Ever sinceBladehit theaters in the summer of 1998, Marvel movies have spent more than two decades reshaping the summer movie landscape with their unique take on action-packed comic book movies.
With 2008’sIron Manlaunching the Marvel Cinematic Universe, under the guidance of super-producerKevin Feige, Marvel managed to level-up the action movie genre as well, thanks to the MCU’s deep bench of characters. For the first time, Marvel was in charge of a slate of movies wholesale; they no longer had to sit on the sidelines as the studios to which they licensed characters like the X-Men and Spider-Man did whatever they wanted with valuable IP. As a result, Feige’s MCU honed their approach by offering a signature mix of character-first thrills and big-budget action that has changed Hollywood history once again.
In honor of Marvel celebrating their 23rd year delivering action-packed blockbusters to their passionate fanbase, here’s a ranking of the best action scenes ever in a Marvel movie — both outside and within the MCU.
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19. Deadpool and Cable’s Truck Chase Fight in ‘Deadpool 2’ (2018)
“Bigger and louder” seemed to be this sequel’s mandate, and no action sequence further proves that thanDeadpool 2’s endlessly inventive truck fight between our titular hero and his time-traveling rival, Cable (Josh Brolin). Here, guns,John Wick-level fight choreography (thanks toWickandDeadpool 2directorDavid Leitch), crashing cars, flipping trucks, and the Juggernaut all mix together to form a balls-to-the-wall set piece full of fist-pumping moments.
While the CG elements aren’t quite photo-real or seamless, the ideas being executed here more than make up for it.
18. The Air Force One Sequence in ‘Iron Man 3’ (2013)
Iron Man 3tends to get a bad rap, but directorShane Blackdeserves credit for infusing theIron Manmovies with a level of subversive humor and inventive action that they never had before. The latter is clear in one of the film’s biggest action scenes, when an attack aboard Air Force One sends Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) skydiving after the plane’s passengers in freefall. Consistent with the movie’s theme, it’s Tony’s ingenuity over his suit’s strength that allows the PTSD-suffering hero to save the day in a riveting sequence.
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17. The Blood Bath in ‘Blade’ (1998)
Blade’s bloody opening action sequence is one of the most memorable character intros in all of Marvel’s canon. It encapsulates Blade’s lethal slayer skills while establishing the film’sR-rated horror and tone.
By ambushing a secret “Blood Bath” club home to dozens of goth-y vamps, where ceiling sprinklers rain blood on thirsty patrons, Blade (Wesley Snipes) unleashes inventive fisticuffs and an impressive arsenal in one of the genre’s most satisfying (and unnerving) set pieces. Blade’s assault is action-packed, yes, but also terrifying — a tricky balance to pull off, tonally. But it is one that directorStephen Norringtonand writerDavid S. Goyerexecute effortlessly.
16. The Bullet Train Fight in ‘The Wolverine’ (2013)
The Wolverinelets directorJames Mangoldand starHugh Jackmanindulge in the popular mutant’s more violent and brooding tendencies in equal measure, as Logan must contend with a draining healing ability and a bloody conflict between a powerful family in Japan. Plot and action perfectly intersect atop a bullet train, at 300 mph, as Logan goes all hack-and-slash against a deadly throng of Japanese gangsters.
This inspired action set piece culminates with Wolverine in a face off with one very brave (or stupid) Yakuza who brings a knife to an adamantium claw fight. Rocketing down the rails at 300 miles-per-hour, with nothing but the sound of roaring winds and the snikt of Logan’s claws, Wolverine defeats his enemy by turning himself into a very stab-happy projectile. Mangold’s deft handling of the sequence earns it the distinction of being Wolverine’s best brawl since he fought Lady Deathstrike inX2.
15. Deadpool vs. a Carpool of Thugs in ‘Deadpool’ (2016)
This witty, action-packed set piece fromDeadpoolis inspired by the infamous sizzle reel that leaked and resulted in the then-risky R-rated blockbuster getting the greenlight for production. Here, the virtually indestructible Wade Wilson (Ryan Renyolds) flings himself off a highway overpass and into a vehicle full of thugs with itchy triggers. They prove no match for either Wade’s wit or his weapons, as the Merc With the Mouth shoots and slices his way through vaguely-European band guys in ways that make us gasp, cheer, and cackle with equal measure.
