expected but hadn’t yet seen in superhero cinema.

Taking place on the streets of Harlem, the fight tears through buildings and vehicles as two gamma-powered тιтans go all out. It’s a rare instance in early MCU history where the stakes feel personal and physical. The clash shows how uncontrolled power can lead to catastrophe.

It also gave Hulk a moment of true heroism when he protects civilians mid-battle. This sequence doesn’t just redeem much of the slow buildup — it defines Hulk’s moral compᴀss and shows what a more dangerous version of him could look like. It’s a must-watch for Hulk fans.

9

Eternals’ Opening Scene

Eternals

While Eternals struggled under the weight of exposition and tone, its opening scene hinted at something special. Set in 5,000 B.C. Mesopotamia, the sequence introduces the тιтular team in a visually stunning battle against Deviants. It’s epic in scale and beautifully sH๏τ, immediately separating itself stylistically from the rest of the MCU.

The costumes, powers, and group dynamic are all on display without needing a lengthy backstory. More importantly, it presents the Eternals as mythic beings, protectors of humanity rather than traditional superheroes. This tone, grand and reverent, could have redefined how cosmic Marvel stories are told.

Unfortunately, the rest of the film never fully capitalized on this introduction’s promise. Still, this opening is a jaw-dropping glimpse into what Eternals could have been. It hinted at a sweeping, bold saga that felt more like modern myth than standard blockbuster fare.

8

The Probability Storm

Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania

Despite its underwhelming plot and lackluster visuals, Quantumania briefly embraces its weirdness during the Probability Storm sequence. As Scott Lang tries to retrieve the multiversal core, he’s pulled into a kaleidoscopic scenario. Countless versions of him appear – from Baskin-Robbins Scott to infinite Ant-Men.

It’s a surreal and visually clever moment that highlights how far the Ant-Man movies could go when they embrace sci-fi absurdity. Beyond spectacle, the scene works emotionally: all versions of Scott unite with a singular goal: to save his daughter. That cohesion became the metaphorical key to his success.

It’s funny, strange, heartfelt, and visually inventive. It’s a rare moment where Quantumania taps into genuine multiversal creativity. While the rest of the movie gets bogged down in exposition and murky stakes, this sequence is a reminder of how Ant-Man’s powers can lead to deeply imaginative storytelling.

7

Thaddeus Ross Transforms Into Red Hulk

Captain America: Brave New World

While Captain America: Brave New World felt insubstantial, one scene was a standout: the transformation of Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross into the Red Hulk. The transformation represents the culmination of Ross’s long-running MCU arc, dating all the way back to The Incredible Hulk. After years of pursuing the Hulk, Thaddeus is transformed into the very thing he hates.

Harrison Ford offers a captivating performance. There is a palpable terror that spreads throughout him quicker than his new red hue. It is dripping with poetic irony as Ross realizes what is happening to him.

The scene is intense, explosive, and emotionally charged, capturing the consequences of Ross’s obsession with power and control. It also marks a new direction for Hulk-related stories in the franchise, bringing a powerful anti-hero into the fold. The following fight with Sam Wilson’s Captain America was also thrilling.

6

Loki Fakes His Death

Thor: The Dark World

Thor: The Dark World is often ranked among the MCU’s weakest films, weighed down by a forgettable villain and uneven tone. Yet it does get one thing very right: Loki. His apparent death during a battle with Kurse hits hard, thanks to Tom Hiddleston’s performance and the brothers’ growing bond.

Loki’s sacrifice feels genuine in the moment, giving Thor a chance to mourn and reflect. However, the reveal that Loki faked his death (impersonating Odin and seizing the throne) flips the scene from tragic to thrilling. It’s classic trickster behavior, executed with subtle buildup and a satisfying twist.

This one sequence injects life into an otherwise bland third act. It also sets up far more interesting stories down the line. It’s proof that even a weak MCU film can deliver when it fully embraces its best character.

5

Black Widow Fights Security Guards

Iron Man 2

Iron Man 2 has its moments, but it’s often criticized for being too chaotic and overstuffed with setup. One bright spot is the hallway fight where Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff) dismantles a room full of Hammer Industries guards. It’s sleek, fast, and expertly choreographed, showing a more grounded and ᴅᴇᴀᴅly side of the MCU.

