Phase Six has officially launched via The Fantastic Four: First Steps ($218M opening weekend). It’s time to assess the wreckage—and occasional brilliance—of Phase Five. Kevin Feige himself admitted “quantity trumped quality” during this era, but which projects rose above the multiverse mess? Here are our ranking of each Phase 5 MCU project from worst to best!
14. Secret Invasion
The absolute worst thing Marvel Studios has ever produced. This Nick Fury spotlight wasted Samuel L. Jackson, killed Maria Hill for shock value, and created plot holes so massive that fans actively ignore its existence. G’iah absorbing every superhero’s powers? Rhodey secretly being a Skrull during Endgame? Marvel wrote checks they had no intention of cashing.
13. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Phase Five’s disastrous opener promised multiverse mayhem but delivered a 70% second-weekend drop—the steepest in MCU history. Despite Kang’s hype, the film changed nothing, advanced nothing, and reduced the “Conqueror” to just another defeated villain. Even M.O.D.O.K. couldn’t save this quantum mess.
12. What If…? Seasons 2 & 3
Gorgeous animation elevated beyond simple “what if” scenarios into serialized multiverse adventures. Captain Carter led the Guardians of the Multiverse against reality-threatening villains. This proved animation could handle MCU’s biggest concepts. However, the hit-or-miss anthology format kept it from reaching its full potential.
11. Echo
Marvel’s first “Spotlight” release got dumped unceremoniously after sitting on shelves. Alaqua Cox delivered solid action. Wilson Fisk made a return. However, this felt like a character searching for a purpose in an oversaturated streaming landscape.
10. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man
Beautifully animated with clever twists (Nico Minoru as Peter’s best friend!), but ultimately comfort food for fans who already know Spidey’s greatest hits. Fun, not essential.
9. Deadpool & Wolverine
The billion-dollar hit Marvel desperately needed, but more Fox eulogy than MCU evolution. Hugh Jackman’s return and multiverse cameos (Channing Tatum’s Gambit!) provided thrills, yet it felt disconnected from broader MCU storytelling.
8. Ironheart
Despite toxic review bombing, this blend of Stark tech and dark sorcery worked surprisingly well. Dominique Thorne’s grief-driven performance and that actual Mephisto appearance showed promise—shame about that cliffhanger ending we’ll never resolve.
7. Captain America: Brave New World
A regular misfire rather than a disaster. Sam Wilson’s best character work already happened on Disney+. This leaves this feeling like President Ross’s story. Cap is merely along for the ride. Still, Tim Blake Nelson’s return as The Leader paid off a 15-year-old loose thread.
6. The Marvels
Unfairly maligned due to “superhero fatigue” and review bombing. This cosmic caper featuring body-swapping hijinks and Flerken chaos deserved better than its box office disaster. The streaming-to-cinema pipeline officially broke here.
5. Daredevil: Born Again
The street-level savior. After massive retooling, this gritty sequel delivered the dark, brutal Daredevil fans craved. Matt Murdock versus Mayor Wilson Fisk in a morally complex New York felt like a return to Marvel’s Netflix glory days.
4. Thunderbolts*
Phase Five’s most critically acclaimed film proved ensemble storytelling still works. This “Avengers for misfits” delivered unexpected emotional depth about mental illness and community while introducing Sentry perfectly. Florence Pugh’s Yelena continues being post-Endgame‘s best new character.
3. Loki Season 2
Tom Hiddleston’s final bow as the God of Mischief delivered genuine emotional payoff. Despite technobabble overload, Loki’s journey from selfish trickster to self-sacrificing hero provided the character growth fans deserved. That finale remains Phase Five’s most moving moment.
2. Agatha All Along
The only “Create More Content Era” show treated with respect. Kathryn Hahn’s witchy elimination game show was dark, campy, and genuinely suspenseful. Weekly releases made the Witches’ Road feel like appointment television again, while Billy Maximoff’s reveal honored WandaVision‘s legacy.
1. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
James Gunn’s perfect farewell. Rocket’s heartbreaking backstory, High Evolutionary’s genuine menace, and the MCU’s first F-bomb created the most emotionally satisfying conclusion since Endgame. Even Adam Warlock worked. This is how you stick the landing.
The Verdict
Phase Five stumbled more than it soared, but its best entries proved Marvel still knows how to deliver when focused. With Phase Six containing only four movies, quantity might finally give way to quality again.
