There Is Now a $16,000 Infinity Gauntlet Replica For Sale

What, you thought the power to control the universe would come cheap? No way.

East Continental Gems has created a replica of the Infinity Gauntlet from the Avengers movies, Infinity War and Endgame. This collectible item is nine inches tall and is designed to look just like the one Thanos used in the films. It’s made of solid brass and includes six genuine gemstones.

And for that price, it certainly should be impressive! It’s currently available for pre-order at Big Bad Toy Store for $16,129.99.

Don’t worry if you can’t pay the full $16,000 right now. You can reserve it with a non-refundable down payment of just $4,032.50.

I’m really drawn to this replica – it’s got all these beautiful gemstones like rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and even a yellow diamond! It also comes with a brass stand and a certificate to prove it’s real, all packed in what they call a ‘rustic’ wooden crate. Honestly, for sixteen thousand dollars, I’m expecting that crate to look like it’s genuinely been through centuries of weathering – it better be the most authentically rustic crate ever made!

Good news: the collector’s edition Infinity Gauntlet from East Continental Gems ships for a flat rate of just $4. That helps with the cost a bit! Though, it looks like there’s a limit on how many each person can buy… I was hoping to get two!

Sixteen thousand dollars is a steep price for a single metal glove. However, it is the quickest way to either wipe out half the universe or end your marriage – so there’s that to consider.

If the replica Infinity Gauntlet seems expensive, a smaller, toy version is available on Amazon for $29.99. Plus, this one even has lights!

Every Marvel Movie Ever Made, Ranked From Worst to First

80. Elektra (2005)

Elektra is known as the world’s most skilled assassin, obsessively cleaning to avoid leaving any trace of DNA. Ironically, she’s also incredibly reckless, often socializing with her neighbors while on a mission, and surprisingly oblivious to the fact that these new neighbors are actually her targets. It’s a strange combination! After seemingly dying and being resurrected in Daredevil, she gained the power to foresee and even manipulate time, making her nearly immortal. Yet, she chooses to use these godlike abilities mostly to fight ninjas with a pair of sai. Interestingly, Jennifer Garner reportedly didn’t want to star in the Elektra film but was contractually obligated to do so after appearing in Daredevil. And somewhere out there, someone experienced Elektra as their very first Marvel movie – a truly unique experience to consider.

79. Captain America (1990)

The 1990 Captain America movie is wonderfully, uniquely bad. It’s the kind of film that labels a shot of the White House with “WHITE HOUSE – WASHINGTON D.C.” completely straight-faced. (A nearly identical shot later just says “WASHINGTON D.C.”!) While the opening scenes, set in the 1930s, are surprisingly decent and even share some similarities with the modern Marvel Cinematic Universe version, the movie quickly goes downhill once Captain America wakes up in the 90s. The quality drops dramatically, accompanied by a cheap, overly-synthesized soundtrack. Matt Salinger’s Captain America costume looks good for the era, but he rarely wears it, and spends an odd amount of time stealing cars by pretending to be sick, then quickly jumping into the driver’s seat when someone gets out to help.

78. Fantastic Four (2015)

Josh Trank’s Fantastic Four is a strange film with a plot that mirrors its own troubled production. A team of talented young scientists invents a dimension-hopping device, fearing their sponsors will exploit their work. They take matters into their own hands, gaining powers or undergoing monstrous transformations. This parallels the filmmakers’ experience: they had ambitious ideas for a fresh take on the classic characters, but felt their vision was compromised by studio concerns focused on profit. The movie itself is a confusing blend of horror and superhero elements, feeling disjointed and messy – like a bizarre salad. And, strangely enough, the character of The Thing spends the entire film completely nude, which is… distracting.

77. Morbius (2022)

When Morbius came out on April 1, 2022, it felt like a joke. The final movie was drastically different from what the trailers showed, with entire scenes and storylines cut out. It seemed like the filmmakers went back and deliberately removed any connection to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Sadly, that was the only thing that made sense about Morbius. The film felt haphazardly assembled, like a Frankensteinian creation stitched together from mismatched plot points and characters, resulting in a confusing and disjointed experience.

76. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

The title itself hints at the film’s biggest problem: it tries to be too many things at once. Is it an X-Men movie, a Wolverine story, or an origin tale? It attempts all three, and ultimately fails. Director Gavin Hood might have created a decent film if he’d focused on a single aspect, but the movie was burdened from the start by trying to cram together elements from multiple X-Men and Wolverine storylines. Hugh Jackman’s character, Logan, even says, “We didn’t sign up for this,” a line that ironically reflects how audiences felt about the movie. Other lines like “We’ve done enough!,” “You look like a man fixing to do a bad thing,” and the particularly apt “Wake me when it’s over,” seem to acknowledge the film’s own shortcomings.

