Ranking Phase 4 of the MCU

When 2019 ended, the MCU was set to get a slight restart as the Infinity Saga wrapped up nicely with some of the original Avengers meeting their own ends. Phase 4 brought about new beginnings for some of our favorites while also introducing a new crop of heroes and villains. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the world came to a halt. This stoppage meant people couldn't go to movie theaters and we, the fans, couldn't see what was going to come next. Enter Disney+. The streaming service that launched a few months after the final film of Phase 3 opened up some possibilities for the MCU and it would come up clutch as we started going crazy at home. With the world sitting at home, Marvel returned with three television series before the first film was finally released in July of 2021. With series coming to Disney+ and films being released in theaters simultaneously, we were treated to 17 new entries to the MCU in what is being dubbed "The Multiverse Saga" which will encapsulate the next three phases. 

Seeing as we're now in 2023 and are on the verge of Phase 5 with the third film in the Ant-Man series, I felt it only appropriate to go back and watch everything released in 2021 and 2022. Most of these I'm watching for the second time, so I already knew what to expect. This allowed me to look at everything impartially and because I've already ranked all of the 2021 releases, it allowed me to reflect on those rankings and change a few things. I didn't rank series, specials, and films separately, putting everyone on an even playing field. This was surprisingly hard to rank because this was a strong phase overall. I'm sure people will disagree with my choices but this is based solely on my personal preference. 

My Least Favorite of Phase 4 (17-14)

For one reason or another, these entries in the MCU either didn't captivate me as much as the rest of what was released over the last two years, or they didn't live up to the lofty expectations that we've come to associate the MCU with. 

17. What if...? (2021)

To date, this is still Marvel's most unique offering and as a fan of alternate history, this is right up my alley. The art style looks really cool and the types of stories they tell are interesting. It makes you look at the MCU from a different perspective with some of the questions it asks. Jeffrey Wright remains the perfect voice to narrate these stories. He's one of those unique voices that you'd be able to catch no matter what character he's playing. Honestly, I didn't enjoy this as much this time around. I don't think it's bad, it just doesn't engage me as much on a second viewing. A few of the episodes were not as interesting. Party Thor was probably my least favorite episode. I like the more comedic side of Thor that we've seen since Thor: Ragnarok. This was a little too over the top and not as funny. I also am still not on board with the T'Challa as Star-Lord episode. There were too many weird choices made for that episode, mostly Thanos being a good guy. I did like the episodes where Hank Pym kills the original Avengers and Doctor Strange becomes Strange Supreme. The latter episode seems to be a lot more important in the grand scheme with the Doctor Strange sequel setting up a few cameos from various characters of the show. We're getting a second season in 2023 and we know two episodes already. Maybe they'll be able to build off of what has gone on for the last two years and make something a little better than their first season. 

16. Eternals (2021)

I had this as my least favorite MCU film of 2021 but in doing so, I made it clear that this is not the worst MCU film ever made. We pretend that Thor: Dark World and Iron Man 3 don't exist. I don't think this is a great film either. I think there are some serious flaws. The root of the problem, and I've said this before, is that they try to introduce way too many characters. For a film that is already over 2.5 hours long, it still could've used another hour to properly hash out everything. They spend so much time getting everyone back together that it feels like they have to rush the third act a little. I also don't think that every character can be fully fleshed out. That's a hard thing to accomplish when you're introducing more than ten new characters. I also didn't love the head deviant. I thought the design was cool but he was dispatched in almost no time at the very end by Thena. They built this character up to be torn down in minutes. As for the actual Eternals, they were fine. Sersi is a good focal character to spend most of the film through. Ikaris is a decent twist villain that really is pretty telegraphed. Druig and Makkari are the side story I didn't think I needed. Phastos feels like the heart of the film once he's introduced. Thena and Gilgamesh are the unexpected duo that wouldn't work anywhere else but a Marvel movie. Kingo is a good comedic relief character that is unexpectedly deep. Ajak isn't in the film enough for me to get too attached to. Sprite is my least favorite and I don't have too much else to say about her. I do think the film is beautifully shot and I think that's due to the direction of Chloe Zhao. I also love how the film jumps between periods to show the early stages of civilization and the empires that ruled them. I also loved the design of the Celestials. I think this is a flawed film but I'm very interested to see the sequel. There are some interesting possibilities based on the ending and the post-credit scenes. 

