There are over 20 MCU movies, and while they all have something amazing about them, here are our 5 most underrated MCU movies. Do you agree?
5 Most Underrated MCU Movies
5. Captain America: The First Avenger
Captain America: The First Avenger was the first movie in one of the best superhero trilogies and yes, it might be the worst of the trilogy, but the other 2 movies are some of the best superhero movies ever made so that is a high bar. The reason this movie is at number 5 is because though it isn’t a top tier superhero movie, it still gives us a great introduction for one of, if not, THE best character in the MCU. It also introduces Hydra which goes on to become huge in the MCU, different important characters like Bucky Barnes and Peggy Carter.
Chris Evans debuts in the MCU playing a character that seemed to be made for him and even before he becomes the Captain America that we know and love, the movie is just as fun and emotional. Moments like the grenade scene and the conversation between Steve Rogers and Dr. Erskine are so uplifting and do a great job encompassing the moral of the film. I think what separates this movies from all other MCU films is that it truly encompasses an older style of superhero movie, promoting traditional, old-fashioned values of heroism, sacrifice and selflessness.
4. Avengers: Age of Ultron
Avengers: Age of Ultron falls in the same category as Captain America: The First Avenger in which just because it is the weakest of the set of movies, all of the movies are top tier. Avengers and Avengers: Infinity War are some of the best superhero movies ever made and no, Age of Ultron isn’t perfect, but the individual elements are perfect.
James Spader as Ultron is one of the best villain performances in the entire MCU. This movie also sets the stage for the rest of the MCU. Of course Iron Man and Captain America have had their issues since Avengers 1 but it was brought to the forefront way more in Age of Ultron. On top of that we had the introduction of Pietro and Wanda Maximoff, probably Hawkeye’s best movie in the MCU, and an absolutely epic final battle. One of the most underrated and overlooked aspects of the movie is how it sets up Zemo.
Zemo is one of the most sympathetic villains in the MCU and the destruction of Sokovia in this movie elevates his character so much more in Captain America: Civil War. Speaking of Civil War, Age of Ultron is the perfect start to conflicts that lead into Civil War, setting up the Sokovia accords, that split in the Avengers led to a better conflict in Infinity War, splitting up our heroes in the biggest threat they have ever faced.
3. Ant-Man
At the time of its release, Ant-Man was one of the freshest releases in the MCU. It has its fair share of flaws but at the base there is a lot of fun to be had. It feels like a comedy but with a main character that can shrink. On top of this all of the side characters are great: Cassie, Hope, Hank, Luis and more, are all some of the best side characters the MCU has ever introduced. The action itself is also a huge breath of fresh air for the MCU because it introduced a whole new level of fighting. The fight with Falcon over a briefcase showed how powerful Ant-Man could be even with minimal training and the final battle took the action up a notch.
In my opinion, the villain, Yellow Jacket, is one of the most underrated villains in the MCU. Though he is a copycat villain of Ant-Man, his power set is different enough that combat feels really fresh. On top of that the inclusion of being able to shrink and enlarge random objects made the fights always feel fun and exciting. The motive of Yellow Jacket is pretty basic but the fact that Scott’s family is in danger makes the story more emotional than most solo movies.
In comparison to other solo origin films in the MCU I think that Ant-Man easily stands out because of it’s complete genre changes and perfect small aspects.
2. Eternals
This will easily be the most controversial take on this list but I truly believe that Eternals is the second most underrated MCU movie and one of the most underrated superhero movies ever made. I will admit it has flaws here and there — it feels too packed, some characters aren’t as fleshed out as I would like, and Sersi can sometimes be a boring character — but other than that I think the movie is perfect.
The Icarus twist is super well executed, the framing of this movie and how it handles introductions and flashbacks made me care for almost every character, and yes, Sprite’s character is weird, but she is surprisingly emotional and creates a great conflict. Like mentioned earlier, Sersi is a fairly bland main character but her dynamic with Icarus was unmatched and the use of Angelina Jolie and Don Lee and Thena and Gilgamesh was perfect. Mikkari, though she has minimal screen time, makes the most of her time and creates a great presence.
Druig is personally my favorite character because of how he is in the center of this human vs. god conflict. The conflict in the center of this movie is easily the most divisive in the MCU, sacrifice billions of lives for trillions more? Or save those you love?
Visually this movie is also stunning, the grand nature of this film called for imposing and threatening entities with Tiamut and the Celestials. The action was also complimented by the great filmmaking from Chloe Zao. Instead of huge explosions all over the place, the power and abilities of these different heroes are well balanced and executed to perfection.
1. Doctor Strange
Out of all the movies on this list, I think Doctor Strange is easily the best and one of the most underrated superhero movies ever made. Getting the only issue with my movie out of the way, which is the lackluster villain, I still have some good things to say about him. Mads Mikkelsen plays the main villain of Kaecilius and though I don’t think his acting capabilities were as well utilized as I would like, he knocked it out of the park with what he had.
I hear a complaint about the pacing a lot in this movie but to me it is paced perfectly. This film has to balance introducing a brand new side to the MCU with the mystic arts, introducing a brand new hero and his origin story with Dr. Steven Strange, creates a new world of side characters around Strange, and of course the villain Kaecilius.
The introduction of the fantastical side of the MCU in this movie alone allowed for a much more colorful palette for the movie, it made most of the fights way more interesting and engaging. The humor also helped me stay engaged with the movie, normally MCU movies have lackluster comedy but movies like Doctor Strange, Eternals, and Ant-Man integrate it into the script pretty seamlessly.
One thing many MCU movies can’t get down is a really well explored and realistic romance story but Doctor Strange handles it really well. They don’t rush the characters into a final decision, I like the lingering on emotion and regrets that Steven has because it feels like it inherently adds a lot of depth to the characters. Finally, the score — just another phenomenal and underappreciated superhero score.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is my most anticipated MCU movie ever and this is primarily because of the first movie and how much I fell in love with not only the character of Steven Strange but also the whole mystic arts side of the MCU. With Sam Raimi directing and Benedict Cumberbatch and Benedict Wong returning to the franchise with Elizabeth Olsen coming back as Scarlet Witch. With how great the first movie is, I wouldn’t be surprised if the sequel is a top tier comic book movie ever.
NEXT: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness Trailer 2 Breakdown
About Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
In Marvel Studios’ “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” the MCU unlocks the Multiverse and pushes its boundaries further than ever before. Journey into the unknown with Doctor Strange, who, with the help of mystical allies both old and new, traverses the mind-bending anddangerous alternate realities of the Multiverse to confront a mysteriousnew adversary.
“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, with Michael Stühlbarg, and Rachel McAdams.
The film is directed by Sam Raimi, and Kevin Feige is the producer. Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Eric Hauserman Carroll and Jamie Christopher serve as executive producers. The screenplay was written by Michael Waldron.
“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” releases in U.S. theaters on May 6, 2022.
Aryan is an aspiring content creator and journalist who loves all genres of movies. He is passionate about discussing and having conversations about anything and everything pop culture related.