The Marvel Cinematic Universe: 32 Movies In A Nutshell
The Marvel Cinematic Universe, aka the MCU, is 15 years old (2008–2023) and has given birth to 32 movies. I have watched every single one of them. I invite you to revisit your memories of past MCU movies by reading the synopsizes below.
Enjoy reviewing each movie, their climatic scenes, and how they interconnect with the main MCU storyline. Let’s do this!
SPOILER ALERT!
If you haven’t watched these movies, know that I have to spoil them to fully dive into their stories. You have been warned!
THE INFINITY SAGA
Phase 1
1- Iron Man (2008)
The Gist: Tony Stark, a brilliant billionaire and weapons manufacturer, is captured by terrorists who force him to build a devastating weapon. Instead, he creates a high-tech suit of armor and escapes.
Back home, Tony perfects his Iron Man suit and decides to use his technology to protect the world. He uncovers a conspiracy within his own company and battles against the villainous Obadiah Stane.
The climactic scene features Tony Stark, clad in his newly refined Iron Man suit, battling against Obadiah Stane, who has donned his powerful suit, the Iron Monger. The fight takes place amid the wreckage of Stark Industries. Tony utilizes his superior technology and resourcefulness to outmaneuver and defeat Obadiah, saving Pepper Potts and stopping Stane’s destructive plans.
Noteworthy Events: This movie started it all. Tony Stark publically reveals his identity as Iron Man. In a post-credits scene, Nick Fury proposes the “Avenger Initiative” to Stark. This sets the stage for his role as a prominent hero and the creation of the Avengers.
2- The Incredible Hulk (2008)
The Gist: Dr. Bruce Banner, a scientist exposed to gamma radiation, transforms into a giant green monster known as the Hulk whenever he gets angry. On the run from the government, he seeks a cure while facing off against a ruthless soldier, Emil Blonsky, who becomes the powerful Abomination. Bruce’s love interest, Betty Ross, helps him evade capture while also dealing with her conflicted feelings.
The final act showcases a fierce showdown between the Hulk and the Abomination, Emil Blonsky, in the streets of Harlem. As the two superhuman beings clash, wreaking havoc, they engage in a brutal and destructive battle. Ultimately, the Hulk gains the upper hand and defeats the Abomination, saving the city from further devastation.
Noteworthy Events: Tony Stark approaches Ross about forming a team, hinting at the interconnectivity of MCU movies. Besides The Hulk, the movie introduces characters such as Thunderbolt Ross, the Leader, and the Abomination. They will go on to reprise their roles in other MCU projects.
3- Iron Man 2 (2010)
The Gist: Tony Stark faces both personal and professional challenges as he deals with the aftermath of revealing his identity as Iron Man to the world. He contends with a vengeful Russian physicist, Ivan Vanko, who creates powerful energy whips to exact his revenge. Tony also clashes with Justin Hammer, a rival industrialist, who tries to replicate Tony’s technology. Throughout the film, Tony’s health deteriorates due to the palladium core in his chest, which powers the suit but is also slowly killing him.
Iron Man and War Machine face off against the enemies, fighting side by side to overcome overwhelming odds. Through their combined firepower and teamwork, Iron Man and War Machine defeat Ivan Vanko and Justin Hammer’s drones and emerge victorious.
Noteworthy Events: Tony discovers a new element to replace the palladium core. Black Widow and Agent Phil Culson play important roles. In a post-credits scene, Coulson finds a large hammer in a desert in New Mexico, sowing the seeds of the next movie.
4- Thor (2011)
The Gist: Thor, the Norse god of thunder, is banished from Asgard by his father, Odin, and sent to Earth as punishment. Stripped of his powers, Thor learns humility and the importance of selflessness while falling in love with Jane Foster, a scientist studying anomalies. As Thor adapts to life on Earth, his brother Loki plots to take the throne of Asgard.
Thor battles the Destroyer, a powerful Asgardian weapon sent to Earth by Loki. He sacrifices himself to protect his newfound friends and offers himself as a distraction, allowing his allies to regroup and devise a plan. Through his selflessness, Thor regains his worthiness and retrieves Mjolnir, reclaiming his full power and defeating the Destroyer.
Noteworthy Events: Hawkeye gets a brief appearance. In a post-credits scene, Dr. Erik Selvig is taken to a S.H.I.E.L.D. facility where Nick Fury asks him to study a mysterious cube-shaped object. This artifact kicks off an essential facet of what will become the Infinity Saga.
5- Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
The Gist: Set during World War II, Steve Rogers, a scrawny but determined young man, volunteers for a military experiment that transforms him into the super-soldier Captain America. With his enhanced strength and agility, Steve battles against the evil organization Hydra and its leader, Red Skull. Alongside his allies, including Peggy Carter and Howard Stark, Steve fights to stop Hydra from harnessing the power of the Tesseract, a mysterious energy source.
