The Best Scene From EVERY MCU Movie
The Best Scene From Every MCU Movie
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were counting down the greatest moments from every film under the Marvel Cinematic Universe banner so far. From Iron Man, all the way to Thunderbolts. Get ready for spoilers aplenty.
Suit Up Iron Man (2008)
Once a billionaire playboy philanthropist, Tony Starks life is turned on its head after hes kidnapped, imprisoned, and forced to see what his death merchant lifestyle has wrought upon the world. His first step towards redemption? Gearing up in his new armoured attire and taking down the Ten Rings terrorist group. Arriving with one hell of a bang, we get our first taste as to what the Armoured Avenger can really do. We will never get tired of watching Tony take that tank to task.
Smash The Incredible Hulk (2008)
The not so jolly green giants first outing in the MCU may not have been his highlight, but his final bout with Abomination at least made for the best kind of CGI fist fight. Despite Emil Blonskys mutated form seemingly getting the better of Hulk thanks to his abundance of bony protrusions, the Hulk isnt about to lose in a contest of strength. We only get to hear the gamma rage machine speak once in this flick outside of his typical screams, and the result literally brings down the house.
Suit Up x 2 Iron Man 2 (2010)
Double the Iron Men requires double the explosions, and thats exactly what we got when both Tony and Rhody are set upon by Whiplashs legion of killer mechs. Naturally, a lot of things go boom. While Iron Man goes wild with the repulsor blasts, War Machine shreds through every robot in his way with countless armaments. The finale against Whiplash in his own personalised armour might be a tad disappointing, but getting to see one of the MCUs biggest bromances kick ass together always makes for a fun watch.
Unworthy Thor (2011)
Calling down the lightning, battling Frost Giants and showcasing his stunning physique may all be par for the course with the God of Thunder, but by far the most captivating aspect of his cinematic debut was the borderline Shakespearean tragedy woven between himself and his family. This is especially potent following Thors bull-headed decision to attack the Frost Giant realm. Enraged, heartbroken and disappointed, Odin decides to teach his firstborn some humility in typical Asgardian fashion by stripping away his power, exiling him to Earth, and forcing him to prove himself worthy should he ever wish to reclaim his former station. Anthony Hopkins kills it in this scene, bringing true depth to the head of a broken family who just happen to be Norse deities.
Taller Captain America: The First Avenger (2012)
Steve Roger is nothing more than a skinny kid from Brooklyn who only wants to do the right thing, despite being constantly rejected because of his diminutive stature. That is, until his noble spirit earns him the chance to undergo the super soldier experiment. Its here that Steve goes from petite to an absolute unit, his physique now reflecting his strength of character. The only thing better than seeing Steve react to his new build is Peggy unable to stop herself from going in for a touch.
The Worlds Greatest Heroes The Avengers (2012)
While it might seem arbitrary by todays standards, having the likes of Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and the rest appearing together in live action was nothing more than a dream scenario for many a comic fan. And its in this glorious shot that this scenario is made manifest in the most epic way possible. As the Battle of New York gets underway, the only ones standing in the way of Lokis domination are the MCUs original six, emphasized by this now iconic one shot and monumental score. This is when the Avengers truly united, and what a sight it is!
Air Force One Iron Man 3 (2013)
The reveal of the Mandarins true identity may have caused some controversy for some, but Tony Starks third solo outing still had plenty of killer action scenes, the most thrilling among them being when Air Force One comes under attack. With civilians dropping out of the sky, it falls to Iron Man to save themdespite there being no time to spare and too many souls to ferry to safety. Thankfully, Tonys mind moves a million miles a minute, and is able to get the flailing passengers to form a human chain to ensure everyones survival. Now thats falling with style.
