Phase 4 of the Marvel cinematic universe was a lot. New heroes, alternate universes, and a grieving nation of Wakanda. With the Infinity Saga all wrapped up, Marvel shouldered the weight of kicking off a new era of superhero storytelling without the support of Tony Stark and Captain America, but they weren’t afraid to swing for the fences, experimenting with tone, introducing a sleuth of new heroes, and diving headfirst into the chaos of the multiverse.
Some of it was pure Marvel magic, while the rest struggled to stick the landing. Here’s a brutally honest line-up of all the Marvel Phase 4 movies from “blipped without a second thought” to “multiverse masterpiece.”
7. Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
Thor: Ragnarok was lightning in a bottle. A perfect blend of humour, colourful cosmic adventure, and epic stakes that gave Thor a much needed refresh and reignited fan excitement for the God of Thunder’s solo outings. But unfortunately, too much of a good thing can be a lot, and that’s exactly what Thor: Love and Thunder proves. Taika Waititi leans into the zany, absurdity to the point where the scale breaks, leaving a candy-coloured cosmic romp which chases humour at the cost of the heart and stakes that made its predecessor such an instant hit.
Picking up after the events of Endgame, the movie follows Thor as he prepares to battle a new cosmic threat, Gorr the God Butcher, a grieving father turned vengeful god killer played by Christian Bale. Amidst all the punchlines, Bale’s Gorr provided a chilling, scene-stealing villain, who grounded the film and hinted at a darker, more emotionally rich story that could have been. Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster matched that weight with a bittersweet hero’s journey that gives longtime fans a reason to be emotionally invested again. If you enjoy loud, colourful, and unapologetically silly superhero movies, Thor: Love and Thunder is a fun watch.
6. Eternals (2021)
Marvel’s big sweeping swing at cosmic mythology, Eternals, is unlike any other Marvel film. The movie follows ten Eternal god-like beings across 7000 years as they set out to protect the Earth against evil forces known as the Deviants. Directed by Chloé Zhao, fresh off her Oscar win for Nomadland, the movie trades Marvel’s usual quippy, fast-cut scenes, for grand, lingering shots of vast landscapes, sunsets, and ancient civilizations.
Backed with an ensemble cast that includes Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Angelina Jolie, Kumail Nanjiani, Salma Hayek, and Brian Tyree Henry, Eternals, is Marvel’s biggest gamble yet, pairing an all-star cast with a daring, centuries spanning storyline, and a markedly different tone from anything in the MCU before. But that gamble results in a film that feels more like an epic myth than a superhero romp. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it’s just not what fans expect from a typical Marvel outing. If you enjoy slower, more thoughtful storytelling, and mythical films, you should consider giving Eternals a watch. If nothing else, do it for the stunning cinematography, and painterly visuals.
5. Black Widow (2021)
After years of fans clamouring for Natasha Romanoff to get her own film, Black Widow finally arrived in 2021–after the events of Endgame, when Natasha had already met her fate. Set between Civil War and Infinity War, it’s part spy thriller, part dysfunctional found-family drama, offering a long-requested glimpse into Natasha’s mysterious past and the shady organisation that turned her into an assassin.
Florence Pugh’s Yelena steals the show with her dry wit and sharp banter, while David Harbour’s Red Guardian brings a bumbling charm. The Jason Bourne–style action sequences are a refreshing break from Marvel’s usual cosmic spectacle, and the introduction of new characters makes Black Widow essential viewing for future films like Thunderbolts*. It’s an entertaining send-off to Black Widow, even if it arrives fashionably late to the party.
4. Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness (2022)
Sam Raimi, the director of the original Spider-Man live-action trilogy starring Tobey Maguire, takes a break from directing horror features and joins the MCU to helm Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness. This alone is reason enough to watch the film. But in all seriousness, the film is a chaotic, kaleidoscopic, trippy feast with hints of jump-scares from Raimi’s horror days.
Set after the explosive events of No Way Home, the film leaves Dr. Strange with the burden of protecting the world from spiralling into a multiverse of chaos with a little help from America Chavez, a new universe hopping teenage superhero in the making. Elisabeth Olsen returns to deliver a powerhouse performance that culminates in a haunting, emotionally charged climax. Packed with cameos, shocking twists, and a pace that doesn’t let you pause even for a second, Multiverse of Madness is the kind of spectacle that lives up to the epic scope and fan expectations set by Phase 3. If you enjoy fast-paced action mixed with a slightly darker and more chaotic tone, then this one is right up your alley.
3. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
Marvel’s most personal film yet, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever serves as both a tribute to the late star Chadwick Boseman, and a continuation of the story of Wakanda. Stepping into big shoes, the movie tackles grief head on, exploring how Wakanda faces new threats while grappling with the absence of their king. Wakanda Forever sees T'Challa's tech-genius sister, Shuri, stepping into a more central role as the nation prepares to shield itself from a mysterious underwater kingdom, ruled by the formidable Namor.
Blending spectacular action with intimate, heartfelt moments, Wakanda Forever captures both the grandeur of Marvel’s Cinematic Universe, and the personal struggles of its characters at the same time. It’s culturally rich, deeply emotional, and packs enough action to have the makings of a blockbuster spectacle, but the pacing takes its time, which might not make it a top choice for fans of Marvel’s usual fast-action films.
2. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
Marvel finally dives into martial arts fantasy with Shang-Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings and it’s an absolute blast. Simu Lee makes his Marvel debut as Shang Chi, a skilled martial artist living a quiet life in San Francisco, until his father, the powerful Wenwu catches up with him, forcing him to confront the past he tried so hard to leave behind.
Packed with jaw-dropping action sequences, some of the best hand-to-hand combat in Marvel history, mythical creatures, and the traditional Marvel humour, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is an entertaining family drama, with one of the most layered Marvel villains yet, and surprisingly emotional core about family, identity, and finding one’s place in the world. It’s so new yet so Marvel at the same time, making Shang-Chi a surprising and long-due entry for Marvel fans that have been waiting to see more diversity and fresh voices among their superheroes.
1. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
The best part about the multiverse? You no longer have to choose which version of live-action spidey is your favourite. Spider-Man: No Way Home is a nostalgia-packed rollercoaster, bringing back iconic villains, seriously epic superhero team-ups, and moments that fans could dream of. It’s a celebration of everything Spider-Man has been, while also setting up a bold future for the character within the MCU.
After having his identity ousted, Peter seeks help from Dr. Strange to cast a spell to undo the damage—the only problem? Peter’s constant alterations cause a tear in the multiverse, unleashing the best storyline in the history of the Spider-Man franchise. Spider-Man: No Way Home is for everyone who grew up loving Spider-Man, no matter the version you grew up on. It’s through and through a fan service extravaganza, web slingingly good, and endlessly rewatchable.