Captain America faces off against the Red Skull. As the aircraft heads towards the United States with weapons of mass destruction, Steve Rogers battles his way through Hydra agents, ultimately confronting the Red Skull on the aircraft’s main deck. In a final act of sacrifice, Rogers crashes the aircraft into the Arctic, preserving innocent lives and freezing himself in the process. This event leads to his eventual revival in the present day, setting the stage for his role as a key Avenger.
Noteworthy Events: This film develops the Tesseract storyline further, establishing a pattern for future movies in which heroes, villains, and magical artifacts will take center stage. Nick Furry gives Captain America a mission, adding another potential member to his secret team.
6- The Avengers (2012)
The Gist: Earth’s mightiest heroes — Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye — are brought together by S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury to face a global threat. Loki, the adopted brother of Thor, steals the Tesseract and leads an alien invasion to conquer Earth. The Avengers must put aside their differences and learn to work as a team to stop Loki and his army.
The epic Battle of New York unfolds, as the Avengers come together to defend the city against Loki and his Chitauri army. The battle rages across the streets, with each Avenger utilizing their unique abilities to counter the Chitauri invasion. Iron Man, aided by the Hulk, ultimately takes a nuclear missile through the wormhole to destroy the Chitauri mothership, leading to their defeat and the city’s salvation.
Noteworthy Events: The formation of the Avengers team is a pivotal event. Their successful defense of New York City solidifies their role as protectors of the world. The Battle of New York is revisited in other MCU movies and shows as a world-changing event. The powers of Loki’s scepter establish a storyline explored in subsequent films. A post-credit scene introduces Thanos.
Phase 2
7- Iron Man 3 (2013)
The Gist: Tony Stark, haunted by the events of New York, faces a new threat in the form of the enigmatic terrorist known as the Mandarin. As he investigates a series of bombings linked to the Mandarin, Tony’s world is turned upside down. A human-enhancing substance called Extremis is revealed as the enemy’s weapon. Stripped of his suits and resources, he relies on his intellect and resilience to uncover the truth. Along the way, Tony faces his inner demons and learns the importance of the man behind the suit.
The climactic scene takes place at Stark’s mansion, which is under attack by Aldrich Killian and his Extremis-enhanced soldiers. Tony Stark, unable to access his suits, fights against overwhelming odds to protect Pepper Potts and thwart Killian’s plans. Through his resourcefulness and clever use of his technology, Tony overcomes the Extremis soldiers and ultimately defeats Killian by destroying his Arc Reactor.
Noteworthy Events: Tony’s decision to destroy his suits and undergo surgery to remove the shrapnel in his chest, symbolizes his willingness to move on from his dependency on Iron Man and focus on the man he has become.
8- Thor: The Dark World (2013)
The Gist: Thor, now the rightful heir to the throne of Asgard, faces a new threat when the dark elf Malekith awakens after thousands of years. Malekith seeks to use a powerful weapon known as the Aether to plunge the universe into darkness. Thor must team up with his mischievous brother Loki to stop the impending destruction.
The climactic scene occurs in Greenwich, London, where Malekith attempts to use the Aether. Thor, with the aid of his allies and the sacrifice of his mother, Frigga, battles against Malekith. Using his lightning powers and Mjolnir, Thor manages to outmaneuver Malekith and utilizes the Convergence to defeat him, ultimately saving the universe from destruction.
Noteworthy Events: Loki fakes his death and secretly takes the throne of Asgard. Loki’s actions have far-reaching effects on the fate of Asgard and the universe. In a mid-credits scene, the Collector guards the Aether, keeping it far from the Tesseract. These two are called Infinity Stones. The Collector reveals his desire to obtain the other five Stones.
9- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
The Gist: Two years after the Battle of New York, Steve Rogers has acclimated to life in the modern world and works for S.H.I.E.L.D. He discovers a sinister plot called Project Insight. Nick Fury is attacked by the Winter Soldier and fakes his death. Rogers and Black Widow uncover Hydra’s infiltration within S.H.I.E.L.D., led by Alexander Pierce. With the help of Falcon, they stop Hydra’s plan to use Helicarriers to eliminate threats worldwide. Fury goes underground to dismantle Hydra, and Rogers sets out to find his brainwashed friend, Bucky Barnes, aka the Winter Soldier.
A climactic scene unfolds on three Helicarriers, where Captain America and his allies face off against HYDRA agents led by the Winter Soldier. Steve Rogers must not only defeat the Winter Soldier but also prevent the Helicarriers from targeting innocent lives. Through relentless determination and his unwavering belief in justice, Captain America succeeds in disabling the Helicarriers and confronting the Winter Soldier, revealing his true identity to Bucky and planting seeds of redemption.