Bound by Grief Thor: The Dark World (2013)
The fractured relationship between Thor and Loki has always been one of the most compelling aspects of the God of Thunders mythos, and this is especially true during their confrontation following the death of their mother Frigga. In order to pursue the Dark Elves responsible for her murder and stop them from pursuing the mystical powers of the Aether, Thor seeks out the assistance of his imprisoned, nefarious sibling. Its here we get to see that, in spite of his ambition and misdeeds, Loki still deeply loved his mother, something that no illusion can hide. The banter and baggage between the two proved to be The Dark Worlds most compelling storylines, one were always happy to revisit.
The Elevator Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
This spy thriller truly raised the bar for MCU projects going forward, showcasing that all genres were on the table. And while we adore the political espionage of seeing Cap try to uncover Hydras lingering corruption as well as Buckys sudden revival, theres no denying that watching him take on an elevator full of sleeper agents is the definition of badass. Outnumbered, outgunned and trapped inside a tiny space, Steve Rogers still walks away the winner, showcasing that the term super soldier isnt just a moniker.
Dance Battle Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
This interstellar ragtag group of misfits won hearts everywhere with an outrageous sense of humour and sense of found family, all of which culminated in them taking on the might of Ronan the Accuser. How do you take down a zealot with the power to destroy a planet? Simple - you challenge him to a dance off. The sight of Peter Quill busting a move to distract Ronan, all before the whole thing into a heart-rending clash over the Power Stone is beautifully handled, making us laugh, weep and cheer in a single scene as the Guardians proved once and for all they were more than worthy of stepping into the MCU pantheon.
Hulk vs Hulkbuster Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Given that hes always smashing up bad guys, it can be easy to forget that a Hulk thats let off the leash is a terrifying prospect. One that Wanda makes a reality as she uses her witchy powers to set the jade giant on a destructive spree. The only thing that can stop it? Iron Man in a suit of armor specifically designed to bring the Hulk to heel. Its a brutal back and forth with no shortage of collateral damage, and while its a visual spectacle, its clear nobody leaves this little scuffle a winner.
Pick On Someone Your Own Size Ant-Man (2015)
Nobody would have guessed that Ant-Man of all people could enthrall audiences, but throw in Paul Rudd, make it a heist movie, and go all in on the wonder of having a hero who can shift his size to the molecular level, and youve got a fun time had by all. This is especially true of the climax as Scott Lang takes on newfound nemesis Darren Cross in a literal battle of proportions. The creativity on display as both Ant Man and Yellowjacket utilise their size-changing tech is next level, using a childs playroom as their battleground to great effect! Small scale, big impact.
Airport Showdown Captain America: Civil War (2016)
When it comes to superhero vs superhero brawls, nothing matches the awe-inspiring spectacle of having Team Iron Man taking on Team Cap, both fighting for what they believe to be the right thing, both unable to back down. With an airport as their battleground, were greeted to the sight of our favourite Avengers punching it out, with none giving an inch. Throw in the awesome introductions of the MCUs versions of Spider-Man and Black Panther, and youve got yourself a fight to remember. The choreography is top notch, the banter effortlessly flows, and the fact everyone gets a moment to shine is just another layer to this magnificent cake.
The Bargain Doctor Strange (2016)
The reality-bending, magical exploits of the Sorcerer Supreme wowed us when he phased into the MCU. And while the visual exploits found in the mirror dimension and astral projection scenes were captivating, what truly hooked us was nothing more than Stephen Stranges unfettered willpower. Facing off against the insidious being known as Dormammu, Strange proposes a bargainbefore being swiftly killed. Only to return and start the conversation all over again. As it happens, Strange had locked the two of them in a loop, trapping himself and Dormammu in the same fragment of time repeatedly, the only price being the countless deaths he has to suffer. And yet, his determination wins out! Hows that for a flex?
Father and Son Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Peter Quills parentage had been a mystery that many had speculated on, only for it to come to a head in the sequel when it was revealed that he was the offspring of Ego the Living Planet. Things quickly turned sour when it was revealed that in his desire for power, Ego gave Peters mother terminal cancer. While Star Lord may have been forced to destroy his biological father, hes swiftly saved by Yondu, the man who actually raised him and cares for him like a son, who in turn sacrifices himself so Peter can live. In the space of a few minutes, Peter loses two fathers, and the results are heartbreaking.
