Captain America: Ranking Every Movie From Worst To Best

2. The Avengers

Almost with the foresight that the shared-universe ensemble picture would become the norm if he pulled it off, Joss Whedon made The Avengers explicitly about the question of whether The Avengers could be brought together, echoing the scepticism present in cynical audiences and ensuring the importance of the film wouldn't be lost when viewed outside of the hype bubble.

As such, the team-up has lost none of its shine in the four years since its release, still a sharp and engaging as it was when just having these heroes on screen together was enough of a reason to buy a ticket. The dialogue is funny without being silly and there's an excellent balance between these giant egos that more than earn the bombastic finale. It's pure entertainment.

Obviously, being an ensemble piece, Captain America isn't quite as much a focal point as in his solo films, especially as many of his fish-out-of-water scenes from early on were cut, but there's still plenty of time for Chris Evans to alternatively have fun and maturely explore the character. His assumption of the team's leader is earned and fitting and, despite fighting alongside a god, a rage monster and a guy in a giant weapon, he manages to not only feel important, but essential.