10 Outstanding MCU Films That Support Chris Evans' Stance

Chris Evans has defended Marvel Studios amidst recent criticisms, pointing to several great movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that support his stance. Since the debut of Iron Man in 2008, Marvel Studios has built the most expansive, successful, and intricate shared universe by bringing numerous characters from Marvel Comics to life. This has led to the MCU becoming the highest-grossing film franchise ever, with a dedicated and vocal fanbase. However, Marvel Studios has not been immune to criticism, especially during the development of the Multiverse Saga.

After the conclusion of the Infinity Saga in 2019, Marvel Studios expanded the MCU with various TV shows on Disney+ and an increase in the number of films released each year. This expansion has led to crews being stretched thin, potentially affecting the quality of recent MCU content and contributing to what some call "superhero fatigue." Despite this, Chris Evans, a Marvel Studios alum, has pushed back against criticism by emphasizing the challenges of producing these projects. He has also highlighted that some MCU movies are "objectively phenomenal," a statement backed up by numerous past MCU projects.

Comic book movies often don't receive the recognition they deserve. Despite being big productions with many people involved in the process, it's not easy to create a successful one. Making a movie is a challenging task, and having more people involved doesn't necessarily make it easier. While some comic book movies may have missed the mark, there are also phenomenal ones in the Marvel catalog that deserve more credit.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier Is Chris Evans’ Favorite Marvel Movie

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Steve Rogers facing Batroc in Captain America The Winter Soldier - Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) - Captain America: The Winter Soldier Is Chris Evans’ Favorite Marvel Movie

During Emerald City Con 2024, Chris Evans shared his thoughts on Marvel Studios' movies. He revealed that out of all the MCU films, Captain America: The Winter Soldier from 2014 holds a special place in his heart. This movie was the fourth time Evans portrayed Steve Rogers as Captain America, following his roles in Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers, and a brief appearance in Thor: The Dark World. Evans praised the Russo brothers for their direction in The Winter Soldier and felt that his character was portrayed in a more detailed way compared to his previous films. The Winter Soldier is often considered one of the best movies in the MCU, which validates Evans' personal choice.

Iron Man Began A New Era For Superhero Movies

Iron Man (2008)

Tony Stark suiting up as Iron Man for the first time in the MCU - Iron Man (2008) - Iron Man Began A New Era For Superhero Movies

Black Panther, the groundbreaking superhero film released in 2018, made history by becoming the first superhero movie to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. This nomination was a significant moment for the film industry, recognizing the cultural impact and critical acclaim of Black Panther.

Black Panther (2018)

Killmonger and T'Challa in Wakanda's throne room in Black Panther - Black Panther (2018) - Black Panther Was The First Superhero Film Nominated For Best Picture

In 2018, Black Panther, much like Iron Man, raised the bar for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film, starring the late Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa, the Wakandan King and Black Panther, is considered a culturally significant movie within the franchise. Black Panther not only expanded the MCU in beautiful ways but also achieved several milestones. It became the highest-grossing film for a Black director, earning over $1.3 billion worldwide. Additionally, it made history by being the first superhero film to be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars and the first MCU project to win Oscars in multiple categories.

Thor: Ragnarok Set A New Standard For The MCU

Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

Thor powered up with lightning in Thor Ragnarok - Thor: Ragnarok (2017) - Thor: Ragnarok Set A New Standard For The MCU

Shang-Chi & The Legend Of The Ten Rings was a significant milestone for representation in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film marked a positive step towards diversity and inclusion in superhero movies.

Shang-Chi & The Legend Of The Ten Rings (2021)

Shang-Chi taking the Ten Rings in the MCU's Phase 4 - Shang-Chi & The Legend Of The Ten Rings (2021) - Shang-Chi & The Legend Of The Ten Rings Was A Huge Step Forward For Representation

In 2021, "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" stood out as a highly praised project in the Multiverse Saga. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, it was commended for its representation of Asian cultures, offering a unique take within the MCU. The film introduced Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, a new and promising character in the Marvel universe. Fans are eager to see more of Shang-Chi in future MCU projects, anticipating his significant role ahead.

