Some of the Marvel Cinematic Universe‘s 37 movies have aged better than others. Since the franchise’s beginning in 2008, both MCU origin stories and team-up events have delivered thrilling superhero action and satisfying emotional payoffs through riveting storytelling. Widely adored MCU films such as The Avengers (2012), Captain America: Civil War (2016), and Black Panther (2018) immediately won the hearts of fans upon opening in theaters, and they are still outstanding today. On the other hand, several MCU movies only get more enjoyable years later. Some of these titles garnered tons of praise when they were released, and others received mixed reactions. Either way, the MCU’s best installments are always worth revisiting as time goes on.
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The following 5 MCU movies are even better when watching them now, compared to when they came out.
5) Thor: The Dark World
Thor: The Dark World (2013) might still be among the worst-received MCU movies, but its viewing experience has improved over time. Thor’s (Chris Hemsworth) second solo film has tons of engaging action and features a terrific version of Loki (Tom Hiddleston); however, The Dark World‘s forgettable antagonist, Malekith (Christopher Eccleston), and thin character development render it a mediocre MCU installment. Even so, the overly comedic direction the franchise took with Thor following The Dark World proves that the movie wasn’t that bad.
The God of Thunder finds himself reduced to a parody of himself while mourning the loss of his brother in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame and while battling Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale) alongside familiar faces in Thor: Love and Thunder. As a result, The Dark World’s more serious tone and levelheaded approach are more pleasant in retrospect. The Dark World is far from exceptional, but nowadays it’s a relief to watch a Thor movie that doesn’t oversaturate itself with humor.
4) Avengers: Age of Ultron
Avengers: Age of Ultron didn’t quite live up to its predecessor or prevail over the two ensuing Avengers titles, but it’s one of the most compelling MCU movies to revisit a decade after its release. Earth’s Mightiest Heroes go to war with the artificial intelligence villain Ultron (James Spader), which feels a lot more relevant today amid the heightened presence of AI in everyday life. A thought-provoking examination of AI’s potential consequences and an action-packed superhero flick, Age of Ultron has plenty to offer audiences who weren’t overly impressed when they first watched it 10 years ago.
The movie still contains glaring missteps like Bruce Banner/Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow’s (Scarlett Johansson) awkward romance; however, its best elements have only gotten better with age. Wanda Maximoff’s (Elizabeth Olsen) introduction is fun to rewatch, given how she has evolved into a wonderfully complex character since Age of Ultron. Moreover, the film’s Earth-centric story is a breath of fresh air after the Avengers’ ensuing battle with Thanos (Josh Brolin) and the MCU’s subsequent dive into the multiverse.
3) Black Widow
The release of Black Widow (2021) was somewhat tainted by Marvel putting off a Black Widow solo movie for 11 years before finally pulling the trigger after Natasha’s death in Avengers: Endgame. Leaping back in time after the events of Captain America: Civil War and before Avengers: Infinity War to tell the story of Natasha’s estranged family was far less ideal than simply releasing Black Widow between the two films.
Nonetheless, Black Widow has proven to hold a greater value to the MCU’s future. The superb debut of Natasha’s adopted sister, Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), needed to carry Black Widow’s legacy into the MCU’s future, and her subsequent appearances in Hawkeye and Thunderbolts* did that and more. Black Widow remains an impressive film that shines thanks to its genuine heart and sense of humor. The MCU has since granted Yelena a prominent spotlight that develops her as the layered character Natasha never became. Thus, returning to Black Widow as Yelena stands as one of the faces of the franchise is a fun and gratifying experience.
2) Guardians of the Galaxy
James Gunn’s first superhero franchise movie is somehow even better 11 years later. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) spearheaded the titular team’s MCU trilogy, which excellently continued with 2017’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and concluded with 2023’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 to cement it as arguably the franchise’s greatest trilogy. Effortlessly hilarious and deeply heartfelt, Guardians of the Galaxy‘s story about an unlikely band of misfits fighting and caring for each other in outer space is best enjoyed after seeing how the Guardians evolve in the subsequent two movies.
Moreover, the group plays a major role in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, making their first adventure even more satisfying. The Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy’s success was hardly anticipated when the first movie hit theaters, so it’s amazing to return to the start of an incredible arc again and again.
1) Avengers: Infinity War
2018’s Avengers: Infinity War was a near-perfect movie when it released, but it’s now clear that it’s the MCU’s flagship film. With sky-high stakes and a truly audacious ending involving Thanos’ success in obtaining the Infinity Stones and eliminating half of the universe’s life, the MCU delivered an unforgettable work of cinema that time has only improved. The Avengers’ staggering defeat at the end of Infinity War raised questions about whether such a storytelling decision would pay off, but Endgame‘s success proves that it was a genius move.
Additionally, the MCU has woven Thanos’ Snap and the Blip into its story years later, making Infinity War‘s events feel even more consequential. Seven years on, the MCU has expertly capitalized on Infinity War‘s best qualities, solidifying the third Avengers movie as a pivotal factor in elevating the MCU’s lofty stature in the entertainment world today. Infinity War was a massive triumph in 2018, and in 2025, it has aged into an icon.
Which MCU movies do you think aged the best? Let us know in the comments!
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Image courtesy of Lucasfilm
