The sequel to Guardians of the Galaxy explores the relationships between the Guardians, particularly Peter Quill and his father, Ego the Living Planet. The film deepens the emotional stakes, while retaining the humor and fun of the first. Fun fact: The iconic "Awesome Mix Vol. 2" soundtrack was a key part of the film’s emotional storytelling, with James Gunn carefully selecting songs that reflect the personal journeys of each character.

Black Panther follows T'Challa, the newly crowned king of Wakanda, as he faces the challenge of both internal strife and the threat of Erik Killmonger. This groundbreaking film became a cultural phenomenon, promoting Afro-futurism and offering a powerful look at race, identity, and power. Fun fact: The film's success led to the creation of the Wakanda Forever salute, becoming an emblem of pride for fans.

The first Guardians of the Galaxy film introduces a team of misfits, including Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, and Groot, who must team up to stop the villain Ronan the Accuser. The film was a surprise hit, combining humor, heart, and a killer 1970s soundtrack. Fun fact: The "Groot" voice was created by Vin Diesel recording the word "I am Groot" over and over in different emotional tones, showcasing his dedication to the character.

The third Spider-Man film in the MCU, No Way Home sees Tom Holland’s Spider-Man team up with Doctor Strange to fix a botched spell that opens the multiverse. This film brought back previous Spider-Man actors, Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield. Fun fact: The idea of bringing back former Spider-Man actors was kept secret, and Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield had to sign strict non-disclosure agreements.

The second Captain America film explores Steve Rogers’ struggle to adapt to modern life while facing the mysterious threat of The Winter Soldier, an assassin who turns out to be his old friend, Bucky Barnes. Fun fact: The film's tone was inspired by political thrillers from the 1970s, with directors Anthony and Joe Russo focusing on creating a more grounded, spy-like atmosphere for the superhero genre.

The second installment of the Iron Man series explores Tony Stark’s struggle with his mortality and the dangers of his technology. It also introduces Black Widow and War Machine to the MCU. Fun fact: The famous whiplash scene, where Tony Stark fights Whiplash (played by Mickey Rourke), was designed to challenge the expectations of superhero fights, focusing on technological combat.

In Civil War, the Avengers are divided when ideological differences tear them apart, with Iron Man and Captain America leading opposing factions. This film introduces Black Panther and Spider-Man into the MCU, and its emotional stakes are high, as old friends turn against each other. Fun fact: The film’s famous airport battle scene took months of planning, choreography, and special effects to execute the complex action sequences, making it one of the most memorable superhero fights ever.

The film tells the origin story of Steve Rogers and his transformation into Captain America, beginning in the World War II era. The film provides a deep dive into Steve’s motivations and sets the foundation for his role as a leader in the Avengers. Fun fact: The film's iconic vintage shield was inspired by classic comic book designs, giving it a timeless, heroic feel.

Vol. 3 concludes the story arc for the Guardians, particularly Rocket Raccoon's past, as they confront the villainous High Evolutionary. The film is a mix of humor, heart, and high-action sequences, offering closure to long-running storylines. Fun fact: The film dives into Rocket's emotional backstory, giving him more screen time than ever before, with Bradley Cooper voicing Rocket's most intense moments.

The first film in the MCU, Iron Man stars Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, a genius inventor and billionaire who builds the first Iron Man suit. This film launched the MCU and established its trademark mix of humor, character development, and cutting-edge special effects. Fun fact: Robert Downey Jr. improvised many of his lines, particularly during the first testing of the Iron Man suit scenes, which contributed to the film's energetic and witty tone.

This film introduces Shang-Chi, the master of martial arts, into the MCU. As he faces his father, The Mandarin, and the Ten Rings organization, Shang-Chi offers a fresh take on the superhero genre, blending action with cultural depth. Fun fact: The fight scenes were choreographed by Brad Allan, a veteran of Jackie Chan’s stunt team, which gave the movie’s martial arts a distinct, fluid style.

Infinity War brings together almost every major MCU character as they battle Thanos, who seeks to collect all the Infinity Stones and wipe out half the universe’s population. The film ends on a devastating cliffhanger. Fun fact: The "Snap", where half of the universe is wiped out, was a closely guarded secret, and many of the actors didn’t know who would be dusted until they received the final script.

Thor introduces audiences to the Asgardian god, Thor, played by Chris Hemsworth, as he is cast out of Asgard and sent to Earth, where he learns humility. The film also introduces Loki as a primary antagonist. Fun fact: Chris Hemsworth initially auditioned for the role of Thor in 2009, and he was given a second chance after originally being rejected due to his relatively unknown status in Hollywood. This film cemented his role as a major star in the MCU.

