1) Captain America: The Winter Soldier

2) Avengers: Infinity War

3) Spider-Man: Far From Home

4) Avengers: Endgame

Before I even begin to talk about this list, I have to put out a quick disclaimer: I have not yet seen Spider-Man: No Way Home, and based on the reviews regarding this movie, it will most likely be added to my ranking eventually. 

I, as many others did, began binging the Marvel movies during quarantine. I had seen a few of them here and there but had never taken the time to sit down and watch them all in order. I soon began watching a movie almost every night and, of course, formed some very strong opinions on some of the films. Now, onto the list. 

After careful consideration and contemplation, I have finally decided on my list. Coming in at fourth place is none other than Avengers Endgame. Like it or not, as the final movie in this “phase”, all Marvel fans can applaud this film for its incredible viewing experience, filled with twists and turns that left all of us devastated and hooked at the same time. In my opinion, the final few scenes are enough to land this movie a place on my list. Getting to see all of the characters come together for a few final, monumental scenes was really something special for the audience, especially after seeing all of the characters learn and grow in their own movies. And of course, you can’t talk about Endgame without mentioning the deaths of a few very beloved characters that left even the fans grieving. 

The number three spot is secured by Spider-Man: Far From Home. Following Endgame, this movie did an incredible job with continuing the plot and showing how characters (Peter Parker in particular) were affected by Iron Man’s death. This movie, unlike Endgame, is full of a lot more “feel good” moments, as the Spider-Man movies always have. Between the growing romance of MJ and Peter, the friendship with Peter and Ned, and the complicated storyline between Spider-Man and Mysterio, this film really has it all. I personally love a good cliffhanger so when Spider-Man’s identity is finally revealed at the end of the movie and everyone was left on the edge of their seats, eager for No Way Home to come out, I was extremely excited.  

I couldn’t help but put Avengers Infinity War in my number two spot. Based on the sheer feeling of exhilaration I got when watching this, I knew Infinity War had to be put high up on this ranking. I truly think the character “highlights” in this movie were some of Marvel’s best. As one of my favorite characters, I was beyond excited to see a new combination of emotion and power in Wanda Miximoff that we hadn’t gotten as much of in previous movies. Other moments, like Captain America’s iconic entrance, sealed the deal for me. Infinity War is when the ending of this “phase” was really kicked off and the plot began to get really riveting. Thanos begins to create intense problems and the storyline becomes something it never has before. 

Coming in at number 1 (probably the most surprising choice of all) is Captain America and The Winter Soldier. In my opinion this film had the perfect ingredients to make a great marvel movie. Of course, a huge part of the marvel franchise is their ability to capture great action sequences, and Captain America and The Winter Soldier has some of the best. The lack of green screen and highly choreographed fight sequences made the stunts even more raw and impressive to watch. Aside from the action, this movie’s plot is one of my favorites. As a big Bucky Barnes fan, getting to see him come back as more of an “anti-hero” and challenge some of Captain America’s “super powers” was really intriguing. Captain America and The Winter Soldier is one movie I can watch over and over again and not get sick of, and for that, it has earned my top spot.

1) Spider-Man: No Way Home

2) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

3) Avengers: Endgame

4) Thor: Ragnarok

For the first time in Mount Rushmore history, I am not certain in my list. There are simply way too many outstanding movies that I simply cannot make a “perfect” list. 

I am someone who grew up watching these kinds of movies and were heavily influenced by them growing up. I have Spider-Man stuffed animals from when I was five years old, it is safe to say I have a lot of bias when it comes to superheroes. 

With that being said let us dive into my list, a few things to note: you may notice there are no Captain America movies on my list… that is because I hate Captain America with 99% of my heart (I will talk about the 1% later). With that out of the way, fourth place goes to Thor: Ragnarok. Like I said before there are so many movies that could have easily taken this spot. Thor is just a really well designed character and this movie was Marvel’s take on a “funny” MCU superhero movie and I think they pulled it off near perfectly. 

Taking home third I have Avengers: Endgame. My thought process behind this choice was I wanted a movie that not only was enjoyable to an audience but had a lasting effect in the MCU as well. I was debating between this movie and it’s almost “part one” in Avengers: Infinity War, but did not want to put both of them on this list, so I decided to stick with Endgame. because of how perfectly it sets up the Marvel timeline and future movies. One problem a lot of people have with this movie is that they feel the Avengers had too much going in their favor but I did not have that problem with the film. This movie also has two of the greatest Marvel scenes ever with the “portal scene” where Dr. Strange enters the final fight with all the cavalry, and Captain America’s “lifting Mjolnir” scene (the 1%). 

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 at two is my sleeper pick. When the third movie eventually comes out I think the Guardians trilogy will be the best in the entire MCU. The characters in these films are simply so cool. Each of them have their own backstory and come together through crazy circumstances. The reason I loved these movies so much is because of all the side characters. Peter Quill is the “main character” but the other guardians are some of my favorite characters in the entire MCU. Groot and Rocket’s friendship is unlike any other pair of bestfriends in the MCU. The reasoning behind putting Vol 2 ahead of Vol 1 is because the entire storyline of Peter Quill searching for his father and then having to fight him because he turned out to be a corrupt planet was really cool and done very well. 

No surprise here, my number one ranking goes to Spider-Man: No Way Home. This is a newer movie so I will watch what I say in case of any spoilers. I am very biased to the character of Spider-Man because he has been my favorite superhero ever since I watched Andrew Garfield in 2012. Watching this movie was unlike anything else and is easily the best Marvel movie ever. I would go as far as to say it is almost the best “superhero” movie ever, up there with The Dark Knight. I know that is a bold statement but I genuinely believe that and stand by it. Any technical flaw that there might be in this film I can overlook simply because of how much I enjoyed it. Enough said.