75. Madame Web (2024)

Despite never having her own comic book series, Madame Web received a movie thanks to Sony’s desire to build a Spider-Man-related cinematic universe. The film stars Dakota Johnson as the title character – though, oddly, no one ever actually calls her “Madame Web.” After a traumatic event gives Johnson’s character the ability to see the future, she’s tasked with protecting three young women who are being hunted by a villain with spider-like powers. It’s clear the storyline was heavily revised after filming, and the special effects and costumes are notably poor. Luckily for Madame Web, Morbius came out a few years prior, so it doesn’t quite take the crown as the worst Spider-Man spin-off ever.

74. The New Mutants (2020)

After a long wait and lots of speculation, the final X-Men movie from Fox finally arrived in theaters in 2020. While the film stayed true to the characters from the New Mutants comics – like the quiet werewolf Rahne Sinclair (Maisie Williams) and the confident Bobby da Costa (Henry Zaga) – it failed to deliver on its central idea. The movie features a huge hospital for mutants with developing powers, but it seems to be run by only one doctor. Connections to the broader X-Men universe actually add to the confusion (where’s Colossus, and why isn’t he worried about his sister being treated by this questionable doctor?). Ultimately, New Mutants didn’t live up to its potential.

73. Kraven the Hunter (2024)

Ever been curious about Kraven’s iconic vest? If so, there’s a movie for you, but otherwise, you might be disappointed. Kraven is a lengthy and meandering Spider-Man spin-off – surprisingly, without Spider-Man – focusing on a hunter (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) who’s mostly defined by his physique. The film explores his troubled relationship with his father (Russell Crowe, overacting with a thick Russian accent) and a rather pathetic version of the Rhino – a small-time Russian criminal who needs constant medication to prevent him from transforming into a monstrous creature. While Sony has delivered some excellent Spider-Man films, these spin-offs consistently fall short.

72. Blade: Trinity (2004)

Patton Oswalt, a co-star, shared that Wesley Snipes and director David Goyer clashed during filming. Their communication deteriorated to the point where they only exchanged notes via Post-Its, which Snipes would jokingly sign “From Blade.” Eventually, almost all scenes not requiring a close-up of Snipes were filmed using his stand-in, and most viewers wouldn’t even notice the switch.

71. The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

There’s a funny moment in the movie where Peter Parker asks Dr. Curt Connors for help with a giant lizard. Connors brushes him off, saying he’s too busy with a secret project and needs to be left alone. He tells Peter to leave, but then Connors is the one who walks out! He leaves Peter in the lab, where Peter discovers the evidence proving Connors is actually the Lizard. It’s a classic movie trope: one character tells another to leave, then immediately does the opposite. It just goes to show, making movies isn’t as simple as it seems.

70. Eternals

I never would have guessed that a Marvel movie directed by an Oscar winner and inspired by Jack Kirby’s imaginative comics would turn out to be one of their weakest films. Unfortunately, Eternals just didn’t quite work. While it mostly stays true to Kirby’s original ideas, a few frustrating changes – like making the villains, the Deviants, generic and motivationless – hold it back. The movie has a large cast, with good performances from Kumail Nanjiani and Brian Tyree Henry, but the leads, Gemma Chan and Richard Madden, don’t convincingly portray their epic, millennia-long romance. They seem like they’re barely getting to know each other. The script touches on interesting themes about superheroes, mythology, and religion, but quickly abandons them in favor of typical Marvel action sequences. Eternals is an ambitious movie that ultimately falls short.

69. The Incredible Hulk (2008)

This movie feels incredibly rushed and poorly made, as if Marvel wasn’t prepared for the success of Iron Man and quickly threw this together. The biggest mistake? Casting Tim Roth as the villain – it’s a truly awful choice. (You can find more details here.)

68. Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)

The first Venom film was a dark and scary movie with some over-the-top humor, but Let There Be Carnage feels more like a romantic comedy. It focuses on the bickering relationship between Eddie Brock and Venom, who argue over everyday life and even consider going their separate ways. Unlike the first film, which got lost in complicated storylines, this one is very streamlined – almost to a fault. It leaves some basic questions unanswered and certain characters don’t appear until late in the movie. The plot has several holes, and the action sequences are often confusing.

67. X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)

It’s baffling to take one of the most attractive actors, Oscar Isaac, and cover him in terrible blue makeup, make him speak in a silly voice, and have him do embarrassing things like touch a TV screen while groaning the word “learning.” This misuse of Isaac is just one of the many problems with X-Men: Apocalypse. The film also had a ridiculous opening credits sequence and completely failed to build on the success of the much better X-Men: Days of Future Past.

66. Dark Phoenix (2019)

Simon Kinberg revisits the “Dark Phoenix Saga” – having also worked on X-Men: The Last Stand – and the result is a mixed bag. It’s an improvement over his previous attempt in some areas, but falls short in others (and neither film compares to the source material comics). As with many recent X-Men movies, Michael Fassbender as Magneto is a standout, bringing a powerful presence to the role. It’s a bit unbelievable, though – Magneto is supposed to be 60 years old in this film, but Fassbender doesn’t look a day over it! Maybe all that magnetic therapy really does work.

