It’s no doubt that Phase 4 MCU movies failed to reel in appreciation in 2021 and 2022 as opposed to their former counterparts. Nevertheless, if there were majorly severe misses among the seven movies released during the fourth phase, then there were a few redeeming releases as well. It’s quite likely that these few ‘goods’ may be overshadowed by the reigning disappointments Marvel Studios has handed out to its years-old fanbase.
There are quite a few issues and factors that play into this said derailing result, and few of those most commonly mentioned setbacks circle around the fact that there have been way too many releases during this ‘transitioning’ phase of the MCU. The over-the-top expansive nature of the comics has been completely flipped onto the big as well as small screens, and it has been a lot to take in for the fans, especially who are in the run for the cinematic viewing of the franchise only.
While the movies have been on the lesser number stage, the never-ending monthly OTT releases in this phase have vehemently dampened the grandeur and impact of the cinematic releases. It’s no more a cathartic experience than it’s an assignment with a due date while you grasp nothing individually.
Too many releases, too many new introductions, too many gaudy jokes, and so on. All these ‘too manys’ have simply degraded character development arcs, and the pre-existing personas have remained static in terms of evolution. Additionally, new characters made it to the screen with little to no hints or cues announcing their arrival beforehand.
During the previous phases, whenever a new entry was to be made, the brand of that particular character was already in motion of being established through cameos or mere solid easter eggs being laid down. Now, it feels like a formality, and it falls short of building the hype and anticipation for otherwise notable characters from the comics. Over the last few years, especially in the midst of Phase 4 Marvel movies, the previously held greatness of Marvel characters has been lost significantly, and that loss has run deep and poignant, especially since the original six Avengers have disbanded.
The next big team-up is yet to happen, and quite a long period has elapsed since the last one in Avengers: Endgame. It’s going to take some time to build up the universe for the next glorious showdown, and though we’re all running scared if it’ll be worth it or not, it’s also time to take a break and breathe in all that has been released on the big screen over the past two years.
Black Panther Wakanda Forever was released a few days earlier, and it marks the end of the fourth phase of theatrical releases, while the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special remains the final project of this phase altogether. Taking a step back, let’s rank this phase’s movies that have markedly represented the characters left behind learning to live with the aftermath of the Blip.
All Phase 4 MCU Movies Ranked from Best to Worst
Black Panther Wakanda Forever (November 2022) – BEST
This one right here is one of the prime redeeming features of this phase. The movie pays tribute not only to Chadwick Boseman but also to King T’Challa while his family learns to live with this grand missing piece of their lives and cope with their grief.
Wakanda Forever is one of the most emotional pieces released by Marvel, but other than holding poignant gravitas, it also furthers the future of the universe by respectfully introducing new characters without hampering or subduing the theme of loss, all while introducing one of the most stunning antagonists to the MCU table.
Angela Bassett, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, and Winston Duke collectively pick up the pieces of the saga and do a tremendous job of resounding the titular character’s legacy. The sequel holds its own after the golden role played by its predecessor. It’s currently playing in theatres.
Spider-Man No Way Home (December 2021)
The perfect amalgamation of nostalgia and individual glory there is. Not everyone deems this release to be a perfect standalone movie, often harking on the idea that it’s merely a cheap trick of playing on the fans’ nostalgic fever. However, the people admonishing this title tend to forget that even without the other two Spider-Men, this marks Tom Holland’s Spidey’s greatest fight yet.
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The previous renditions have played out how the loss of his uncle deeply impacted his journey as a friendly neighborhood superhero. However, the third release in Holland’s trilogy paints the crucial role played by his aunt, and its finale is far more devastating than anything else, considering he has no one to turn to, thus completely breaking him as a person.
Coming back to the sentimental fest for OG fans, the film threads the image of the multiverse concept in live-action for the first time and is one of the few movies to bring uproaring cheers back to Marvel theatres ever since the events of Endgame. It’s streaming on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (September 2021)
You could call Shang-Chi‘s origin story a bit generic in some places, but overall it’s still one of the better origin sagas in the MCU compared to the others. Simu Liu’s Sean or Shang-Chi, is indeed one of the easiest-to-love heroes yet who’s paired up against his own father, played by the praise-worthy legend Tony Leung, making for one of the best villains so far. Ever since the film’s release, audiences have been very vocal about their applause for him and making the movie’s viewing experience worth it.
