Summary
- The MCU’s new focus on sequels, team projects, & key characters is due to Disney’s mandate to fix company-wide issues.
- Sequels like Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Thor: Ragnarok improve upon the previous films.
- Most of the MCU’s best sequels are box office juggernauts.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has brought many characters back for multiple appearances, and that has led to exciting sequels that deepen the impact of certain heroes, villains, and stories. Some of the MCU’s best movies have been sequels, something that should become even more common in the future. The reason for that is Marvel now has a new mandate to focus on franchises, which comes from Disney’s decision to fix issues company-wide.
As such, original movies like Eternals are unlikely to come out, with a focus on sequels, team projects, and Marvel’s biggest characters. Future MCU movies can learn from the sequels that came before, as they teach different lessons regarding what to do or not to do, no matter how big or small the character is. With that in mind, here are the 10 best MCU sequels, with Deadpool & Wolverine not included due to the first two movies not being set in the MCU.
Related 10 Best Marvel Movie Trilogies Ranked
With Deadpool & Wolverine concluding one of the best Marvel trilogies, the list includes some impressive live-action entries both in the MCU and not.
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10 The Marvels
A Controversial But Underrated Film
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The Marvels Where to Watch
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The Marvels sees the long-awaited team-up of Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani), and Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) as the trio work together to find out how their powers have become inextricably linked. Acting as a sequel to both Captain Marvel (2019) and the Ms. Marvel television show, The Marvels is the 33rd film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Director Nia DaCosta Release Date November 10, 2023 Cast Brie Larson , Zawe Ashton , Teyonah Parris , Iman Vellani , Samuel L. Jackson , Park Seo-joon , Zenobia Shroff , Mohan Kapur , Saagar Shaikh , Gary Lewis Runtime 105 Minutes
The Marvels being on the list should prove itself controversial. The movie ended up becoming a major box-office disappointment, with the Captain Marvel sequel now the lowest-grossing movie in the MCU. However, despite its poor box office performance, The Marvels is far from a bad movie. The sequel actually improved on the original Captain Marvel — which grossed over $1 billion worldwide — in pretty much every way.
Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers was much more entertaining in the team-up movie than in her solo film. The reason for that is that The Marvels did a great job by bringing together Carol, Monica Rambeau, and Kamala Khan, who had electric chemistry. The setup of the heroes switching places whenever they used their powers also added an air of unpredictability to the film and led to creative fight scenes. All in all, The Marvels was a very fun cosmic adventure.
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9 Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness
A Major Multiverse Saga Entry
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In Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the MCU takes a deeper dive into the Multiverse and the unknown, introducing variants of Strange and other familiar friends and foes – including The Illuminati – and offers a new perspective on how it works and connects. The story follows Stephen Strange, now post-blip and no longer the Sorcerer Supreme. When a terrifying monster rampages through New York seeking to capture a young girl from another multiverse named America Chavez, Strange finds himself as her newfound protector. Unfortunately, his new foe is a former ally, Wanda Maximoff. To protect Chavez and stop Wanda’s rampage, Strange travels the Multiverse looking for answers – and encounters engrossing and terrifying realities that expand the Marvel Universe in a whole new way.
Director Sam Raimi Release Date May 6, 2022 Cast Elizabeth Olsen , Michael Stuhlbarg , Benedict Wong , Chiwetel Ejiofor , Xochitl Gomez , Benedict Cumberbatch , Rachel McAdams , Bruce Campbell , John Krasinski , Patrick Stewart , Hayley Atwell , Lashana Lynch , Anson Mount Runtime 126 minutes Expand
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness almost broke the $1 billion barrier, and for good reason. The movie is one of the biggest releases of the MCU’s Multiverse Saga, following Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange as he attempts to save the young America Chavez from a murderous Scarlet Witch. While Elizabeth Olsen’s character turning full villain after WandaVision‘s ending is questionable, the actress delivered one of the best villain performances in the MCU.
It was shocking to see Wanda Maximoff leave an enormous path of destruction behind her. Part of that included the graphic murders of the Illuminati. The team was one of the movie’s high points, bringing back Patrick Stewart as a Charles Xavier variant, with fan-favorite John Krasinski playing a version of Reed Richards from the Fantastic Four, and more. The movie introduced multiverse concepts that will be key for the next two Avengers films.