Spider-Man: No Way Home Is The Only Multiverse Saga Movie To Gross $1 Billion

Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield and Tom Holland as Spider-Man in the final battle of Spider-Man No Way Home - Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) - Spider-Man: No Way Home Is The Only Multiverse Saga Movie To Gross $1 Billion

Guardians Of The Galaxy Made Lesser-Known Heroes Household Names

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movies were known for surpassing $1 billion at the global box office during the Infinity Saga. However, in the Multiverse Saga, only Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021 has reached this level of success. This success can be attributed to the excitement of seeing Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield return as Spider-Men. No Way Home took bold risks in Tom Holland's Spider-Man story, and these risks paid off. The movie became Sony Pictures' highest-grossing film, setting numerous records for both Sony and Marvel Studios. Spider-Man: No Way Home remains the most successful movie in the Multiverse Saga.

Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014)

Star-Lord, Groot, Rocket, Drax and Gamora as the Guardians of the Galaxy in the Kyln - Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014) - Guardians Of The Galaxy Made Lesser-Known Heroes Household Names

In the 1990s, Marvel sold off many of its popular properties, leading the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) to focus on lesser-known characters from Marvel Comics. However, in 2014, director James Gunn changed the game by bringing some of the most obscure characters to the forefront. Guardians of the Galaxy introduced audiences to characters like Star-Lord, Drax, Gamora, Groot, and Rocket in a project filled with humor, emotion, stunning visual effects, and a nostalgic soundtrack. This movie not only put James Gunn on the map as a successful comic book movie director but also became one of the most beloved and entertaining films in the MCU.

Captain America: Civil War Was An Intimate Spectacle

Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Captain America and Iron Man fighting over the Winter Soldier in Captain America Civil War - Captain America: Civil War (2016) - Captain America: Civil War Was An Intimate Spectacle

Avengers: Infinity War was a major cultural event that captured the hearts of fans worldwide. The movie brought together all the beloved superheroes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in an epic battle against the powerful villain, Thanos. With stunning visuals and emotional storytelling, Infinity War left audiences in shock and anticipation for the next installment.

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Thanos on Titan facing the Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy in Avengers Infinity War - Avengers: Infinity War (2018) - Avengers: Infinity War Marked A Major Cultural Event

The Russo brothers, known for directing The Winter Soldier and Civil War, returned to direct Avengers: Infinity War in 2018. This film marked the culmination of a decade of storytelling in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Infinity War made history by becoming the fourth film to gross over $2 billion worldwide and the first superhero film to achieve this milestone. Bringing together a vast array of MCU superheroes to battle against the formidable Thanos, played by Josh Brolin, the movie tied up all the storylines of the Infinity Saga. The film concluded with a heartbreaking cliffhanger, solidifying its place as one of the greatest cinematic events of all time.

Avengers: Endgame Became The Highest-Grossing Film Ever

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Tony Stark's Iron Man sacrificing himself at the end of Avengers Endgame - Avengers: Endgame (2019) - Avengers: Endgame Became The Highest-Grossing Film Ever

Avengers: Endgame, the follow-up to Avengers: Infinity War, became even more successful, surpassing its predecessor in box office earnings just eleven days after its release. Many fans see Endgame as the ultimate conclusion to the Infinity Saga in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. From July 2019 to March 2021, it held the title of highest-grossing movie of all time, until Avatar's re-release. This epic film marked the end of an era for some of the original Avengers, wrapping up the first chapter of the MCU in a way that many consider to be truly outstanding and a testament to the talents of the cast and crew.

Editor's P/S:

The recent criticisms of Marvel Studios have sparked a debate about the quality of their content. However, Chris Evans, a former Marvel actor, has defended the studio, highlighting the challenges of producing such ambitious projects and pointing to several exceptional films within the MCU. Evans' personal favorite, "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," stands as a testament to the studio's ability to deliver compelling and well-crafted stories.

While the Multiverse Saga has faced criticism for its rapid expansion, it has also produced some of the MCU's most groundbreaking and successful films. "Black Panther," "Thor: Ragnarok," "Shang-Chi & The Legend of the Ten Rings," and "Spider-Man: No Way Home" have all pushed the boundaries of superhero storytelling, expanding the MCU's reach and showcasing its diversity. Despite the occasional misstep, Marvel Studios has consistently delivered high-quality entertainment that has captivated audiences worldwide.