The MCU has come a very long way since 2008’s Iron Man. Now with 15 years behind it and the curtain closing on Phase 4, it’s time to look back at the MCU’s most divisive, longest, and most experimental phase and the abundance of content that was involved. Phase 4 featured 18 pieces of content, whether that was as a Disney Plus series, Special Presentation, or film.
The rabid array of content that the MCU produced for its Phase 4 means that not all of it can be of the quality that one expects of its earlier phases. Some of the MCU Phase 4 is disappointing compared to the climactic events of Avengers: Endgame, though there were also a few gems along the way.
18 Eternals
Immortal beings recount the centuries that they have spent alongside humanity, living secretly among them with their own unique set of powers. Eternals features the characters forced out of hiding as the threat of Deviants remerges, and they must assemble once more.
Although Eternals features an interesting and new direction for the MCU, audiences are not given enough time with the characters to understand them and their dynamics. Eternals feel quick and with not much going on.
17 Thor: Love And Thunder
Thor is forced out of his very quick retirement when a god-killing and galactic threat emerges. Gorr the God Butcher vows to kill every god, and Thor makes it his newest mission to ensure that Gorr’s plan is squandered. Thor is also joined by his ex-girlfriend, now the Mighty Thor.
There’s a lot of potential ruined in Thor: Love and Thunder. What could have been an interesting character study about Thor and his grief over the years becomes a light-hearted comedy with no real stakes or memorability for Thor 4.
16 I Am Groot
Everyone loves Groot, and when the character began to age again, many were sad that they wouldn’t see the adorable Baby Groot at his highest potential. Luckily, I Am Groot follows the silly adventures of the young character before his teen years.
The series of animated shorts of I Am Groot are more for laughs and goofs than they are for serving any real storytelling in the MCU. I Am Groot is a quick display of the character at his cutest moments but isn’t entirely important for the future.
15 Black Widow
As a member of the Avengers, Natasha Romanoff has perhaps the darkest part of her team. Black Widow explores her character more in-depth and allows her to lead in a new environment and confront that dark past with her family.
Considering that Black Widow is set before her death in Avengers: Endgame, the stakes in the film are low and explaining her backstory and family dynamic seems too little too late in the service of the MCU. However, it’ll be interesting to see those characters again.
14 She-Hulk: Attorney At Law
As an up-and-coming lawyer, and someone who was recently infected with the blood of the Hulk to become the same green monster, Jennifer Walters is about to lead quite an exciting and bizarre life in She-Hulk: Attorney At Law.
The MCU’s first fourth-wall-breaking comedy series, She-Hulk: Attorney At Law, stumbles at a few turns and seems to be more of an attempt to roast the Marvel legacy rather than to build upon its series and universe.
13 Ms. Marvel
As a huge fan of Captain Marvel, Kamala soon finds herself in the same position as her hero, as she is imbued with mystical powers that cause her to struggle even more at fitting in at school and home. Kamala becomes a hero to strive towards in Ms. Marvel.
Although Ms. Marvel is more aimed toward child audiences, it certainly features a few surprising moments for the MCU, including the first mention of Mutants. Ms. Marvel has a bright future in the MCU, one that will be explored with The Marvels.
12 What If…?
Each tale of What If…? Takes pivotal moments and characters from the MCU and explores them differently. Whether that’s with a new scenario or character, the possibilities of the Multiverse are infinite.
This anthology series is a way for Marvel to experiment with their writing and place fan-favorite heroes into strange narrative threads. The Multiverse is a pathway to infinite possibilities, and What If…? Explores the MCU in many interesting scenarios, but one that harbors no real importance outside of its series.
11 The Falcon And The Winter Soldier
The mismatched and troubled duo of the Falcon and the Winter Soldier team up in a globe-trotting adventure as they test their skills and friendship and further explore the legacy that Steve Rogers’ Captain America left in their hands.
There’s safety in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier that fans of the MCU can expect. It further continues the journeys of these characters with the familiar action and comedy blend the MCU is known for.
10 WandaVision
Westview is the new home of Wanda Maximoff and her dead/not-dead husband, Vision. Living their bizarre and super-powered lives, Wanda and Vision make a family work, but not everything seems like sunshine and rainbows.
