Captain America: Civil War is in cinemas now, and it is a Cap-tastic superhero film…
Cap-tastic, it’s a word, look it up.
To celebrate the film’s eagerly-anticipated release, we’ve compiled all of the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes scores for the previous 12 films that exist in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, just so you can get stuck into doing some very important film revision before you see Captain America: Civil War.
Since Iron Man hit our cinema screens in 2008, Marvel Studios has carefully built its own slate of films connected in the same universe. Both financially and critically, the films have been huge successes over the years, ushering in the boom era of superhero films.
Based on the score of film critics around the world, here are the 12 previous films in descending order, Top Of The Pops-style…
Thor: The Dark World (2013) – Critics Score: 66% – Audience Score 78%
Chris Hemsworth’s Thor returned to our screens in 2013 and although it didn’t quite live up to the unexpected highs of the first film, audiences still flocked to see it in their droves.
Mainly for Chris Hemworth’s luscious hair. Because he’s worth it…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npvJ9FTgZbM
Clip via Marvel Entertainment
The Incredible Hulk (2008) – Critics Score: 67% – Audience Score: 71%
A Marvel Studios reboot of Ang Lee’s Hulk film from 2003, this one definitely had some great moments, but maybe wasn’t the exact Hulk film Hulk fans were looking for.
And you wouldn’t like to see Hulk fans when they’re angry.
Edward Norton churned out a good performance as Bruce Banner (we’re #TeamRuffalo all the way though), and a whooping final showdown between the big angry green hero and villain, Abomination, in Harlem, was a punch-filled, pummeling watch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbqNb2PFKKA
Clip via Movieclips Trailer VaultÂ
Iron Man 2 (2010) – Critics Score: 72% – Audience Score: 72%
It was universally agreed that this sequel wasn’t quite as good as the first Iron Man film. Mickey Rourke played the villainous role of Whiplash, but even he was no match for Robert Downey, Jr. in the role of everyone’s favourite man-in-a-can, Tony Stark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoohRoVA9WQ
Clip via Movieclips
Avengers: Age Of Ultron (2015) – Critics Score: 75% – Audience Score: 84%
A solid showing from Joss Whedon who was in the director’s chair once again. Ultron (voiced by James Spader) proved to be a worthy villain against Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and an addition of some fresh characters in the movie paved the way for Marvel’s third phase.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAUoeqvedMo
Clip via Marvel Entertainment
Thor (2011) – Critics Score: 77% – Audience Score: 76%
Kenneth Branagh directed the Norse God Of Thunder’s first installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and it was a sleeper hit, providing great action and witty humour.
Chris Hemsworth (and that hair we mentioned) was the perfect fit as The Mighty Thor.
We were also introduced to Thor’s adoptive brother Loki, brilliantly played by Tom Hiddleston, who would become a fan favourite in the Marvel universe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOddp-nlNvQ
Clip via Marvel Entertainment
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) – Critics Score: 79% – Audience Score: 74%
This film was Marvel’s introduction to Steve Rogers’ origin story and how he became a super soldier by the name of Captain America.
You may have heard of him?
Set in the 1940s during the Second World War, Rogers was recruited by the U.S. army to take down Hydra and their evil leader Red Skull, a fresh take on one of Marvel’s most iconic superheroes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JerVrbLldXw
Clip via Marvel Entertainment
Iron Man 3 (2013) – Critics Score: 79% – Audience Score: 79%
Robert Downey Jr. returned as Tony Stark for the third stand-alone instalment of Iron Man, and it proved to be a smash hit at the box office, grossing over $1.2 Billion worldwide, and solidifying Iron Man as one of the tentpole comic book characters of this era.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke1Y3P9D0Bc
Clip via Marvel UK
Ant-Man (2015) – Critics Score: 80% – Audience Score: 87%
A different and fresh take from Marvel, this film was on a smaller scale to previous installments from the studio.
Paul Rudd put in a great performance as Scott Lang, the man who dons the insect-like superhuman suit that ex-S.H.I.E.L.D scientist Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) once wore.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWdKf3MneyI
Clip via Marvel Entertainment
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) – Critics Score: 89% – Audience Score: 92%
It was time for Captain America to get used to modern-day life while also facing the ghosts of his past and the Russo Brothers hit this one out of the ball park.
The action was fantastic, and the directors provided a suspenseful spy-thriller aspect to the film that was highly enjoyable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SlILk2WMTI
Clip via Marvel Entertainment
Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014) – Critics Score: 91% – Audience Score: 92%
Fresh, new and just brilliant.
This was an absolute hit for Marvel – it was their answer to Star Wars. It was hilarious, the casting was perfect, the soundtrack was amazing, and it has to be up there as one of the best comic book films in recent memory.
Director James Gunn gave audiences a film that had multiple elements to it, and film fans will now be salivating for Guardians 2.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LIQ2-PZBC8
Clip via Marvel Entertainment
The Avengers (2012) – Critics Score: 92% – Audience Score: 91%
When The Avengers hit our screens in 2012, it was impactful, breaking box office records all over the world.
It was the ultimate superhero film, signalling a change in the genre and an impressive feat from Marvel, who had carefully planned a four year build-up to the film.
It was met with critical acclaim and opened up endless possibilities for superhero movies in the future.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOrNdBpGMv8
Clip via Marvel EntertainmentÂ
Iron Man (2008) – Critics Score: 94% – Audience Score: 91%
This was the start of something special from Marvel, who would plant the seed to develop its own cinematic universe with this fantastic debut film for the cocky billionaire, inventor and playboy who builds a high-tech suit of armour.
The film proved to be a career-resurrecting performance from Downey Jr. who has completely owned the role since he first became the top tin man around.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hYlB38asDY
Clip via TheMovieChanneI
Check out the latest trailer for Captain America: Civil War below.
Clip via Marvel Entertainment