Dressed in her now-iconic black suit, Natasha uses grapples, flips, and pinpoint strikes to tear through her enemies with style and efficiency. The contrast between her flawless fight and Happy Hogan’s comically slow battle with a single guard adds a fun, lighthearted touch. More importantly, it immediately cements Natasha as a major player in the MCU.

The scene is perhaps the greatest demonstration of Black Widow’s gadgetry and weapons, which largely disappeared in subsequent appearances. Here, Black Widow is not just eye candy or backup, but a real powerhouse in close combat. This sequence justifies her spot on the Avengers roster all on its own.

4

The Chase Scene

Ant-Man And The Wasp

Ant-Man and the Wasp is generally seen as one of the lighter, less essential MCU films. Yet it does feature one of the franchise’s most inventive action sequences with the car chase through San Francisco. What makes it stand out isn’t just the choreography; it’s the use of shrinking and growing in real time.

Cars, people, and even a Hello Kitty Pez dispenser are resized mid-chase. It created constant visual surprises and laugh-out-loud moments. The Wasp zipping in and out of vehicles, Luis navigating a H๏τ Wheels storage case, and Ghost phasing through objects all come together to create controlled chaos.

It’s creative and uniquely Ant-Man. The car chase made full advantage of the characters’ powers in a way no other MCU movie could. While the film overall might be forgettable, this chase sequence delivers the kind of high-energy fun that reminds audiences that superhero movies can still surprise.

3

Hulk Vs Hulkbuster

Avengers: Age Of Ultron

Avengers: Age of Ultron has its defenders, but it’s often seen as one of the weaker Avengers outings. Still, it delivers one of the MCU’s most thrilling set pieces when Hulk fights Iron Man’s Hulkbuster in the streets of Johannesburg. As Tony Stark unleashes “Veronica,” his specially designed anti-Hulk armor, the two тιтans go toe-to-toe in a destructive frenzy.

The fight is mᴀssive, kinetic, and emotionally fraught, as Tony tries to minimize damage while holding back a completely enraged Hulk. The choreography and effects are top-tier, showcasing the overwhelming force of both characters. It’s one of the few fights in the MCU that feels both fun and terrifying.

It also plants early seeds of Hulk’s internal struggle with control, guilt, and idenтιтy. These themes would echo throughout his later MCU appearances. This is blockbuster action done right, even if the surrounding movie falters.

2

The Prison Break

Black Widow

Though Black Widow arrived too late to fully do justice to Natasha Romanoff’s story, it at least delivers a standout action sequence in its first act: the snowy Russian prison break. As Yelena and Natasha fly in to extract their surrogate father, Red Guardian, everything goes sideways. The escape involves snipers, avalanches, helicopters, and chaos on every level.

Red Guardian’s haphazard personality and strength complement Natasha’s tactical brilliance perfectly. Indeed, the scene allows each character’s distinctive traits to flourish. It neatly conveyed the complex family dynamics within a single scene.

The geography of the scene is clear, the stakes are high, and it all feels appropriately brutal. This is exactly the grounded spy-thriller action promised by Black Widow. While the rest of the film loses momentum with CGI-heavy third-act theatrics, this prison break remains a gritty highlight that could’ve belonged in a more espionage-driven MCU phase.

1

Scarlet Witch Attacks Kamar-Taj

Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness

Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness is a wild ride, and one that many feel didn’t live up to its full potential. However, one moment that absolutely lands is the attack on Kamar-Taj. Scarlet Witch, now fully embracing her villain arc, unleashes hell on the sorcerers guarding the sanctuary.

It’s a horror-tinged siege sequence, complete with psychological tricks, magical warfare, and Wanda walking through mirrors like a demon. The sequence instantly repositions her as one of the most dangerous beings in the MCU. It also reflects director Sam Raimi’s horror sensibilities without feeling out of place.

The fear, tension, and awe this scene evokes prove that Wanda was the right character to center a film like this around, even if the rest of the movie didn’t capitalize on that potential. It’s unforgettable, unsettling, and one of the best MCU attacks ever staged. It stands as one of the most redeeming scenes from one of the MCU’s weakest movies.