by: Lola D.M. (Grade 11)
The Marvel superheroes – who doesn’t love ‘em? Founded by Martin Goodman in 1939, Marvel has come a long way, having created more than 37,000 comic books. And, of course, we must at least mention comic book titan Stan Lee, who created some of the most memorable characters (for a full list, see this link: Stan Lee’s Marvel Characters). The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) currently has 23 films, with upcoming movies and series on the way, now largely distributed via Disney Plus.
So, the Halcyonite decided to rank all 23 films, currently in the MCU (thus, this list does not contain films such as Deadpool (2016), which is not in the MCU… yet). A survey was sent out to all Halcyon students, asking them to rate all the films from 1 to 10 – 1 being the worst film ever made, and 10 being the best film ever made. Below are the results of the Top 10 Best films, with a short synopsis of each film. If you haven’t watched some of the films, make sure to check them out!
Fun fact: The most watched films were Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019)!
Without further ado, here is our ranking…
10. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) and his fellow Guardians are hired by a powerful alien race, the Sovereign, to protect their precious batteries from invaders. When it is discovered that Rocket (Bradley Cooper) has stolen the items they were sent to guard, the Sovereign dispatch their armada to search for vengeance. As the Guardians attempt to escape, the mystery of Peter’s parentage is revealed.
Halcyon Rating: 7.41
PG-Rating: PG-13
9. Thor (2011)
Thor (Chris Hemsworth) – son of Odin (Anthony Hopkins), king of the Norse gods – will soon inherit the throne to Asgard. However, on the day he is to be crowned, Thor reacts violently when the gods’ enemies, the Frost Giants, enter the palace, violating a treaty. As punishment, Thor is banished to Earth by Odin. While his brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston), plots mischief in Asgard, Thor, now stripped of his powers, faces his greatest threat.
Halcyon Rating: 7.43
PG-Rating: PG-13
8. The Avengers (2012)
When Thor’s (Chris Hemsworth) evil brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston), gains access to the unlimited power of an energy cube called the Tesseract, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), director of S.H.I.E.L.D., initiates a superhero recruitment effort to defeat the unprecedented threat to Earth. Joining Fury’s ‘dream team’ are Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Thor, the Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner).
Halcyon Rating: 7.67
PG-Rating: PG-13
7. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Thanos (Josh Brolin) – an evil demigod – has acquired all six Infinity Stones, and has decimated half the planet and the universe. Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is adrift in space with no food or water, and sends a message to Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) as his oxygen begins to run out. Meanwhile, the remaining Avengers – including Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Captain America (Chris Evans), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), and Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) – must figure out how to bring back their annihilated allies for an epic showdown.
Halcyon Rating: 7.83
PG-Rating: PG-13
6. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Self-confident space adventurer Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) finds himself the victim of relentless bounty hunters after he steals an orb greatly desired by Ronan (Lee Pace), a powerful villain. To avoid Ronan, Quill is forced into an troubled truce with four contrasting misfits: gun-tooting Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper, and Sean Gunn), a treelike-humanoid Groot (Vin Diesel), enigmatic Gamora (Zoe Saldana), and the vengeance-driven Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista). But when he discovers the orb’s true power and the cosmic threat it possesses, Quill must rally his ragtag group to save the universe.
Halcyon Rating: 7.89
PG-Rating: PG-13
5. Doctor Strange (2016)
Dr. Stephen Strange’s (Benedict Cumberbatch) life changes after a car accident revokes the use of his hands. When traditional medicine fails, he looks for healing and hope in a mysterious enclave. He learns that the enclave is at the front line of a battle against unseen dark forces inclined to destroy reality. Before long, Strange is forced to choose between his life of fortune and status, or leave it all to defend the world as the most powerful sorcerer in existence.
Halcyon Rating: 8.04
PG-Rating: PG-13
4. Black Panther (2018)
Following the death of his father, T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) returns home to the African nation of Wakanda to take his rightful place as king. When a powerful enemy reappears, T’Challa’s spirit as king – and as Black Panther – gets tested when he’s drawn into a conflict that places the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of the Black Panther in order to defeat his enemies and secure the safety of his people.
(Rest in peace Chadwick Boseman 🙏)
Halcyon Rating: 8.23
PG-Rating: PG-13
3. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, young Peter Parker (Tom Holland) returns home to live with his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei). Under the watchful eye of his mentor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), Parker begins to embrace his new identity as Spider-Man. He tries to return to his normal, daily routine, but is distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just a “friendly neighborhood” superhero. However, Peter must put his power to the test when the evil Vulture emerges to threaten everything that he holds dear.
Halcyon Rating: 8.54
PG-Rating: PG-13
2. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is having a relaxing vacation in Europe with his classmates, including his crush MJ (Zendaya), but his holiday takes a turn when Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) shows up in his hotel room to recruit him for a mission. The world is in danger, as four massive elemental creatures – each representing one of earth, air, water or fire – emerge from a hole torn in the universe. Peter soon finds himself donning his Spider-Man suit to help Fury and fellow superhero Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) stop the evil entities from wreaking havoc across the continent.
Halcyon Rating: 8.67
PG-Rating: PG-13
1. Thor: Ragnarok (2017) – 8.85
Imprisoned on the other side of the universe, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) finds himself in a deadly gladiatorial contest that presents him against the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), his former ally and fellow Avenger. Thor’s quest for survival throws him in a race against time to prevent the might Hela (Cate Blanchett) from destroying his home world and the Asgardian civilization.
Halcyon Rating: 8.85
PG-Rating: PG-13
Make sure to check out these films, as well as all the upcoming releases, including: WandaVision (first episode released in January of 2021), Black Widow, Loki, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Eternals, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Thor: Love and Thunder, Black Panther II, Captain Marvel 2, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3… All coming soon!
Do you agree with the rankings? Do you have a favourite Marvel film? Leave a comment below!
The Halcyonite 
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