For more than a decade, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been bringing heroes into the homes of worldwide viewers. Some faces may have already been familiar thanks to their famous source material and past adaptations. Others may have been relatively new and unknown. But as Nick Fury said, they all become part of a bigger universe, with each bringing their own unique stories.
Part of the reason for the MCU's success is the fact that the creators took their time to build up these characters, to show their backgrounds and histories. But not every origin story shines equally brightly. There are a few that will always be remembered as gems, whereas others remain missed opportunities.
12 Black Widow Comes Too Late To Be A Satisfying Origin Story
Fans of the MCU have been waiting for the story of the very first female Avenger (in terms of movie appearances) for years. First appearing in Iron Man 2, Natasha Romanov quickly showed the true extent of her potential and the fact that she deserved her own origin story. The perfect moment for one seemed to be after Captain America: Civil War, but ultimately, Black Widow was passed over in favor of Captain Marvel.
The movie comes much too late to be a satisfying origin story. It's interesting, and it could have added even more emotional depth had it come before the character's death. In this case, timing really is everything. All things considered, Black Widow falls short and barely qualifies as an origin story... unless it is meant to be Yelena's, not Natasha's.
11 Hulk Is An Entertaining But Forgettable Entry
The Incredible Hulk has long been one of the movies that fans have deemed somewhat forgettable. Strictly speaking, the movie is entertaining. Edward Norton does an excellent job as the titular character, and Liv Tyler's Betty Ross is a presence that is missed later in the franchise.
Unfortunately, there are just too many Hulk movies. Ang Lee's Hulk was released in 2003, and The Incredible Hulk appeared only five years later. Between the many adaptations of the character, the storyline has been rehashed too many times for viewers to remain invested.
10 Ant-Man Lacks The High Stakes Of Other Entries
Scott Lang's origin story chronicles his transformation from master thief to superhero. He is taught by Hank Pym to use the Ant-Man suit to thwart Darren Cross's plans as Yellowjacket. The movie has many strong suits, particularly in the fields of humor. Scott is likable and funny, and characters like Luis draw out an extra chuckle.
Still, the story doesn't quite have the high stakes of other movies. The villain isn't particularly memorable, and Scott doesn't overcome too many personal struggles of his own. It's entertaining, but it doesn't add much else to the table.
9 Captain Marvel Doesn't Have A Remarkable Character Arc In Her Own Origin Movie
Origin movies are by their nature meant to display the progress of their main character. The first female superhero film in the MCU, Captain Marvel may have hints of '90s nostalgia, but it doesn't provide much of a character arc for Carol. Her main challenge is getting back her memories, and she copes with her lost past quite well.
Jude Law's Yon-Rogg isn't really enough of a villain to hold Carol back. Considering the extent of her cosmic-level powers, her success is never really in question even if she is up against the Supreme Intelligence. It cheapens the strength of her origin story.
8 Captain America: The First Avenger Isn't Quite As Exciting As It Could Have Been
Project Rebirth turns skinny Steve Rogers into a super-soldier, but it takes a little more than that to create a hero and a legend. Captain America: The First Avenger tells that story in a satisfying, entertaining way. Unfortunately, the film lags in places, and it's not quite as exciting as it could have been.
The montage of him taking down the Red Skull's forces feels unsatisfying in presenting the extent of his career. Too much time is spent on Captain America's stint as a USO star, leaving less room on screen for his soldier days. His final sacrifice has also made fans wonder if there really was no other way to stop the plane except to bury it in the ice.
7 Guardians of the Galaxy Is A Well-Made Blend Of Hilarity And Drama
Before their appearance in the MCU, most fans didn't know much about the Guardians of the Galaxy. Now, they have become some of the most beloved characters in the franchise. The origin story of the group is a well-made blend of humor and drama, putting together an unlikely batch of misfits that's even more explosive and volatile than the Avengers. While Ronan could have been a more fleshed-out villain, the dance-off to save the universe remains a hilarious scene. Groot's heroic sacrifice to save his friends even brought some tears into the viewers' eyes.
6 Spider-Man: Homecoming Truly Brings A Beloved Character Home
If there's one character that comes to mind when people think of superhero movies, it is Spider-Man. The Sam Raimi trilogy starring Tobey Maguire has its ups and downs, but Spider-Man's journey is nothing if not memorable. The character was rebooted with The Amazing Spider-Man, but interest in Andrew Garfield's incarnation of the character was never really there.
With Spider-Man: Homecoming, Peter Parker was truly brought home, this time played by Tom Holland. The movie introduces new elements and skips over retelling Uncle Ben's death, avoiding the problem that sabotaged the success of The Incredible Hulk. Spiderman's struggle to manage his two identities is well-handled. The theme follows him in his other movies, and it appears that it will finally reach its conclusion with Spider-Man: No Way Home.
5 Thor Manages To Depict Far More Than The Exile Of An Arrogant Asgardian God
The origin story of the God of Thunder, Thor turns an arrogant and bloodthirsty god into someone far more heroic. It also gives fans one of the best villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Loki. The dynamic in the broken Asgardian family is what makes the movie shine, with Tom Hiddleston's portrayal of Loki and Anthony Hopkins's Odin being particularly remarkable.
4 Doctor Strange Is The Tale Of A Man Of Science Being Confronted By New Worlds
Doctor Strange tells the story of a neurosurgeon, a man of science who loses the proper use of his hands during a car accident. He seeks answers in mysticism, but he finds new worlds and a truth far greater than he ever believed he could touch instead. By the end of the movie, he is able to confront the interdimensional villain Dormammu, dying over and over again in a time loop that makes the creature withdraw from Earth. He goes from a selfish arrogant genius to a man capable of the ultimate sacrifice.
3 Shang-Chi Is A Story Of Returning To One's Roots And Triumphing Over Fear
The most recent addition to the MCU, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings depicts a hero who is forced to abandon his own home and identity. Shang-Chi lacks direction, having fled the path of blood his father set him on.
But when the past comes back to haunt him, he is forced to face it. He confronts his father, finally understands his true legacy, and truly grows as a character. In a way, his defeat of the Dweller-in-Darkness symbolizes his triumph over his own fears.
2 Black Panther Focuses Heavily On The T'Challa's Struggles As King And Delivers An Excellent Villain
T'Challa's unique cultural background and mysterious abilities make him very interesting to explore. The internal conflict between his desire for vengeance and his ideals of justice is resolved by the end of Captain America: Civil War. That only makes his clash with his father's past mistakes more powerful. Black Panther's Erik Killmonger is an intriguing and relatable villain, and his desire to free African people from oppression echoes the struggle of minorities who have to endure prejudice and abuse.
1 Iron Man Still Remains The Best MCU Origin Story
Iron Man shines on its own through the impeccable character arc, strong acting, and tightly-paced plot. Robert Downey, Jr. lives and breathes the character, and his struggle is something very human and real.
He's not a perfect man, but that just makes him easier for viewers to empathize with. He doesn't receive his heroic abilities from a supernatural item or a scientific substance. He's the epitome of a self-made superhero, and his true superpower is his intelligence. There's a reason why Iron Man set the standard for the rest of the MCU. It's truly the best origin story - it's the origin story of the MCU after all.