15. WandaVision (2021)

This show gets so much darker when you rewatch it, especially after watching Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. I actually enjoyed the show more this time after being able to watch it all the way through. Being able to see all the small things that foreshadow the ending and even future movies and shows is cool to me. I reassert that Elizabeth Olson and Kathryn Hahn both kill it. I don't think Olson gets enough credit for playing every different side of Wanda Maximoff while also playing into each of the sitcoms the series pays homage to. I also love that they worked Randall Park into the show. He's one of my favorite side characters in the Ant-Man movies, and his comedy is funny to me. I still stand strong that the show's two biggest shortcomings are its secondary antagonist and not having Evan Peters' character be Quicksilver. Director Hayward was one of the easiest "surprise" villains to spot from the jump and the way his character is thwarted is way too abrupt. I never took him as a serious threat, especially compared to Agatha Harkness. The whole Evan Peters thing was the biggest disappointment. If you're going to give us a fake Pietro, give us the MCU's version. I'd have rather seen Aaron Taylor-Johnson's Quicksilver and have it be a bluff than have the X-Men version and he has nothing to do with anything. Overall, I think the show grew on me a little bit and I see it in a better light. 

14. Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

The third installment in the Thor franchise is one of the most beloved films in all of MCU. It was going to be hard to replicate the success of Thor: Ragnarok and it's safe to say that it doesn't. I've seen a lot of people absolutely destroy this movie. It's not egregiously bad but it does have some major problems. I loved seeing Thor's transition to a funnier character and while it's very much still present for this one, some of the comedic timing and banter are super awkward, especially between Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman. I'm not sure if it's because Portman was not being in the last film or if it's the writing but some of it feels forced and unnatural. I also wasn't a fan of the stuff between Thor and Stormbreaker and how Thor still wants Mjolnir. It's just a little too silly for me. Having the Guardians of the Galaxy in the opening of the film was cool though I wished they'd stuck around a little longer. There are still some good moments too. Christian Bale is so good at what he does and he joins a strong lineup of villains for Phase 4. For the limited amount of time he was on screen, he kills it. There needed to be more of him throughout the movie. His range is limitless. I also thought the fight sequences were excellent too. The black-and-white fight in the Shadow Realm stands out as the best one to me. The use of limited colors made it much more interesting than if we'd seen it all in color. Thor's internal and external struggles were on full display. I can appreciate the journey the MCU has taken with Thor's character given how many people he's lost. I'm indifferent about Russell Crowe as Zeus. The scene was fun if not a little too goofy at times. The message is a great one and I actually liked the ending. The love and thunder aspects were a little on the nose. I think this film might've had the loftiest expectations out of all of Phase 4. I don't think it completely delivered what we'd all hoped it would but it was still a fun two hours. 

The Good, Not Great of Phase 4 (13-10)

These entries were good but either didn't completely fit my taste or were just missing a few things to truly make it stand out over the films and shows above it on the list. 

