Remember when you didn’t need a PhD in comic book lore just to enjoy a superhero film? Before the timelines, variants, and multiverse madness, the MCU was a simpler place. Rewinding it back to where it all began, here’s a rundown of the six films that laid the foundation of Marvel and introduced fans to superheroes that went on to become cultural icons.
Raw, character-driven, and surprisingly self-contained, the earlier MCU films still hold up despite not having the latest CGI wizardry or multiverse chaos. What we got instead were true origin stories that focused on individuals rather than timelines. From Iron Man’s flawless debut to the often overlooked The Incredible Hulk, here’s an honest ranking of the six movies that kickstarted the MCU.
6. The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Marvel’s forgotten child, The Incredible Hulk is a quieter, more serious entry in Phase One, and one that’s not talked about nearly as much as the other films. The movie stars Edward Norton as Bruce Banner, a fugitive scientist hiding out in Brazil, trying to find a cure for the gamma radiation that turned him into the Hulk. Meanwhile, he’s on the run from corrupt government officials who want to use him as a weapon, all while facing off against The Abomination, a new monster with similar powers, but none of the restraint.
The film isn’t bad; it’s just disconnected from the rest of the Marvel universe. And with Mark Ruffalo later recast as The Hulk, it’s often overlooked. Still, it’s got plenty of smashing, sneaking, and a surprising amount of heart, making it a fun rewatch when you view it as a standalone film.
5. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
To be very honest, Captain America: The First Avenger and Thor are pretty evenly matched in terms of ranking, with Thor winning an edge for having a more compelling and sinister villain. Set during the World War II era, The First Avenger introduces us to Steve Rogers, a scrawny but brave kid from Brooklyn who wasn’t afraid to jump on a grenade before any of the superpowers kicked in.
Along with marking Cap’s entry into the Marvel Universe, the movie also introduces fan-favourite Bucky Barnes and the first Infinity Stone, or as it was known back then, the Tesseract. And while we’ve placed the film at #5 overall in Phase One of the MCU, the heartfelt, quiet, and sincere romance between Peggy Carter and Steve Rogers still stands as one of the best, if not the best, love story across all phases of the MCU.
4. Thor (2011)
Thor is where the MCU first leaned into the cosmic realm properly. A strange but charming blend of Shakespearean drama and superhero antics, Thor plays out between the mythical world of Asgard, where Norse gods from celestial realms reside, and Earth. Tired of his son's arrogance, Odin sends Thor, the God of Thunder, down to Earth without his powers or hammer. Stranded in New Mexico, Thor's only way back is by discovering who he is beyond the lightning and the title.
While Thor’s comedic timing and Asgard’s celestial charm pull you in, it’s Tom Hiddleston’s portrayal of Loki, Thor’s mischievous, and emotionally complex brother that truly steals the show.
3. Iron Man 2 (2010)
Picking up right where the first film leaves off, Iron Man 2 begins laying the groundwork for the world-building that would define the coming MCU films. Story-wise, it follows Tony Stark after he publicly reveals his identity as Iron Man. He’s grappling with the side effects of the arc reactor that’s keeping him alive, fending off a new villain in a tech-powered suit who gives the billionaire a serious challenge, and facing government pressure, all while handling it in classic Stark fashion: with sarcasm and blatant disregard for authority.
In the broader scheme of things, the film sets the stage for a connected Marvel universe. S.H.I.E.L.D. gets a proper, fleshed-out role in the story, and Natasha Romanoff is introduced as a mysterious new ally who would later become one of the original Avengers as Black Widow.
2. The Avengers (2012)
Closing out Phase One, The Avengers brings all of Earth’s mightiest heroes together on screen for the very first time, after introducing them individually in their solo films. Over the years, the MCU has delivered plenty of epic team battles in space, across timelines, and even against each other, but the long tracking shot during the Battle of New York still stands as one of the most legendary fight sequences in the franchise.
The Avengers isn’t just memorable for its action; it’s also a triumph in balancing six wildly different superheroes, each sharing the spotlight and bouncing off each other with personality, conflict, and wit. It sets up the ideological clash between Captain America and Tony Stark, the budding bromance between Bruce and Tony, and Thor’s heartache over watching Loki descend into villainy. The Avengers marked a defining moment for the franchise that would later come to be known for its intricately interconnected setups.
1. Iron Man (2008)
The one that started it all. Unlike Spider-Man or the X-Men, Iron Man wasn’t a guaranteed success, given his C-level status in comic book fame at the time. But Robert Downey Jr. truly is Iron Man, and his authentic, razor-sharp performance as the billionaire, philanthropist, genius, playboy gave the character a personality that leapt off the screen, turning a secondary superhero into the arc-reactor beating heart of the MCU.
The story follows Tony Stark, a billionaire weapons manufacturer who’s kidnapped and stranded in war-torn Afghanistan, left with nothing but his intelligence and scraps of his own weapons to escape. What he builds instead is the first-ever Iron Man suit. Unlike other Marvel films, Iron Man doesn’t rely on alien invasions, cosmic threats, or convoluted timelines, just a man facing the consequences of his legacy and deciding to do better. It’s a grounded origin story that kicks off one of the most entertaining, rewatchable, and personality-driven superhero arcs in the MCU.
Where To Watch All Marvel Phase One Movies Online
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