The Ultimate Ranking of Avengers Endgame Movies: Post-Snap MCU Films Reviewed

12 Post ‘Avengers: Endgame’ Movie, Ranked

If you’ve watched even a handful of movies in the past 20 years, chances are you’ve encountered the cultural phenomenon that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Since 2008, with the release of Iron Man, the MCU has revolutionized not just superhero cinema but blockbuster storytelling. It has built a multiverse of interconnected stories culminating in the 2019 release of Avengers: Endgame, directed by the Russo brothers. This movie delivered the long-awaited showdown between Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and Thanos, concluding the Infinity Saga in epic fashion.

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Fast forward to today, and just five years after Avengers: Endgame, Marvel has unleashed 12 additional films and 11 new seasons of television shows, all while paving the way for even more releases. Not all these projects, however, live up to the high expectations set by Endgame. This is a comprehensive, ranked look at every MCU movie released since the Avengers reversed the infamous “snap” and restored the universe’s balance.

#12. The Marvels (2023)

Directed by Nia DaCosta

Despite The Marvels facing initial skepticism, Marvel pushed forward with this ambitious all-female superhero team-up. Bringing together Carol Danvers, Monica Rambeau, and Kamala Khan, The Marvels serves as a sequel to both Captain Marvel and the Disney+ series Ms. Marvel. While its boldness is commendable, the movie struggles with a convoluted narrative, juggling too many plotlines at once.

What truly shines is the chemistry between the three leads. Iman Vellani’s Kamala Khan stands out, bringing a relatable, wide-eyed enthusiasm reminiscent of Tom Holland’s Peter Parker in Captain America: Civil War. However, the fast pacing and heavy reliance on pre-existing MCU knowledge make it a bit disorienting for casual viewers. Despite these drawbacks, The Marvels offers enough fun to keep fans engaged, even if it doesn’t live up to its potential.

#11. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)

Directed by Peyton Reed

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania thrusts one of the MCU’s smallest heroes into the central storyline of Phase 5, but it doesn’t quite stick the landing. Much of the action takes place in the Quantum Realm, a visually striking but chaotic setting that doesn’t allow for much character growth. The world-building feels more Star Wars than Marvel, with bustling alien cities but little narrative depth.

While Jonathan Majors shines as Kang, his presence doesn’t carry the weight it should. Furthermore, Paul Rudd’s Scott Lang seems stuck in a repetitive character arc, and the humor, a staple of the Ant-Man series, falls a bit flat here. The film’s ambition to introduce bigger themes like multiverse travel feels undermined by its rushed pacing, leaving viewers craving more development.

#10. Eternals (2021)

Directed by Chloé Zhao

Marvel’s Eternals takes a bold step away from the usual MCU formula, adopting a more mythic and cosmic tone. With its large ensemble cast and high-concept themes about immortality and human evolution, the movie feels closer to a DC epic like Wonder Woman than traditional Marvel fare. However, the film falters under the weight of its own ambition.

Despite a star-studded cast featuring the likes of Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, and Richard Madden, the movie struggles to develop its characters, and many viewers felt disconnected from the sprawling narrative. The pacing is uneven, and some critics argue that the movie’s biggest flaw is trying to introduce too many new elements at once, making it hard for audiences to truly invest. Though Eternals brings a different flavor to the MCU, it stands as a well-intentioned but ultimately flawed experiment.

#9. Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

Directed by Taika Waititi

Thor: Ragnarok was a breath of fresh air for the God of Thunder, blending humor with high stakes in a way that reinvigorated the character. Unfortunately, Taika Waititi’s return for Thor: Love and Thunder leaned too heavily into the comedic elements, leaving many fans disappointed with the movie’s tonal imbalance. Instead of continuing Thor’s emotional journey following his pivotal role in defeating Thanos, the film devolves into a series of comedic sketches, often at the expense of meaningful character development.

Natalie Portman’s return as Jane Foster was a highlight, with her transformation into the Mighty Thor offering a new dynamic. Christian Bale’s portrayal of Gorr the God Butcher added much-needed gravitas, but his underutilization was widely criticized. While it delivers plenty of laughs, Love and Thunder falls short of delivering the emotional depth many had hoped for.

#8. Black Widow (2021)

Directed by Cate Shortland

It took over a decade, but Black Widow finally gave Natasha Romanoff her long-overdue solo movie. Unfortunately, the timing was awkward—released after Natasha’s tragic death in Avengers: Endgame, Black Widow felt more like a reflective side-quest than a critical installment in the MCU. Its release, delayed by the pandemic, created even more narrative dissonance.