Identities Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
The wall-crawlers foray into the MCU was everything we could have wanted, though its most impactful scene was wholly unexpected. On route to pick up his homecoming date Liz, Peter meets her father outside their homewho is revealed to be Adrien Toomes aka The Vulture. Theres barely any time to process this revelation, before Toomes, in real-time, starts to deduce that his daughters date is none other than Spider-Man. The tension, the build-up, Toomes final warning, it all makes for a harrowing night for Peter, and one of the first true sacrifices he makes when he chooses to take responsibility instead of the easy way out. Theres meeting your girlfriends daddy for the first time and then theres this.
The God of Thunder Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
While arguably the funniest in the entire roster of MCU flicks, thats not to say Thors third outing wasnt also interwoven with some deeply heartfelt moments. Case and point, Thor reuniting with his deceased Father Odin, while on the cusp of defeat at the hands of his murderous sister Hela. Following some wise words from his dearly departed Allfather, Thor literally brings the thunder, unleashing the divine power that hes held inside all along. And yes, the moment is made all the grander thanks to the inclusion of Led Zeppelins Immigrant Song
Battle for the Throne Black Panther (2018)
After ascending to the throne of Wakanda, it doesnt take TChalla long before he finds his home under dire threat, both foreign and domestic, including that of mercenary extraordinaire Kilmonger, who also happens to be his long-lost cousin. After barely surviving their first encounter and making peace with the fact Wakanda cannot ignore the plights of the rest of the world any longer, TChalla returns to claim his throne, take down the insurgency, and put a stop to Kilmonger for good. Between taking on legions of traitor warriors by himself, the Dora Milaje strutting their stuff, as well as the appearance of armoured war rhinos, this finale was unrelenting.
The Snap Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
There have been few cinematic phenomena that have held as much resonance as the moment when Thanos claimed absolute victory over the Avengers, and all it took was a snap of his fingers. The character of Thanos had long been built-up behind the scenes, and when it was time for him to take the stage, he didnt hold back. Through sacrifice and brutality, the Mad Titan achieved his goal of collecting the six infinity stones, and while the Avengers fought valiantly to stop him during the battle of Wakanda, they ultimately fail in their attempts to prevent him from decimating half of all life in the universe. An act that is still being felt to this day across the MCUs landscape.
Truth Serum Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
Far more light-hearted in tone, Ant-Man and Wasp's attempt to stop the violent actions of the Ghost were fun, for the most part, but the ones who really stole the show were Luis and his merry band of miscreants. While being interrogated by criminal Sonny Burch, Luis is injected with truth serumwhere he proceeds to go on quite the series of tangents. Hilarious, fast paced, and culminating in the always hilarious baba yaga scare, we couldnt get enough of these lovable idiots!
Getting Back Up Captain Marvel (2018)
Upon learning that she had been kidnapped and indoctrinated into becoming a Kree soldier, Carol Danvers locks in to take down the ruthless Supreme Intelligence along with Nick Fury and a band of Skrull rebels. Not that it proves to be an easy task, as the collective hivemind wastes little time in degrading and restraining Carol and making her see flashbacks of all the times she failed in her past. This proves to be a double edged sword however, as it also brings to the forefront all the times that Carol chose to stand up throughout her life, unbinding her Kree restrictions in the process and unleashing the full force of her dormant powers.
Assemble Avengers: Endgame (2019)
While were sure the likes of Doomsday and Secret Wars will try their darndest, as it stands, theres not been a final confrontation across the Marvel landscape as epic as the Avengers and their allies take on Thanos and his army. The entire sequence is superhero fanfare at its highest. With the snap undone, all those that were lost return and rally to Captain Americas side, as he leads a final charge against the Mad Titan for the future of Earth. Though not before letting loose the now iconic call to arms.