13. She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022)

A lot of people tend to have strong opinions on every issue that has ever existed, yet there might not be anything within the MCU that has caused more discussion than this show. Most people either really love this show or think it's the worst thing that has ever been released in human history. I don't lean strongly one way or the other and after rewatching it a second time, I've decided that it's not that bad. For a phase that is known for doing some new things, this stands out as something that we haven't seen in the MCU. Like the show sets us up for at the beginning of the premiere, this is a lawyer show first that deals with the exploits of Jen Walters learning what it means to live as She-Hulk. Tatiana Maslany is great in the lead role. Her comedic delivery is great and her fourth-wall breaks are a definite highlight. She also has a strong support cast, led by Ginger Gonzaga and Josh Segarra. We also get all of the connective pieces to the rest of the MCU with appearances by Mark Ruffalo, Benedict Wong, who has been very busy in Phase 4, and a returning Tim Roth as Abomination. Roth, especially, shines in his guest appearances. The series also plants Charlie Cox back into his role as Daredevil after his cameo in No Way Home. While I did enjoy it, I have some issues with the show. The show lacks a strong villain. Titania has her moments but they are sparingly and there isn't much there to grab onto. Todd Phelps, the leader of Intelligencia, doesn't come across as a big enough threat and while you instantly hate him the first time you see him, I don't think he's all that memorable. One of the most divisive parts of the show is the massive fourth-wall break in the finale. While I see its charm, I didn't love it. It felt very disjointed and it left me with more questions than answers once the credits rolled. Instead of getting a satisfying climax, it was a little too meta for me. I'll be interested to see how She-Hulk fits into the rest of this saga, or if she does at all. I don't think the show is as bad as people claim that it is but I also don't think it was one of the stronger offerings of the last two years. 

12. Black Widow (2021)

The first film of the phase was the first in almost two years because of the pandemic. It was long overdue after the significant role Scarlett Johansson played in the MCU for over a decade. The end result was a decent solo film that is largely going to be remembered for the new characters it brought us than the respect it pays to an original one. Don't get me wrong, Black Widow is awesome. All I'm saying is that Yelena Belova has the potential to be even better. Upon another viewing, I'm not sure if I like it more or less than I did when I saw it in theaters. My biggest critiques are largely the same. Dreykov gives off huge mafia vibes with his attitude and I still see him as a low-tier villain, largely because he isn't present for most of the film. The Taskmaster is still an interesting character in that they can mimic others' fighting styles but the reveal that it's Dreykov's daughter felt very telegraphed and obvious. The overall story is fine though the majority of the film feels like an introduction to each of the "family members" for well over an hour. It's like when a movie is about "getting the band back together". My negativity toward the film is not to say that it's bad at all. It's far from the worst film in the MCU. I just don't think it is a great one either. This film's legacy will be dependent on the roles these new characters play in future shows and films. 

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

I'm very conflicted about this movie. There are some really good things about it and there are a few things I didn't love. The returning characters are all good. Benedict Cumberbatch is at his best in this role and he progressively gets better with each passing performance. Benedict Wong also has grown on me quite a bit. Elizabeth Olson has been busy during Phase 4 and I admit that I like to see the villainous side of her character. Xochitl Gomez steps into her role well as the Multiverse traveler America Chavez. I see her playing a large role in the future of the MCU. It was cool seeing another Universe and the scene with The Illuminati is fan service at its best. They brought back Black Bolt. We got Captain Carter after What If...?. Monica Rambeau comes back as Captain Marvel. Most importantly, we got to see Patrick Stewart back as Professor X and John Krasinski stepped into the role of Reed Richards as we got our first acknowledgment of the Fantastic Four in the MCU. That scene will forever be considered iconic. I just hate how quickly they get dispatched by Wanda. That's one of my big problems. The other is that for a movie that focuses on the multiverse, we don't get to visit many of them for extended periods. We get to see quite a few before they settle on Earth-838 and when Strange comes into contact with Sinister Strange, but never any extended time to explore. I wanted to see more. They don't have a final fight in this one, which isn't the problem. I just didn't love the "the power was within you the whole time" cliche that we get at the end. I think Sam Raimi knocks the horror elements of the film out of the park. It definitely has more of an edge than most of the other films in the MCU catalog. It's also visually stunning, which is one of the best parts of the original film. This film had tons of potential and I think it hits in many different ways. I just wish it had given a little bit more. 

