Top 5 Best Phase 3 Marvel Cinematic Universe Movies

The first three phases of Marvel are collectively known as ‘The Infinity Saga’. The first MCU film was Iron Man which began the first phase of movies concluding to the crossover film The Avengers. Phase 2 began with Iron Man 3 and ended with Ant-Man. Phase 3 is the third part of The Marvel Cinematic Universe and the conclusion to the Infinity Saga. It began with Captain America: Civil War and has ended with Spider-Man: Far From Home.

Related: MCU Movies Ranked from Worst to Best

5. Captain America: Civil War

Steve: Sorry, Tony, you know I wouldn’t do this if I had any other choice. But he’s my friend.
Tony: So was I.

Making a solid box office collection of nearly 1.2 billion dollars, Civil War was a surprising treat to see due to the fracture of our core Avengers. But it was an impactful conclusion to the Captain America trilogy. After Captain rescues a brainwashed Bucky Barnes from the Hydra base, the U.S Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross informs the Avengers that the UN is preparing to pass the Sokovia Accords, which will establish a UN panel to control the Avengers. The Avengers are divided. Tony Stark supports it because of his role in Ultron’s creation and Sokovia’s destruction, while Rogers has more faith in his judgment than that of a government. With a villain as manipulative and convincing as Zemo, the movie is nothing less than a roller coaster ride for the fans.

Related: Captain America: Civil War – Movie Review

Many new characters including Spider-Man, Black Panther and Ant-Man are introduced which marks this movie as the start to the road of The Infinity Saga. The original comic The Civil War was supposed to have much less of Tony Stark and the death of Captain America. But, with the Russo Brothers and Downey, most of the plot points were altered so that the characters could grow and connect better with the audience. Zemo was a powerful character with a legitimate purpose and almost convincing conduct which made the storyline realistic and comprehensible. Overall, Captain America: Civil War was a momentous and well-organised delivery by MCU.

4. Thor: Ragnarok

Thor: There was a time my brother transformed himself into a snake because he knows how much I like snakes. So, I picked up the snake to admire it, but then he turned back and went “AHH! It’s me!” And then he stabbed me.

Talking about one of the most iconic movies of Phase 3, Ragnarok is one of the most loved movies of the MCU. It was a great come back of the otherwise mediocre and boring God of Thunder. It brought all the glory, humor and swag to Thor’s character and the storyline was strong enough to escape brutal criticism. Starting with Thor meeting Dr Strange and Odin’s firstborn Hela crushing Mjolnir, the movie goes in a fast, but, steady pace with scenes concerned with Infinity Stones and Thor’s new powers. Heavy action scenes with just the right amount of “smash” and Thor-Hulk / Banner combo changed the game for this Asgardian prince.

Editorial: The Tragedy of King Thor
Related: Thor: Ragnarok – Movie Review

We see a growth in Loki – from being a chaotic God of mischief to a typically adopted brother and the introduction of Jeff Goldblum as The Grandmaster makes it all the more glamorous and fun. Hela was introduced as a very powerful Goddess and can be included in the list of iconic villains of MCU. With a cool soundtrack, amazing costume designs and the most visual action scenes, Thor: Ragnarok made Thor all the more powerful and popular that he is today. The movie made a whopping 854 million dollars become the highest-grossing film in the trilogy and the 9th highest-grossing film of 2017, credits to Taika Watiti, who has proved that he’s one to look out for.

3. Avengers: Endgame

“We’re in the Endgame now.”

No words can amount to the anticipation and craze that this movie created in 2019. This movie has made history and changed the game of superhero fiction forever. With Infinity War‘s base and the undying curiosity to know how the Avengers would fight and reverse the damage caused by Thanos, Endgame was a movie the entire world waited for. It has grossed over $2.79 billion worldwide, surpassing Infinity War’s entire theatrical run in just eleven days. Breaking numerous box office records, it became the highest-grossing film of all time, overtaking Avatar.

Editorial: Avengers: Endgame – An Ending a Grand Franchise Deserves!

