RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesStars Tom Holland and Zendaya at the premiere of "Spider-Man: Brand New Day." VCG/VCG/Getty Images
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been going strong since 2008's "Iron Man."
There have been 38 movies, 17 TV series, and three specials to date, with many more in the works.
Here's how they all compare, according to critics.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been a huge box-office force ever since its first film, "Iron Man," debuted in 2008.
Eighteen years and 37 more films later, the MCU has experienced its fair share of ups and downs, both critically and commercially.
This year's first MCU film, "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," has garnered strong early reviews, while the studio's most-anticipated film of 2026, " Avengers: Doomsday ," is yet to come.
We used Rotten Tomatoes scores to rank every single MCU project — including movies, TV series, animated series, and special presentations — from worst to best.
See how each hero stacks up.
57 (tie). "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" (2023)
Marvel Studios
Rotten Tomatoes score: 46%
The best part of "Quantumania," the third installment in the Paul Rudd-led "Ant-Man" series, was Jonathan Majors' introduction as the MCU's next big bad, Kang, audiences and critics agreed — although, Majors' time in the MCU was short-lived as a result of his legal troubles.
While critics had a tougher time with the miniature film, the audience score of 81% shows that fans had a good time with Scott, Hope, Hank, Janet, and Cassie down in the Quantum Realm.
"The general color-drenched too-muchness of it all might be tolerable if the plot wasn't such a by-the-numbers slog, alternating hyperkinetic action sequences with draggy recitations of exposition," wrote Decider's John Serba.
57 (tie). "Captain America: Brave New World" (2025)
Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Captain America in "Captain America: Brave New World." Eli Adé/Marvel Studios
Rotten Tomatoes score: 46%
"Brave New World" sees Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) officially take over for Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) as Captain America on the big screen, while his old friend Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez) is the new Falcon.
Sam must go up against President Thunderbolt Ross — with Harrison Ford taking over for William Hurt, who died in 2022 — who has somehow turned into, you guessed it, Red Hulk.
"Though it ties together threads from the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a whole, 'Brave New World' is neither particularly good or bad. It's just another Marvel movie," wrote Dylan Roth for the Observer .
56. "Eternals" (2021)
Marvel Studios
Rotten Tomatoes score: 48%
"Eternals," directed by Oscar winner Chloé Zhao, attempted to introduce an entirely new team of superheroes, an alien race called the Eternals, to the MCU, and followed them from prehistoric times all the way through present day. Your mileage may vary on how successful she was — but "Eternals" did introduce Harry Styles to the MCU, so there's that.
"Zhao ultimately robs the artist's comic of its sweep by constantly turning a space opera into a repetitive character drama," wrote Ed Gonzalez for Slant Magazine.
55. "Secret Invasion" (2023)
Emilia Clarke in "Secret Invasion." Gareth Gatrell/Marvel
Rotten Tomatoes score: 53%
"Secret Invasion" continues the story of the Skrulls, a few decades after we last saw them in "Captain Marvel," as they search for a new planet with the help of Nick Fury, played by Samuel L. Jackson.
But not even the all-star cast of Jackson, Emilia Clarke, Olivia Colman, Don Cheadle, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Cobie Smulders, Martin Freeman, and more could save this show from getting torn apart by critics.
"If a series about Nick Fury doesn't feel urgent or crucial, then the MCU is losing the battle for our attention," wrote Melanie McFarland for Salon.
54. "The Marvels" (2023)
Brie Larson as Captain Marvel in "The Marvels." Laura Radford/Marvel Studios
Rotten Tomatoes score: 63%
"The Marvels," the long-awaited follow-up to 2019's "Captain Marvel," sees Brie Larson's Carol Danvers team up with Monica Rambeau, aka Photon (Teyonah Parris), and Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel (Imani Vellani) to take down a new threat.
"It might not have the overwhelming impact of an 'Endgame' or even a 'Guardians 3,' but this is the MCU back on fast, funny form," wrote Empire Magazine's Helen O'Hara.
53. "Thor: Love and Thunder" (2022)
Chris Hemsworth as Thor in "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios
Rotten Tomatoes score: 64%
The follow-up to smash hit "Thor: Ragnarok" and the first-ever fourth solo film for an MCU hero didn't live up to expectations, at least according to critics. But we did get to see Natalie Portman return to the MCU as her version of the Mighty Thor, a couple of screaming goats, and a jaw-dropping post-credits cameo.
"Though Chris Hemsworth, as usual, has a lot of fun in the title role, the film around him too often strains to provide excitement and laughs," wrote Wall Street Journal's Kyle Smith.
52. "Marvel Zombies" (2025)
Disney+
Rotten Tomatoes score: 66%
A successful stand-alone episode in "What If…?" season one, where the Watcher asked viewers to consider one thing — zombies — inspired a four-part animated special that followed a group of ragtag heroes as they tried to save the world from a zombie apocalypse.
"Even with the zombie apocalypse there to spice up their lives, Marvel's newest heroes are less lively than the arm-munchers surrounding them," wrote AV Club's Jarrod Jones.
51. "Thor: The Dark World" (2013)
"Thor: The Dark World" was directed by Alan Taylor. Marvel Studios
Rotten Tomatoes score: 67%
"Thor: The Dark World" — the 2013 sequel to the 2011 film — stars Chris Hemsworth as the titular Norse god, Tom Hiddleston as his mischievous brother Loki, and Natalie Portman as Thor's Earth-bound l...
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