This summer has delivered two enormous superhero films, each stemming from the original comic book franchises that propelled the largest companies in the industry – DC Comics and Marvel. DC commenced their fresh movie universe with James Gunn’s Superman, while Marvel moved into a new phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with The Fantastic Four: Initial Leaps.
Both films received positive criticism from critics and have been successful at the box office thus far. They share several similarities: Instead of telling a traditional origin story, they opted for an action-packed adventure set several years into their crimefighting careers for their main characters. The movies also introduce charming sidekicks – Krypto for Superman, and H.E.R.B.I.E. the robot in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Both pictures are vibrant, optimistic, and convey uplifting messages about unity in saving our world.
Our latest video delves into an intriguing question: Which one is superior, Superman or The Fantastic Four: First Steps? We take you through a side-by-side analysis, highlighting their similarities and differences. Once we’ve weighed the pros and cons of each, find out which emerges victorious by watching our video below!
If you enjoyed the video comparing “Superman” and “The Fantastic Four: First Steps“, don’t forget to explore more of our content below! You might find one discussing the upcoming adventures of the Silver Surfer and Galactus, another that delves into how “Fantastic Four: First Steps” connects to “Avengers: Doomsday“, and another providing a recap of the Marvel Multiverse Saga from “Avengers: Endgame” to “The Fantastic Four: First Steps“. Additionally, there’s plenty more videos available on ScreenCrush’s YouTube channel. Make sure to subscribe to stay updated on all our upcoming episodes. By the way, both “Superman” and “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” are currently playing in cinemas near you!
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Every Marvel Cinematic Universe Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best
37. Eternals
Initially, I wouldn’t have anticipated that a Marvel film directed by an Academy Award winner and inspired by some of Jack Kirby’s daring comics would result in one of the company’s least significant productions. Regrettably, the film Eternals never fully coalesced. It generally adheres to Kirby’s fundamental principles with a few minor but bothersome alterations, such as transforming the malevolent Deviants into uninspired monsters devoid of objectives or motives. The ensemble boasts commendable supporting roles from Kumail Nanjiani and Brian Tyree Henry, yet the main characters, portrayed by Gemma Chan as Sersi and Richard Madden as Ikaris, find it challenging to convey their supposed passionate relationship. (Their romance spans 6,000 years; they seem like they’re on their initial date and things are going terribly.) The script occasionally delves into intriguing concepts regarding the links between superheroes, mythology, and religion, only to repeatedly forsake them in favor of routine combat sequences involving dull monsters. It’s challenging to conceive a more mundane movie about immortal alien robots striving to thwart impending doomsday than this one.
36. The Incredible Hulk
The production of this movie seems to have been hastily put together, as if Marvel was taken aback by the success of Iron Man and rushed it into production. The casting of Tim Roth as the world’s ultimate soldier, who transforms into a large, bony creature, is far from satisfactory, to say the least. (For more details, check out this article.)
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35. Thor: The Dark World
Instead of nearly having Patty Jenkins’ Thor, we ended up with a film that was more like a gloomy pursuit of a mystical MacGruffin and one of the most uninteresting villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, if there is any silver lining, it’s possible that without this movie performing so poorly, Marvel might not have been as open to making drastic changes like they did with Thor: Ragnarok (for more details, see here).
34. The Marvels
As a die-hard Marvel fan, I must admit that while this film isn’t the absolute worst in the franchise, it certainly stands out as the most disorganized and sweat-inducing. Three captivating Marvel heroes – Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel, Iman Vellani’s Ms. Marvel, and Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeau – find themselves thrown into a whirlwind of events to thwart a Kree warlord with a questionable agenda. The chemistry between the stars is fantastic, but the plot, although concise, is a chaotic jumble of peculiar decisions that make very little sense and often leave one scratching their head.
33. Captain America: Brave New World
Incorrect setting, inappropriate narrative: This phrase could aptly summarize several recent Marvel films that have fallen short (including “The Marvels”), but it’s particularly relevant to “Captain America: Brave New World,” which grants Anthony Mackie’s charming Sam Wilson his own movie only to burden him with a dull antagonist and a plot riddled with unnecessary references to “The Incredible Hulk” (leaving us all in suspense about Betty Ross, remember?).
32. Doctor Strange
In a nutshell, the mind-bending imagery is impressive, but “Doctor Strange” struggles to escape the sense that it’s merely an upgraded version of “Iron Man 2 (with a dash of magic)”. The positive takeaway: The intriguing conclusion involving Dormammu. The negative: The bizarre cape worn by Strange. For further insights, check out this link.
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31. Iron Man 2
Sam Rockwell’s dancing skill is better than you might recall, but it doesn’t completely mask all the flaws in this production. Trimming about 15 minutes of setup from Avengers could potentially make for a more compelling movie. (Read more here.)