14. The Hulkbuster Armor Fight in ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ (2015)
Avengers: Age of Ultronis an uneven but ambitious sequel that raises the stakes for the Avengers while making their fight more personal, and more painful. The escalation in tension peaks at the movie’s midpoint, where Tony is forced to summon the fan-favorite Hulkbuster armor from a Stark Industries satellite in an effort to contain, and then fight, a rogue Hulk (Mark Ruffalo).
Marvel comics fans have been eager to see the Hulkbuster armor in live-action form and, on this front,Age of Ultrondoes not disappoint. (The armor would later play a key role inAvengers:Infinity War). From RDJ’s deadpan delivery of “go to sleep, go to sleep” over and over again as his suit’s fist jackhammers Hulk’s face, to Tony buying a building that is still under-construction before using it as a last ditch effort to immobilize the Green Guy, this set piece is a relentless delivery system of action-packed fan-service.
13. The Assault on the X-Mansion in ‘X2: X-Men United’ (2003)
As Wolverine growls to one of General Stryker’s guys invading the X-Mansion: “You picked the wrong house, bub.”
The crime of breaking and entering in Wolverine’s world is punishable by claws through the chest — and face — as Logan unleashes a blur of claw and fist on soldiers led by General Stryker (Brian Cox). Stryker, a vengeful father ashamed of his mutant son, has come to kidnap the young students that call the mansion home. That little experiment ends with Wolverine painting the walls of Xavier’s home with PG-13 carnage.
12. The X-Jet Attack in ‘X2’ (2003)
Great action scenes are often made up of a rapid series of “good news, bad news” moments. Your hero or heroes are caught in a cycle of mini-victories followed by increasingly complicated setbacks — and it all (hopefully) culminates into one big finish. The textbook example of this isX2’s riveting second act set piece aboard and outside the X-Jet in mid-flight.
Storm (Halle Berry), Jean Grey (Famke Jansen), Rogue (Anna Paquin), andNightcrawler(Alan Cumming) are forced to deploy their unique power sets as Storm pilots the jet away from F-15s in pursuit. If the military aircraft doesn’t kill them, the out-of-control tornados Storm summons to deal with those planes just might. All of this goes down at 30,000 feet, which leads to the sequence’s most harrowing moment yet: After evading the F-15s, but not before enduring some battle damage to the X-Jet, our mutant heroes are helpless as Rogue gets sucked out of a hull breach. She’s a goner — until Nightcrawler “bamfs” in for a mid-air rescue. Throughout the entire action scene, it’s non-stop, white-kunckle tension — a high point for Fox’sX-Menmovies.
11. Young Magneto’s Nazi Hunt in ‘X-Men: First Class’ (2011)
DirectorMatthew Vaughn’s first (and only)X-Menmovie had the unenviable task of revitalizing the franchise after the creative disappointment that was 2006’sX3. He and this prequel’s co-writer,Jane Goldman, succeeded with a grounded, 1960s-set storyline that centered on Magneto (Michael Fassbender) and his search for the Nazis that used him as a lab rat and murdered his mother.
His search culminates in one of the most satisfying moments in the film, in which Erik hunts his targets down to a South American bar and ends them with his powers in a manner that’s more Sean Connery-era Bond movie than summer blockbuster.
10. Nightcrawler’s Attack on the White House in ‘X2’ (2003)
A mix of bullet time-esque photography and impressive CG,X2’s opening teaser sequence is a dream come true for both Nightcrawler and action movie fans. Under the influence of a powerful mind control serum, Nightcrawler leaps and teleports away from confused Secret Service agents and into the Oval Office on a mission to assassinate the President of the United States. Before he reaches his target, the visual effects team perfectly captures his trademark BAMF-ing effect in one of the genre’s most iconic scenes.