Illusions Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Following the devastating loss of his mentor and father figure Tony Stark after the results of Endgame, Peter Parker is in a pretty poor placethat is until newcomer superhero Mysterio enters the picture, acting as a confidant and frienduntil we find out that, surprise, Mysterio is a trickster looking to use Peter to get his hands on some serious Stark tech. This leads to one of the wildest and most haunting scenes in the MCU to date with Mysterio using his illusions to trap Spider-Man in a nightmare scenario, berating him for his failures. That zombie Iron Man still gives us the heebie jeebies.
Birth of a Widow Black Widow (2021)
Natasha solo outing may have been slightly dampened due to being released post-Endgame, but that doesnt take away from how the opening sequence is surprisingly hard-hitting. Through snippets of photos and footage we see how the future Widow was taken as a child and trained as an assassin, from her training in the red room to the various killings she committed during her prime as a weapon for her government. Tying a bow on the whole morbid affair, is that the entire sequence is backed by a harrowing rendition of Nirvanas Smells Like Teen Spirit. Its the best kind of dark.
Bus Brawl Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
When it comes to the raw physicality and fluidity of its fight scenes, youd be hard pressed to find an MCU movie that did it better than Shang-Chi. Cornered by the 10 Rings on a moving bus, the unassuming Shaun suddenly reveals that not only can he fight, he can throw down with the best of them. Even as the bus cascades down the hill and hes dealing with a merc with a burning blade for an arm, Shang-Chi expertly disarms and decimates every foe in his path. Its a brilliant piece of action even outside of comic book movies, and quickly established that no matter the environment, Shang Chi is a man not to be trifled with.
Judgement Eternals (2021)
Say what you will about this film as a whole, the arrival of this crimson cosmic colossus is damn impressive in both scale and presentation. As a race of superbeings whose purpose revolves around the creation and destruction of whole galaxies, the Celestials are not to be messed with, and Arishem is the deadliest of them all. Following the Eternals dealings with the Deviants, Arishem arrives to snatch up the remaining members, forewarning that judgement will someday come to Earth, before casually peace-ing out via black hole. Now thats a Celestial who knows how to make an exit.
Spider-Men Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
The very notion that we could have three generations of Spider-Man sharing the silver screen together for an extended amount of time sounds farcical. That is, until this threequel made it a reality. After accidentally messing up one of Dr Stranges spells in an effort to erase the worlds knowledge of his secret identity, the MCUs Peter Parker finds himself battling classic Spidey-villains from alternative universes, inevitably leading him to team up with his counterparts. The chemistry and comradery on display between the likes of Tom Holland, Andrew Garfield and Tobey McGuires versions of the character is palpable. Just seeing the three of them casually talk about what it means to be Spider-Men, their loves, their losses, their greatest hits this was every fans dream scenario.
Death of the Illuminati Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
The Scarlet Witchs turn to the dark side brought with it all kinds of chaos across a number of various universes, but no scene was bloodier or packed more of a punch than her systematic elimination of the Illuminati. Untethered due to the influence of the Darkhold, Wanda takes on the might of Mr Fantastic, Professor X, Captain Carter, Black Bolt and Captain Marveland slaughters each of them in some of the most brutal ways an MCU film has dared display. Nothings more dangerous than a grieving mother on the warpath.
Deicide Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
It may have leaned too far into the comedy, it may have been too silly for its own good at times, but what Love and Thunder excelled at was establishing its villain Gorr the God Butcher, played to perfection as always by Christian Bale. After his daughter dies from lack of sustenance while his chosen deity openly feasts with little regard for his worshippers, Gorr snaps. Using the power of All Black the Necro-Sword, Gorr promises to slay every god he comes across, and to be honest, we cant really blame him for taking up such a barbaric crusade.