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30. Ant-Man
Ant-Man isn’t terrible, but it feels like a scaled-down version of what an Edgar Wright film could have been. Nevertheless, Michael Peña’s character Luis stands out as one of the most memorable non-superpowered characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. (You can read more about it here.)
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29. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
In a matchup between Ant-Man and Kang the Conqueror, even Kang himself, portrayed by Jonathan Majors, considers Scott Lang as out of his depth. This apparent disparity can be seen as symbolic for the movie itself: The lighthearted, low-stakes universe of the Ant-Man series, characterized by its clever humor and relatable characters, pales in comparison to the grand multiversal conflicts of Marvel Phase 5 on the big screen. As a Marvel film experience, it gets the job done. However, as an extension of the Ant-Man saga, it’s merely average. Unfortunately, if you were anticipating Michael Peña’s Luis in this installment, you’ll be disappointed as he doesn’t make an appearance here at all.
28. Ant-Man and the Wasp
The movie “Ant-Man and the Wasp” shines brightest when it emphasizes its simplicity, featuring Paul Rudd bantering with his fellow actors, Michael Peña’s heartfelt monologues, and a modest family drama centered around a fractured family striving to heal and reunite. (Read more
27. Captain Marvel
In a nutshell, Brie Larson’s portrayal of Carol Danvers in her Marvel film could have used a bit more emotional depth, but it managed to stay engaging thanks to two standout performances. Ben Mendelsohn played the clever Skrull Talos, while Samuel L. Jackson and his impressive de-aging effects brought a youthful Nick Fury to life. (For further details, check out this article.)
26. Black Widow
In 2021, Scarlett Johansson’s long-awaited solo outing from the Avengers arrived, but instead of a standalone adventure, she primarily functioned as a straight character to comedic exchanges with her Russian superhero team members, such as David Harbour’s self-centered Red Guardian and Florence Pugh’s captivating Yelena. Consequently, Black Widow didn’t fully embody the fitting farewell the character deserved. Nevertheless, it remains another well-executed Marvel blockbuster, boasting remarkable stunt sequences and an engaging villain in the form of Taskmaster, who has the ability to replicate the fighting styles of any adversary he encounters.
25. Thor: Love and Thunder
Experiencing Taika Waititi’s second Thor film, “Thor: Love and Thunder,” seems somewhat like witnessing a magician performing the same trick twice in quick succession. The initial performance left you awestruck. However, while the second one is still entertaining, it lacks the element of surprise that the first had. Christian Bale delivers an unsettling portrayal of Gorr the God-Butcher, yet his intense and highly emotional villain persona seems somewhat discordant with Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and his constant humor. Essentially, “Thor: Love and Thunder” retains all the components of Waititi’s “Thor: Ragnarok,” but they don’t harmonize as effectively this time around.
24. Deadpool & Wolverine
In this movie, the camaraderie between Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman is simply fantastic, with cameos that are not only unexpected but also jaw-dropping. The plot, however, pushes the limits of how much information a film can pack without becoming incomprehensible. It seems like each character has an excessive number of tragic pasts, at least two in this case! If you manage to ignore everything happening on screen for even a moment, you’ll likely have a tolerable experience. Jackman and Reynolds indeed embody the characters of Deadpool and Wolverine, reluctantly teaming up to safeguard the Fox X-Men universe. Unfortunately, you might find yourself wishing that the writers, including Reynolds himself, had maintained their end of the deal a bit more effectively.
23. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
In a nutshell, the alternate take on “Iron Man 2” – let’s call it the Bizarro version – is not as bad as you might recall, but it’s far from perfect. The promotional hype focused too much on the conspiracy thriller aspect, which didn’t quite live up to expectations. However, Anthony Mackie’s character Falcon was a fantastic new addition to the series, and Chris Evans delivered another solid performance as Captain America. Yet, it’s hard to swallow that Nick Fury – the world’s greatest spy – was oblivious to the fact that nearly everyone at SHIELD was corrupt, except for him and his two companions. It seems rather unrealistic, don’t you think?
(Read more here.)
22. Avengers: Infinity War
This film boasts an impressive scale and a climactic ending that’s truly memorable, but it lacks something essential for some viewers. If you’re primarily seeking non-stop action with some witty dialogue, then this movie might meet your expectations. However, if you prefer the characters, camaraderie, and more tranquil scenes between the battles, this film might not resonate as deeply with you. (Read more here.)