Noteworthy Events: The fall of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the revelation of Hydra’s infiltration within the organization drastically changed the landscape of the MCU. In a mid-credits scene, Hydra experiments with the scepter’s powers, foreshadowing the “age of miracles.” In a post-credits scene, Barnes visits his memorial at the Smithsonian, planting the seeds of his redemption.
10- Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
The Gist: Peter Quill, a charismatic space scavenger, finds himself the target of a relentless bounty hunter after he steals a mysterious orb. As he tries to sell the orb, Peter forms an unlikely alliance with a group of misfits: Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, Rocket, and Groot. Together, they discover the orb’s true power and the threat it poses to the galaxy.
The final act occurs on the Dark Aster, Ronan the Accuser’s massive warship, as the Guardians unite to stop Ronan from using the Power Stone to destroy Xandar. With the aid of the Nova Corps and the power of friendship, the Guardians overcome Ronan’s forces and confront the powerful villain. Peter Quill, harnessing the power of the Stone, shares the energy with his teammates, allowing them to withstand its power. Together, they defeat Ronan and save Xandar from destruction.
Noteworthy Events: The Guardians obtain the Power Stone, another one of the Infinity Stones. This acquisition sets in motion the cosmic elements of the MCU, tying the Guardians’ journey to the larger intergalactic storyline. Thanos makes an appearance sitting on a space throne.
11- Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
The Gist: The Avengers raid a Hydra facility and recover Loki’s scepter. Tony Stark and Bruce Banner create an AI named Ultron to protect the world, but it becomes sentient and turns against humanity. Ultron allies with twins Pietro and Wanda Maximoff, and seeks to cause global extinction.
The final battle takes place in the fictional city of Sokovia, where Ultron plans to use a device to cause global extinction. The Avengers confront Ultron and create Vision to help stop him. Pietro and Wanda Maximoff join them. The Avengers, boosted by new allies, engage in a massive battle against Ultron’s army of drones. As the city begins to rise into the sky, the Avengers work together to evacuate civilians and prevent mass destruction. Ultimately, the heroes combine their powers to destroy the device. Pietro dies, Wanda destroys Ultron’s main body, and the city is saved from crashing. Vision destroys Ultron’s last body. The Avengers successfully save Sokovia, but not without devastating consequences and the disbanding of the team.
Noteworthy Events: Tony Stark’s creation of Ultron sets off a chain of events that lead to the fracture of the team and sow the seeds for future conflicts within the Avengers. In a mid-credit scene, Thanos takes the Infinity Gauntlet and vows to gather the Infinity Stones himself.
12- Ant-Man (2015)
The Gist: Scientist Hank Pym, the original Ant-Man, discovers S.H.I.E.L.D.’s attempt to replicate his shrinking technology and resigns. His former protégé, Darren Cross, forces him out of his company, intending to create the dangerous Yellowjacket suit. Scott Lang, a well-meaning thief, becomes the new Ant-Man after Pym recruits him to steal the Yellowjacket. Lang trains with Hope, Hank’s daughter. They plan to infiltrate Pym Technologies to stop Cross from selling the suits to Hydra.
The climactic scene occurs in Pym Technologies, where Darren Cross plans to sell a weaponized version of the Ant-Man suit known as the Yellowjacket. Scott Lang, as Ant-Man, infiltrates the facility and engages in a fight against Cross, who dons the Yellowjacket suit. Ant-Man’s ability to shrink and control ants gives him an advantage as he battles Cross, eventually disabling the Yellowjacket suit and saving the day.
Noteworthy Events: Scott’s introduction to the world of superheroes establishes his role in future Avengers missions and contributes to the interconnected storyline. In a mid-credits scene, Pym offers the new Wasp suit to Hope.
Phase 3
13- Captain America: Civil War (2016)
The Gist: The Avengers find themselves divided when the government introduces the Sokovia Accords, which require superheroes to be regulated. Iron Man supports the accords, while Captain America opposes them. The disagreement escalates into a battle as new allies join both sides.
At an abandoned airport, the two factions of Avengers clash in a colossal battle. Iron Man leads one faction, supporting the government’s oversight of superheroes, while Captain America leads the opposing faction, resisting the restrictions. The battle involves multiple heroes engaging in intense combat, showcasing their unique abilities and alliances. The climax intensifies with the reveal of the Winter Soldier’s involvement in Tony Stark’s parents’ death, leading to a personal confrontation between Captain America, Iron Man, and the Winter Soldier. The battle ends with devastating consequences, altering the dynamics of the Avengers and leaving the team fractured.