Filled with exemplary one-liners and historic scenes, Endgame made every Marvel fan cry their heart out. From Captain’s “Hail Hydra” and “Avengers, Assemble” to Tony Stark’s unforgettable snap, everything mindblowing happened so fast, it was almost upsetting. The concept of time travel was a brilliant addition and with the untimely lapses in storylines and the possibility of alternate timelines has left us wanting for more. It was an ideal conclusion to the saga and an amazing yet haunting conclusion to some of our beloved characters.

Related: Avengers: Endgame – Movie Review

Endgame had the best of action sequences, the best of the screenplay, the best of music and the best of performances which were applauded by the critics and cherished by the audience. A new era of superheroes emerged stronger and connected with us better through Endgame, and it was a great beginning to introduce Phase 4 of MCU to the world. With a very long running time of 181 minutes, Endgame concluded the story of an epic saga most gloriously and entertainingly as possible. Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson and Josh Brolin wowed us with their acting, and the rest of the characters were just as phenomenal. Kudos to Kevin Feige and the Russo Brothers for this masterpiece that will remain in the face of cinema and our hearts till the end of the line.

Thanos: Daughter.

Gamora: Did you do it?

Thanos: Yes.

Gamora: What did it cost?

Thanos: Everything.

2. Black Panther

“Wakanda Forever!”

Black Panther was the first one of its kind, to say the least. It was unique and brought a lot of culture and historic depth to Marvel. With highly advanced technology pictured in the most innovative of ways. It received a lot of praise from critics for its screenplay, costume design and acting. The National Board of Review and American Film Institute included it in the list of Top 10 Films of 2018. It broke innumerable box office records and easily became the second highest-grossing film of the year.

Editorial: Why Black Panther is Overrated?

Black Panther was also the first superhero film to receive a Best Picture nomination at the Oscars and won numerous awards for costume design, production design and music. You can only imagine the history it made with those Oscars. The acting was noteworthy and the action scenes were a treat to watch. The villains Killmonger and Klaue qualified as worthy villains, and the movie was a magnificent introduction to Wakanda and the main character. Written by the American Crime Story writer Joe Robert Cole and directed by Ryan Coogler with his often-used team consisting of Michael B. Jordan, Ludwig Göransson, Black Panther is now one of those incredible movies of MCU that people will always remember.

1. Avengers: Infinity War

“Dread it, run from it, destiny still arrives.”

If this line doesn’t give you the chills I don’t know what will. Infinity War is surely the most marvelous Marvel movie and was the movie that changed the history of the MCU forever. With Josh Brolin giving life to the best of all Marvel villains to the inclusion of more than 30 Marvel characters in the story, Infinity War was the most expensive films ever made by the studios. Directed by The Russo Brothers, the movie was well-received by critics and audience becoming the fourth film and the first superhero film to gross over 2 billion dollars worldwide. While the introduction to the Infinity Stones and planets like Titan and Nidavellir amazed us, the unpredictable deaths of Loki and Gamora shocked us. I can’t even begin to describe the emotions we faced when we were put through The Decimation (the snap).

Editorial: Why Thanos is an Anti Hero

For a minute we watched the best fights of MCU and minutes later, we lost all our beloved heroes. It was truly devastating. With the introduction of Avengers to the Guardians, a new era of superheroes was born, and the movie ended up being the most celebrated films for Brolin’s performance as The Mad Titan-Thanos, the visual effects, action sequences and the emotional weight of the story. The role of every character is enhanced and focussed in the movie and has the best superhero collaborations any film scene could ever have. The story, the screenplay, the soundtrack and the acting perfectly balanced as all things should be after all.

Related: Avengers: Infinity War – Movie Review

Phase 4 has already got us on the edge of our seat and biting our nails. It will begin with Black Widow (2020) and end with Thor: Love and Thunder (2021) with plans of possible sequels to the second circle of Avengers and multiple series on Disney+ including Loki, Wanda & Vision, Falcon & Winter Soldier and Hawkeye. So, it’s gonna be a jam-packed couple of years for us, the MCU generation. For those who haven’t caught up with the MCU cause it’s more than just a super-secret boy band.

So, what are your favorite Phase 3 Marvel movies? Sound off in the comments below!