10 Best Marvel Movies Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes Score

10 Best Marvel Movies Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes Score

Marvel movies have taken over the world, becoming some of the most exciting films ever made. Rotten Tomatoes is a website where critics give their honest opinions, and those scores help us understand which superhero adventures truly stand out.

When a Marvel film scores above 90%, you know it delivered something special—whether through incredible action, memorable characters, or stories that touch your heart. Here are the 10 highest-rated Marvel Studios movies that critics and fans agree are absolute must-watches.

1. Black Panther (2018) – 96% Tomatometer

Ryan Coogler’s groundbreaking superhero epic changed everything we thought we knew about comic-book movies. With a 96% Tomatometer score, it stands as the highest-rated Marvel Studios film ever created.

Chadwick Boseman’s powerful portrayal of King T’Challa and Michael B. Jordan’s complex villain Killmonger brought depth rarely seen in the genre. The rich world-building of Wakanda, blending African culture with futuristic technology, created something truly magical onscreen.

Beyond the stunning visuals and thrilling action sequences, this film sparked important conversations about representation, identity, and responsibility. Its cultural impact reached far beyond theaters, making it a landmark moment in cinema history that critics universally celebrated.

2. Avengers: Endgame (2019) – 94% Tomatometer

Holding a 94% Tomatometer rating, the Infinity Saga finale delivered everything fans dreamed of and more. Directors Anthony and Joe Russo crafted an emotional three-hour journey that felt like a love letter to over a decade of storytelling.

The film masterfully balanced humor, heartbreak, and jaw-dropping action sequences. Watching the original Avengers lineup say their goodbyes brought tears to millions of viewers worldwide, creating unforgettable moments that resonated deeply.

Critics praised how the movie honored every character’s journey while delivering spectacular superhero battles. The time-heist plot allowed nostalgic revisits to earlier films, and the climactic battle against Thanos provided thrilling payoffs that satisfied both audiences and reviewers alike.

3. Iron Man (2008) – 94% on Rotten Tomatoes

Jon Favreau’s Iron Man launched the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe with a 94% rating and Robert Downey Jr.’s career-defining performance. Nobody expected this relatively unknown superhero to become a worldwide phenomenon, but the film’s magic proved undeniable.

Tony Stark’s transformation from selfish weapons dealer to armored hero felt grounded and believable. The movie balanced humor, heart, and thrilling action without feeling cartoonish or over-the-top like many superhero films before it.

Critics immediately recognized something special was happening. The film set the gold standard for modern superhero cinema, proving these stories could be smart, funny, and emotionally engaging all at once, paving the way for everything that followed.

4. Thor: Ragnarok (2017) – 93% Score

Taika Waititi’s colorful reinvention of Thor earned a 93% score by throwing out the serious tone and embracing pure cosmic fun. The God of Thunder got a much-needed makeover, trading drama for laughs without losing emotional weight.

Chris Hemsworth finally got to showcase his incredible comedic timing alongside Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk. Their buddy dynamic on the alien planet Sakaar created some of the MCU’s funniest moments, while Cate Blanchett’s villain Hela brought genuine menace.

The film’s dazzling visuals, retro soundtrack, and irreverent humor revitalized a franchise that desperately needed fresh energy. Critics loved how Waititi balanced laugh-out-loud comedy with real stakes, making Thor cool again and proving superhero movies could constantly reinvent themselves.

5. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) – 93% Rating

With a 93% rating, this multiverse spectacle united three generations of Spider-Men in a nostalgic celebration that nobody saw coming. Tom Holland delivers his most mature performance yet as Peter Parker faces consequences bigger than anything before.

The film brilliantly brought back villains and heroes from previous Spider-Man franchises, creating emotional moments that honored decades of storytelling. Seeing Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield return made audiences cheer and cry simultaneously in theaters worldwide.

Critics praised how the movie balanced fan service with genuine character growth. Peter’s heartbreaking sacrifice at the end proved this wasn’t just empty nostalgia—it was a coming-of-age story wrapped in spectacular superhero action that earned its emotional weight.

6. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) – 92% Score

Earning a 92% score, this film reintroduced Peter Parker to the MCU with a refreshing high-school spin that felt genuinely different. Tom Holland perfectly captured the awkward teenage energy of a kid juggling homework, crushes, and stopping criminals.

Michael Keaton’s Vulture became one of Marvel’s most grounded and terrifying villains. The scene where he figures out Peter’s identity in the car remains one of the MCU’s most tense moments, proving superhero movies could deliver real suspense.

Director Jon Watts stripped away the grand destiny angle and focused on a neighborhood hero learning responsibility. Critics loved the smaller stakes and authentic teen dynamics, making it feel like a John Hughes movie collided with superhero action.

7. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) – 92%

At 92%, Marvel’s first Asian-led superhero film blended spectacular martial arts action with authentic family drama that critics universally praised. Simu Liu brought charm and vulnerability to Shaun, a young man running from his complicated past.

Tony Leung’s performance as Wenwu, Shang-Chi’s father, elevated the entire film with emotional depth rarely seen in superhero villains. Their relationship formed the movie’s beating heart, exploring themes of grief, legacy, and breaking generational cycles.

The breathtaking fight choreography honored classic martial arts cinema while adding Marvel’s signature spectacle. Critics celebrated the film’s cultural authenticity and how it expanded the MCU’s scope, proving superhero stories could come from any corner of the world and resonate universally.

8. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) – 91% Score

Scoring 91%, James Gunn’s surprise hit introduced a ragtag team of misfits nobody expected to love. Star-Lord, a talking raccoon, a walking tree, and two deadly warriors somehow became one of Marvel’s most beloved groups.

The film’s irreverent humor and retro soundtrack featuring classic 70s and 80s hits created a unique vibe unlike any superhero movie before. Chris Pratt’s lovable goofball energy balanced perfectly with the team’s rough edges and tragic backstories.

Critics were shocked by how much unexpected heart the movie delivered. Beneath the jokes and spectacular space battles lay a story about broken people finding family in each other, proving Marvel could take risks on unknown characters and create something truly special.

9. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) – 91% Tomatometer

With a 91% Tomatometer score, this post-Endgame story perfectly balanced teen comedy with global stakes. Peter Parker’s European vacation becomes a nightmare when mysterious elemental creatures attack and Nick Fury demands his help.

Jake Gyllenhaal’s Mysterio brought a completely different type of villain to the MCU. His manipulation of Peter and incredible illusion sequences created visually stunning set-pieces that critics praised for their creativity and psychological depth.

The film explored Peter’s grief over Tony Stark’s death while dealing with typical teenage problems like impressing his crush. Critics appreciated how it served as both a palate cleanser after Endgame’s heaviness and a bridge to the MCU’s future, ending with a jaw-dropping cliffhanger.

10. The Avengers (2012) – 91% Rating

Also rated 91%, Joss Whedon’s team-up spectacle was a landmark moment that changed cinema forever. Bringing together Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, and Hulk seemed impossible, but the film made it look effortless and incredibly fun.

The movie’s witty banter and character dynamics set a new standard for ensemble superhero films. Watching these heroes argue, bond, and finally unite against Loki’s alien invasion delivered pure cinematic joy that audiences had never experienced before.

Critics praised how each character got meaningful moments despite the crowded roster. The Battle of New York remains iconic, and the film proved superhero crossovers could dominate box offices while earning critical acclaim, forever changing Hollywood’s approach to franchise filmmaking.