65. The Punisher (2004)

Similar to other films on this list, The Punisher tries to cram too many different storylines with conflicting styles into one movie. It’s strange to combine an origin story with an adaptation of a story where the character has already been active for a while—the source material is even called “Welcome Back, Frank!” While the best parts of the movie do come from that storyline, featuring dark humor and over-the-top violence, it needed a villain who fit that vibe. John Travolta’s portrayal of a jealous and overly serious crime boss just didn’t match.

64. Howard the Duck (1986)

For years, Howard the Duck was considered the worst Marvel movie, but that reputation doesn’t hold up anymore. While Marvel is now incredibly efficient at making consistently enjoyable films and TV shows, they’ve lost the ability to create something truly unpredictable like Howard the Duck. It’s a bizarre, surprisingly frightening (the villain is scarier than Thanos!), and strangely suggestive movie about a small, talking duck. It remains the most unusual Marvel film by a wide margin. (You can read more about it here.)

63. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

Okay, so The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is a slight step up from the first film. The action is genuinely good, and Andrew Garfield really settles into the role of Spider-Man, delivering quips with a natural ease that Tobey Maguire never quite managed. Plus, the chemistry between Garfield and Emma Stone is fantastic – they’re a joy to watch together. But honestly? The villains are a major letdown. Jamie Foxx as Electro feels rushed and underdeveloped, flipping from sad loner to raging maniac way too quickly. And Dane DeHaan as Harry Osborn? Let’s just say his look is… unfortunate, like a bizarre cross between a Mad Max extra and a particularly creepy doll. There are moments in this movie that really shine, but you have to sit through some seriously weak scenes to get to them.

62. Fantastic Four (2005)

As a huge Marvel fan, it’s been so frustrating watching the Fantastic Four get treated by Hollywood! Their first movie was such a disaster that Marvel actually bought back the rights just to keep it from ruining their comic book reputation. And the recent attempt? Not much better, honestly. Even the movies Fox made were just…okay. The cast wasn’t amazing, and seriously, the amount of product placement was ridiculous. They really deserve a great film adaptation!

61. Ghost Rider (2007)

I swear, watching Sam Elliott in this movie feels like he just stepped out of The Big Lebowski – he’s playing the same character! And honestly, as crazy as it sounds, I think this film would be amazing if The Dude from The Big Lebowski was Ghost Rider. Nicolas Cage is always a wild card and he’s certainly entertaining here – the way he’s constantly drinking coffee straight from the pot, doing that Elvis impression, and just…touching his face like he’s discovering it for the first time is hilarious. But the whole movie feels a little too polished, a little fake. I really think a sequel, something a bit rougher and more realistic, would be fantastic.

60. Daredevil (2003)

It’s surprising to realize that Ben Affleck’s Daredevil came out nearly 20 years ago. The film feels even older thanks to its Matrixinfluenced leather outfits and a nu metal soundtrack featuring bands like Hoobastank, Saliva, Drowning Pool, and Evanescence. Director Mark Steven Johnson tried to squeeze years of Daredevil* comic book stories into a 103-minute movie, which unfortunately made the plot confusing. The director’s cut, which adds about 30 minutes of footage and a subplot involving a court case for Matt Murdock, is a bit of an improvement over the original theatrical release.

59. Thor: The Dark World (2013)

It’s fascinating to think how close we were to a very different Thor movie, directed by Patty Jenkins. What we got instead was a disappointing adventure focused on a predictable quest for a magical object, and featuring one of the least interesting villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, there’s a silver lining: if this film hadn’t performed so poorly, Marvel might not have been so open to the bold and creative changes we saw in Thor: Ragnarok. (You can read more about this here.)

58. The Marvels (2023)

This isn’t the worst Marvel movie, though it’s definitely better than a few others on this list. It’s just a bit of a mess. The film throws three engaging heroes – Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel, and Monica Rambeau – together to stop a Kree villain who’s causing trouble for unclear reasons. The actors have great chemistry, but the story is short, confusing, and makes some odd choices that don’t quite add up.

57. Venom (2018)

The movie Venom is flawed, but it becomes surprisingly funny once Tom Hardy’s character connects with the alien symbiote. The symbiote, voiced by Hardy in a rough tone, starts talking to him, and the two develop a hilariously combative relationship. They constantly trade insults and get into silly physical fights, with the symbiote controlling Hardy’s body like a puppet. There’s even a running gag about them eating a huge amount of tater tots. It’s a strange mix – imagine Laurel and Hardy as one person, except one half also has a taste for biting people’s heads off.

56. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

While not a total failure, The Last Stand is a bit better than most people remember. It has some good moments – Ian McKellen is great as Magneto, the Danger Room scene lives up to expectations, and Kelsey Grammer perfectly embodies Beast. However, the Dark Phoenix storyline is a real weak spot, and everything with Juggernaut is just relentlessly bad.