Noteworthy Events: This movie introduces Spider-Man and the Black Panther in the MCU. The fracturing of the Avengers and the emotional clash between Captain America and Iron Man sets the stage for the future direction of the Avengers.
14- Doctor Strange (2016)
The Gist: Dr. Stephen Strange, a brilliant yet arrogant neurosurgeon, loses the ability to use his hands in a car crash. Desperate for a cure, he discovers the world of mystic arts and trains under the Ancient One. Kaecilius, a rogue sorcerer, seeks power from the Dark Dimension to bring eternal life, threatening Earth’s safety. Strange, aided by the Cloak of Levitation, battles Kaecilius and his zealots to protect the Sanctums guarding Earth. When the Ancient One dies, Strange confronts the antagonists using the Time Stone.
Kaecilius and his followers seek to bring about the destruction of Earth and join the dark entity Dormammu. Strange battles against Kaecilius and the other zealots in a mind-bending fight. As the sanctums protecting the Earth crumble, Strange taps into the power of the Time Stone, entering a time loop that traps Dormammu. Through an unconventional negotiation, Strange forces Dormammu to leave Earth in exchange for breaking the loop, saving the world from destruction.
Noteworthy Events: This film introduces the Time Stone, one of the Infinity Stones. Stephen’s mastery of this time-bending relic foreshadows his crucial role in the battle against Thanos and hints at the mystical elements that shape the interconnected storyline.
15- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
The Gist: The Guardians embark on a new journey as they fathom the enigma of Peter Quill’s parentage. Along the way, they encounter old foes and form new alliances. Family, both biological and chosen, takes center stage as the Guardians confront their past and face their future.
In a climactic scene, the Guardians face Ego The Living Planet, who is revealed as Peter Quill’s father. Ego uncovers his true intention to consume all life in the universe. The Guardians, aided by Yondu and the Ravagers, battle against Ego’s avatar and his tentacled extensions. The fight showcases the combined strength and unique abilities of each Guardian, including Star-Lord’s celestial powers. Ultimately, Peter realizes the power of his emotions and taps into his celestial heritage, unleashing a devastating blast that destroys Ego, but not without tragic consequences for Yondu.
Noteworthy Events: This film reveals Peter’s lineage as the son of Ego, a Celestial being. A post-credit scene hints at the future introduction of Adam Warlock.
16- Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
The Gist: After the events of Captain America: Civil War, Peter Parker, a young and enthusiastic Spider-Man, navigates his double life as a high school student and a superhero under the mentorship of Tony Stark. Peter faces a new threat in the form of the Vulture, a villain who harnesses advanced alien technology. As he learns the true meaning of being a hero, Peter proves himself to be more than just a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.
A climactic scene takes place aboard a hijacked Stark Industries cargo plane. Spider-Man, without the help of his advanced suit, confronts Adrian Toomes, also known as the Vulture, who threatens to kill everyone on board. In a thrilling and acrobatic battle, Spider-Man showcases his resourcefulness and determination as he fights against Toomes and his advanced Vulture suit. With the aid of Tony Stark’s technology and his ingenuity, Spider-Man manages to defeat the Vulture, save the plane, and prove his worth as a hero.
Noteworthy Events: Peter rejects Tony Stark’s offer to join the Avengers and chooses to embrace his role as a neighborhood hero. This decision sets up significant challenges for Peter’s future as he strives to balance his personal life and his responsibilities as Spider-Man.
17- Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
The Gist: Thor finds himself imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer. Forced to compete in gladiatorial battles, he must escape and prevent the prophesied destruction of Asgard known as Ragnarok. With the help of his misfit allies, including the Hulk and Loki, Thor embarks on a journey to save his people from the powerful and ruthless Hela.
Thor, along with his newfound allies, battle against Hela, the Goddess of Death. As Hela seeks to unleash Ragnarok and destroy Asgard, Thor must confront the full extent of his powers and make difficult sacrifices. With the help of his allies, including Hulk, Loki, Valkyrie, and the remaining Asgardians, Thor engages in a spectacular battle against Hela and her army. The climax sees the destruction of Asgard as Thor realizes that Asgard is not a place but its people, leading to a bittersweet victory.
Noteworthy Events: The destruction of Asgard forces the Asgardians to seek refuge on Earth. In a mid-credit scene, the heroes and the Asgardians by a massive spaceship, hinting at the coming crisis ahead of them.
18- Black Panther (2018)
The Gist: T’Challa, the newly crowned king of Wakanda, faces the weight of his responsibilities as he navigates the challenges of ruling a technologically advanced but secretive nation. When an outsider, Erik Killmonger, challenges T’Challa’s claim to the throne, the Black Panther must confront his legacy and make difficult choices to protect Wakanda and its people.
