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Summary
The promise for allMarvelmovie sequels is that they can find out from their forbear and improve on what came before , but chronicle has show that that ’s only the case on a few select occasions . That ’s not always a bad thing -the MCU motion picture timelineand the various series that derive before or during it have been fill with wonderful projects that are simply tough acts to follow . Moreover , repeat more of a good thing can make less of an impact , while divert too far from a prove strategy can break down to do work out as intended .
However , some ofthe better Marvel movie sequelseither successfully build on promising foundations , find a bold fresh direction to explore , or right fault from old projects . These projects often build off antecedently established hype from already solid movies or , in rarified representative , overstretch an audience back after damaging disappointment . Regardless , these Marvel movie sequels one up what came before them and remain some ofthe best movies in the superhero genre .
Though several of the superhero genre ’s best movies are sequels , some follow - ups from both Marvel and DC neglect to capture their predecessor ’s magic .
10Spider-Man 2 Remains One Of The Wall-Crawler’s Best
Spider-Man 2 (2004) Is The Sequel To Spider-Man (2002)
Cast
Spider - Man(2002 ) did n’t single - handedly kick off the mod superhero genre , but it ’s hard to oversell how culturally substantial Peter Parker ’s first live - action motion-picture show was . hopeful , bluff , and vibrant - in contrast to the previously pop run ofBatmanmovies -Spider - Mandelivered previously unobserved fidelity in special event and presented an affirmative and unified New York in a time that necessitate it . WhileSpider - Man 2wasn’t as fresh as its harbinger , it does come after in tell a much more interesting story with best fight scene and an equally telling baddie .
As an blood story , Spider - Man accept a while to get going , and whileWillem Dafoe remains iconic as Norman Osbornover 20 years later on , Alfred Molina ’s Doc Ock fromSpider - Man 2is a much secure reflection of the root cloth than Green Goblin . wanderer - Man 2jumps right into the action without forgetting about a good story and memorable fiber , and the movie rest a masterclass in tempo . All that operates in addition to place pieces that have senesce marvellously well , such as Spider - Man and Doctor Octopus ’s frantic conflict atop a go train .
As a testament to their longevity , both Dafoe ’s Green Goblin and Molina ’s Doc Ock returned to live - action inSpider - Man : No Way Home .
9Thor: Ragnarok Was The Reinvention Thor Needed
Thor: Ragnarok (2017) Is The Sequel To Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Chris Hemsworth save a solid performance inThor , Thor : The Dark World , and his Avengers movie show , but it was clear beforeRagnarokthat the persona just was n’t come home on the same level as his Colorado - Heron . WhileThor : The Dark Worldis in the discussion forthe worst MCU motion-picture show , Ragnaroksolves virtually all of its problems and delivers a marvellous adventure that both works as a stand - alone see experience and as an integral chapter in the wider MCU .
WhereasThe Dark Worldsuffered from a dull tone , bland bomber , and wildly forgettable baddie , Ragnarokgives Thor a big personality encouragement and villain , Hela , who perfectly walks the line between licitly heavy and comic - Good Book silliness . Ragnarokalso finally took the baron cap off Thor , letting him in full rent loose and showcasing why the God of Thunder is n’t one to be wanton with . Moreover , the picture show catch points for a originative closing that sees Thor sacrifice his homeworld for the safety of his people - a sheer decision that ’s forge Asgardians ' narration in the MCU ever since .
Thor’sRagnarokfollow - up , Thor : Lover and Thunder , does much of the same as its herald , but a less engaging story and clash tones from view to view meant it fail to perform as well , critically or financially .
8Iron Man 3 Is Divisive But Avoids Being More Of The Same
Iron Man 3 (2013) Is The Sequel To Iron Man 2 (2010)
Iron Mankicked off the MCU with a strike , butIron Man2failed to spark the same dada - civilisation turmoil . While Tony ’s 2nd solo movie does a lot right , one of its biggest flaws is that it treads too much familiar primer coat . For better or for worse , Iron Man 3doesn’t have that problem . Director Shane Black lends his key signature fashion to Iron Man ’s third picture , and the movie feels undeniably unequalled .
While turn the Mandarin into a huge joke of a twist is a brilliant move for some and a waste of a Graeco-Roman character to others , it ’s punishing to argue that Tony ’s suit - less escapades are n’t unique for the character and do n’t put the emphasis back on Tony ’s news . Moreover , the climactic conflict is perhapsthe best in theIron Mantrilogy , contribute Pepper a more proactive role to recreate and showcasing dozens of unique Iron Man suits with the House Party Protocol assault .
7Captain America: The Winter Soldier Remains One Of The MCU’s Best
Captain America: The Winter Solder (2014) Is The Sequel To Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Captain America : The First Avengerremains a solid MCU origin fib motion picture , butCaptain America : The Winter Soldieris about as close to a perfect film as the MCU has gotten in its 16 - year run . The movie exploresCaptain America in the modern MCU timelinein an interesting way without turn his situation into too big of a joke , and the report , centered on Hydra infiltrating SHIELD , exercise as a legitimate espionage thriller even without the superheroes .
Most significantly , Captain America : The Winter Soldiersucceeds because it focuses on quality firstand dress piece second . Winter Soldier ’s introduction is as emotional for Steve as it is visually striking , and Natasha and Cap on the run do a lot to move forward the franchise characterization for both . The moving picture also presents Nick Fury at arguably his most effective , something the enfranchisement has mostly fight with since .