55. Captain America: Brave New World (2025)

Many recent Marvel movies, including The Marvels, have talented actors but weak stories. This is particularly true of Captain America: Brave New World. While it finally showcases Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson as the new Captain America, the film is let down by an uninteresting villain and a plot that relies too much on revisiting old storylines from The Incredible Hulk. (Honestly, most viewers weren’t concerned about what happened to Betty Ross.)

54. Punisher: War Zone (2008)

Ray Stevenson is undoubtedly the best actor to play the Punisher. He convincingly portrays a character who deeply despises himself, mirroring his hatred for criminals, and visually embodies the look of the Punisher as depicted in Tim Bradstreet’s artwork. However, Punisher: War Zone itself feels like a placeholder – a typical, unremarkable comic book issue released between major story arcs. The Punisher doesn’t undergo any real development throughout the film; he’s the same character at the beginning and end. While the movie is packed with action and violence, most of it is uninspired, except for the memorable rocket launcher scene. The only character who experiences any growth is Jigsaw, played by Dominic West, who delivers a surprisingly over-the-top performance that clashes with the gritty realism Stevenson brings to the role.

53. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)

Okay, so this movie isn’t perfect, but I honestly think people slept on it a bit. It’s definitely a step up from the original! What really surprised me was how well Chris Evans transitioned from Captain America to playing the Human Torch – he was fantastic in both roles. And the Silver Surfer? They really nailed that character, making him feel both powerful and visually stunning, which is amazing for a movie that’s so over-the-top. Plus, it’s a quick watch – less than 90 minutes, which is a nice bonus!

52. Doctor Strange (2016)

While Doctor Strange has impressive visuals, it feels a lot like another Iron Man movie, but with magic. The ending, with Dormammu, was particularly clever, but Strange’s cape was a bit silly. (You can read a more detailed review here.)

51. Iron Man 2 (2010)

Okay, so I rewatched it, and honestly, it’s better than I remembered, but it’s still not a masterpiece. Sam Rockwell is fantastic – his performance and especially his dancing really carry the movie, but it can’t quite fix everything. If they’d trimmed about fifteen minutes of setup for other films, particularly anything related to The Avengers, it could have been truly great. You can read a more detailed review here if you’re curious.

50. Deadpool (2016)

I found the villain in this movie really interesting – he’s so cold and doesn’t seem to feel anything, and honestly, it felt like a perfect reflection of the film itself. It’s full of clever jokes about superhero movies, but doesn’t offer much beyond that. There’s even a funny moment where Deadpool acknowledges they couldn’t afford many X-Men cameos, which is self-aware and amusing, almost like an apology for it!

49. The Wolverine (2013)

This movie struggles to find its focus. It begins as a realistic and character-driven story, but quickly transforms into a typical CGI-filled action film. It would have been better as either a much smaller, intimate story or a larger, more ambitious one. While The Wolverine was passable when it was released, it feels unnecessary now that Logan exists. The only real standout is, surprisingly, Hugh Jackman’s hair – it’s the best it’s ever been in a Wolverine movie.

48. Hulk (2003)

Similar to the quirky film Howard the Duck, Ang Lee’s Hulk stands out because it breaks from typical superhero movie formulas. Lee creatively incorporated comic book panel layouts and explored Bruce Banner’s story (played with restraint by Eric Bana) through a psychological lens. Though the film took risks – including ending with Nick Nolte transforming into an electric monster – it’s a reminder that not every experiment succeeds.

47. X-Men: First Class (2011)

Okay, let me tell you, this movie tries to cram way too much into its runtime. Seriously, it feels like an entire saga unfolds in just a few days – we see Xavier and Magneto meet, the first X-Men team forming, their training, and they somehow resolve the Cuban Missile Crisis! It’s a lot. However, the casting is brilliant. James McAvoy is great as young Xavier, but Michael Fassbender nails Magneto. Honestly, the scenes where we see Magneto tracking down Nazis in South America to avenge his parents? Those were fantastic – it’s the young Magneto story we’ve been waiting for, and they finally delivered a glimpse of it.

46. Ant-Man (2015)

Look, Ant-Man isn’t bad, but it’s tough watching it without thinking about how different it could have been if Edgar Wright had finished his vision. It feels like a smaller version of what should have been. Honestly though, Michael Peña as Luis? He’s easily one of the best, most hilarious characters in the whole MCU, even though he doesn’t have any superpowers. You can read more about my thoughts on it here.

45. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)

The new movie pits Ant-Man against Kang the Conqueror, and even Kang (played by the intimidating Jonathan Majors) admits Ant-Man is outmatched. This difference in scale mirrors the film itself: the down-to-earth, humorous world of the Ant-Man series feels small compared to the huge, universe-spanning story Marvel is building in Phase 5. It’s a perfectly fine superhero movie, but as an Ant-Man sequel, it’s just okay. And for those hoping to see Michael Peña as Luis, he doesn’t appear in this installment.

44. Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

The movie Ant-Man and the Wasp is most enjoyable when it focuses on the humor of its small scale—like Paul Rudd’s comedic timing, Michael Peña’s rambling stories, and the emotional story of a family working through its issues. (You can read more about it here.)

43. Captain Marvel (2019)

While Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel is arguably the most powerful hero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the movie itself felt a bit emotionally flat. It’s saved by two standout performances: Ben Mendelsohn as the clever Skrull Talos, and Samuel L. Jackson – who looks remarkably young thanks to impressive special effects – as a younger Nick Fury. (You can read more about it here.)

42. Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011)

While a definite improvement over the original Ghost Rider, Spirit of Vengeance doesn’t quite reach the chaotic energy you’d expect from a Nicolas Cage superhero film directed by Neveldine/Taylor. The visual design of Ghost Rider and his motorcycle is much better this time around, though he isn’t on screen as often. While Cage has some great moments, his performance is actually more bizarre in the first movie—remember the Elvis impression? Here, he mostly sounds like himself, and his over-the-top reactions are limited to a few scenes. At only about 90 minutes long, and with limited action, Spirit of Vengeance feels like a much more ambitious, darker, and ultimately more satisfying movie was trimmed down to get here.

41. Black Widow (2021)

Though Scarlett Johansson finally starred in a standalone Black Widow movie in 2021, the film focused heavily on her interactions with a quirky group of Russian superheroes – including the boastful Red Guardian (David Harbour) and the standout Yelena (Florence Pugh). As a result, the movie doesn’t feel like the definitive farewell the character deserved. However, it’s still a strong Marvel action film, featuring exciting stunts and a memorable villain in Taskmaster, who can copy any fighting style he encounters.

40. Deadpool 2 (2018)

The second Deadpool movie is even better than the first, offering a surprisingly heartfelt story for Ryan Reynolds’ Wade Wilson. Josh Brolin is perfectly cast as Cable, providing a great contrast to Deadpool’s constant talking. The introduction of X-Force is one of the funniest extended jokes you’ll find in any movie. (Make sure to watch the original R-rated version—the PG-13 cut is a completely different experience.)

39. Captain America (1944)

For around 40 years, Captain America was the only Marvel Comics character to appear in a major movie, starring in a serial film in 1944. Surprisingly, this version of Captain America wasn’t Steve Rogers; instead, he was a crime-fighting district attorney named Grant Gardner. The film ignored his well-known origin story about the Super-Soldier Serum and he didn’t use his iconic shield. Instead, Captain America fought a typical 1940s villain called “The Scarab,” who was after a series of advanced technological devices. The first of these was a powerful engine that could destroy buildings – repeatedly referred to by the characters as a “vibrator,” and causing lines like, “The vibrator! If it doesn’t shut off, the building will collapse!” You can find more details about this unusual film here.

38. Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

Taika Waititi’s Love and Thunder feels similar to Thor: Ragnarok – the first time around, it was a delightful surprise, but this time, the same style feels less impactful. Christian Bale delivers a chilling performance as the villain Gorr, but his serious and emotional portrayal doesn’t quite blend with Chris Hemsworth’s more comedic take on Thor. The film includes many of the elements that made Ragnarok work, but they don’t come together as smoothly this time around.

37. Deadpool & Wolverine

The playful dynamic between Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman is a definite highlight. The surprise appearances are genuinely shocking! However, the story struggles under the weight of excessive explanations, ultimately feeling confusing. (Seriously, how many sad backstories does one character need?) If you can switch your brain off and just enjoy the ride, it’s a fun enough movie. Reynolds and Jackman nail the reluctant team-up between Deadpool and Wolverine, trying to save the remnants of the X-Men films from Fox. It’s just a shame the writing, even with Reynolds’ involvement, wasn’t stronger.

36. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Looking back, Iron Man 2 isn’t as bad as some remember, though it’s not perfect. The movie’s trailers emphasized a complex mystery that didn’t quite deliver, but it successfully introduces Anthony Mackie as the Falcon, and Chris Evans remains a solid Captain America. However, it’s hard to believe Nick Fury, supposedly the world’s best spy, was unaware of the widespread evil within S.H.I.E.L.D. – a little more awareness would have been helpful! (You can read a more detailed review here.)

25. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

This movie is incredibly ambitious and large in scale, with a truly memorable ending. However, it doesn’t quite feel complete. If you’re just looking for a fun, action-packed Marvel film with witty dialogue, you’ll probably enjoy it. But if you prefer stories that focus on character development, strong relationships, and quieter, more emotional moments, this might not be for you. (You can read a more detailed review here.)