21. Iron Man 3
The film was generally enjoyable, but its connection to the Marvel Cinematic Universe diminished some of its impact. The movie effectively set up Tony Stark’s departure from his Iron Man persona, only for him to appear in several subsequent films afterwards. Guy Pearce’s performance as Killian was lackluster, but Downey Jr.’s scenes with a bright young character were top-notch. (You can read more about it here.)
20. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
From the get-go: The climax, filled with dragons and monsters clashing in a thick gray mist, was quite a messy CGI spectacle. However, before that point, Shang-Chi could very well be Marvel’s finest action film yet, boasting numerous intense and intricate fight sequences. (The bus fight scene is particularly entertaining.) Simu Liu delivers a captivating lead performance, with Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh offering robust supporting roles, and Ben Kingsley and Awkwafina consistently providing comic relief. (Kingsley as the former Mandarin Trevor Slattery, may not have been the most beloved Marvel villain initially, but Marvel has cleverly transformed him into a delightful secondary character.)
19. Thor
A sprawling, universe-wide saga primarily unfolding in the tiniest town of New Mexico – isn’t that an unusual setting for a film like Thor? Despite its flaws, it marked the beginning of Marvel movies where outstanding acting and captivating performances managed to surpass structural and script problems, a trend that later became typical of the Marvel universe. (You can read more about it here.)
18. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
In the task of directing “Wakanda Forever”, Ryan Coogler encountered an enormously tough predicament. Not only was he required to create a sequel that matched the success of the original “Black Panther”, he had to accomplish this without Chadwick Boseman, our charismatic lead actor who sadly passed away during the summer of 2020, at a time when production on this film was about to commence. The movie excels most when it weaves Coogler and the cast’s feelings of loss for Boseman into the narrative of Wakanda grappling with the demise of its monarch. Unfortunately, the remainder of the film can be a bit disorganized; a blend of intriguing concepts, an excess of characters, and a somewhat unclear antagonist, King Namor from underwater.
17. The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)
The Marvel film titled “First Steps” in the Fantastic Four series represents a significant enhancement over the four previous endeavors by Roger Corman and 20th Century Fox to establish a cinematic FF franchise. Given the quality of those earlier films, ranging from mediocre to poor, this upgrade is hardly surprising. “First Steps” boasts impressive visuals and an intriguing villain (the ominous Galactus, who craves Earth because even a cosmic deity can feel lonely and find satisfaction in a grand feast). However, the characters of the Fantastic Four seem somewhat one-dimensional and unremarkable.
While “First Steps” is overall an enjoyable movie, it falls short of my expectations. On paper, director Matt Shakman seemed to have cast the lead roles flawlessly. Yet, in practice, I’m not convinced that any of his actors fully embraced their roles as these characters. It’s possible that the script oversimplified the Fantastic Four, leaving them with no room for development. To put it another way, “First Steps” is a promising start, but there’s still potential for growth and improvement.
16. Captain America: Civil War
The plot of the movie is questionable, even at first glance, but it’s all been orchestrated to lead up to an incredible showdown between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers at the airport. And let me tell you, that battle at the airport is absolutely amazing! (Read more here.)
15. Spider-Man: No Way Home
Jon Watts’ third Spider-Man movie shares similarities with Sam Raimi’s third film, both being loaded with numerous villains. On the bright side, the movie effectively portrays Peter Parker as a character who may falter but consistently strives to correct his mistakes in future attempts. Moreover, it introduces the concept of the multiverse into MCU films on a grand scale, making a significant mark in the ongoing storyline.
Jon Watts’ third Spider-Man film is similar to Sam Raimi’s third one because they both have many villains. However, it does well in showing Peter Parker as a character who keeps trying to do better after making mistakes. Also, it brings the multiverse into MCU movies in a big way, which is an important step for the storyline.
14. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
After a 15-year absence, director Sam Raimi re-entered the Marvel universe with this thrilling, unconventional tale centered around a struggle for the survival of multiple dimensions. Similar to his previous Spider-Man films, Raimi incorporated his unique style and visuals – such as slapstick humor, maniacal zombies, and jump scares – into the more conventional Marvel template. (Continue reading here.)
13. Thunderbolts (2025)
In many instances, Marvel’s productions following “Endgame” seem to be a patchwork of elements from various comics, films, and lore, creating a Frankenstein-like amalgamation. However, the series “*Thunderbolts*” stands out as a distinct film, offering an engaging narrative with intriguing characters, particularly Florence Pugh portraying the new Black Widow. Much like many of us, she’s discontented with her life and finds her work unsatisfying. Her purpose is discovered when she joins a group of similarly dispirited mercenaries, including Wyatt Russell as the arrogant U.S. Agent and Hannah John-Kamen as the ethereal Ghost. With exciting action sequences and an insightful allegory that encourages rejecting despair and apathy in favor of action and camaraderie, “*Thunderbolts*” serves as a refreshing reminder of Marvel Studios’ potential when operating at full capacity.