10. The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022)

With the much anticipated third volume set to release in 2023, this was a nice way to re-acquaint us with the Guardians of the Galaxy after their brief appearance in Love and Thunder. While everyone is present, I love the decision to feature Mantis and Drax as the primary characters for this special. They may not be a duo that is more different than these two and that's why they work so well together. With Dave Bautista making his final appearance as Drax in the next film, this was a good way to highlight him, especially. He's been one of the biggest surprises throughout his run in the MCU. His literal humor works here and he brings plenty of laughs. Every member of the team gets their moment in the sun, even if most of them aren't present for a large portion of the special. At the heart of the story is the huge revelation that Mantis and Peter are half-siblings. I think it makes plenty of sense given Ego's role in Mantis' life. Part of me worries they're doing this to set up her possibly dying in the next film and I'm not sure I'd be okay with that. Kevin Bacon playing a fictionalized version of himself is funny and he has to hit a wide range of emotions in his time on the screen. Both of the songs are great. There isn't much to dislike about it overall. It's a fun time and a solid way to bring in the holiday season. 

The Great of Phase 4 (9-6)

The margin between these entries is razor-thin and could easily be interchangeable upon further viewing, though they didn't quite reach my favorites. 

9. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

This is the first MCU film in a few years that I didn't see in the theater and, trust me, it was not for a lack of trying. I hate that I missed seeing it on the big screen. I'm just glad I managed to avoid spoilers. For obvious reasons, this was something bigger than just another MCU film. The death of Chadwick Boseman left a giant hole and there were a lot of discussions before the development of this film about the future of the character. Some thought they should re-cast T'Challa. Some felt they shouldn't make a sequel. I thought the clear choice was to have Shuri take over the mantle largely because she's T'Challa's sister. Turns out, Ryan Coogler thought the same thing. I think Letitia Wright does good and I like that her first foray as the Black Panthers is so similar to Boseman's first in Civil War. The pain that she plays Shuri with come through for the entire runtime. I felt the entire cast reprised their roles well, especially Angela Bassett. I now understand why she earned an Oscar nomination. The biggest development comes with the introduction of Talokan and Namor, the Sub-Mariner. Tenoch Huerta plays every side of this character well. He shows amazing range in his performance and I hope this isn't the last we see of him. We also meet Riri Williams for the first time and I think she's going to be another young character that we see a lot of moving forward. This film had some good surprises. Queen Ramonda dying halfway through caught me off guard. Michael B. Jordan's cameo as Killmonger was awesome. The action was great, though the final fight was a little choppy. The runtime probably could've been cut down by 15-20 minutes with some of the montage scenes dragging a little. Overall, this film was more about paying respects to a brilliant actor and person. From the cold open where T'Challa dies to the ending when Shuri cries on the beach. All of it serves as a reflection and memorial to Boseman. He will forever be our Black Panthers and we'll forever be grateful. 

8. Werewolf By Night (2022)

If I've learned one thing about myself over the last two years, I'm a sucker for something in black and white. I had no clue what to expect from this when it was first announced and I was pleasantly surprised by the end product. For the first special presentation from Marvel, I could've done with this being even longer. On the surface, this feels like something that is lightyears away from what we've seen in the MCU. When I think of werewolves, I think of folklore and scary stories you're told as a kid. I don't associate them with a universe that has become known for its superheroes. Still, it manages to tell an interesting story and introduce some characters that I need to see more of. Gael Garcia Bernal brings the character to life and he does it well. He plays the human side of Jack Russell very convincingly with some slight hints of comedy that complement the rest of his performance perfectly. Laura Donnelly's Elsa Bloodstone is the perfect foil for him as this edgy character that just wants what's hers and to leave. The star of the show for me is Man-Thing. We don't get a real appreciation for how great he looks until they turn the color on but it's the subtleties in his movements that speak volumes since he can't actually speak. I got a kick out of him coming in, killing Elsa's stepmom, and then looking at Elsa as if to ask what to do next. Man-Thing and Jack need to come back as a duo soon because they are great together. The rest of the monster hunters aren't too noteworthy since they're pretty much one note. There is a decent amount of gore, something that the MCU hasn't done much of in almost 15 years. This is another set of characters that I can't figure out how they'll fit into the future of the MCU. Perhaps we'll see Jack and Man-Thing in the MCU's versions of the Midnight Sons or Legion of Monsters. 

