More entertaining, though, is a bunch of misfits banding together as a team, a talking tree and a raccoon are best friends and rogue-ish Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) tries to explain “Footloose” to space assassin Gamora (Zoe Saldana). Here’s where we finally get an explanation of the all-powerful Infinity Stones and their appeal for Thanos. The good news: The Aether, one of the Infinity Stones, possesses Thor’s girlfriend Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and gets transported to outer-space oddball The Collector (Benicio del Toro).
The bad news: It’s a forgettable movie with the MCU’s absolute worst villain (Christopher Eccleston’s Malekith). 'Avengers': See stars assemble for #7YearReunion photo, talk parting 'heartbreak' 8. Also of note: A glimpse of cosmic baddie Thanos pops up in an end-credits scene, setting the stage for our heroes’ biggest challenge. ‘The Avengers’Īh, now we’re getting epic! The blockbuster shawarma-chomping party brings together Cap, Iron Man, Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye and Hulk (hello, Mark Ruffalo!) to stave off an alien invasion of Manhattan perpetrated by Loki. The flick brings Thor’s trickster half-brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) into the fold, plus keep your eyes open for a quick first appearance from ace archer Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner). An end-credits scene also showcases a magical hammer, setting the stage for …įinally! Chris Hemsworth’s thunder god enters the MCU with an adventure that kicks him out of Asgard to spend time on Earth to figure out his worthiness. This one isn’t great either, though it is essential in terms of introducing assassin Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and boosting the status of another future Avenger, Stark’s bud James Rhodes (Don Cheadle), aka War Machine. However, for those who want a speedier experience, it’s totally skippable. True, Mark Ruffalo is a WAY better Bruce Banner than this film’s star, Edward Norton, but it’s still helpful to watch this chapter to figure out how the Hulk came to be with the whole gamma radiation thing and all. This is also a totally fine place to start – since it’s the first MCU movie – but it’s cool to know a little more about Fury’s initiative when he arrives, cloak and dagger style, to recruit Stark. Now’s the time for the other important origin, of arms-dealing genius playboy billionaire philanthropist Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and his journey toward being a tin man with a heart.
Ranked: Every Marvel superhero movie, including 'Eternals' (Most Marvel movies can be streamed on Disney+, while the rest – including the Sony-released “Spider-Man” films – are available on various digital platforms.) But with certain tales taking place in the past and some connecting more directly to others in the overall narrative, maybe try out a different viewing order to change things up. Sure, you could watch them in release order, starting with the original "Iron Man," and be totally fine. With Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao's "Eternals" (in theaters Friday) bringing a hugely diverse cast including Angelina Jolie and Kumail Nanjiani to the MCU, it’s a good time to binge all 26 movies (so far) for the first time or the umpteenth. Since 2008, the Marvel movies have given us a steady stream of superheroes and stories that have ruled movie theaters – and now streaming services! – to become must-see pop-culture staples. Watch Video: Angelina Jolie reveals what her kids thought of 'Eternals'Īre you holding out for a hero, especially one who's gotta be strong, gotta be fast and gotta be fresh from the fight? Well, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has more than a few of those – and with the new " Eternals," there's now a whopping 10 more.