6Infinity War Fixes All Of Age Of Ultron’s Problems
Avengers: Infinity War (2018) Is The Sequel To Avengers: Age Of Ultron (2015)
Avengers : Age of Ultronsuffered from a villain who come and run low too quickly and a report that spent too much time go under up next plotlines , andInfinity Warexcels in both of those regard . It ’s difficult to remember in hindsight how small was known about what the MCU would do with Thanos in the lead - up toInfinity War , but the movie right away establishes him as one ofthe MCU ’s good villainsand well worth the build - up . While the archetype understandably sets upEndgame , it also works implausibly well on its own ( and the hold for the observe - up movie was quite short ) .
Infinity Waris the ultimate proof - of - conception for the MCU , delivering a orotund narrative that directly trust on years of previous motion picture while stay as functional as a film itself . WhileAvengers(2012 ) develop new ground by bringing six heroes together , Infinity Warupped the ante by including dozens , and each one got their due meter to shine . It ’s problematic which movie is well betweenInfinity WarandEndgame , but there ’s no line thatInfinity Waroutdoes its predecessor in every way .
5The Marvels Addresses A Previous Captain Marvel MCU Complaint
The Marvels (2023) Is The Sequel To Captain Marvel (2019)
It ’s difficult to drop a line incredibly powerful characters well , and it was a common criticism ofCaptain Marvelthat Carol Danvers was compose to be too stoical and without right challenges . Right or ill-timed , The Marvelsmade the right call to give Carol a wonderful hold up castthat allows all three - Carol Danvers , Monica Rambeau , and Kamala Khan - to let their personalities shine through . Monica , Carol , and Kamala have instant chemistry that attain both natural process scenes and stretch of dialogue better , and Captain Marvel comes out a much more nuanced and compelling character for it .
The Marvels is an uproariously fun and action - throng comic book flick that ’s made all the more delicious by the heartwarming moral force of the leads .
4Spider-Man: No Way Home Stands Out From Other Multiverse Stories
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) Is The Sequel To Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Spider - Man : No direction Homewas a enceinte risk of exposure for the MCU . Multiverse storey are commonplace in the superhero genre now , butNo Way Homebroke newfangled ground by play back Tobey Maguire , Andrew Garfield , and a slew of their previous on - projection screen villains for a corporate adventure . Doing so hazard sideline the MCU ’s Peter Parker and looking like virgin nostalgia bait , but the results verbalize for themselves . While Far From Home is doubtlessly a good movie , No style Homeis a dear letter to decades of Spider - Man moviesand fibre that are unlikely to be topped in resilient - natural process .
3Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 Sticks The Landing
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) Is The Sequel To Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
James Gunn’sGuardians of the Galaxy Vol . 2is a solid movie that ’s well deserving revisit , but the trilogy closer is a more emotionally resonant account that nab the unmanageable challenge of providing gag rule in a divvy up universe . good-hearted baddie can be great , butGotG 3 ’s High Evolutionary succeeds in being wholly and irredeemably evil . Moreover , he drive the genuinely heartbreaking story about Rocket and his tragic past .
The Guardians flick have always been centered on a impregnable worked up nub , and that ’s ramp up not only as Rocket face the monster that made him but also as the original team eventually goes their separate elbow room . Avoiding the expected deaths most audiences thought they saw come , Gunn does something more challenging - he gives each mate an termination befitting their multi - movie journey . The Legendary Star - Lord will return to the MCUin some capacity , but ifGotG 3is the last pleasure trip for the rest of the squad , they ’ve been give a fitting bookend .
2X2: X-Men United Still Holds Up Over Two Decades Later
X2 (2003) Is The Sequel to X-Men (2000)
X - Menwas staggeringly important in usher in the modern age of superhero movies , but it has n’t age quite as well as its subsequence . WhereasX - Menwas burdened with spending most of its run - time easing watcher into the idea of X - Men and their seat in the world , X2is a much more tightly paced filmwith a more fiber - labour narrative . The first movie ’s familiar faces are joined by newcomers like the still - visually - stunning Nightcrawler , and Wolverine ’s history of mystery and abuse grounds the X - Men ’s more home issues with Senator Kelly . Moreover , and more surprisingly , the extra effect carry up remarkably well .
Fox ’s X - Men motion picture were hit - and - miss , but it ’s hard to argue that the dealership ’s gamey points , like X2 , do n’t remain iconic since the franchise end .
1Logan Is The Best Wolverine Movie By Far
Logan (2017) Is The Sequel To The Wolverine (2013)
Despite being one of the biggest breakout stars of Fox’sX - Menmovie enfranchisement , Wolverine ’s solo movies are n’t as good overall as they probably should be . However , to their citation , each subsequent project get better . X - Men Origins : Wolverineis a misfire on most grade out of doors of casting . The Wolverineoffers a much improved but still ultimately blemished tarradiddle , butLoganremains one of the finest superhero movies of all time .
Logantook a liberal risk by shun the massive natural process set up - pieces 10 - Men movies are know for in favour of a slow , heartbreaking character story . Taking a man known for healing and rage and giving him genuine vulnerability point Logan in a previously unseen illumination that ’s augment by the dichotomy between the young Laura and the older Charles Xavier . Moreover , Logan gives its nominal paladin a perfect end to a centuries - foresightful narrative that works as a goodbye both in - universe and out , even if Deadpool 3 is set to feature Wolverine in one moreMarvelmovie .