7. Loki (2021)

The long wait to get Loki back on screens in something other than a cameo was well worth it. He's gone from being a major villain to one of the better anti-heroes in the MCU. You can't help but root for him to succeed after everything he's been through to this point. What I love though is that all of that gets erased from the beginning. This Loki is the one that lost to the Avengers in the original and escapes during the time heist scene in New York during Avengers: Endgame. He hasn't learned his lesson yet. We get to relieve the arc all over again. While WandaVision was meant to set up the Doctor Strange sequel, this series essentially sets the stage for the entire Multiverse Saga. This series is so good and it starts with the individual performances from the entire cast. I wrote last year about my initial concerns about Owen Wilson in a role like this given his other work but he was the biggest surprise for me. I still don't love the romantic relationship between Loki and Sylvie become romantic, though only a Loki can really love a Loki. Every episode feels like it has stakes, so it's easy to stay engaged. It was cool seeing them jump back and forth in time and each of the settings was beautifully created. The entire season culminated in an excellent season finale. Getting the introduction of Jonathan Majors, who is positioned to be one of the big villains of this saga, and how he tears it up as He Who Remains gives me high hopes. After jumping around to various locations in the first five episodes, the majority of the final episode takes place at The Citadel, yet the entire episode remains interesting as they basically lay out the stakes for the rest of the saga. I did get a little fed up with Sylvie constantly questioning everything, though that's pretty much her entire character. I think it wraps up perfectly and I'm very interested to see how this plays into everything else. It'd be cool if we could get a reunion between Thor and Loki at some point. At the very least, it leaves a lot to look forward to with Season 2 on the horizon. 

6. Hawkeye (2021)

The MCU has proven they can make a good Christmas series. Even more, they've reminded me of just how great this series is. It's crazy that a character like Hawkeye, someone that seems to be the odd man out in the original lineup, can have a series that is this engaging and fun. Everything about it is awesome, from the cast to the action to the comedy. It all just seems to flow very well. Having New York at Christmastime doesn't overshadow the actual story. Outside of Endgame, this might be the best Jeremy Renner has been in the MCU. I like that we get to cover his run as Ronin and the repercussions of his five-year stint as the vigilante. While I think the Tracksuit Mafia can be a little too over the top at times, they provide a perfect foil for the serious nature of his character. It's the new additions to the universe that really steal the show. We talk a lot about perfect castings within the MCU, most notably the likes of Robert Downey Jr. embodying Tony Stark perfectly. When thinking of who should play Kate Bishop, Hailee Steinfeld was the first person I thought of for the role and she kills it. She fits in the MCU perfectly and I'm excited to see what she does next. I'm crossing my fingers that it'll involve the Young Avengers. I'm also looking forward to Alaqua Cox returning for her own spin-off. Her story is very interesting and I'm excited to see more of it with her series later this year. Florence Pugh returning as Yelena Belova provided some of the best moments of the season. Her dinner scene in episode five and the elevator scene in the finale are two of the most iconic scenes of the MCU so more of Yelena and Kate together would be awesome. The villain scene did get a little crowded by the end of the season. By the finale, we had Kingpin's re-introduction to Marvel, Kate's mom, and the Tracksuit Mafia all with skin in the game, along with Yelena and Echo, granted not really villains, carrying out separate missions. They almost feel like an afterthought but the story at its core is making sure Clint gets home in time for Christmas. It's a story that focuses on family and like most families in December, it can get messy at times. This series is great and it has the potential to only get better the more we see these characters in other films and shows. 

The Best of Phase 4 (5-1)

These are the five entries that were my absolute favorites of Phase 4 and will likely be the first things I associate with the last two years of the MCU. 