That being said, the film successfully introduced Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova, who quickly became a fan-favorite. Her snarky humor and action prowess positioned her as a key figure in future MCU installments. David Harbour’s Red Guardian also brought heart and humor to the film. Though Black Widow doesn’t have the narrative impact of other MCU films, it serves as a fitting farewell for Natasha while laying the groundwork for new characters.

#7. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

Directed by Ryan Coogler

Few films have faced the monumental challenges of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Not only did it have to follow up one of the most celebrated entries in the MCU, but it also had to do so in the wake of Chadwick Boseman’s untimely passing. Director Ryan Coogler managed to strike a delicate balance between paying tribute to Boseman’s legacy and pushing the story of Wakanda forward.

Visually stunning, especially in its underwater sequences, which invite comparisons to Avatar: The Way of Water, the movie nevertheless carves out its own identity. With an emotional core centered around grief and legacy, Wakanda Forever feels both poignant and powerful, even as it honors the past while looking to the future.

#6. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

Directed by Sam Raimi

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a chaotic rollercoaster of interdimensional spectacle, heavily influenced by Sam Raimi’s signature horror style. Picking up where WandaVision left off, the film plunges into the multiverse, with Doctor Strange battling to protect reality itself.

While visually bold and packed with ambitious ideas, the film struggles with its portrayal of Wanda Maximoff. Her arc feels inconsistent with the emotional growth she experienced in WandaVision, leaving viewers confused about her motivations. Still, Raimi’s direction shines, offering up some of the most thrilling and visually inventive sequences seen in the MCU to date.

#5. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

Directed by Jon Watts

Following the seismic events of Endgame, Spider-Man: Far From Home had the daunting task of being the first MCU movie to follow the Avengers’ victory over Thanos. Tom Holland’s Peter Parker finds himself grappling with the loss of his mentor, Tony Stark, while trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy during a European school trip.

Enter Jake Gyllenhaal’s Mysterio, a master illusionist who brings new challenges to Spider-Man’s already complicated life. Balancing globe-trotting action with high school hijinks, Far From Home successfully blends humor and heart, making it a fun and satisfying continuation of the Spider-Man saga.

#4. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton

Introducing a brand-new hero to the MCU, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings brought a fresh cultural and visual flavor to the franchise. Simu Liu stars as Shang-Chi, a skilled martial artist with a complicated family history, thrust into a battle for control of the Ten Rings.

The movie stands out for its incredible fight choreography and emotional depth, particularly in its exploration of Shang-Chi’s relationship with his father, Wenwu, played by Tony Leung. The film also cleverly ties into earlier MCU lore, connecting back to the Iron Man series while establishing Shang-Chi as a central figure in the franchise moving forward.

#3. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)

Directed by James Gunn

James Gunn wraps up his trilogy with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, a film that combines humor, action, and emotional weight in equal measure. The Guardians, led by Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord, embark on one last adventure that explores deeper themes of family, sacrifice, and redemption.

With standout performances from the entire ensemble cast, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 also brings closure to key character arcs, particularly for Rocket Raccoon and Gamora. It’s a satisfying conclusion to a beloved trilogy, cementing the Guardians’ place in MCU history.

#2. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

Directed by Jon Watts

Spider-Man: No Way Home is the superhero movie that gave fans everything they didn’t even know they wanted. Bringing together past iterations of Spider-Man, portrayed by Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, the film delivers a multiversal mashup that thrilled audiences worldwide.

With standout performances from all three Spider-Men, No Way Home balances nostalgia with new storytelling, offering an emotionally resonant exploration of Peter Parker’s identity and responsibilities. The movie also serves as a fitting conclusion to Tom Holland’s first Spider-Man trilogy, while setting the stage for his future in the MCU.

#1. Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo

Unsurprisingly, Avengers: Endgame remains the pinnacle of post-snap MCU films. The movie brought together over a decade of storytelling, delivering emotional payoffs for long-time fans while delivering some of the most thrilling action sequences in cinema history.

From Tony Stark’s ultimate sacrifice to Captain America wielding Mjolnir, Endgame is a masterclass in blockbuster filmmaking. Its influence on the MCU, and the superhero genre as a whole, cannot be overstated. While the MCU has continued to evolve in the years since, Endgame remains the gold standard, both in terms of storytelling and cultural impact.

As the MCU marches forward into Phase 5 and beyond, with even more heroes, villains, and universes on the horizon, these films serve as the foundation for what comes next. While not every entry lives up to the highs of Avengers: Endgame, the MCU’s ability to reinvent itself keeps audiences coming back for more. Whether it’s on the big screen or Disney+, the Marvel Cinematic Universe shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.