Related Every Major MCU Multiverse Term Explained
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8 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
A Heartbreaking And Explosive Sequel
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Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is the sequel to the 2018 film Black Panther and is part of Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Gripping with the passing of their king, the nation of Wakanda attempts to figure out how to move forward with Queen Mother Ramonda (Angela Bassett) and Princess Shuri (Letitia Wright) at the helm. However, a nation in grieving is not observed by all, as soon Wakanda comes under attack by the underwater civilization of Talocan, led by Namor (Tenoch Huerta.) Wakanda will enlist allies outside and from within to push back this new invading threat and ensure that Wakanda truly does live on forever.
Director Ryan Coogler Release Date November 11, 2022 Cast Winston Duke , Dominique Thorne , Michaela Coel , Danai Gurira , Angela Bassett , Lupita Nyong’o , Letitia Wright , Martin Freeman Runtime 2h 41m
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever had the inevitably hard task of honoring Chadwick Boseman’s legacy as T’Challa while also moving forward the story of Wakanda and its characters. The movie succeeded on both fronts. T’Challa’s death and funeral at the start of the movie were handled perfectly, with the former Black Panther’s presence being felt throughout the film, even if he did not show up on screen.
Letitia Wright’s Shuri got her chance to shine in the MCU movie, becoming the new Black Panther. The similarities and differences between Wakanda and Talokan made for an impactful movie, with Tenoch Huerta’s Namor proving himself a mighty foe for Shuri to take on in her debut as Black Panther. The MCU sequel also did great by going deeper into Wakanda’s large cast of characters and showing how revealing itself to the world has affected the country.
Related When Will Black Panther Return In The MCU? Here’s Every Possibility
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7 Thor: Ragnarok
Chris Hemsworth’s Best Solo Movie
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Thor: Ragnarok is the third Thor solo film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the first directed by Taika Waititi. In the sequel, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) finds himself stranded on Sakaar, ruled by the Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum). Soon he teams with Bruce Banner/Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), and Loki (Tom Hiddleston) to return to Asgard and defeat his sister Hela.
Director Taika Waititi Release Date November 3, 2017 Cast Chris Hemsworth , Tessa Thompson , Tom Hiddleston , Mark Ruffalo , Jeff Goldblum , Cate Blanchett , Idris Elba , Karl Urban Runtime 130 Minutes
Chris Hemsworth holds an impressive MCU record, with the actor being the only one in the franchise to get four solo movies. 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok is easily the best of them, with the sequel turning the hero around and putting forward the best version of Thor the MCU has seen to date. Director Taika Waititi fired on all cylinders with the movie, overhauling the tone of the Thor franchise for a hilarious and vibrant space adventure.
There were also real stakes, with Thor losing an eye and Asgard in
Thor: Ragnarok
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While that would not be replicated in Waititi’s Thor: Love and Thunder, Thor: Ragnarok still stands as one of the MCU’s best movies. The film injected new life into Thor, with the character having some worthy companions, such as the Hulk, Valkyrie, Loki, and Korg. The adventure on Sakaar was fun, but there were plenty of emotional and darker moments whenever Cate Blanchett’s Hela was involved, striking a nice balance. Hela brought out Thor’s ultimate version, with the hero embracing his God of Thunder moniker.
Related Thor’s 10 MCU Appearances Ranked
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6 Captain America: Civil War
MCU Heroes Fight Each Other
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This third Captain America film adapts the “Civil War” storyline from Marvel Comics and sees Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) and Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) at an impasse over who governs superheroes and how. Captain America: Civil War pits two teams of Avengers against one another and introduces new superheroes Black Panther and Spider-Man. The divide between the two perceived leaders of the Avengers caused the other members to choose sides. It all started when the UN decided to take control of the superheroes’ involvement in fighting crimes. Steve disagreed with the UN’s proposal, while Tony supported the decision. Things turn for the worst when Steve’s friend Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), also known as the Winter Soldier, becomes the prime suspect in a terrorist bombing.
Director Anthony Russo , Joe Russo Release Date May 6, 2016 Cast Martin Freeman , Daniel Brühl , Robert Downey Jr. , Sebastian Stan , Elizabeth Olsen , Chadwick Boseman , Chris Evans , Paul Rudd , Frank Grillo , Scarlett Johansson , William Hurt , Paul Bettany , Anthony Mackie , Emily VanCamp , Tom Holland Runtime 147 Minutes Expand
Captain America: Civil War was a different kind of MCU movie. While a sequel starring Chris Evans’ Captain America, the film could also be viewed as a kind of Avengers 2.5. Instead of fighting against villains, the Avengers were fighting among themselves. Daniel Brühl’s Zemo was an incredibly smart character who managed to manipulate the Avengers, starting a conflict that would ultimately break the team apart.
