Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a tribute to Chadwick Boseman and King T'Challa. From the very beginning of the film, the viewers and characters alike feel distraught, and the emotion carries throughout the entire movie. Other Phase 4 projects, such as Black Widow and Thor: Love & Thunder, also have sorrowful beginnings.

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe is filled to the brim with amazing movies and TV shows. Some of the best aren't afraid to go to dark or emotional places. Starting a film in one of these places is a great way to define the story's tone or give background on an important character. Marvel does this frequently to catch audiences by surprise.

10 Gorr Loses His Daughter In Thor: Love & Thunder

Gorr the God Butcher from the MCU

Thor: Love & Thunder does what few MCU movies have done and focuses solely on the villain and what motivates them in its opening scene. Gorr watches and prays to his God as his daughter dies in his arms. Christian Bale delivers one of the best performances in Phase 4 as the God Butcher. He sells his character's desperation and grief brilliantly.

Gorr's love for his daughter shines through, and his realization that the bringer of light was merely a scam is painfully honest. His wielding of the necrosword is not without merit, but it proves that grief and anger can evolve into hatred for the responsible party when provoked. The great actor that he is, Bale's performance exudes emotion and has viewers feeling remorse for what Gorr has to deal with.

9 N'Jobu Is Killed In Black Panther

sterling k brown njobu header

The first Black Panther begins in California in the early nineties. N'Jobu is visited by his brother and confronted about his crimes against Wakanda. He also discovers his best friend was merely a spy sent to keep an eye on his exploits.

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Death is always a sad way to start a movie, especially when it's by the hand of a loved one. When the betrayal and N'Jobu's son are brought into consideration, his death becomes that much more emotional. While N'Jobu made the mistake of working with Klaue, his intentions are commendable. He aimed to help the oppressed with technology from his land, something Wakandan leadership didn't wish to do.

8 Ant-Man & The Wasp Explores Janet's Disappearance

A Young Janet And Hope Talk In Ant-Man & The Wasp

Ant-Man & The Wasp focuses on Janet Van Dyne's presence in the quantum realm. The film makes this clear with its opening sequence, which explores Janet's last day with her family and Hope's reaction to what she's told about the incident.

From the short screen time Janet and Hope share at the movie's beginning, it's clear Janet adores her daughter. She comforts Hope with jokes before leaving and expresses love for her in her final moments. Both Michelle Pfeiffer and Madeleine McGraw are stellar as the duo. They both sell the experiences their respective characters endured.

7 Thanos Attacks The Asgardians In Avengers: Infinity War

Loki being choked by Thanos in Infinity War

Avengers: Infinity War was hyped up to be the biggest superhero crossover event of the decade with a cosmic threat that promised to change the MCU as it was known. There was bound to be tragedy and death in this movie, but no one could have seen it happening so early on.

Thanos already has the power stone when he boards the Asgardian ship. He kills Heimdall and Loki to acquire the next. Both characters have since returned as different versions of themselves, but their deaths were brutal and tragic nonetheless. The final exchange between Thor and Loki is particularly heart-wrenching, as their love for each other is apparent and outweighs all the complications in their relationship.

6 Hawkeye's Family Is Dusted In Avengers: Endgame

Hawkeye In Endgame

Avengers: Endgame picks up where Infinity War left off, and viewers are shown the dusting from Clint's perspective. He and his family are outside for a picnic. Hawkeye turns around for one second, and when he looks back, his family is gone. This scene succeeds at providing an emotional reminder of what's at stake.

Everyone lost someone to the blip, and it's up to the Avengers to figure out how to get them back. Infinity War focused on the super-powered individuals lost due to Thanos' snap. The disappearance of the Barton family at the start of Endgame shows that it's not just powerful heroes that have been dusted. The snap also tore ordinary families apart, which may feel more tragic to the audiences than the former.

5 Shang-Chi Delivers A Beautiful Love Story

Tony Leung as Wenwu and Fala Chen as Jiang Li in Shang-Chi

Shang-Chi begins with a tale of Wenwu's life and legacy as the leader of the Ten Rings. The lore follows him all the way to Ta Lo, where he meets Ying Li. The two warriors engage in a powerful and rhythmic battle. Wenwu doesn't stand a chance in the fight, as Ying gracefully uses the forces of nature to catch him off guard. Wenwu is quickly enamored with his opponent, and they fall in love.

The love between Wenwu and Ying is wonderful and strong. The actors are amazing, and the choreography is clever. Unlike many other MCU films, Shang-Chi's opening delivers positive emotions and a feeling of euphoria. It shows that not every good scene has to ignite sorrow in viewers.

4 Bucky Is Tortured By Hydra In Captain America: Civil War

bucky in the chair MCU

The opening of Captain America: Civil War sees Bucky tortured by Hydra decades ago. He's manipulated into killing Howard and Maria Stark, though their identities aren't revealed until later. He proceeds to steal a batch of super soldier serum from the truck of the car and delivers it to Hydra.

Sebastian Stan gives an emotional performance that captivates viewers and leaves audiences empathizing with the man behind the soldier. He's able to perfectly depict the two sides of this character so that viewers can easily distinguish what version of Bucky is present at any given moment.

3 A Young Natasha And Yelena Are Captured In Black Widow

A Young Natasha Stands In Front Of Fake Childhood Photos In Black Widow

Black Widow begins with a flashback to Natasha's childhood as a part of a Russian spy family. She poses as Yelena's older sister and the daughter of Alexei and Melina. The film sees the group escape the US, and the girls taken into Russian custody. A montage of their childhood in the Black Widow program is shown as a sad cover of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" plays over the disturbing images.

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This opening sequence is so emotional because even though this is a Marvel movie, similar injustices happen in the real world. Confronting it, even in a fictional landscape, is difficult. The editing and effects are brilliant at portraying the tragedy of the situation Yelena and Natasha have been forced into. Consequently, viewers feel great sorrow for the characters.

2 Shuri Tries To Save T'Challa In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Shuri during T'Challa's funeral

The beginning of the second Black Panther sees Shuri take a desperate scientific approach to try and save her older brother. This fails to work, and the king of Wakanda receives a beautiful funeral procession and ceremony. The subsequent events of the film only add to Shuri's great suffering in Phase 4.

The very nature of Wakanda Forever is emotional because of Chadwick Boseman's absence. The studio decided not to recast T'Challa when Boseman passed away. Instead, the start of this sequel explains T'Challa's death and pays homage to both the actor and character. Chadwick is beloved by many, so there is no doubt that his tribute in Wakanda Forever brought most audiences to tears.

1 Peter Loses His Mom In Guardians Of The Galaxy

Meredith Quill And Peter Quill In Guardians Of The Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy opens in a 1980s hospital. A young Peter Quill bares witness to the end of his mom's life. He's in denial at first, but when Meredith gives her last breath, Peter explodes into a hysterical fit that leads to his alien abduction.

Wyatt Oleff plays the kid. His performance is breathtaking. The level of emotion he exudes is amazing and makes the scene feel raw and devastating. Losing a family member is one of the most painful things someone can go through. This scene only becomes more emotional when the discoveries of Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 2 are considered, and it becomes clear that Meredith didn't have to die.

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