Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Thunderbolts*.The Marvel Cinematic Universe has finished releasing all the movies in its Phase 5, and some of them rank above the rest for a few key reasons. There are some elements that have come to be expected among all MCU movies. A few of them are the inclusion of post-credits scenes, the MCU’s brand of humor, big CGI fights, and more. The Marvel formula has led to many exciting films, but it has also resulted in divisive entries.

No version of the MCU understands that more than the Multiverse Saga, which has faced its fair share of criticism since it started. Marvel’s slate of projects needs to look at what worked and what did not for the Multiverse Saga, allowing the MCU to thrive again. Phase 5 saw the release of six Marvel movies, and I believe it is easy to notice a split right in the middle when it comes to quality and performance.

6

Captain America: Brave New World

Sam Wilson Decides To Restart The Avengers

While I understand there was probably another movie that most expected to be at the bottom of the list, to me, Captain America: Brave New World was the worst MCU Phase 5 movie. That is not to mean that I completely disliked it or thought it was downright bad. The main criticism I have is that the Captain America film is forgettable.

Sure, it introduces elements like Adamantium and the Red Hulk, which should come back to play a bigger role later on. However, I couldn’t help but be underwhelmed by the Leader, who was brought back after 17 years and was mostly in the shadows for the entire film. I also thought it leaned too heavily on The Incredible Hulk, which was not exactly beloved.

As for Sam Wilson himself, I enjoyed Anthony Mackie’s performance, his chemistry with characters like Joaquin Torres and Isaiah Bradley, and his mission of restarting the Avengers. However, at the end of the day, it was still the least exciting Captain America movie. When releasing an entry in the same franchise that holds Marvel’s best trilogy, you have to be better than forgettable.

5

Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania

The Most Criticized MCU Phase 5 Movie & Kang’s Only Appearance

The MCU’s Multiverse Saga has had quite a few divisive releases, and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania may very well be at the top of that list. The movie was meant to serve as the debut of the franchise’s new main villain. After Thanos’ death, Jonathan Majors’ Kang the Conqueror was set up by Disney+’s Loki to become a multiversal threat to all universes.

I have conflicting feelings about Kang’s depiction in the movie. On the one hand, I thought Kang the Conqueror was as powerful and frightening as he should be, particularly in the scenes where he threatens Cᴀssie Lang and makes Paul Rudd’s Ant-Man do his bidding. His backstory with Janet van Dyne was also perfectly explored.

However, Kang was defeated too easily in the end. Adding to that, Marvel played MODOK for laughs, using him as comedic relief instead of the frightening villain he could have been. The CGI backgrounds in the Quantum Realm were also easy to tell and distracted from the plot. That said, based on Kang’s highlights and the Ant-Man family dynamic, I think it is a more memorable movie than Captain America: Brave New World.

4

The Marvels

The Movie Will Be Crucial To The Next Avengers Entry

Sadly, The Marvels did not have the same kind of performance that the original Captain Marvel had. The Phase 5 film became the MCU’s lowest-grossing movie, with only $206.1 million (via Box Office Mojo). Despite its poor box office, I believe that The Marvels is a deeply enjoyable movie that did not deserve to fare that badly.

That is not to say that I do not agree with all criticism. The Marvels notably has a villain problem, as Dar-Benn is utterly forgettable. The singing planet was also a silly addition, and though I did not mind it, I understand how it might have affected others’ enjoyment. However, The Marvels has more positives to me than negatives.

The film’s key element is the chemistry between its trio of leads. I loved how Monica and Carol have a complicated relationship while Kamala is coming in as an absolute Captain Marvel fangirl. Their powers being connected led to dynamic and creative fight sequences. The cosmic scope of the movie felt broad and fresh. Finally, The Marvels‘ post-credits scene will directly impact Avengers: Doomsday.

3

Thunderbolts*

The MCU’s New Avengers Finally Debut In An Emotional Movie

I toyed with the idea of ranking Thunderbolts* higher, but I think it makes sense for it to go in third place among the MCU Phase 5 movies. Marvel Studios’ latest film is exactly what I have wanted to see since the start of the Multiverse Saga. Watching Thunderbolts*, I felt like this was pretty much an Avengers movie in everything but the name, and then we learned they become the New Avengers.

Making a superhero movie that is about mental health at its core was an inspiring and risky choice. It worked out perfectly for Thunderbolts*, which takes a group of scrappy anti-heroes and transforms them into franchise characters. I genuinely believe that after Thunderbolts*, this team might be the one we should follow in the MCU like we previously did with the original Avengers.

The chemistry between the cast was pitch-perfect. The fact that all the characters carried a darkness within them and found balance through becoming heroes and relying on one another made for beautiful storytelling. Sentry’s MCU debut was even better than expected. Lewis Pullman’s Bob is easily one of the franchise’s most complex and powerful heroes. Based on Thunderbolts*‘s post-credits scene, the MCU is now forever changed.

2

ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine

The Multiverse Leads To A Thrilling Adventure With Fan-Favorite Heroes

ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine is what I wanted to see when Ryan Reynolds was cast as Wade Wilson way back in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. It took Marvel Studios to get the mutants’ rights back for Reynolds’ ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine to meet as their comic book-accurate selves on the big screen. That event was certainly worth the wait.

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ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool and Wolverine have mind-blowing chemistry throughout the film. Like Thunderbolts*, ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine is a movie about flawed characters bonding and uniting to save the day and becoming heroes. The MCU film is the one to use the multiverse to the most of its ability so far, pulling in characters from Marvel’s live-action history.

Surprises like Chris Evans’ MCU return as Johnny Storm, not Captain America, and Henry Cavill’s cameo as a Wolverine variant led to many cheer-worthy moments. The Void’s Resistance — with Channing Tatum’s Gambit stealing every scene he was in — was thrilling. Cᴀssandra Nova was a powerful and sadistic villain, fulfilling her whole well. ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine is hilarious, bloody, and quite emotional. It is the whole package.

1

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

The Perfect Farewell To The Team The MCU Changed Forever

Finally, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is the best movie in the MCU’s Phase 5. While I find ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine to be more thrilling, both in terms of its scope and surprises, I think director James Gunn’s final MCU movie, before going over to DC, has a more gripping story. It is the perfect finale for the cosmic team.

The Guardians of the Galaxy movies managed to take a team of obscure characters from the comics and make it a popular cinematic franchise. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 features the characters at their best, with the team’s interactions being as hilarious as ever and deep emotional stakes as Rocket Raccoon’s backstory is revealed. The High Evolutionary is one of the MCU’s darkest villains, and there are a surprising number of hard-to-watch moments.

The balance between darkness and light is strong in this one, and it brings the found family trope to its best. The action is thrilling, the comedy is top-tier MCU, the soundtrack is a Gunn classic, and everything clicks. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 sends part of the team on new adventures and ends the journey for the rest beautifully, making it the MCU‘s best Phase 5 movie.

All Announced Upcoming MCU Movies

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  Thunderbolts*

  Release Date

  
  May 2, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

  Release Date

  
  July 25, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Doomsday

  Release Date

  
  May 1, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Spider-Man: Brand New Day

  Release Date

  
  July 31, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Secret Wars

  Release Date

  
  May 7, 2027
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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