Some of the MCU’s most exciting interactions and fight sequences happen in Captain America: Civil War. The movie also introduced two major characters to the franchise, with the debuts of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man and Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther. While there was plenty of spectacle to marvel at, the core emotional story between Captain America and Iron Man’s different viewpoints on the Sokovia Accords was the film’s beating heart, ending with one of the MCU’s best fights.
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Related I’m Now Convinced Chris Evans Is Returning To The MCU As Captain America
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5 Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3
James Gunn’s Final MCU Movie
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The conclusion to the trilogy, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, will see the Guardians on one final adventure together as they face off with the powerful Adam Warlock – one of the most significant threats the Marvel Cinematic Universe has ever seen. To protect a friend and their world as they know it, Peter Quill and his allies will band together to save one of their own and the galaxy from certain doom.
Director James Gunn Release Date May 5, 2023 Cast Chris Pratt , Dave Bautista , Karen Gillan , Zoe Saldana , Bradley Cooper , Pom Klementieff , Vin Diesel , Elizabeth Debicki Runtime 116 Minutes
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is one of the most emotional films in the MCU. The project was the perfect way to cap off the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, to the point that it would be okay if there were no other movies for the cosmic team in the MCU. In his last MCU movie before moving on to spearhead the new DC Universe, director James Gunn made Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 a personal story focused on Rocket Raccoon.
Over the Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers films, Bradley Cooper’s Rocket became one of the most beloved characters in the MCU. Seeing him suffer in his early years at the hands of the High Evolutionary was heartbreaking, with the character’s backstory finally explored. The movie was a beautiful way to send off many of the Guardians of the Galaxy members, delivering hilarious scenes, plenty of tears, excellent team dynamics, and top-notch action.
Related What’s Next After Vol 3? Everything We Know About Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 4
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4 Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Steve Rogers At His Best
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Captain America: The Winter Soldier is the ninth entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After being awoken from cryosleep in the previous film, Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world. As he adjusts, he must battle a new threat from old history: the Soviet agent known as the Winter Soldier.
Director Joe Russo , Anthony Russo Release Date April 4, 2014 Cast Chris Evans , Hayley Atwell , Scarlett Johansson , Samuel L. Jackson , Robert Redford , Anthony Mackie , Cobie Smulders , Frank Grillo , Sebastian Stan Runtime 136 minutes
Captain America: The Winter Soldier is the most grounded MCU movie to date. The film is commonly referred to as one of the shared universe’s best, and for good reason. Chris Evans soars as Steve Rogers, with the actor being accompanied by a talented ensemble that includes Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow, Anthony Mackie’s Falcon, Sebastian Stan’s Winter Soldier, and more. The latter returned to the MCU in grand style, playing one of the franchise’s best villains.
The action in Captain America: The Winter Soldier is visceral, with Steve and Bucky trading blows throughout the movie, and also has the place for more intricate visual effects, with Sam Wilson’s Falcon in the sky and the whole third act Helicarrier action. The mystery feel of the movie was refreshing, presenting a story that felt urgent and kept viewers on their toes. A decade later, Marvel is still trying to recreate Captain America: The Winter Soldier‘s tone with new projects.
Related Captain America: Brave New World Is The Winter Soldier Sequel I’ve Waited 10 Years For
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3 Avengers: Infinity War
The Best Ending To An MCU Movie
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Avengers: Infinity War is the third Avengers movie in the game-changing Marvel Cinematic Universe. This film is positioned as the beginning of the culmination of everything that has transpired in the franchise to date. Directors Joe and Anthony Russo, who previously helmed Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Civil War, have assembled the largest ensemble in a superhero film to date. Nearly every living character in the MCU is included as the Avengers join forces with the Guardians of the Galaxy to take down Thanos in a battle that has massive repercussions for the future of the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. A sequel, Avengers: Endgame, was released in 2019 and marked the end of the Infinity Saga.
Director Joe Russo , Anthony Russo Release Date April 27, 2018 Cast Chris Hemsworth , Anthony Mackie , Elizabeth Olsen , Robert Downey Jr. , Scarlett Johansson , Mark Ruffalo , Sebastian Stan , Paul Rudd , Chadwick Boseman , Don Cheadle , Samuel L. Jackson , Josh Brolin , Tom Holland , Evangeline Lilly , Paul Bettany , Chris Evans , Jeremy Renner Runtime 149 minutes Expand
Avengers: Infinity War shook the MCU to its core. The movie was an unprecedented event in superhero films, bringing together characters from not only the Avengers movies but all over the MCU. Josh Brolin’s Thanos was the true star of the film, with the focus on the villain’s quest upping the stakes to the highest they had ever been in the franchise. Also, having so many different heroes interact led to delightful moments.