A decisive battle takes place in Wakanda, where T’Challa, as Black Panther, faces off against Erik Killmonger, who challenges him for the throne and seeks to use Wakanda’s technology to enact his radical vision of world revolution. The battle between the two rivals escalates into fierce one-on-one combat, showcasing their exceptional combat skills and the power of the Black Panther suits. T’Challa’s determination and connection to his heritage drive him to confront Killmonger, ultimately leading to a profound realization and a resolution that brings about change for Wakanda.
Noteworthy Events: The revelation of Wakanda’s true nature and advanced technology to the world is a game-changer in the MCU.
19- Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
The Gist: The Avengers, along with their allies from across the universe, unite to face their greatest threat yet: Thanos, a powerful being seeking to collect all six Infinity Stones and reshape the universe. As the Mad Titan’s plans unfold, the Avengers face heartbreaking losses and must make unimaginable sacrifices to stop him.
A climactic scene unfolds on the planet Titan, where Iron Man, Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, and other heroes confront Thanos to prevent him from obtaining the final Infinity Stone. The battle is an all-out assault on Thanos, with each hero showcasing their unique abilities and strategies. Despite their best efforts, Thanos overpowers the heroes. Thanos opens a portal to Earth in Wakanda. He acquires the final Infinity Stone by decimating Vision and completes the Infinity Gauntlet. With a snap of his fingers, Thanos carries out his plan, wiping out half of all life in the universe and leaving the heroes defeated.
Noteworthy Events: The devastating event known as “the Snap” has profound consequences for the entire interconnected storyline. Nick Furry sends an urgent message to Captain Marvel, hinting at her introduction to the MCU.
20- Ant-Man and The Wasp (2018)
The Gist: Scott Lang, grappling with the consequences of his choices, dons the Ant-Man suit once again to team up with Hope van Dyne, who becomes the Wasp, on a mission to rescue Hope’s mother from the Quantum Realm. As they face a new enemy, Ghost, who can phase through matter, they uncover secrets and encounter challenges in the microscopic and mysterious realm.
Ghost attempts to obtain Janet van Dyne’s quantum energy. Ant-Man and The Wasp, joined by Hank Pym, engage in a high-stakes battle to protect Janet and prevent Ghost from achieving her destructive goals. The fight showcases the shrinking and growing abilities of the heroes, creating a visually stunning and inventive confrontation. With the help of their shrinking technology and teamwork, Ant-Man and The Wasp manage to rescue Janet and find their way back from the Quantum Realm, ultimately defeating Ghost and bringing her back from the brink of death.
Noteworthy Events: In a mid-credit scene, Hank, Hope, and Janet turn into dust while Scott is in the Quantum Realm. Accessing the Quantum Realm has far-reaching consequences, setting the stage for future stories dealing with time travel and alternative universes.
21- Captain Marvel (2019)
The Gist: Set in the 1990s, Captain Marvel follows the journey of Carol Danvers, a former U.S. Air Force pilot who becomes caught in a war between two alien races, the Skrulls and the Kree. Carol harnesses her extraordinary powers to stop an invasion that threatens Earth. Along the way, she uncovers the truth about her past and her connection to the Tesseract, an artifact introduced in previous MCU movies.
A climactic scene unfolds in space, where Captain Marvel confronts the Supreme Intelligence and the Kree Starforce led by Yon-Rogg. Captain Marvel, embracing her full powers, faces the challenge of proving her strength and identity. With her photon-blasting abilities and resilience, she overcomes the obstacles and confronts Yon-Rogg, rejecting his attempts to control her. Captain Marvel taps into her full potential and unleashes her massive energy, obliterating the Kree fleet and asserting her true power as one of the most formidable heroes in the universe.
Noteworthy Events: Captain Marvel’s introduction adds a powerful new player to the roster of heroes in the MCU and sets the stage for her future role. The movie portrays the Skrulls as refugees without a planet, and it shows how Nick Furry lost one eye.
22- Avengers: Endgame (2019)
The Gist: Following the Snap, the surviving Avengers and their allies embark on a mission to undo Thanos’ actions and restore balance to the universe. This time, the heroes defeat Thanos but find no way to undo the Snap. We see a gloomy Earth with half of all life gone 5 years later. The fractured team confronts its demons and navigates the complexities of time travel and the quantum realm to retrieve the Infinity Stones from the past. They use the stones to bring back all life that was wiped out by Thanos. But along with stones, some uninvited visitors are blasted from the past. Thanos from 2014, in full conqueror mode, also jumps into the present time with his entire army in pursuit of the stones.
