With the year coming to an end, and also closing the chapter of Marvel’s Phase Four with Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special as its last release, it’s time to rate MCU’s 2022 best to worst movies and shows including the first two special presentations that kick-started a new tradition.
Marvel Studios came out with a total of eight contents this time around, starting off with Moon Knight (OTT) in March, which was then followed by Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (theatres), Ms Marvel (OTT), Thor: Love and Thunder (theatres), She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (OTT), Werewolf By Night (Special Presentation), Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (theatres) and the final Phase Four chapter GOTG Holiday Special (Special Presentation).
Here’s what our ranking of this year’s MCU releases looks like!
Best to Worst Movies/Specials
Werewolf By Night (October 7, 2022)
The most shocking release in MCU’s 2022 list has to be Werewolf By Night. The pioneering special presentation from the super Studios is living proof that black and white thematic presence will never go out of style as long as you focus on the characters and storytelling. Delving into the horror side of the universe, this special episode reignites the charm of classic slasher or monster movies. It’s bloodier and not afraid to step into a completely uncharted territory, while keeping things in control and viewer friendly.
Though the new introductions don’t have a connection to other MCU characters as of now, this standalone chilling project is a must watch! It’s streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (November 11, 2022)
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was a “thoughtful, moving synthesis of action and emotion”, as we’d mentioned in our review for the movie as well. Bidding farewell to someone you love and respect deeply is never an easy task, and the sequel to the 2018 game-changer directed by Ryan Coogler tackles the idea with grave sensitivity. The movie isn’t merely a homage to Chadwick Boseman’s contribution to the industry, but also one to Black Panther’s character itself.
Additionally, the film puts the remaining family in a tough spot while having to not only deal with this loss but also protect the borders of their nation from Western interventions, all while a new strong force endangers all that they’ve built from the ground up till now. With moving performances from Angela Bassett, Tenoch Huerta, Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke and more, the final theatrical release of the year packs in various Easter eggs and surprises that keep you hooked while celebrating both Boseman and the Black Panther’s glory.
Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (November 25, 2022)
This is, in the right sense, the cutest thing Marvel Studios has put out this year, standing in as the first such release without any antagonists among the lot. Our bubbly squad of misfits is coming to terms with a new chapter of their life after Gamora’s death and the blip. They set out on a mission to save Christmas and bring Peter, aka Starlord, the best present ever from Earth. Brimming with holiday tunes, we get to see the Guardians in a new light, with their chaotically loveable dynamics being the cherry on top as always.
Marvel siblings keep an eye out! We’ve got a new duo coming to snatch the title of the best siblings on the block. Now available on Disney+ Hotstar.
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Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (May 6, 2022)
Sam Raini’s return with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness definitely switched the gears of Marvel’s visual spectacle due to its overall horror-tastic flavour. With Wanda finally donning her Scarlet Witch side in the open to get her children back, nothing can stand in her way, not even Marvel’s wizard.
Marking MCU’s first visit into the multiverse, we see characters jumping in and out and a new grand introduction of America Chavez, summoning Strange’s help on the mission. Earth-838’s Illuminati brings back some familiar faces into the mix and hints at the forthcoming expansion of our own earth’s superhero roster. It’s streaming on Disney+ Hotstar)
Thor: Love and Thunder (July 6, 2022)
Although one of the most anticipated movie follow-ups this year, the film didn’t fare well after its release and disappointed fans with how Thor’s godly visage was treated like. Despite the visual spectrum of the movie, Thor: Love and Thunder felt completely out of place. Bringing Natalie Portman back wasn’t enough to salvage the storyline, and even Christian Bale’s Gorr, possibly one of the most dreadful and grim antagonists of the MCU yet, never got his chance to shine to his fullest potential.
Marvel’s persistent urge to pack in a cluster of comic relief that may not actually be needed has ruined many movie and character arcs. Despite it being his own solo outing, Thor’s image is shaped into a joke, completely forgetting his development up to Avengers: Infinity War. Available on Disney+ Hotstar.
Best to Worst Series
Moon Knight (March 30 – May 4, 2022; 6 episodes)
Undeniably one of the best overall Marvel releases this year, Moon Knight not only introduced the swoonworthy Oscar Isaac dealing with his dissociative identity disorder and the resulting split personas of Marc Spector and Steven Grant, and Ethan Hawke as the big bad, but it also stood tall as a unique standalone series available on Disney+ Hotstar.
MCU’s constant need to fill the airtime this past year by pouring in endless content left many of its loyal fans strained and uninterested. However, Moon Knight came in at such a time with an original story unlike anything we’ve ever witnessed in the cinematic side of Marvel. Heavy on mythology and lore, the show unfolded years’ old mysteries related to the Egyptian Gods swirled inside an engrossing plot with a new focus on the darker side of the coin, drenched in supernatural motifs.
Ms Marvel (June 8 – July 13, 2022; 6 episodes)
Ending on a positive note with a surprise cameo, Ms Marvel sets up the premise for the upcoming movie The Marvels. However, it plays an even greater role in terms of South Asian representation. Visuals of the dreading hours of India’s Partition speak louder than words and are presented with larger than life visions, a feat in itself especially since the show was centered in the Western mainstream.
With Iman Vellani finding her ground as both Kamala and Ms Marvel, it isn’t just a coming-of-age story, but also a superhero origin story that many Marvel fanatics like ourselves will find themselves attracted to due to the main character’s relatability. It’s the story of every nerdy misfit who felt like they never belonged anywhere and have constantly been on the lookout for a purposeful life. The casting gets the grade A with Vellani herself being a superfan of the Marvel franchise just like her character. Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.
She-Hulk (August 18 – October 13, 2022; 9 episodes)
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is not everyone’s cup of tea due to being a bit over the top, and so it ranks the lowest on this list. That being said, the series starring Tatiana Maslany, Ginger Gonzaga, Josh Segarra and a numerous special cameos from Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk, Tim Roth’ Abomination, Charlie Cox’s Daredevil, Benedict Wong and more, has its moments.
Jennifer Walters has a lot on her plate, leading her complicated life in her 30s. And yet, it gets even weirder when she gains the same powers as her cousin, Bruce Banner. Ever imagined a hero who wanted nothing to do with their powers? Probably yes. Ever saw someone shut out their powers as vehemently as Walters? Probably not. She eventually finds a middle ground to make do with it all by breaking open the fourth wall (quite literally), one of the most raved about moments delivered by MCU this year, but ultimately, the show never stood as a good ground fro character building as much as it sung praises about the numerous gimmicks therein.
Yet, the series itself can be put aside as one of the most forgettable highlights of the year when put parallel to other better options. Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar)
How would you rank this year’s Marvel releases? Which title stands at the top and the bottom of your list? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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