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Top 10 MCU fight scenes

Top 10 MCU fight scenes
Jeremy Milliner

Jeremy Milliner

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been knocking it out of the park the past 10+ years, and with “Avengers: Endgamereturning to theaters alongside the premier of “Spider-Man: Far From Home,” Phase 3 is coming to a close. From heartfelt conversations to joke scenes to empowering, character-defining moments, at the end of the day these films are still inspired by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee and the multiverse they helped create. Considering these are blockbuster movies based on comic books, popcorn-munching fight scenes are around practically every corner.

Some of these fight scenes are for the visual spectacle, others are big turning points for characters, and others are climactic showdowns that took several movies to build up to. Fight scenes are a big part of the MCU, but which ones were the most memorable? We took a walk down memory lane and composed a list of what we think are the top 10 combat scenes in the MCU:

10. Dr. Strange versus Dormammu

Doctor Strange Dormammu

In one corner we have Dormammu, an otherworldy entity who can enslave and destroy entire dimensions. In the other corner: Stephen Strange, a relatively inexperienced (but very determined) Sorcerer Supreme who’s barely gotten used to the title. You can’t get a much better underdog story than that.

What puts this finale of “Doctor Strange” on our list is that it’s not even really a fight scene; it’s a battle of wills, and Dr. Strange emerges victorious. By creating a time loop with the Time Stone, he’s essentially able to annoy Dormammu into letting Earth go free. “Pain is an old friend,” he says to the titanic otherworldly being, and in that moment we know it’s not the Sorcerer Supreme who beat be baddie – it was the surgeon with broken hands.

9. Hulk versus Thanos

Avengers Infinity War Hulk vs Thanos

When the Hulk gets involved it’s game over for whoever he’s up against. Just look what happened to poor Loki in “Avengers.” That’s why jaws dropped when Thanos was able to knock the big green guy to the floor in under a minute. It’s the first time we’ve seen the Hulk lose a fight, and it happens right out of the gate, in the first few minutes of “Avengers: Infinity War.”

What makes this loss hit even harder is “Infinity War” takes place literal minutes after “Thor: Ragnarok,” a movie where Hulk is the grand champion of Sakaar, beats up Thor, and goes toe-to-toe with both Surtur and Hela. To have Thanos take out the Avengers’ biggest gun right from the start is a gut-punching shock, and it makes our list for being one of the most powerful narrative fight scenes in the series.

8. Iron Man versus Thor

Avengers Thor Iron Man Captain America

“Avengers” was one of the best (and historically important) films in the MCU, and it’s because we finally get to see our heroes come together to become the team Nick Fury hinted at as early as “Iron Man.” The team is hardly ready to work together at first encounter, however, and the first time it comes to blows is when its two most hotheaded members meet up in a forest after Thor swoops down to capture Loki.

It’s the classic instance of magic versus technology, and we learn that Thor’s lightning actually helps power Tony’s suit – a trick that would come in handy later on. When Captain America comes down to stop the fight, Thor swings down on his shield, proving that the metal of the three matches their mettle, and all are capable combatants in their own right. An unspoken respect is shared between the three from that point moving forward, but it’s this initial clash that paved the way.

7. Winter Soldier versus everybody

Cap pulls helicopter

Zemo has taken control of Bucky’s mind, and the poor guy’s going full rampage – or at least as full rampage as you can get with minimal access to weapons. The titular civil war hasn’t happened yet, but this scene is fuel for the fire that “Captain America: Civil War” is all about.

This scene is a rare instance in which none of our heroes are geared up for a fight; Black Widow even tells Tony “I hope you brought a suit,” and Tony quips back that “it’s a nice three-piece.” The battle breaks out without warning, and that means we get to see them armed with little but their training and wits (and superhuman enhancements for a few of them). Everyone tries to take a crack at the Winter Soldier, and he keeps them at bay, culminating in Cap bringing down a helicopter with his bulging biceps. What’s not to love?

6. Nebula versus Gamora

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Nebula

Nebula and Gamora have been at each other’s throats since childhood. We saw them going at it in “Guardians of the Galaxy,” but it’s nothing like this fight in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.” Gamora is sitting contemplatively in a field when Nebula streaks out of the sky in a ship, murder in her eyes. It turns into a knock-down, drag-’em-out fight in an eerie cavern beneath the ground, and there’s no holds barred from either of them. Nebula finally gets the upper hand … and can’t bring herself to kill Gamora.

Then she says the line that changes their relationship from that point forward: “You were the one who wanted to win, and I just wanted a sister!” It’s a pivotal moment in their relationship, and starts her on her journey into the Nebula we see in “Avengers: Endgame.”

5. Killmonger versus T’Challa

Killmonger T'Challa waterfall fight

By the second waterfall fight in “Black Panther” the audience already knows the ritualistic significance of the combat. T’Challa’s earlier battle here with M’Baku serves as a comparison to what is perhaps his darkest moment: T’Challa cannot beat Killmonger in this fight, and as a result, his mentor Zuri is killed in front of him.