The Battle of Earth sets in as the Avengers, joined by allies from across time and space, engage in a final confrontation against Thanos and his forces. The battle is a grand spectacle, with heroes from all over the universe uniting to fight against overwhelming odds. An exciting scene takes place when Captain America, wielding Thor’s enchanted hammer Mjolnir, faces Thanos one-on-one, displaying his unwavering determination and proving himself worthy. The battle reaches its peak as Iron Man sacrifices himself by using the Infinity Stones to eliminate Thanos and his army, saving the universe but at a great cost.
Noteworthy Events: The ultimate sacrifice of Tony Stark/Iron Man, as he uses the Infinity Stones to defeat Thanos and save the universe. Tony’s selfless act not only marks the end of an era but also solidifies his legacy as one of the greatest heroes in the MCU.
23- Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
The Gist: Set after the events of Avengers: Endgame, Peter Parker goes on a school trip to Europe, hoping for a break from his responsibilities as Spider-Man. However, he is thrust back into action when a new threat emerges in the form of elemental creatures. With the help of a new hero named Mysterio, Peter battles these formidable enemies while also dealing with the loss of his mentor, Tony Stark. Mysterio reveals his true intentions setting the stage for a confrontation with Spider-Man.
A climactic battle takes place in London, where Spider-Man faces off against Mysterio, who has disguised reality and poses a significant threat to Peter Parker’s loved ones. Spider-Man’s acrobatics, web-slinging, and quick thinking are put to the test as he navigates through a series of illusions and battles Mysterio’s drones. With the help of his Spidey-sense and his intelligence, Spider-Man outsmarts Mysterio and reveals his true nature as a fraud, saving himself and protecting the world from Mysterio’s machinations.
Noteworthy Events: The revelation of Peter’s secret identity by Mysterio, exposes him to the world and sets up significant challenges for his future as Spider-Man.
THE MULTIVERSE SAGA
Phase 4
24- Black Widow (2021)
The Gist: Set between the events of Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War, Black Widow delves into the untold story of Natasha Romanoff. Natasha confronts her past and reunites with her estranged “family” to take down the mysterious villain Taskmaster. Along the way, she confronts the dark secrets of the Red Room and comes to terms with her own past choices.
The final act takes place in the Red Room, where Natasha Romanoff confronts Dreykov, the mastermind behind the Black Widow program. Natasha, along with her sister Yelena, dismantles Dreykov’s control over the other Black Widows and engages in a thrilling fight against Taskmaster, a formidable adversary. Natasha confronts Dreykov and reveals the truth about his daughter, Antonia, who is being used as the new Taskmaster. With the help of her allies, Natasha neutralizes Dreykov and destroys the Red Room, freeing the captive Black Widows and bringing an end to the abusive program.
Noteworthy Events: This film explores Natasha’s backstory and delves into the revelation of her self-sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame. This adds emotional depth to her character and provides closure to her arc within the MCU.
25- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
The Gist: Wenwu discovers powerful rings that grant him immortality and founds the Ten Rings organization. He falls in love with a guardian from the village of Ta Lo named Ying Li and they have two children, Shang-Chi and Xialing. Tragedy strikes when Li is killed, and Wenwu resumes his ruthless ways. He trains Shang-Chi in martial arts. In the present, the Ten Rings attack Shang-Chi in San Francisco to obtain a pendant given to him by his mother. He teams up with his friend Katy and finds his sister Xialing to protect her pendant. They discover that Wenwu plans to open a gate to Ta Lo, believing Li is trapped there. In reality, the soul-consuming Dweller-in-Darkness is manipulating him.
The group goes to Ta Lo and learns its history, preparing to defend it from the Dweller-in-Darkness. Wenwu and the Ten Rings attack Ta Lo, and a battle ensues. Shang-Chi gains the rings from his father but chooses not to kill him. The Dweller-in-Darkness is unleashed, but the group defeats it with the help of the Great Protector, a Chinese dragon. Wenwu sacrifices himself to save Shang-Chi, passing the rings to him.
Noteworthy Events: The film reveals the rings as mystical artifacts from another dimension. Shang-Chi fully embraces his destiny as a hero and meets Wong, Bruce Banner, and Captain Marvel. This sets the stage for his future role in the MCU.
26- Eternals (2021)
The Gist: In “Eternals,” a group of superpowered beings called the Eternals is sent to Earth in 5000 BC by the Celestial Arishem to eliminate invasive entities known as Deviants. After their mission is completed in 1521, they disperse and await further orders from Arishem. In the present day, two Eternals, Sersi and Sprite, live in London, and Sersi is in a relationship with a human named Dane Whitman. When attacked by the Deviant Kro, another Eternal named Ikaris comes to their aid. They learn that their true purpose is to prepare Earth for the emergence of a Celestial named Tiamut, which would lead to the planet’s destruction.