Characters like the Iron Man, Doctor Strange, and Spider-Man group showed incredible chemistry that fans had been dreaming about for years. Avengers: Infinity War was almost non-stop action, with Thanos on his quest to collect all the Infinity Stones and erase half of the universe’s population. The movie was dark and made it seem like all the heroes could die at any moment. With Thanos victorious and several Avengers snapped away, Avengers: Infinity War has the most impactful ending in the MCU.
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Related 6 Years On, I’ve Never Experienced Anything Like Avengers: Infinity War’s Ending
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2 Spider-Man: No Way Home
A Generational Marvel Event
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For the first time in the cinematic history of Spider-Man, our friendly neighborhood hero is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life from the trials and tribulations of being a superhero. In Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) asks for help from Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) when his identity becomes a problem for the ones he loves. Unfortunately, when the spell goes wrong, Spider-Man will now have to face off with villains such as Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina) and Electro (Jamie Foxx) as Peter finally comes to terms that he can’t run from being Spider-Man. Supported by his close friends and help from an unexpected place (or multiverse), Spider-Man will go toe-to-toe with some of the most legendary foes in his storied history.
Director Jon Watts Release Date December 17, 2021 Cast Tom Holland , Zendaya , Benedict Cumberbatch , Jacob Batalon , Jon Favreau , Jamie Foxx , Willem Dafoe , Alfred Molina , Benedict Wong , Tony Revolori , Marisa Tomei , Andrew Garfield , Tobey Maguire Runtime 148 Minutes
Spider-Man: No Way Home made every Peter Parker fan’s wildest dreams come true. The fact the movie even exists is a miracle, but it actually being one of the most exciting entries in the MCU just makes it all the better. The MCU’s third Spider-Man movie brought together Tom Holland, Tobey Maguire, and Andrew Garfield as their versions of Spider-Man. The trio sits among Marvel’s best live-action teams.
Holland, Maguire, and Garfield’s Spider-Man had pitch-perfect chemistry, making them feel like brothers, which the actors have since talked about, saying it was also their feeling behind the scenes. Spider-Man: No Way Home also did a masterful job of keeping the focus on Holland’s Peter Parker despite the arrival of the multiverse Spider-Men and villains from their movies. The MCU’s Spider-Man suffered heavy losses that will completely change Peter forever, making Spider-Man: No Way Home a love letter to the character and a perfect trilogy finale.
Related Deadpool Is The Only One To Remember Who The MCU’s Peter Parker Is In Marvel Theory
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1 Avengers: Endgame
The MCU’s Most Important Sequel
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The penultimate chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Avengers: Endgame, marks the finale of the first three phases of the MCU and acts as part two of Avengers: Infinity War. With Earth’s Mightiest Heroes failing to stop Thanos from wiping out half of all existence, the heroes discover one final chance to make things right. Journeying back through space and time, the surviving Avengers attempt to stop Thanos before all is lost.
Director Joe Russo , Anthony Russo Release Date April 26, 2019 Cast Chris Hemsworth , Anthony Mackie , Paul Rudd , Robert Downey Jr. , Scarlett Johansson , Mark Ruffalo , Evangeline Lilly , Sebastian Stan , Josh Brolin , Elizabeth Olsen , Tom Holland , Don Cheadle , Samuel L. Jackson , Bradley Cooper , Karen Gillan , Brie Larson , Paul Bettany , Chris Evans , Jeremy Renner , Chadwick Boseman Runtime 182 Minutes Expand
Finally, Avengers: Endgame is the biggest sequel in the MCU. The movie had the daunting task of not only following up the excellent Avengers: Infinity War but also serving as the culmination of a decade of stories. Avengers: Endgame was right to mostly focus on the original Avengers team — with a few additions — as it allowed the heroes to have one final adventure together before half would die or leave the MCU.
The idea of having time travel play a role in the movie was inspired. It allowed Avengers: Endgame to be a big victory lap around the MCU, going back to key moments in the franchise. Iron Man and Black Widow’s deaths were shocking and extremely sad, but at the end of the day, the heroes won. The movie stands as the Avengers’ biggest win, balancing so many characters with great skill and bringing to life the best superhero live-action battle ever in its third act, crowning Avengers: Endgame the MCU’s best sequel.
Upcoming MCU Movies
- Captain America: Brave New World
Release Date February 14, 2025
- Thunderbolts*
Release Date May 2, 2025
- The Fantastic Four (2025)
Release Date July 25, 2025
- Blade (2025)
Release Date November 7, 2025
- Avengers: Doomsday
Release Date May 1, 2026
- Avengers: Secret Wars
Release Date May 7, 2027