The conclusion to the Infinity Saga, Endgame sees the surviving Avengers attempt to reverse the damage caused by Thanos. The film offers a climactic, emotional ending to Iron Man and Captain America's arcs. Fun fact: The iconic “I am Iron Man” moment was filmed as part of Robert Downey Jr.'s final scene, making it one of the most emotional lines in MCU history.

In Doctor Strange, Benedict Cumberbatch introduced audiences to the mystical side of the MCU, blending sci-fi with fantasy. The film explores Stephen Strange’s journey from arrogant neurosurgeon to the Sorcerer Supreme. Fun fact: Director Scott Derrickson and Cumberbatch wanted the film's visual effects to be as mind-bending as possible, drawing inspiration from the surreal artwork of M.C. Escher.

The film that launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the global spotlight, The Avengers brings together Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye to defeat the alien invasion led by Loki. The film set the tone for future team-up films and showcased Marvel’s ability to balance multiple characters and complex storylines. Fun fact: The final battle scene in New York was one of the most ambitious set pieces ever built at the time, with elaborate special effects and choreography.

Age of Ultron sees the Avengers team up to defeat the rogue AI, Ultron, voiced by James Spader. This film introduces Vision, Scarlet Witch, and Quicksilver into the MCU while setting the stage for future conflicts. Fun fact: James Spader's voice work as Ultron was done with a combination of motion capture and improv, giving the villain an unpredictable and unique presence. Fans also remember the iconic “We have a Hulk” line by Tony Stark.

Homecoming sees Tom Holland’s Spider-Man trying to balance high school life with his duties as a superhero. This movie is a fresh take on the character, with Iron Man acting as a mentor figure. Fun fact: Robert Downey Jr. improvised his iconic line, “If you're nothing without the suit, then you shouldn't have it.” This scene marks a pivotal moment in Peter Parker’s journey toward self-realization.

The sequel to Black Panther explores the aftermath of T'Challa's death and the rise of Shuri as the new leader of Wakanda. The film honors Chadwick Boseman’s legacy and introduces Namor the Submariner. Interesting fact: The movie’s homage to Boseman was created with great sensitivity, and the filmmakers decided to not recast T'Challa out of respect for his passing.

Set after Avengers: Endgame, Far From Home sees Peter Parker on a school trip to Europe, where he faces the illusionary villain Mysterio. The film explores Peter’s struggle with the loss of Tony Stark and his rise as a hero in his own right. Fun fact: The movie's "illusion" sequences were a massive technical achievement, using state-of-the-art visual effects to create realistic yet mind-bending action sequences.

Though not a traditional MCU movie, Deadpool 3 marks the return of Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman in their iconic roles. This film promises to blend Deadpool's irreverence with Wolverine's gruffness, offering fans a thrilling and emotional reunion. It also marks the first time Deadpool officially integrates into the MCU's expansive universe. Fun fact: Reynolds and Jackman have long shared a playful off-screen rivalry, jokingly calling each other out on social media - fans will finally get to see their chemistry onscreen in this highly anticipated crossover.

The sequel to Doctor Strange dives deeper into the multiverse, exploring alternate realities and featuring the return of Scarlet Witch. The film takes a darker turn than its predecessor and introduces characters like America Chavez. Fun fact: Sam Raimi, known for his work on the Spider-Man trilogy, directed the film, bringing a distinct horror-inspired vibe to the MCU.

Starring Edward Norton as Bruce Banner, The Incredible Hulk is often considered the least connected to the larger MCU, but it provides essential backstory for the character and his transformation. Though the film didn’t get as much love as its MCU successors, it’s a vital part of the Hulk's journey. Fun fact: The actor who played Abomination, Tim Roth, spent hours in the makeup chair, and the Hulk’s iconic green shade was created using a combination of computer graphics and physical body paint.

The first Ant-Man film introduces Scott Lang, a former criminal who becomes the hero Ant-Man, thanks to the mentorship of Dr. Hank Pym. The film blends humor with high-stakes action as Scott must prevent an evil tech mogul from weaponizing the Pym Particle. Fun fact: The film’s smaller scale action sequences, where Ant-Man can shrink and grow, were inspired by the concept of shifting perspectives, creating a unique visual experience that felt fresh compared to other superhero movies.

In Iron Man 3, Tony Stark faces personal struggles following the events of The Avengers. The film explores his anxiety and his relationship with his suit as a source of identity. Fun fact: The film introduces Aldrich Killian, who initially seemed like a secondary villain, but was later revealed as one of the most complex in the MCU, with a significant twist.