Essentially, this particular origin movie falls into the feel-good category, and for the first time in a long time, that doesn’t work negatively for the MCU. Moreover, plays an active and plausible role in normalizing Asian representation in the mainstream media, much like what Black Panther did for the Black community.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (May 2022)
Once the animated What If…? fired up the hype for Doctor Strange going dark, there was no going back. Unfortunately, Multiverse of Madness (available on Disney+ Hotstar) doesn’t generate the same effect. It’s one of the very few MCU movies that treads into the violent tonality; however, the titular character was starkly trumped over by the second powerful match Wanda, which made one wonder if it was a Doctor Strange movie at all.
It’s undoubtedly a visual spectacle that brings Sam Raimi’s tense flavor back into Marvel movies with a shift to the horror side. However, are blockbuster visuality and a strong game of easter eggs enough to justify a film’s base foundation? That’s the question that you may be left pondering over and over after watching this one. You may question why the audience was so loud about their dislike for this release without any reason, but that’s exactly it.
When you watch it the first time around, you notice the flaws because the execution numbs your perception of depth, and you appreciate the explosive beauty on the big screen. However, when you’re left alone with your thoughts on the movie, then it hits you that everything was generally rushed, especially since a lot of big aspects had to pack up together but weren’t done cohesively. Big appearances that eventually made their way into the MCU for the first time were once again thrown out of the picture with ease as if they mattered or held any consequential dignity.
Black Widow (July 2021)
The most questionable issue of Black Widow (now on Disney+ Hotstar) is its time of release. Not all Marvel releases follow a chronological order, and that’s alright, but the unreasonable delay of this one and then being placed after Avengers: Endgame as a tokenistic getaway made no sense whatsoever. Even after the sacrifice made by the titular hero, her story is never able to pull you in with any emotional capacity, which is quite unprovoked and unaccepted, considering Natasha Romanoff is the first original heroic woman character in the MCU.
They had a chance to paint her picture of trauma with all its complexity, and they just painted it black and got it over with. Not only is that disrespectful to the character but also to the actress fighting for this role since the beginning and the fans who’ve been here since the first day. Not to forget the anticlimactic brush with the antagonist.
The only positive takeaway was the introduction of Florence Pugh’s Yelena, which had its own issues again in terms of how the Black Widow scenario was spoken about. In the end, all I have to say is that Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha deserved the world, and this isn’t how she should’ve been sent off.
Eternals (November 2021)
For all that glitters isn’t always gold, and Eternals follows suit. Despite bringing on one of the most ambitious, godly, and stellar cast panels, this release just felt off. Looking at it as a singular film piece, disjoint from the Marvel banner, it may serve its charms to some extent, but the fact that it reigns under the MCU roof is incongruous.
Diversity and representation again find their way, and that’s to be respected along with the extravagant outlook of the movie that matches its themes and characters. Nevertheless, the story is never quite put together, and its own protagonists are acutely forgettable. The ones you do remember barely have enough screen time, like Lauren Ridloff and Barry Keoghan.
And even Makkari and Druig’s chemistry with each other is probably the sole remembrance I have of this film, even the leading duo failed to match that spark. Yet another example of an eye-catching and sensational visual-scape that barely made you feel anything. Eternals is streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.
Thor Love and Thunder (July 2022) – DISAPPOINTING
I could’ve put this addition a bit higher on the list only because of how appropriately ghoulish Christian Bale’s character was, but again, his devious characterization was taken down a notch as well. The most disappointing aspect of Thor 4 is that it comes after a much more fiery performance of the same character, who is a God, whether you believe it or not, in Thor: Ragnarok. His arc completely plummets and draws him out as a caricature.
Despite Tessa Thompson playing the honorable and bad-ass King and Jane Foster returning in her ‘Mighty’-est avatar yet (quite literally), the film just couldn’t be salvaged due to the lacking storyline that makes everything out to be a joke. Available on Disney+ Hotstar, the supposed glorious god’s fourth solo return is severely upsetting. “Thor doesn’t deserve this slander,” said a hopeful fan with a tear running down their cheek.
Which one of the ‘worse’ titles did you think had some redeemable qualities? Which of these is your favorite Phase 4 MCU movie? Does your ranking match ours? Let us know in the comments section below.
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