The MCU Rewatch Guide: What to Watch (and Skip)
Revisiting the best (and the worst) of Marvel, so you don't have to
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is one of the franchises that turned comic book characters into global icons. A billionaire in a flying suit, a Norse god with a magic hammer, a talking raccoon—somehow, it all works. And not only did it work, but it became a cult over the last few years. Marvel has redefined what a blockbuster can be, making post-credit scenes a must-watch and turning once barely noticeable superheroes into household names.
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Of course, not every installment has been a knockout. After the highs of Avengers: Infinity War and Iron Man (2008), the post-Iron Man era has been hit-or-miss, with Disney+ spin-offs and a few lackluster sequels (Quantumania, we’re looking at you). Still, Marvel remains a pop culture juggernaut, and its best films set the gold standard for superhero storytelling.
Must Watch Marvel Movies
Whether you’re diving in for the first time or rewatching the classics, here’s our guide to the must-watch Marvel movies.
Iron Man (2008) – Where It All Began
Before the multiverse, there was just a guy in a cave with a box of scraps. Iron Man wasn’t just the movie that launched the MCU—it was the one that proved that a superhero can be both a flawed human and a great saviour. Robert Downey Jr.’s charm turned Tony Stark into a genius whose only superpower was being richer (and smarter) than everyone else in the room. The film itself is a masterclass in origin storytelling, balancing action, humour, and a redemption arc that actually lands.
The Avengers (2012) – The First Team-Up
Bringing together six superheroes with their own franchises, backstories, and egos into one coherent movie should've been a logistical nightmare on paper, but Joss Whedon pulled it off. The Avengers was the moment the MCU proved it could do the impossible: make an interconnected universe feel organic. The result was a blockbuster that felt exciting, hilarious, and, of course, it was completely unprecedented. Sure, we’ve seen bigger team-ups since, but The Avengers is the one that set the template.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) – The MCU’s Best Thriller
Forget superheroes—The Winter Soldier is Marvel’s take on a ’70s political thriller, and it’s damn good. It’s the film where Steve Rogers goes from a well-meaning boy scout to a rogue soldier questioning the very government he once served. The action sequences are some of the best in the MCU (that elevator fight? Perfection.), the emotional stakes actually hit, and the whole thing feels eerily relevant in today’s world of surveillance and shadow governments. Plus, it gave us the best bromance in Marvel history: Steve and Bucky.
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Captain America: Civil War (2016) – The Avengers Movie in Disguise
Let’s be real—Civil War is Avengers 2.5, and it’s as good as most actual Avengers movies. The ideological clash between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers isn’t just an excuse for some spectacular fights. It’s a genuinely compelling character conflict that splits the MCU in half. Also, this is the movie that introduced Black Panther and Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, both of whom steal every scene they’re in. Marvel movies can sometimes feel overstuffed, but Civil War finds the perfect balance, making every character moment count.
Black Panther (2018) – A Cultural Phenomenon
Few movies in the MCU feel as singular as Black Panther. Ryan Coogler directed a film that was visually stunning, politically charged, and rich—all while delivering a watch-worthy action movie. T'Challa is a great hero, we all wanted to movie to Wakanda afterwards, and the movie also delivered one of the most relatable and likeable villains in MCU history.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) – A Cosmic Riot
Guardians of the Galaxy, with its misfits and humour, proved to be an instant fan favourite. With its mix of visuals, classic Chris Pratt humour, and the unforgettable ’70s and ’80s soundtracks, this film set itself apart. The star cast comprising of the assassin Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Rocket Raccoon, the giant Groot (Vin Diesel), and the entertaining Drax (Dave Bautista), along with Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) gave us a perfect mix of heart and adventure.
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Avengers: Infinity War & Avengers: Endgame (2018–2019) – The Culmination
Over a decade of storytelling led to this two-part epic, and Marvel didn’t hold back. Infinity War raised the stakes like never before, bringing nearly every hero into the fight against Thanos (Josh Brolin), the ruthless Titan hell-bent on wiping out half of all life. The movie was a nonstop rollercoaster—unexpected team-ups (Thor and the Guardians? Iconic.), gut-wrenching losses, and an ending so shocking it left theaters in stunned silence.
Meanwhile, Endgame was the perfect movie that completed all the character arcs, gave us fan-favourite moments, and reached redemption and closure. The film focused on the six core Avengers —Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye — as they set out to undo Thanos' actions from the previous movie. Along the way, it delivered some of the MCU’s most emotional moments and the best ending to the saga.