5. Moon Knight (2022)

While I do love history, I've never considered myself to be knowledgeable about Ancient Egyptian lore and mythology. That didn't prevent me from enjoying every second of this show. Marc Spector might have one the darkest backstories to date and the entire episode where we see his upbringing is devastating from beginning to end. I will admit, Oscar Isaac's British accent was a little jarring at times but that doesn't stop me from appreciating his performance because he pulls off two separate characters really well. I was more of a fan of Marc than I was of Steven just because of the edge that Marc seemed to have. The transitions between each character when they needed to wear the suit were also cool. I also liked Isaac's chemistry with May Calamawy. Regardless of which persona was in control, they interacted well with Layla and provided some funny moments when it was just the two of them. I also think some recognition needs to be given to F. Murray Abraham for providing the booming voice for Khonshu. For as good as the heroes were. my favorite part of the show was Ethan Hawke as Arthur Harrow. He plays a perfect villain. The righteousness and calm that he plays that character with are chilling. I won't say I was rooting for him to win but he was fun to watch. The jumps in and out of reality are sometimes hard to discern and it makes you question what reality is within this world. The end credit scene makes me think we're going to see Moon Knight again and I'd love to meet this third personality in greater detail. 

4. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

There is just so much going on with this movie and I love every bit of it. To have the speculation of all three Spider-Men working together and then to have it be true made my inner child smile for the final hour when everyone came together. The driving force for this film was nostalgia and it brought it in droves. Even then, it told a great story and made me even more excited for the future of the franchise. Not only does this film have heavy implications for the future of Tom Holland in the MCU but it could also be huge for any future films for Tobey Macguire and Andrew Garfield. This was the first time I'd re-watched it since seeing it in theaters and it is just as good as I remember it being. The banter between the three men is hilarious and it makes the final fight all the more exciting. The real MVP of the film, for as good as Holland, Macguire, and Garfield all were, is Willem Dafoe. This version of Green Goblin was much better than it was in the original film and I love that he ditches the mask. The way he switches between Norman and the Goblin is great and his smile is terrifying. I also loved Alfred Molina's performance in his return as Dr. Octopus. The fight scenes as a whole feel much more epic than they did in any of the films before them, even the MCU ones. Having Aunt May die made plenty of sense and was set up perfectly. MJ and Ned play fun roles and it's cool that they are the ones that first get to meet the other Peter Parkers. My only complaints really aren't complaints, they're more like suggestions. I would have switched some of the villains around. I think Norman, Otto, and even Max Dillon make sense. I would switch out Dr. Connors and Marko Flint in favor of one of Topher Grace's Venom and either version of Harry Osborn, most likely the version from The Amazing Spider-Man 2. I feel like they could've brought a little more to the film. Having Doctor Strange helps to add to the importance of the situation and I really like where the film ends. In a way, we get the press a reset button on Spider-Man within the MCU. Now that no one knows who he is, the possibilities really open up. This just means there's more fun on the horizon for Spider-Man. 

3. Ms. Marvel (2022)

When looking at the Marvel releases in 2022, this was the series I was looking forward to the most. I knew more about Ms. Marvel than most of the new heroes that were going to be introduced and this series exceeded my already lofty expectations. I remember there being a ton of criticism, warranted and most unwarranted. Many criticized the tone or the origin of Kamala's powers. Some had less reasonable arguments to dislike the show. Is the show a bit childish compared to some of the other entries into the MCU? Absolutely, it is. That doesn't mean it's bad. We're telling the story of a 16-year-old Pakistani-American getting used to her powers. It's not like with Spider-Man when he gets introduced in Civil War. Peter Parker already had his powers and he was thrust into the middle of a faction war. The heart of this series lies in the lead and Iman Vellani is spectacular. It's amazing that this is her first role. She nails every aspect of this performance and elevates the show to a whole new level. I also love her family. They are so supportive of her once they find out and that feels like a breath of fresh air compared to the secrecy most others think they're forced to keep. She also has a fantastic friend group and I must admit, I'm on team Bruno. I'm not saying they need to force a relationship between the two but I think Bruno and Kamala have excellent chemistry with one another. The one aspect of the show I didn't love was the Clandestines. They are an important piece of Kamala's family history but I don't feel as invested in them getting home. It feels like a slight letdown that the plan they've been trying to enact for the better part of three episodes just doesn't work. We also got the return of the Department of Damage Control and they are so easy to hate. It's the same thing for their other appearances in the Spider-Man movies. I loved this series and nothing made me smile more than in episode three when the fight scene at the wedding is set to "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi. It was the perfect song choice and it was very topical. Let's also not forget that this sets up Mutants joining the MCU as Kamala is now the first official mutant. I'm looking forward to seeing her return and team up with Captain Marvel and Monica Rambeau in The Marvels. 