34. Spider-Man 3 (2007)

Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3 has often gotten a bad rap, even from Raimi himself, who once admitted it didn’t quite hit the mark. While it’s true the movie isn’t perfect, it has plenty of strong points, including some of the best action scenes in the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man series, like the thrilling rescue of Gwen Stacy. A common complaint is the portrayal of Venom, especially the way the black suit is treated as a running joke – there’s a memorable scene where Peter Parker, influenced by the suit, dances through New York City. This definitely felt different from the trend of darker, more serious superhero films at the time. However, if you see Spider-Man 3 as Raimi intentionally poking fun at the idea of a “dark” comic book movie with Venom, the film becomes much more enjoyable.

33. X-Men (2000)

That line about Toads and lightning is pretty bad, and the black leather outfits really show the movie’s age. Hugh Jackman looks much more muscular in later films—he seems a little small here! But there’s a good reason the first X-Men movie kicked off the superhero movie craze of the 2000s. It really understood the characters and presented them on screen in a smart way, focusing on their core traits and making them appealing to a wide audience. By the way, Hugh Jackman almost didn’t get the part of Wolverine! He was the filmmakers’ second choice, and only landed the role after Dougray Scott, who was originally cast, had to leave due to scheduling conflicts with Mission: Impossible II.

32. Iron Man 3 (2013)

This movie is solid, but feels a little diminished because it’s part of the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe. The story strongly suggests Tony Stark, as Iron Man, is ready to retire, but he ended up appearing in many more films afterward. While Guy Pearce’s villain isn’t particularly memorable, the scenes between Robert Downey Jr. and his young sidekick are excellent. (You can read more about it here.)

31. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

The final battle in Shang-Chi, filled with dragons and monsters in a hazy fog, looks unfortunately rough due to the special effects. However, up until that point, Shang-Chi stands out as one of Marvel’s strongest action films, boasting several exciting and well-choreographed fight sequences—especially the one on a San Francisco bus. Simu Liu is at the head of a surprisingly deep cast, with fantastic performances from Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh, and consistently funny moments from Ben Kingsley and Awkwafina. Kingsley’s character, Trevor Slattery, wasn’t initially a fan favorite, but Marvel has cleverly transformed him into a delightful supporting character.

30. Thor (2011)

Despite some flaws in its story and structure, Thor stands out as the first Marvel movie truly elevated by its fantastic casting and the actors’ compelling performances – a quality that would become a hallmark of the franchise. It’s a surprisingly grounded story for such a large-scale, cosmic adventure, taking place primarily in a small New Mexico town. (You can read more about it here.)

29. The Punisher (1989)

The movie portrays Frank Castle living in a sewer, fighting underwater ninjas – it’s surprisingly similar to a Ninja Turtles adventure. He even speaks with a mumbling delivery reminiscent of Dolph Lundgren. One over-the-top scene features a battle with the Yakuza in an old amusement park, complete with villains firing machine guns from a giant slide. After Frank Castle destroys a mobster’s house, a journalist exclaims, “Holy cow, it’s the Punisher!” While it might not be the best Punisher movie, it’s definitely the most purely fun and entertaining.

28. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

Ryan Coogler had a huge task with Wakanda Forever. He needed to create a sequel worthy of the original Black Panther, but without its beloved star, Chadwick Boseman, who tragically passed away before filming began. The movie is most powerful when it channels the grief felt by Coogler and the cast into the story of Wakanda mourning its king. However, the rest of the film feels somewhat disorganized, with a lot of ideas and characters, and a confusing villain in the form of the underwater king, Namor.

27. The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)

Marvel’s new Fantastic Four movie, First Steps, is a clear upgrade from the previous four attempts made by Roger Corman and 20th Century Fox. Honestly, it had a low bar to clear – those earlier films ranged from just okay to truly bad. First Steps benefits from beautiful visuals and a compelling villain – Galactus, a lonely space god with a rather extreme appetite for planets – though the Fantastic Four themselves feel a bit underdeveloped. Is it enjoyable? Yes, but not as much as I’d hoped. Director Matt Shakman seemed to have perfect casting choices on paper, but the actors didn’t quite click with their roles on screen. It’s possible the script didn’t give them enough to work with. Overall, it’s a solid start, and there’s definitely potential for the franchise to grow.

26. Captain America: Civil War (2016)

The plot falls apart if you think about it for even a moment, and the entire movie feels like it’s leading up to the epic fight between Iron Man and Captain America at the airport. But honestly, that airport battle is amazing! (You can find more details here.)

25. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

Jon Watts’ latest Spider-Man movie is similar in quality to Sam Raimi’s third installment – both films try to do too much with too many villains. However, this new movie does a great job of capturing what makes Peter Parker relatable: he’s someone who struggles and makes mistakes, but always keeps trying. It also significantly expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe by introducing the multiverse in a major way, making it a landmark film for the franchise.

24. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

After a 15-year break, director Sam Raimi returned to Marvel with a fun and chaotic adventure centered on a fight to save the multiverse. Similar to his earlier Spider-Man films, Raimi brought his unique style—including silly humor, frightening zombies, and sudden scares—to the familiar Marvel framework. (You can read more about it here.)

23. Thunderbolts (2025)

Many of Marvel’s projects since Endgame have felt like they were assembled from leftover ideas, but Thunderbolts truly feels like a complete movie. It tells a compelling story with some genuinely interesting characters – especially Florence Pugh as the new Black Widow, who’s relatable in her dissatisfaction with life. She finds a sense of purpose when she teams up with a group of equally disillusioned mercenaries, including Wyatt Russell’s confident U.S. Agent and Hannah John-Kamen’s Ghost. With exciting action and a strong message about overcoming hopelessness through teamwork and taking action, Thunderbolts is a great example of what Marvel can achieve when it’s at its best.

22. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

I’m still not sure why people dislike this movie so much. It’s true it isn’t as good as the first Avengers film, and the storyline with Wanda and Pietro is confusing—though WandaVision did a clever job of building on it. However, the ending, where the Avengers team up to save everyone in Sokovia, is classic Marvel. (You can read more details here.)

21. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)

This movie is definitely overlong, especially with all the extra scenes after the credits – there are way too many! But you have to admire the boldness of taking Marvel’s most comedic series and ending the sequel on a surprisingly sad note. It’s the only Marvel film that actually made me cry, and it somehow manages to include jokes about, well, alien anatomy. That combination, for me, makes it a success. (You can find more details here.)

20. Big Hero 6 (2014)

Blending Disney heart with Marvel action, Big Hero 6 works surprisingly well. While the film is packed with a villain’s plot involving stolen technology, it sometimes overshadows the touching story about dealing with grief and loss. However, the film proves that soft, huggable robots are the best—and Baymax is the ultimate example!

19. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

This movie successfully blends the original and newer X-Men characters, anchored by another strong performance from Hugh Jackman. It introduces exciting new mutants – Blink’s powers are particularly well-utilized – and features a standout scene with Quicksilver (Evan Peters) using his speed to dramatically rescue Wolverine, Magneto, and Professor X from a firefight. The main problem is the film’s awkward attempt to rewrite the events of First Class. Several important characters are suddenly revealed to have died between films, the mutant school established in First Class is inexplicably gone, and Xavier’s paralysis is temporarily and surprisingly reversed.

18. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

I just really like when Jeff Goldblum plays a space god who DJs his own parties. (Read more here.)

17. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

Tom Holland returns as Spider-Man in Marvel’s Far From Home, a sequel that’s nearly as good as the first film. It’s packed with romance, action, laughs, and emotional moments. While the famous line about responsibility isn’t spoken, the movie perfectly captures that theme as Peter Parker struggles to balance his feelings for MJ (played with great humor by Zendaya) and his mission from Nick Fury (a comically frustrated Samuel L. Jackson) to defeat a group of dangerous, elemental creatures.

16. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)

James Gunn ends his Guardians trilogy on a high note, delivering a perfect Marvel movie. It has everything you want: exciting action, imaginative visuals, and characters you truly care about. Rocket Raccoon, in particular, becomes a surprisingly compelling and heartbreaking hero throughout Vol. 3. This film is a welcome return to form for Gunn, especially after a few less impressive Marvel releases. It’s a shame he’s now moving over to lead DC films.

15. Blade (1998)

Before Marvel movies became popular, Wesley Snipes recognized the potential of comic book storytelling. He famously said, while playfully acting as Blade, that playing a comic book character allows for complete creative freedom – you can invent a unique voice, appearance, and mannerisms. Snipes’ film Blade was a groundbreaking project, essentially paving the way for the expansive, interconnected Marvel Cinematic Universe we know today.

14. X2 (2003)

X2 might be the most significant superhero movie of the 21st century. While the first X-Men and Spider-Man films showed that comics could be successfully adapted for the screen, X2 demonstrated that movies could actually improve upon the source material. The thrilling action sequences, like Nightcrawler’s attack on the White House, brought the character’s teleportation ability to life in a way that static comic book panels simply couldn’t. The film’s climactic dam burst felt like the start of a new era for superhero movies, and the genre was never the same after it.

13. Logan (2017)

Hugh Jackman’s third attempt at a solo Wolverine movie finally hit the mark with Logan. The film fully explored the character’s tragic and violent side, and its R-rating allowed for a much darker and more intense story, fitting for what would be his last adventure. Logan also avoided the crowded feel of many X-Men films by focusing on a small number of key characters, including a fantastic performance by Patrick Stewart as an aging Professor X struggling with his declining mental state and the loss of control over his immense power.

12. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

Spider-Man: Homecoming is one of the most enjoyable movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It features great characters, exciting action sequences, and a fun, spontaneous moment where Spider-Man does a flip for a street vendor at their request. It’s pure entertainment! (You can find more details here.)