Thor: Ragnarok (2017) – The Reinvention of Thor
Thor Ragnarok is one of the funniest Marvel movies out there, with a typical Taika Waititi twist. He injected the franchise with some of the best visuals, humour, and a wild energy that makes it one of the MCU’s most entertaining films. Chris Hemsworth’s screen presence shines in the movie and Jeff Goldblum is delightfully weird.
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Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Unlike previous iterations, this version of Spidey fully embraces the high school experience, drawing. Many were unsure about this one since the Andrew Garfield Spider-Man didn't work as much as everyone wanted it to. The film’s likeability is heightened by Michael Keaton’s portrayal of the Vulture, one of the MCU’s most compelling villains. Homecoming successfully reintroduces Spider-Man into the MCU, delivering a fresh, fun, and heartfelt take on the beloved character.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
James Gunn’s Guardians trilogy came to a perfect end with Volume 3, a film that dives deep into Rocket Raccoon’s backstory while maintaining the humour and action that made the series so widely loved. As the Guardians face their biggest battle against the High Evolutionary, the emotional weight of the film really comes through. Every character gets a meaningful ending, making this a truly satisfying send-off. The film’s soundtrack, as always, is perfectly curated.
Worth Watching Marvel Movies
Doctor Strange (2016)
This is a stunning acid trip wrapped in a superhero origin story. Benedict Cumberbatch is fantastic as the cocky-but-charming surgeon turned wizard, and the mind-bending effects make it worth the ride. That said, Rachel McAdams gets completely sidelined and Mads Mikkelsen’s villain is so forgettable you’ll need to Google his name five minutes after the credits roll. It’s a fun watch but not essential.
Ant-Man (2015)
Paul Rudd’s charm does a lot of heavy lifting in this lightweight, goofy heist film disguised as a superhero movie. Michael Peña steals every scene he’s in, and the action is refreshingly small-scale. But let’s be real: the stakes are low, and if you think too hard about the science, the whole thing falls apart. It’s fun in the moment but not exactly a must-watch.
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
A solid origin story. Chris Evans is pitch-perfect as Steve Rogers, and Hayley Atwell’s Peggy Carter is so good she deserved way more screen time. But once Steve bulks up, the movie rushes through his World War II heroics in a montage that feels like it was edited on fast-forward.
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Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
This movie may not reach the heights of its predecessor, but it is still packed with great dialogue, exciting action sequences, and key moments that shape the MCU’s future. James Spader’s Ultron is a unique villain – menacing and creepily charismatic, and his presence definitely adds a more philosophical edge to the film. While the movie juggles a lot (perhaps too many characters and too many issues at once), it’s still a fun movie to watch.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
The first half of this movie is fantastic—incredible fight sequences, great humour, and Simu Liu proving he’s a star. Then the CGI monster battle kicks in, and suddenly it’s just another generic Marvel finale. Tony Leung’s Wenwu is one of the MCU’s best villains, but even he can’t save the back half of the film from turning into a blurry CGI mess. Watch it for the action scenes.
Skippable Marvel Movies
Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Even Chris Hemsworth’s face card can’t save this one. The movie is a mess, the villain (Malekith) is the most bland in the MCU, and the plot revolves around the infinity stone called Aether that no one still knows what it does. There are a few good moments—Tom Hiddleston’s Loki is fantastic, and the comedic bits (like Thor politely hanging his hammer on a coat rack) work—but overall, it’s one of Marvel’s weakest movies.
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Remember when Edward Norton played Bruce Banner? Marvel barely does. This early MCU entry isn’t bad, but it’s also completely skippable since almost nothing in it affects the wider universe. Tim Roth’s Abomination is a fun villain, and William Hurt’s General Ross became more important later, but the movie itself feels like an outlier. Plus, Mark Ruffalo’s version of the Hulk is so much better that this film almost feels like it belongs to a different franchise.
Eternals (2021)
Chloé Zhao’s Eternals tried to be a high-concept, Oscar-worthy Marvel film, but it ended up being a visual drag. With an overwhelming number of new characters and way too much lore crammed into one movie, it’s hard to feel connected to anyone or anything. The film isn’t bad—it’s just long, confusing, and lacking the usual Marvel charm.
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Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
The Ant-Man movies were always fun, low-stakes adventures—but this on just didn't work. Maybe it was too ambitious. Paul Rudd is still charming, but the Quantum Realm feels like a CGI fever dream, and the film spends too much time setting up the villain, Kang. It’s chaotic, uneven, and ultimately forgettable. If you loved the first two Ant-Man films, maybe give it a watch—but don’t expect the same fun.