The Eternals reunite to try to stop the Emergence, but internal conflicts arise. Ikaris had known of the Emergence and was responsible for their leader Ajak’s death. As they face the Emergence, Sersi unleashes her power to turn Tiamut into marble, while Ikaris sacrifices himself by flying into the Sun. In the aftermath, Sprite becomes human, and some Eternals depart to warn others on different planets, while others remain on Earth. Her acts prompt Arishem to bring them to justice for their acts.
Noteworthy Events: This film unveils the Celestials and their connection to the larger cosmic events in the MCU. At the end of the movie, the inert body of a dead celestial is left protruding out of the Indian Ocean. A mid-credits scene introduces Thanos’s brother Eros and Pip the Troll. In a post-credits scene, Dane Whitman receives the Ebony Blade.
27- Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
The Gist: Peter Parker’s life is turned upside down when Quentin Beck exposes his identity as Spider-Man. Seeking a solution, Parker turns to Dr. Strange for help but unintentionally interferes with a spell that would erase everyone’s memory of his secret identity. The multiverse ruptures and villains from other universes like Otto Octavius and Norman Osborn Parker appeared in Peter’s universe. A conflict between heroes and villains leads to unforeseen consequences and the tragic loss of Aunt May.
Teaming up with two alternate versions of himself, Parker confronts the remaining villains and tries to save the multiverse. The battle escalates, with the barriers between universes breaking down, and Parker realizes the sacrifice he must make to protect those he loves. He decides to erase himself from everyone’s memory, including MJ and Ned, to keep them safe.
Noteworthy Events: The film brings back the Spider-Man versions of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, sowing the seeds for Marvel heroes of different studios and eras to share the big screen and join forces in future movies.
28- Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness (2022)
The Gist: America Chavez, who has the power to travel the multiverse, meets Doctor Strange and Wong. The Scarlet Witch, Wanda Maximoff, seeks Chavez’s powers to reunite with her children. Wanda attacks Kamar-Taj, killing many sorcerers. Our heroes escape to Earth-838, encountering the Illuminati. But Wanda arrives and annihilates most of the Illuminati. With Christine Palmer’s help, Strange and Chavez flee. Strange resorts to using the Darkhold to fight Wanda.
In a climatic final act, an epic battle unfolds between the Scartet Wich against Strange, Chaves, and Wong. Strange saves Chavez by helping her to control her powers. Wanda realizes her mistakes and destroys the Darkhold while seemingly sacrificing herself.
Noteworthy Events: This movie showed a version of Fantastic Four member Reed Richards and X-Men leader Charles Xavier. Richards explained the concept of Incursions, which the post-credit scene highlighted. This sets the stage for “Avengers: Secret Wars” and future multiverse stories.
29- Thor: Love And Thunder (2022)
The Gist: Gorr, the last survivor of his race, loses his daughter Love and becomes disillusioned with the gods. He obtains the powerful Necrosword and sets out on a mission to kill all gods. Thor, teams up with his ex-girlfriend Jane Foster, who wields Mjolnir after her cancer diagnosis. Gorr attacks New Asgard and imprisons Asgardian children in the Shadow Realm. The heroes seek the help of other gods in Omnipotence City, but Zeus betrays them, leading to a confrontation where Thor impales Zeus to protect his friends.
In an epic final battle, Thor, the Asgardian children, and Foster confront Gorr and his monsters. They destroy the Necrosword. In Eternity’s realm, Gorr makes his wish, reviving Love before dying. In the aftermath, Thor adopts Love, who joins him in his heroics.
Noteworthy Events: The movie introduces Hercules in a mid-credit scene as a future Thor antagonist. Foster arrives at the gates of Valhalla, which opens the way to explore the realm of the afterlife and its connection to the multiverse.
30- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
The Gist: T’Challa, the king of Wakanda, is dying from a terminal illness, and his sister Shuri believes the “heart-shaped herb” can cure him. However, she fails to recreate it in time, and T’Challa passes away. A year later, Wakanda faces pressure to share its vibranium with other nations, and they are blamed for the actions of water-breathing superhumans led by Namor, a powerful mutant. Namor demands a scientist responsible for a vibranium detector. Shuri, along with Okoye and Nakia, gets involved in a series of events that lead to conflict between Wakanda and Namor’s underwater kingdom of Talokan.
After a devastating attack and the death of her mother, Queen Ramonda, Shuri reconstructs the heart-shaped herb using Namor’s people’s abilities and becomes the new Black Panther, seeking revenge on Namor. However, during their battle, Shuri has a vision of her mother and chooses a peaceful alliance with Namor instead. Wakanda and Talokan agree to work together, and Shuri ensures the future of the Black Panther mantle by planting more heart-shaped herbs. M’Baku steps forward to challenge the throne in Shuri’s absence.