*Note: The title “Thunderbolts” is italicized because it refers to the original comic book series on which the show or movie is based.
12. Avengers: Age of Ultron
Despite some criticisms that it’s not as good as the initial Avengers film and there are issues with Wanda and Pietro’s storyline, I find the climactic sequence in Sokovia where the Avengers unite to save every life truly emblematic of the Marvel experience. (You can read more about it here.)
11. Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2
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1. Simplified sentence structures to make it easier to read and understand.
2. Removed unnecessary exclamation marks.
3. Replaced “chutzpah” with “impressive.”
4. Used “shed tears” instead of “makes me cry”.
5. Changed “jokes about alien god dongs” to “jokes about alien deity phallic symbols” for a more polite and formal tone.
10. Thor: Ragnarok
9. Spider-Man: Far From Home
In the second Spidey movie from Marvel, starring Tom Holland as the astounding Spider-Man, the film takes a slight dip compared to its predecessor yet still delivers on romance, action, humor, and emotion. The phrase “with great power comes great responsibility” isn’t explicitly mentioned, but Far From Home carries this theme as strongly as any Spiderman film ever has. Peter Parker (played by Holland) is caught between his romantic feelings for MJ (a witty Zendaya) and the instructions from Nick Fury (a grumbly Samuel L. Jackson) to thwart a group of destructive elemental beings.
8. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
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James Gunn wraps up his “Guardians” trilogy masterfully, delivering a film that perfectly blends the essential elements of Marvel: Thrilling action scenes, quirky sci-fi visuals, and compelling characters we grow deeply attached to. (By the end of “Vol. 3,” Rocket Raccoon transforms from a C-list character in Marvel to one of their most intriguing and heartbreaking heroes.) After several underwhelming films, Gunn makes it seem effortless. It’s unfortunate that he’s moving on to work with DC instead.
7. Avengers: Endgame
A significant leap from “Infinity War” and arguably the second finest Avengers film yet, boasting grand scale action sequences, numerous laugh-out-loud moments, and potentially more Easter eggs than any movie in the history of any cinematic universe. (For further details, please refer to this article.)
6. Spider-Man: Homecoming
Among the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most enjoyable films, boasts remarkable characters, thrilling Spider-Man sequences, and an unexpected street vendor requesting a flip from Spider-Man (which he performs). Aren’t you captivated?!? (Continue reading here.)
5. Guardians of the Galaxy
In the middle of Marvel Cinematic Universe’s timeline, the original Guardians movie played a significant role by showing that Marvel’s unique style could captivate audiences even for lesser-known properties. Before James Gunn took the helm, the Guardians were practically obscure, but he transformed them into an unexpected hit. And let me settle it once and for all: Rocket is unquestionably the best of the Guardians. So, there you have it! For more details, check out the link provided.
4. Captain America: The First Avenger
Although the narrative could use some refinement (as it compresses an entire war into a condensed montage), Chris Evans’ portrayal of Captain America stands out as one of the most successful character adaptations within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This film breathed new life into a hero who was often criticized for being dull or outdated, transforming him into a captivating, complex individual with genuine human qualities. A must-watch MCU movie to spark inspiration. [Source]
The plot of Captain America could’ve been better fleshed out (it squeezes an entire war into a quick montage), but Chris Evans does an amazing job as the hero. He turns a character that was frequently criticized for being boring or old-fashioned into someone interesting, charming, and real. If you need a boost of inspiration, watch Captain America. [Source]
3. Black Panther
In contrast to many Marvel films that strive for deep connections within a vast universe, “Black Panther” demonstrates the merits of a more secluded narrative style. At the film’s conclusion, Black Panther deciding to expose Wakanda to the global community (and characters becoming available for future appearances) is intended as a joyful resolution. However, if this move means that potential sequels will become more sprawling with numerous guest appearances, it could potentially detract from the story’s focus and impact.
(Original source: https://www.theverge.com/2018/3/6/17074104/black-panther-review-marvel-movies-mcu)
2. The Avengers
As a diehard film fan, I’m still in awe after the epic spectacle that was “Infinity War”. Yet, the original “Avengers” movie remains an unparalleled marvel for me. The characters were meticulously balanced, and the script was as tight as a drum. That extended Battle of New York? It stands tall among the greatest action sequences of this century. (Read more here.)
1. Iron Man
The original movie has never been surpassed since its release. Looking back, not being tied to a broader universe allowed it to be a superior film. The scenes where Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark tests his suit and experiences flight for the first time effectively convey the excitement of superpowers better than any other movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe or beyond.
(Additional context can be found here.)
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2025-08-01 18:43