The very first MCU Disney Plus series tried something rather unique, and each episode featured a new sitcom style, with a lot of mystery in its weekly releases.
9 Hawkeye
Clint Barton returns in Hawkeye, a Disney Plus series that follows Jeremy Renner’s character alongside a protégé, Kate Bishop. Together, these bow and arrow-wielding heroes must avoid becoming a target themselves as they navigate through a crime-riddled New York City.
There’s a great level of shock in Hawkeye, and seeing Jeremy Renner thrive as Clint Barton is always a treat. Hawkeye is an interesting enough miniseries that involves new characters and a shocking returning face of old.
8 Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness
Nightmares plague Doctor Strange over the events of the Infinity Saga and a new mysterious girl. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness continues Stephen Strange’s story and further unlocks the confusion and dangers that lurk within the Multiverse.
Sam Raimi thrives with his style in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but there certainly is not enough of it. There’s also a notable reliance on cameos for this Multiverse adventure, one that takes away from the story it tries to tell.
7 The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special
Drax and Mantis embark on a journey to Earth, where they experience the strange culture around clubbing and Hollywood celebrity culture. Their mission is to kidnap Kevin Bacon and provide Peter Quill with the perfect present for Christmas.
In The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, James Gunn continues his effective chops at these characters and his talent for comedy. This Special Presentation doesn’t serve anything outside of a fun gag, but it’s still enjoyable.
6 Werewolf By Night
When a secret cabal of monster hunters gather in the wake of their leader’s death, they find themselves in the heart of a deadly competition for a great prize, all whilst a terrifying werewolf hunts them.
The first Marvel Studios’ Special Presentation is a breath of fresh air and features some fully-fledged classic horror tropes in Werewolf by Night. It’s a start to something unique and a great first go from Michael Giacchino.
5 Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings
Shang-Chi may live a quiet life, but there’s a reason for that. His past catches up with him, and he’s forced to confront his father and the shadowy Ten Rings organization in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
There’s a lot of action and spectacle in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings that makes it worth the watch, and the film provides an exciting new prospect for further developments in the MCU.
4 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
After the death of King T’Challa, the people of Wakanda continue to mourn, all whilst the United Nations seek to use this grief as a moment of weakness in the most powerful nation in the world. All the while, Namor, the leader of an ancient underwater civilization, begins to threaten Wakanda, showing that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever needs a protector again.
When Chadwick Boseman tragically passed, the talents at Marvel decided to honor him with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The film features heavy grief but also harbors a lot of hope for the future whilst embracing and loving the past.
3 Moon Knight
Steven Grant may be a mild-mannered gift shop employee, but beneath the surface, he is plagued with constant blackouts, memories of another life, and a mysterious haunting figure watching him. Moon Knight follows the mental health of Marc Spector and his battle alongside Konshu to bring vengeance to the Egyptian gods.
Oscar Isaac thrives in the headspace of two characters in one body, and Moon Knight is a great display of what Disney Plus can do for the MCU. Although the show needs a Season 2 and more action, it’s a step in the right direction.
2 Loki
The God of Mischief finds himself in strange new lands with his own Disney Plus show, Loki. His adventures post-death take him to the TVA, an agency dedicated to the preservation of the sacred timeline. Loki is an opportunity for the titular character to thrive outside of being an antagonist to his brother Thor.
Loki is a creative expanse from Marvel Studios that provides audiences with new adventures. Loki is allowed room to breathe and have his character explored in new ways whilst also keeping to an interesting and unfolding premise that will have dire consequences for the future of the MCU.
1 Spider-Man: No Way Home
After Mysterio outs Peter Parker to the world as Spider-Man, the college-bound superhero goes to Doctor Strange to make the world forget his secret identity. However, the botched spell causes new threats for Spider-Man, as villains of his past in the Multiverse come to the fray, as well as some exciting and tear-jerking variants of himself.
The ultimate celebration of Spider-Man and his cinematic history, Spider-Man: No Way Home combines everything from the character’s past for this magnum opus of a Spider-Man event. There are heroes and villains from every generation, and an ending to bring forth the best start for Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, and his future in the MCU.