The Funeral Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
As both a tribute to the character and the actor, the funeral for TChalla hits twice as hard. Not only are we saying goodbye to such an integral and beloved character, but the man who brought him to life. The funeral procession is a masterwork when it comes to showcasing the grief of TChallas family, the beauty of Wakandas tradition, and an outlet for fans to say goodbye to Chadwick Boseman. Between the designs, the music and watching Shuri and Queen Ramonda struggle to cope with such an immense loss, youd be hard pressed to find someone who didnt well up at such a beautiful send-off.
The Probability Storm Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
There was certainly a lot to dislike about Quantumania, especially in retrospect, but given that it took place in the Quantum Realm, it certainly had some neat visuals to its name, and none were more outstanding than when Ant-Man was forced to retrieve Kangs power coreonly to be caught in the middle of a probability storm. For every possible consequence, a new version of Scott is spawned, eventually creating a vortex of chaos, confusion, and an infinite number of Paul Rudds. Thankfully, the single-minded determination to save his daughter, along with a little help from the Wasp, allowed him to escape before the rest of the movie could become interesting.
Rocket's Past Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
It was no secret that Rocket Racoon did not have a happy childhoodwe just didnt expect it to be this upsetting. As a creation of the High Evolutionary, Rocket was a prisoner with a brilliant mind, whose only solace was in his three fellow experiments, especially Lylla. A bold decision to break free ends up going awry as the High Evolutionary ends up gunning down all of Rockets companions. The sight of a younger, more vulnerable Rocket breaking down over the loss of the only family he had will honestly shatter you, and making it all too understandable why Rocket has such a cynical view of life.
Triple Threat The Marvels (2023)
Well, we certainly werent going to list the singing planet. As has always been the case with most things related to Captain Marvelthe brightest spot has always been the inclusion of Ms Marvel. Watching the fangirl turned superhero from New Jersey get to finally interact with her idol was nothing but charming, made all the better when they along with Monica Rambeau take down the Kree villain Dar-Benn. Its a brief scuffle, but getting to see the trio showcase their powers in sync makes for a sweet spectacle.
Like a Prayer Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
Having the likes of Ryan Reynolds Deadpool and Hugh Jackmans Wolverine team up has been on every comic fans bucket list, though we doubt any expected the final result to be this incredible. Not only were the jokes hard-hitting and self-depreciating, but the emotional payoff was sublime. After fighting their way through the Void and back to their reality, Wade and Logan come under siege by members of the Deadpool Corp, leaving them no choice but to team up and go full berserker rage. Were not sure whats more awesome, seeing these two work in perfect sync as they mutilate every Deadpool variant in sightor getting to see Wolverine don his iconic mask while Madonnas Like a Prayer heralds the films best fight scene.
Seeing Red Captain America: Brave New World (2025)
Thadeus Thunderbolt Ross is a man not to be trifled with a military general turned president who has had his influence felt throughout multiple major incidents in the MCUs canon. Only for him to take on a much more direct approach when hes unintentionally turned into the Red Hulk for all to see. This proves to be one hell of a match up for the new Captain America, who has to fend off Ross newfound strength all by his lonesome. Its a brief yet awesome skirmish, with Sam showing that while he may not have Steves super serum, he does have his unyielding spirit.
The Void Thunderbolts* (2025)
Just when you thought fighting against the MCUs version of Superman was a tall order, things go from bad to apocalyptic when Bob aka the Sentry is consumed by his mental anguish, which triggers the embodiment of his trauma known as the Void to surface. Who in turn starts banishing everyone in New York to the shadow realm! Determined to save him, both Yelena and the remainder of the Thunderbolts take the plunge to try and rescue Bob from himselfonly to find that once you enter the Void, youre forced to face your guilt, shame, and the worst aspects of yourself on loop. The way in which everyone fights to bring Bob back to the light while confronting their demons not only made for a thrilling climax, but spoke to topics of depression, isolation and mental health with beautiful clarity.
Which MCU moment remains the MVP in your mind? Let us know in the comments!