Zuri’s death breaks T’Challa’s discipline, and for the first time we see a crack in his usual calm, cool demeanor. Killmonger puts that crack under the spotlight. “Is this your king?” he taunts. T’Challa’s spirit is broken, and his body follows shortly after. This fight makes our top 5 because (aside from the awesome choreography and backdrop) this is the real turning point in “Black Panther,” and really sets up the later conflict between Killmonger and T’Challa.

4. The Airport Battle

Civil War airport battle

If there was a single MCU fight that was all about the spectacle, it was this one from “Captain America: Civil War.” The fight at the airport was made for the fans, and it’s chock full of quips (including the first time we see the new Spider-Man fight!) and consists of a bunch of our favorite characters duking it out with each other because of … the Sokovia Accords? Or maybe it’s got something to do with the Winter Soldier? Eh, who cares, this is epic.

On one side you’ve got Cap, Falcon, Ant-Man, Hawkeye, Scarlet Witch, and Bucky.

On the other side is Iron Man, Black Panther, Black Widow, Spider-Man, War Machine, and Vision.

The fight gets progressively more ridiculous as it goes, reaching its zenith when Ant-Man gets huge and starts wreaking havoc. It’s all fun and games until Vision misfires and forever cripples Rhodey with a misfired blast from the Mind Stone. It’s this moment that juxtaposes the silly fun, and puts the civil war into perspective, properly raising the stakes.

3. Winter Soldier versus Captain America

Winter Soldier punches Cap shield

Captain America: Winter Soldier” was a game changer in many ways: Cap’s trying to make ends meet in modern day, HYDRA has infiltrated SHIELD, Nick Fury is compromised, and suddenly no one knows who to trust. To make matters worse, the mysterious Winter Soldier is somehow mixed up in all this, and Steve and Natasha end up facing off with him in the streets.

In what’s arguably the best-choreographed fight of the entire MCU, the Winter Soldier puts two Avengers on the ropes, even daring to fight in CQC with Captain America, a step into the ring that few can handle. The scene  ends with the Winter Soldier unmasked. Steve manages to croak out his friend’s name, to which he responds, “Who the hell is Bucky?” There are powerful forces at work here, Cap. Powerful forces indeed. Between the excellent combat, fluid camera direction, and the huge significance this has on the plot, this one makes our top three.

2. Everybody versus Thanos

Avengers Infinity War Thanos fight Titan

“Infinity War” started with Thanos killing a ship full of Asgardians, curb-stomping the Hulk, killing Loki (which we’re still not okay with), and overpowering Thor. It’s not until Iron Man, Spider-Man, Dr. Strange, and the Guardians of the Galaxy reach Thanos’ homeworld of Titan that they also get to try their hand against the big purple guy. Thanos at this point has four Infinity Stones, and the fight sequence is a series of coordinated attacks trying to wrest the Gauntlet away from him.

Besides just being visually spectacular, this scene cleverly uses all the Avengers’ talents in tandem, and we get to see just how powerful Thanos really is; in the end, even that isn’t enough. Strange sacrifices the Time Stone to save Tony’s life … because it’s the only way they’ll make it to the endgame.

1. Avengers Assemble

Avengers Endgame Thanos army

Ever since “Infinity War,” our heroes have been dying for some payback with the Mad Titan. At the climax of the “Endgame,” Thor, Iron Man, and Captain America step outside to see Thanos (currently without the Gauntlet or any Infinity Stones) awaiting their approach. It’s been a long five years for the Avengers, and now’s their chance for redemption.

Thanos is still a formidable foe, even without the Infinity Stones, and even their combined strength still isn’t enough. The Avengers give it their all: Iron Man gets his second crack at the big guy, Thor works right alongside him and dual-wields hammers, and Captain America steals the show by lifting Mjolnir in what is probably the best moment in the film.

Avengers Engame Cap stands alone

We could stop right there, but it only gets better from that point. In a moment of unmatched heroism, Captain America stands alone against the alien hordes of Thanos … or so it seems. Portals open up, and our favorite heroes get to come join the fight: Black Panther, Okoye, and Shuri; Falcon, Dr. Strange, and Wong; Spider-Man, Valkyrie, Wasp, Pepper, and the Guardians of the Galaxy; and eventually Captain Marvel as the ace up the sleeve. It’s the lineup everyone was waiting for, and the battle to end all battles.

Agree with our list? Let us know your favorite MCU fight scene, and we’ll see you in theaters July 2 for “Spider-Man: Far from Home.”

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Jeremy Milliner

Jeremy Milliner

Jeremy is an avid gamer, writer, musician, and instructor. He has been teaching for over 15 years, with his primary focus on music, and has written all manner of gaming articles, reviews, FAQs, walkthroughs, strategy guides, and even the odd screenplay or two. He has run the gamut of tech reviews, game guides, lifestyle content, and more. His focus as a writer is to give fair feedback of products, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses in a clear, concise, and entertaining manner.

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