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

I had nothing but positive things to say about this movie after I watched it the first time and I still absolutely love it upon subsequent viewings. The biggest compliment I can give it is that this would work as just a stand-alone movie even if it weren't in the MCU because the amount of action alone makes this feel like a martial arts film more than a superhero movie, something I mentioned when I wrote about it in 2021. I have an even greater appreciation for the performances by the cast after watching it again. For as great as the protagonists are, Tony Leung is the star of the show. He brings a lot of the same characteristics I appreciate from a villain in the MCU. I always prefer a villain that is human and has very human motives for what they are doing. In this case, his motives center around love and an inability to properly grieve. It's very similar to Baron Zemo, who I will again state is my favorite villain from the Infinity Saga. I really like that the movie gives the viewers a lot of flashbacks to provide context, especially since it's a new story with new characters. All of the protagonists are great too. Simu Liu was born to play this role and I fully expect him to be a major part of the plans moving forward in the MCU. His chemistry with Awkwafina works perfectly and the subtle relationship the two have by the end of the film works well. I also love the sibling dynamic between Shang-Chi and Xialing, played by Meng'er Zhang. The end-credit scene with her back at the Ten Rings' compound gives me hope there is going to be a lot of her in the sequel. Another thing I can appreciate about the movie is its willingness to address the past with Trevor Slattery returning after Iron Man 3. I am not a fan of the third Iron Man movie and the film does a good job of setting up his appearance so it doesn't seem super random. Ta Lo is another of the beautiful settings the MCU has created and I hope we get to revisit it in the future. The entire third act feels epic and the ending puts a beautiful bow on a magnificent film. This leaves me with high expectations for the eventual sequel that we'll get in the later phases. 

1. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)

When ranking all of the MCU shows from 2021, this was at the top of my list. I've spoken at length about how the Captain America trilogy is the best non-Avengers series in the MCU. The general feel of this series mimics that feeling I get watching the Captain America films. They often feel like they could be stand-alone action films even outside of the MCU umbrella. Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson might be the best current duo in the MCU. Sebastian Stan and Anthony Mackie play off of each other very well with some excellent comedic moments. Add Daniel Bruhl into the mix for his return as Baron Zemo, my favorite villain from the Infinity Saga, and you have a masterful trio. Zemo's presence in the middle episodes steals the show. I'm also a huge fan of Wyatt Russell. He plays a character that is so easy to dislike from the very beginning and he plays the downfall of John Walker to perfection. I'm very interested to see what he could do as part of the Thunderbolts. Sharon Carter is another character that is going to be very important going forward, especially in something like Captain America: New World Order. My biggest qualms with the show originally centered around the scenes with Sam back at home and the Flagsmashers as a group outside of Karli Morgenthau. I retract my thoughts on Sam in New Orleans because, upon a second viewing, they help to ground the series a lot. I still assert that the Flagsmashers as a group aren't that interesting. I think the premise behind the group is a good one, I'm just not invested in anyone other than Karli. I think the overall message of the series remains one of the strongest in the MCU's catalog and Captain America's monologue at the end might be one of the best speeches given to this point in the MCU. I think this series helps to set up a lot moving forward as we move into Phases 5 and 6 and it's got me excited for the future of Captain America and the Winter Soldier.