11. Blade II (2002)

Blade II improved on the original by combining Wesley Snipes’ action skills with director Guillermo del Toro’s dark and visually striking horror style. The film introduced a terrifying new breed of super vampires—born from a deadly outbreak—with gruesome, extending jaws who prey on both humans and other vampires. Only Blade, with his incredible fighting abilities, can stop them. (Of course, vampires are famously vulnerable to silver, garlic, sunlight, and a well-placed spin kick.)

10. Spider-Man (2002)

With so many Spider-Man films coming out each year, it’s easy to forget how groundbreaking Sam Raimi’s original was. While it might seem a little old-fashioned now, it was incredibly innovative for 2002. The movie nailed everything – the costume, the action, the special effects, the emotional impact of Uncle Ben’s death, and Peter Parker’s complicated relationships with Norman and Harry Osborn. It changed how audiences viewed superhero films and essentially launched the trend of cinematic universes we see today. Plus, how many superhero movies have imitated that iconic final shot of Spider-Man swinging through New York City?

9. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Released around the halfway point of the Marvel Cinematic Universe so far, the first Guardians of the Galaxy film allowed Marvel to experiment with a lighter tone and demonstrated that audiences would embrace lesser-known characters. Before James Gunn’s direction, the Guardians were relatively obscure, but the film turned them into a major success. And, just for the record, Rocket is the best Guardian – that’s simply a fact. (You can read more about it here.)

8. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

While the plot feels a bit rushed in places – a whole war is summarized quickly – Chris Evans’ portrayal of Captain America is arguably the most successful character adaptation in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film transformed a hero often criticized for being boring or outdated into a compelling, charismatic, and complex man with strong, relatable values. If you’re looking for a Marvel movie to lift your spirits, this is the one to watch. (Read more here.)

7. Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Let me tell you, reviewing superhero movies is rarely easy, but Avengers: Endgame presented a unique challenge. It wasn’t just about making a good film; it had to stick the landing after that massive cliffhanger from Infinity War, tie up storylines from over twenty previous Marvel movies, and be enjoyable on its own. Honestly, I didn’t think it was possible, but they absolutely nailed it. (You can read my full thoughts here.)

6. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

Building on the groundbreaking style of Into the Spider-Verse, this sequel introduces Miles Morales to Spider-Man 2099 and his team, the “Spider Society.” Their mission is to safeguard the multiverse from threats like the Spot, a new villain who can open portals to different dimensions. Visually, Across the Spider-Verse surpasses its predecessor with even more stunning and inventive animation – Spider-Gwen’s world looks like a living watercolor painting, and Spider-Man India comes from a vibrant, yellow-and-green city called “Mumbattan.” The main drawback? This is only the first half of a larger story, and it occasionally feels incomplete as a result.

5. Black Panther (2018)

Looking back, the fictional world of Wakanda in Black Panther feels even more meaningful today than when the movie first came out in 2018. Sadly, with Chadwick Boseman’s passing, we’ll never know how his character, King T’Challa, would have evolved or what he would have done after bringing Wakanda together despite opposition from characters like M’Baku and Erik Killmonger. Thankfully, we’ll always have this exciting and powerful film to enjoy. (Read more here.)

4. The Avengers (2012)

Despite the massive scope of Infinity War and Endgame, the original Avengers movie still feels like a remarkable achievement. It perfectly balances all its characters, has a well-written story, and features the Battle of New York—an incredibly impressive action sequence for its time. (You can find more details here.)

3. Spider-Man 2 (2004)

Without the pressure of establishing Spider-Man’s backstory and a new storyline in one film, Sam Raimi crafted a compelling story in Spider-Man 2 focused on Peter Parker’s relationship with a gifted scientist (Alfred Molina, delivering arguably the best performance in all the Spider-Man movies). This scientist is corrupted by his own unchecked ambition and a dangerous set of robotic arms. Even after more than 15 years, the film still looks fantastic – the train sequence remains a standout moment in the entire Marvel universe. The way the movie relentlessly throws obstacle after obstacle at Peter Parker makes the ultimately happy, though slightly sad, ending feel truly earned.

2. Iron Man (2008)

Marvel Studios hasn’t yet made a movie that surpasses its original Iron Man. Looking back, that film benefited from not needing to connect to a larger cinematic universe, allowing it to stand on its own as a great story. The scenes of Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark first experimenting with and then flying in his armor perfectly capture the excitement of discovering superpowers – better than any other Marvel film has since. (Read more here.)

1. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

Just because there’s a lot of something doesn’t always make it good, but Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse truly stands out as the best Spider-Man movie ever made, and the best film based on a Marvel comic. It features a large group of Spider-People, including the new hero Miles Morales, the courageous Gwen Stacy, and a downhearted Peter B. Parker. The movie powerfully and directly embodies the hopeful message from Stan Lee and Steve Ditko – that anyone can be a hero – and brings it to life with stunning animation.

2026-03-20 21:17