Noteworthy Events: Namor is unveiled as a mutant. A revelation about T’Challa’s son, Toussaint, is made in the mid-credits scene. The United States revealed its intentions to attack Wakanda, which can be explored further in future movies.
Phase 5
31- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
The Gist: Janet van Dyne encounters an exiled time traveler named Kang while trapped in the Quantum Realm. In the present, Scott Lang, Hope van Dyne, and others accidentally end up in the Quantum Realm while trying to contact it. There, they learn that Kang has become its ruler and it’s bent to escape. Kang captures Janet and demands Scott’s help to retrieve his power core. Scott and Hope manage to get the core but face betrayal from Kang.
During a battle against Kang’s forces, they are assisted by a group of hyper-intelligent ants, and Cassie convinces Darren Cross to join their side. Janet fixes the power core, and the group escapes back to their world. In a final showdown, they defeat Kang and destroy the power core, preventing him from leaving the Quantum Realm.
Noteworthy Events: Kang the Conqueror makes his debut on the big screen. In a mid-credits scene, other Kang variants plan a multiversal uprising led by Immortus. In a post-credits scene, Loki and Mobius M. Mobius encounter another Kang variant named Victor Timely in 1901 on Earth.
32- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
The Gist: The Guardians are attacked by Adam, a creation of the High Evolutionary and the Sovereign high priestess Ayesha. She is seeking revenge for their theft. Rocket is critically wounded, and they discover he has a kill switch implanted by the High Evolutionary, his creator. To save Rocket, they travel to Orgocorp’s headquarters to find the switch’s override code.
As Rocket lies unconscious, he remembers his past as an experiment of the High Evolutionary. He escapes but witnesses his friends’ deaths at the hands of the High Evolutionary. In the present, the Guardians reach Counter-Earth and find the High Evolutionary, who destroys the planet. The Guardians rescue Rocket by using the code and confronting the High Evolutionary’s forces. They rescue genetically modified children and animals. In the aftermath, Quill leaves the Guardians and travels to Earth to meet his relatives. Rocket becomes the new captain.
Noteworthy Events: The movie sets up the new Guardians team, featuring Rocket, Groot, Kraglin, Cosmo, Adam, Phyla, and Adam’s pet Blurp, as they embark on a new mission.
Bonus: Loki
The Gist: The story picks up after the events of “Avengers: Endgame,” where Loki escapes with the Tesseract during a time-travel mishap. However, he is quickly apprehended by the Time Variance Authority (TVA), an organization responsible for maintaining the sacred timeline and preventing branches that could lead to a multiversal war.
Loki is taken to the TVA headquarters, where he encounters Mobius M. Mobius, a TVA agent. Mobius enlists Loki to hunt down a dangerous Loki variant known as Sylvie, who has been causing timeline disruptions. As they pursue Sylvie, Loki learns more about the TVA’s purpose and the existence of the Time-Keepers, enigmatic beings who control time.
Throughout their journey, Loki and Sylvie form a complicated bond and discover that the TVA’s reality might not be what it seems. They uncover the truth about the Time-Keepers and their real puppeteer, a mysterious human known as “He Who Remains.” He reveals that his control over the timeline is vital to prevent the emergence of dangerous variants of himself.
In a dramatic climax, Sylvie decides to kill He Who Remains, breaking the sacred timeline and causing the multiverse to branch uncontrollably. Loki desperately tries to reach Mobius and the TVA to warn them, but he finds himself in an alternate TVA where Mobius and Hunter B-15 do not recognize him.
Noteworthy Events: The first season of “Loki” sets the stage for an expanded Marvel Cinematic Universe with the multiverse unleashed, paving the way for the multiverse saga and the new villains, Kang the Conqueror and the Counsel of Kangs.
Conclusion
The MCU is not just a collection of movies; it’s a cultural phenomenon that has united fans around the globe, celebrating the power of heroism, camaraderie, and hope. It has brought joy, inspiration, and a sense of community to millions of fans, proving that stories of superheroes can resonate deeply and transcend the boundaries of the screen.
The Marvel movies are still kicking and making hundreds of millions of dollars at the box office each year. If you are like me, you are eagerly awaiting Deadpool 3, The Avengers: Kang Dynasty, and the next Shang Chi movie among others. Kevin Feige is yet to introduce the mutants, Secret Wars, and the Fantastic Four. So there is still at least another decade of stories to tell. The MCU is far from over.
So, as we eagerly await the next chapter in this incredible universe, let’s celebrate the MCU — a testament to the power of storytelling, imagination, and the enduring spirit of heroism. Excelsior!
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